31 May 2011

Summer is a magical time for kids to learn magic

Do your children want to learn magic this summer?  Then you've come to the right place!  We've highlighted the magic programs for children offered through Canada this summer.

Sorcerers Safari
When talking about summer, magic and children, the first name that always comes to my mind is Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp.  Sorcerers Safari is a sleep-away camp in the Haliburton Highlands about 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto. This year's camp runs from Tuesday August 30th to Sunday Sept 4th, 2011. The camp is coordinated by Mike Segal and boasts an amazingly talented and experienced staff!

To register or for more information, visit SorcersSafari.ca.

Take a peek at the highlights from last year's camp!



Oh, Magic Camp from Rotten Pictures on Vimeo.
Not interested in a sleep-away experience?

Mega Magic Camp, Calgary 
If you're looking for something in Western Canada, check out Mega Magic Camp with Sean Watson and Brent Smith in Calgary from August 22nd to August 26th, 2011.

To register or for more information, visit MegaMagicCamp.com.

Ottawa 
In the Ottawa area, Eric Leclerc runs English and French language magic classes during the summer. His 2011 dates haven't been posted yet. Keep checking his website for more information.

Halton Magic Camp  [added October 1, 2011]

Scott Dietrich is offering the chance of a lifetime to 20 lucky Halton children (ages 8 – 12).   Halton Magic Camp is not your ordinary summer camp, over one week your child will be immersed in the magical arts while their confidence and creativity explode; something Scott is proud to have witnessed over and over again at his camps. 
Greater Toronto Area 
Some of the Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp crew will also be teaching magic in Toronto area day camps.  Some of these day camps are offering an introductory magic classes for the entire camp summer and some of the camps also offer a 'Magic Course/Specialty' that run on particular dates. 

At present, the participating day camps are:
  • Bayview Glen: offers a general magic activity 3 days a week for the full summer
  • Zodiac: offers a specialty magic program (a 2 week program, twice over their 8 week summer course)
  • Crestwood (warning, website autostarts a video with sound): offers a general program 4 days a week for the entire summer
For more information about the magic taught at the day camps, contact Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp.  For more information about the camps in general, or to register, contact the day camps directly.

We hope your summer is magical!

(If you run a magic course for children and want to be included, leave a comment or send me an e-mail with your details!)

Arshad Khan: Order of Merlin - Shield Award

Congratulations to Arshad Khan who has been awareded the Order of Merlin - Shield Award. This honour is awarded for thirty-five years of continuous membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians.  According to The Caesar Hat and Wand Magic Circle website, he has been invited to personally recieve it in Nashville, USA.

Congratulations Arshad!

Links for 31-May-2011

Ryan Pilling: Play Big

From Ryan Pilling's new blog, Playing Big:
This blog is about the important half of the old saying “pack small, play big”. I begin with a statement of where I stand, and what I think it takes to play big as a performing magician.
Welcome to the blogosphere Ryan!  I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts.



[h/t: @magicassistant]

30 May 2011

Broken wand: Les Brockelsby

From the Globe and Mail on Thursday May 5th:
DECEMBER 8, 1923 ­to  APRIL 30, 2011 Leslie 'Les' George Brockelsby of Calgary passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the age of 87 years.
...
He also had a passion for magic from a very young age, performing his first magic show at age seven as 'The Wonder Boy of Plymouth'. Once retired, his interest in magic returned when he helped organize a local magic club, Calgary Magic Circle - Ring 66 which is now known as the 'Les Brockelsby Ring'. Les spent much of his time mentoring aspiring young magicians.


Read the complete obituary or visit the online guestbook.

Rounding the Western rings in June

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Doc Eason lecture
- Jr. Magic Club
- Garden Variety Show (Arc Fire, KinkonautsTop Secret Bluegrass Band)
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic ClubMasterMind private workshop
- James Biss lecture TBD
Saskatoon, SK  - Bill Abbott lecture
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- N/A
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- Children's Magician of the Year public show at the Shadbolt Theatre in Burnaby
- Doc Eason lecture
- Special General Meeting
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) - Doc Eason lecture
- Business Mtg  
- Teach a Trick:  Alex Day
- Refreshments:  Eric Bedard
- Mini Lecture:  Shayne King
- Showtime Activity(SA):     Rob Brown


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Ontario rings in June

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - Awards Night: Winner reprise performance
London, ONLondon Magician's Guild- Jay Sankey lecture
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- annual BBQ / picnic
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Year End Party
- Magician of the Year Award Presentation
- New Member(s) Induction
- Games and Magic Trivia (09-10 Champ Doug R.)
- Bring your magic too!
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Aldo & Rachel Colombini Farewell Tour lecture
- Year end banquet
Woodstock, ONCAM 1 (Friendly City Mystics) - N/A


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Toronto: L.A.S.T Fundraiser – A Gala of Comedy and Magic

From the Abracadabaret website:
Friday, June 24 and Saturday June 25, 2011 at 8pm
Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St., Toronto
Price: $20.00 Adults / $15.00 Child
Starring:James Alan, Jeff Hinchliffe, Nicholas Reynoldson and Chris Westfall
Headliners:Mike D’Urzo (Friday)
Dan Trommater (Saturday)
Hosted by: Shawnathan
Presented by Lost At Sea Theatre

To purchase tickets or learn more about this event, visit the Abracadabaret website.

29 May 2011

The Bistro is OPEN!

