31 August 2013

Edward Stone predicts Review headline

From Niagara Falls Review:
How is it possible for someone to know weeks in advance what a newspaper’s top headline will be?

Illusionist mentalist Edward Stone will prove it, so he says.

Stone, who has travelled throughout North America performing for thousands during his 90-minute Seeing is Believing show, has written his predictions for the front-page headlines on the Sept. 28 editions of the Niagara Falls Review and Buffalo News.

The two predictions have been sealed inside a locked chest hanging from the roof of the Trailside Bar and Grill on Ridge Rd. in Ridgeway.

Read more.

30 August 2013

Rounding the Western rings in September

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


CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)Cameron Francis lecture
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- n/a
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of WinnipegCameron Francis lecture
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- n/a
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)-
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)   - n/a
 

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

Rounding the Ontario rings in September

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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Anthony Lindan lecture:  "I’m So Old, I’m New Again"
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Bizzare Night
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - n/a
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Steve Reynolds lecture
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) Michael Close lecture
 

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

Rounding the Eastern rings in September

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


Halifax, NSRing 316 (Conjourer's Court) - n/a
St. John, NBMagic Circle of St. John- n/a


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

29 August 2013

Use it or lose it

Two Canadian magic institutions shuttered their stores on the very same weekend. It sends shivers down my spine.

Again I urge you to support our local brick and mortar magic shops. It's the first place many kids get bitten by the magic bug. It's a place they can go for encouragement and coaching, by people in the know. A nurturing community is formed in a local shop, which can't be duplicated through the internet.

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area? Consider supporting one through their online shops. (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and
The Browser's Den of Magic!)

If you don't use it, you'll lose it.

Goodbye to Morrissey Magic -- the end of an era in Toronto

On Saturday August 24th, after 54 years in the industry, Morrissey Magic closed its doors for the very last time.

Founded by Herb Morrissey in 1959, Morrissey Magic's niche product was his "Morrissey Cups."  His retail shop opened in 1964 with a second shop opening in Toronto in 1978.  Some time later, the entire operation settled in Toronto.

Morrissey Magic was the first real magic shop I'd ever experienced.  I can't tell you how many hours I've spent there.  Or how many pay cheques.  (The numbers are likely higher than I'd care to admit.)  Being in their store always felt like home to me -- no matter the location.  Their anniversary parties were the perfect combination of celebration, community and entertainment!  (I will never forget the impromptu performance by Richard Lyn a few years back!)  I feel fortunate that I was able to share my love of the store, and the people who ran it, with my family.

Thank you to Dan, Phoebe, Mike, Luiz, Richard and of course Herb, for the wonderful contributions you've made to my life.  Dan and Phoebe, I wish you all the very best as you begin a new chapter in yours!

26 August 2013

Toronto: Jay Scott Berry lecture

From the Browser's Den:
BONUS LECTURE - JAY SCOTT BERRY!
Date: Sunday, September 29

Dear Magic Friends,

We have arranged to squeeze in one more lecture for this September.  We agreed because JAY SCOTT BERRY is an exceptional magician from Australia that will be touring North America during this time. A true smooth as silk pro!

It has been ten years since he gave a lecture in Toronto.

Read more and buy ticktes.

25 August 2013

Jay Sankey in Europe




From Magic-Convention:
Some of the best magicians from around the world have made the long trip to Lübeck to present to you their expertise. During the 4th Lübeck Magic-Days, which will be held 27th-28th September 2013, they will be teaching aprox. 250 magicians from all over the world.

You would like to attend our exclusive convention “Nordisch Nobel” as well as all the lectures? You’ve come to right place. Register as soon as possible as the number of participants is limited to 250! (register here)

Read more.


From Dynamite Day:
October 5

What can you expect on this day?

Lectures;
National and international magicians which we specially books have their favorite effects for you, and better yet, then they teach you every detail so that you yourself can learn these tricks

Competition;
A limited number of participants may participate in this stage and close-upwedstrijd which will be judged by a jury of professional magicians and "lay" or simply public. Thus we find that a fair idea can be given of how a magician really comes across public and we do not attach any value to techniques used. However, the combination of the two provides the highest possible performance!

Gala;
The gala which will take place in the evening you can see a selection of international artists / magicians that special one-time offer this complete show for you. This should not be missed!

Read more.

24 August 2013

Vancouver: Paul Romhany's Murder by Magic

October 14th and 15th


23 August 2013

Discovery channel: You Couldn’t Do This

From Canada.com:
You can retire from TV, but you can never get away from science — especially if you inculcated a lifelong interest in how things work from a young age. Jay Ingram, one of the original hosts of Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet newsmagazine, gets in touch with his inner child with his return-to-TV special You Couldn’t Do This.

Ingram explores the science behind magicians’ death-defying acts, showing how the most dangerous stunts can’t be explained away by illusion, misdirection and sleight-of-hand. Sometimes, what magicians do is real, aided and abetted by the old-fashioned laws of physics. Understanding science can make it possible for a human being to be fired from a cannonball or contort oneself into innumerable different positions and poses, all of them painful. Seeing is believing, they say, but one of the first laws of science is that you can’t always trust your eyesight alone to tell you what’s going on.

True, by taking a hard, science-based look at the world of illusion, Ingram risks playing the part of party-pooper. Ingram is more science nerd than spoilsport, though, and You Couldn’t Do This is worlds removed from Breaking the Magician’s Code.

Read more.

Lee Asher on The Magic Way

Will you be seeing Lee Asher at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp next week?  If so, be sure to congratulate him for his recent cover on The Magic Way!


Read the article they published last summer about his 2012 tour through China.  (Read in English via Google Translate.)

22 August 2013

Festival de magie de Québec 2013

August 30th to September 2nd.

Performers include:
  • Mathieu Bich
  • Stéphane Bourgoin
  • Simon Pérusse
  • Bob Arseneau
  • Simon Bernard
  • Billy et Manu
  • Jean Deshaies
  • Ekaterina Dobrokhotova
  • Jean-Pierre Dussault
  • Fredo
  • Nicolas Gignac
  • Michel Huot
  • Jack maître magicien
  • Le magicien Jules
  • Yannick Lacroix
  • Sébastien Louis-XVI
  • Martin le magicien
  • Carl Pellerin
  • Jacques Pétard
  • Carol Rondeau
  • Richard Tremblay
  • Marc Trudel
  • Général Patente

And from Doug at Magic Information Canada:

Visit Festival de Magie de Québec for more information or to buy tickets.


Watch this year's interactive advertising for the event on YouTube:



21 August 2013

Edmonton: Ryan Pilling and Gwyn Auger

When you go to see these two lecture, be sure to thank them from me, for being wonderful sponsors of this blog!


From Facebook:
Sunday, 25 August 2013 
Don't miss this double-feature lecture.

Gwyn Auger - The Magic Assistant - Columnist for VANISH magazine, and veteran of promotion and live marketing. In her role as social media coordinator she was instrumental in the success and sold out shows of WowFest Magic Festival in Calgary earlier this year. She will be sharing her tips and techniques on personal branding and promotional marketing that will get you recognized and booked. Make sense of your online marketing strategy and get the results you want!

Ryan Pilling - Comedy Magician and Improvisor - Author of "Finding The Funny", a guidebook for getting amazing reactions with your audience interaction. Ryan is going to break down the magic he does in his show. Not only share and teach real-world routines, but dive in to to work of creating, writing, and developing those acts. Tips for making the magic more powerful through connecting with your audience, and developing your own creative muscle.

Read more.

Nine years of My Magic Hands

Congratulations Julie, on the continued success of this fabulous project!

From Sharing Wonder:
It is hard to believe that My Magic Hands was originally launched nearly a decade ago.

Magicana applied for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation(OTF) to develop a pilot program version of  ”Magic Hands”.  In 2004, the program was designed and tested during the year in four different at-risk communities around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Canada’s top children’s rehabilitation hospital, now known as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The response to the pilot program was excellent and Trillium agreed. Magicana was then awarded a multi-year grant to expand  My Magic Hands program (and, to simultaneously develop Senior Sorcery – a program designed specifically for the senior population). My Magic Hands continued to evolved and developed through funding from private foundations and donors. Today, this program is funded solely by the Slaight Family Foundation.

Read more.

20 August 2013

Toronto: Jason Palter

From Pubaret:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
MAGICIAN JASON PALTER

Could it be time for another first at The Pubaret?  Yes it could cuz we've never had a magic show until now:  Magician Jason Palter.

Palter. Say the name PAUL, add a TER, and that’s how you pronounce Jason’s last name.

Like many magicians, the love of magic was born at an early age; Jason was just 9 years old when he received his first magic set. After that, it was only natural that his tendency to be class clown and overall goofball would one day merge with his love of magic. A comic magician was born!