In April, James Munton launched The Magic Bistro.  According to James, most of the members are working professional and semi-professional magicians.  There is very little moderation.  For the most part, people are free to post whatever (and however) they like. Mark Lewis is the moderator of the Pitch section and Paul Pacific is the moderator of the Mentalism section.

There is even a permanent "Ask Mark" section should you have a burning question for Mark.  Have a read of his "Drawing a crowd" thread from the Pitch section.  There's lots of good stuff in there.

This online community has some Facebook-like features which will become more important as the site grows. James plans to expand the Articles & Routines section and he invites contributions.

What are you waiting for?  Have a look around.  Everyone is welcome at The Magic Bistro!



[h/t: John Pellatt, Paul Pacific]

Mark Lewis: The Magic Café Forum special guest of honor

From May 29th thru June 4th, Mark Lewis will be the special guest of honor at the Magic Café!

[h/t: James Alan]

27 May 2011

David Acer at TAOM 2011

David Acer will be at TAOM 2011, September 2-5 in San Antonio, Texas.

For more information about the convention, please visit TAOM.org.

26 May 2011

Eugene Burger at CAM/PCAM Combined Convention

According to the most recent edition of Northern Sleights Eugene Burger will be appearing in this year's CAM and PCAM combined convention

For more information about the convention, please visit MagicianConvention.com

23 May 2011

Murray hosts episode of 'Pawn Stars' roadshow

From TulsaWorld.com:
On one episode, someone brought in handcuffs, claiming they belonged to the legendary Houdini, Murray said. Turned out they were the real deal, with the leg shackles and handcuffs worth between $6,000 and $10,000.
Read more.

[h/t: Wayne Kawamoto]

CAM/PCAM Combined Convention: additional names revealed

New performers names are listed at MagicianConvention.com, including stage peformers Paul Romhany and Master Payne who will be appearing in this year's CAM and PCAM combined convention

For more information about the convention, please visit MagicianConvention.com

22 May 2011

Jay Sankey: June ‘Bending the Real’ lecture tour

From JaySankey.com:
As for my new lecture, I’ve been able to juggle my schedule and ‘make room’ for a handful of lectures in the first couple of weeks of June.  The lecture is a creative combination of fun, powerful effects and thought-provoking theory, with an emphasis on startling magic + mentalism for ALL SKILL LEVELS.

Dates and cities (visit Jay's site for details on times and locations):
June 2: London, ON
June 4: Chicago, IL
June 6: Grand Rapids, MI
June 7: Detroit, MI
June 8: Ann Arbor, MI
June 10: Cleveland, OH

21 May 2011

Calgary: Light and Motion June 4th and 5th, 2011

From LightandMotion.ca:
Light and Motion is a unique, once a year, experience. Your chance to learn new prop manipulation and circus skills from the best and be surrounded by an amazing, warm and inspiring community of like minded individuals. 
Teachers include Ryan Pilling.

Gwyn tells us that among other things, there will be a card and coin class!

For more information, or to register, visit LightandMotion.ca.

20 May 2011

Toronto: Morrissey's 52nd Anniversary

From MorrisseyMagic.com:
Morrissey's 52nd Anniversary Party is on Saturday June 4 2011.
Doors Open @ 10 AM.
For more information about the anniversary party, including a store coupon, visit Morrissey Magic on Facebook.

17 May 2011

Edmonton: Jeff McBride Super Session MORE TICKETS

Visit the Facebook page: Jeff McBride Super Session for more information.

More spots available for Jeff McBride's Super Session in Edmonton on June 1st! http://tiny.cc/b8e6s @McBrideMagicless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

15 May 2011

Lee Asher at Convención Mágica 2011

 is part of this year's line-up at this year's Convención Mágica, taking place in Buenos Aires – Argentina on September 9th, 10th, 11th 2011.

For more information about the convention, please visit Convención Mágica.


[h/t: MagicConventionGuide.com]

14 May 2011

Links for 14-May-2011

09 May 2011

Magical blogs

Recently, someone asked "Any good magic blogs out there?"  Good question. 

Here's a list of blogs written by magical Canadians (former and current) about which I'm aware:
Please leave a comment if you'd like to be included or know of others that I'm missing.  The list will appear as a feature in the middle column, below the "Sponsored by" section, under the title "Magical blogs."

FFFF 2011 with Scott Wells

Listen to Scott Wells talk about the 41st edition of Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic (FFFF 2011) with Obie O'Brien and others over at The Magic Newswire.

02 May 2011

Rounding the Western rings in May

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Jr. Magic Club
- Garden Variety Show 
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- TBD
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- TBD
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- Executive meeting
- Close-up night (competition for the H.B. MacLean Trophy (adult) - and for the Dick Gardner Trophy (Jr.) for excellence in close-up magic. )
- KIDabra Chapter 11 will be hosting the Farewell Lecture Tour of Aldo and Rachel Colombini
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) - Business Meeting 
- Teach a Trick:  Ray Parker
- Mini Lecture:  Ron Bell
- Showtime Activity:  Shayne King  
- Mirth and Magic Show
- Round Table: Packet Tricks/ False counts Ed Silva White


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Ontario rings in May

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - Jon Allen lecture 
London, ONLondon Magician's Guild- Jon Allen lecture (carpool to Kitchener) 
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Jon Allen lecture 
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Magician of the Year Award Voting
- Executive elections
- Initiation shows
- Open Night of Magic
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Bob Fitch lecture
Woodstock, ONCAM 1 (Friendly City Mystics) - Close-up competition


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.