Read more and buy tickets.

19 August 2013

Goodbye to Murray’s Trick and Joke Shop -- the end of an era in Victoria

A reminder to us all to support our local brick and mortar magic shops while we still can.

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area?  Consider supporting one through their online shops.   (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and
 The Browser's Den of Magic!)

Read the comments on Murray's Facebook page.


From the Times Colonist:
There will be no large puff of smoke or silk curtain drawn as house lights fade to black. Instead, with the simple closing of a door and turning of a key, three decades of illusion and whimsy will end as Murray’s Trick and Joke Shop closes for the final time Aug. 25.

The store — the go-to destination for gear, tricks and effects for amateur and professional magicians, as well as a year-round costume source and a gold mine for would-be office pranksters and kids of all ages — is about to pull its own disappearing act.

“It’s sad because of the long history of this place, and my wife and I were thrilled to have been a part of that,” said current owner Murray Hatfield, who along with wife Teresa Midbo bought the store seven years ago from Tony and Ann Eng.

Read more.

Guelph: Laughing Matters

From River Run:
As Canada’s Premiere Comedian, Derek Edwards creates enchanting tales based on everyday subjects and delivers them with polished style and impeccable timing. With Jim McNally and Matt Disero warming up the crowd you are guaranteed to be left doubled over with laughter wanting more!
Laughing Matters is an event to raise awareness about poverty and support local at-risk communities. Proceeds from this event are going directly back into the community through Speroway’s work procuring and distributing food in Guelph.      
Read more and buy tickets.

18 August 2013

Magic Information Canada has added features!

Earlier this summer, Doug Cuff over at Magic Information Canada, added some nifty new functionality to his awesome site!

In his own words:







If you haven't already, click over and visit this great resource.

Thanks for your continued hard work Doug!

17 August 2013

Toronto: Buskerfest!

The 2013 Scotiabank BuskerFest in support of Epilepsy Toronto will be held from August 22nd to August 25th.  Magical performers include:
  • Charlie Caper (Sweden)
  • Chris Capehart (USA)
  • Diogo Alvares (Brazil)
  • Max T. Oz (Canada) and
  • Nathaniel Rankin (Canada)

16 August 2013

Toronto: There's magic at the Ex!

There's magic at the CNE again this year!

At The FarmDaniel Steep is back with Agri-Magic, an interactive magic show that educates audiences about Canadian Farming.


Majinx is back at Kids' World with Professor Wick's School of Magic and Illusion.

And Mike D'Urzo is at the Variety Stage, located on Princes' Boulevard at Ontario Drive, south of BMO Field.


This year the Ex runs from August 16th to September 2nd, 2013.  Please check the CNE's website for dates and showtimes.

15 August 2013

Toronto: Mysterion in Twisted Thoughts

From Facebook:
Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Ever wonder dreams really can come true? How about Nightmares?

Enter the impossible. Mysterion, Canada's celebrated mentalist returns to the stage for ONE NIGHT ONLY to bring you a selection of effects that dive into the twisted and bizarre.

This isn't a birthday magic show, its a sixty minute selection of his most terrifying and psychologically frightening effects from a carnal catalog of magic. Your way of thinking will never be the same.

With a screening after the show of Tod Browning's classic FREAKS included with admission.

Read more.

14 August 2013

Toronto: Bobby Motta lecture - Thirteen

From the Browser's Den of Magic:
Sunday, September 22

Just a few months ago at our shop Bobby Motta gave a free Dealer Show that was a HUGE hit with all in attendance!

Well, Bobby contacted us and told us that he has a lecture that contains material that 99% of which was not shown or discussed in the free dealer show a few months ago.

Here are the details…

Read more.

13 August 2013

The Can-eh-diana deck

Have a look at the Facebook page for the Can-eh-diana deck!  It's a deck of cards "celebrating all things Canadian."  Naturally, it includes magicians!  So far, it's been revealed that Julie Eng, Jason Palter, Bill Abbott and Philip DaCosta are face cards.

Can't wait to get a look at the whole deck!

(If you haven't already, "like" their Facebook page. Tell them Canada's Magic sent you!)

12 August 2013

Ottawa: Steve Reynolds lecture

From Magic Information Canada:
Tuesday, September 17

Steve Reynolds. Magic lecture. Royal Oak Laurier.

Read more.

11 August 2013

Toronto: Ring 17 upcoming season

From the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club:
The 2013-2014 Calendar includes:
  • Michael Close
  • Tyler Wilson
  • Dani DaOrtiz
  • The Great Unknown
  • Kenton Knepper
  • Vincent Hedan
  • the Gordon Precious 90th birthday bash featuring Bobby Motta
It looks like a great season ahead!

10 August 2013

Gwyn Auger inteviews Lorena Watters

 Gwyn Auger interviews Lorena Watters in the 9th edition (Aug / Sept 2013) of Vanish International Magic Magazine.  The article starts at page 172. 

From Vanish Magizane:
What got you started in magic?

Well I always knew i was going to do some sort of entertainment. My parents enrolled me in dance classes at a young age and i was in all the plays and musicals in school. But Trevor got me started in Magic! We went to the same college, I was in the Theatre program and he was in the Stage craft program. During productions and rehearsals, our classes would work together a lot. Trevor and I started talking and hanging out more, then one day he asked if I could fit into a box and stick 12 swords in it and the rest is history!

Read more.

08 August 2013

Toronto: Dani DaOrtiz

From Abracadabaret:
Saturday, 9 November 2013

An incredible evening of magic you don’t want to miss. Dani DaOrtiz is one of the most famous magicians in the Spanish speaking world and he’s in Toronto to deliver a one-night-only performance. He’s also hilariously funny and unpredictable. The show is never the same twice. 
    “When Dani performs, anything is possible. His magic is shockingly strong.”
    -Genii Magazine

Read more and buy tickets.

More Magie Montréal

Evelyn Matlin over at Perfect Magic has a follow-up to her wonderful tribute post, remembering the performers from Magie Montréal.

From Perfect Magic:
Last week my blog was a tribute to performers, now deceased, at Magic Montreal, a two-day Magic Convention  that Phil Matlin of Perfect Magic and Vim Vermeys ran for 19 years. I mentioned that I didn’t find photos of all of them, but I managed to find a few more that graced our stage.

Read more and see photos.

07 August 2013

Broken wand: Danny Kerr

We were notified by Dennis Schick, the editor of the Broken Wand in the International Brotherhood of Magician's magazine, The Linking Ring, of the passing of Danny Kerr.

A broken wand ceremony will be conducted privately by the Edmonton Fellowship of Magicians in August 2013.


From The Edmonton Journal:
KERR, Danny Stephen

Our beloved Danny passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on July 27, 2013.

He was born August 23, 1943 to Nettie and Roy Kerr. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Victoria Armstrong, siblings Joe (Karen) Kerr and Lynda (John) Williams, stepdaughters Willow (Jonathan) Schnell and Heather (Michael) Hanrahan, and grandchildren Benjamin Schnell, Samuel Schnell and Abigail Hanrahan.

A Celebration of Danny's Life will be held at St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive, St. Albert, Alberta on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., with Rev James Ravenscroft officiating.

Read more.

Burlington: Mac King

When he's done in Ottawa, look for Mac King in Burlington!

From the Burlington Peforming Arts Centre:
Hailed by many as the premiere comedy magician in the world today, Mac King has appeared on his seventh TV special for NBC, just rocked on the Late Show with David Letterman, and has been regarded as one of the top 5 shows in all of Las Vegas for the past ten years. Now Mac King is bringing the best comedy-magic show in Las Vegas to Burlington!

Read more and buy tickets.

06 August 2013

All Things Magic Edit-a-thon 2013

From MagicPedia:
All Things Magic Edit-a-thon 2013 will be held on Saturday, September 14th. This Wiki-kadabra event will promote bringing together magicians and magic enthusiasts from around the world to help update Wikipedia and MagicPedia articles concentrating on a range of topics around magic history. See the Wikipedia Meetup page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/All_Things_Magic_Edit-a-thon_2013

Sponsored by MagicPedia (the wiki for magicians by magicians), Genii Magazine, the Conjuring Arts Research Center and Grand Illusions magic store, it will be held virtually around the world, with the goal to help assimilate MagicPedia's content into Wikipedia (and vice versa).

Read more and sign-up!

05 August 2013

CBC: Luc Langevin on the Pénélope McQuade show

From the Pénélope McQuade show:
Enfin Réellement sur scène!

En 2009, Luc Langevin commençait à faire connaître ses talents sur le petit écran. En 2012, il devient la référence en matière d’illusion au Québec. Il a, bien qu’il ne soit âgé que de 30 ans, 20 années d’expérience en tant que magicien et illusionniste.

C’est à compter du 15 août que Luc Langevin présentera son tout premier spectacle, Réellement sur scène. 
Read more and listen to interview.

Toronto: Tim’s Vermeer

From Variety:
“Tim’s Vermeer,” helmed by Teller of illusionist-comedians Penn & Teller and a recent Sony Pictures Classics acquisition, is one of 14 documentary features world-preeming this September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Toronto will also see the world preems of Greek DIY hero Yorgos Servetas’ “Standing Aside, Watching,” which opens City to City, and France-born splat-pack director Alexandre Aja’s “Horns,” starring Daniel Radcliffe (seen above) and Juno Temple in a paranormal chiller, in Vanguard.

Read more.

04 August 2013

Wendy's: Acts 11 and 12 plus 3 bonus tricks!

Five more acts in Wendy's advertising campaign featuring nine Canadian magicians performing real magic!

You can read about the promotion over at Reality Based Magic.


Watch Act 11, Mike D'Urzo, on YouTube:





Watch Act 12, Baldini, on YouTube:




Watch Extra Trick 1, Rob Testa, on YouTube:




Watch Extra Trick 2, Phil Pivnick, on YouTube:




Watch Extra Trick 3, James Alan, on YouTube:





Previous acts:

Broken wand: Luis Cheng

From the Linking Ring:
Luis Peclian Cheng, 74, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, died January 18, 2013. His I.B.M. number was 63070, and he had been a member since 2002. He was a member of Ring 92 (Vancouver). He was born in the Philippines. He married his wife and they moved to Canada in 1969. He worked as a millwright for decades, and retired in his 60s. He enjoyed the magic and social aspects of the Vancouver Magic Circle. He often performed as the “famous” Fu Ling Yu, magician and comedian, from Beijing, China. He also enjoyed line dancing, Chinese painting and calligraphy, karaoke, and playing pool. Among survivors are his wife of forty-three years,Felisa; daughters Yvonne (Quan), and Raquel (Hoai), and four grandchildren.

Read more.

03 August 2013

Thank you to our August sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.  We're pleased to have the support of:

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

 
 
 
For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

 

02 August 2013

Rounding the rings in August

The Magic Club of Winnipeg has 2 events:
  • Aug 4 - Scott at Philips
  • Aug 11 - Dan Wiebe and Dave Harvey at Philips

The Vancouver Magic Circle is hosting "Food, Fun, Magic and More" on August 17th.

Shawn Farquhar and Joe Turner on ABC

From Joe M. Turner's YouTube channel:
"On July 20, 2013, Joe M. Turner and Shawn Farquhar appeared on KNXV 15 (ABC) in Phoenix, AZ to promote the International Brotherhood of Magicians annual convention and the public shows associated with that event."

Read more and watch video:




01 August 2013

Wanted: young Canadian street magicians

From the CAM website:
We’re developing a TV series that will focus on a few young Canadian street magicians and are currently looking for potential cast. I thought I would reach out to you to see if you could recommend any hot “up and coming” magicians or illusionists who specialize in guerrilla type street magic. We’re interested in younger magicians who have a bit of an “edge” or cool factor. The best current example would Dynamo in the UK.

Read more.

Orillia: Masters of Illusion - Live!

The Masters of Illusion - Live! 2013 tour will be passing through Rama tonight!

From Casino Rama:
Based on the award winning TV series, this touring magic show will feature over half a dozen renowned performers – from daring escapologists, eye-popping illusionists and amazing quick-change artists to beautiful dancers – all LIVE!

Read more.

Broken wand: Charles Peterson

From the Linking Ring:
Charles (Chuck) Gilbert Peterson, 60, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, died March 6, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. His I.B.M. member number was 36840 and he had been a member since 2011. His life work was to help people with disabilities since he was blind most of his life. He was a social worker, working for the Government of Alberta for people with special needs and disabilities. He demonstrated with his own life that even with a disability you could do almost anything. He loved to cook, bake, sew costumes, and paint pictures, in addition to doing magic (which he did for small parties, birthday parties, and special events. He also played guitar and banjo, and was a real cowboy. He was active in the gay community and equal rights. Survivors include his husband, Dale; step-children Johnathan, Joshua (Katrina), sister Pauline, and father-in-law, Mike. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Cross Cancer Institute,11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G1Z2 
 Read more.

From the Edmonton Journal:
June 14, 1952 - March 6, 2013

On March 6, 2013 Charles (Chuck) Peterson passed away from a long and lengthy battle with cancer at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 60 years.

He will be sadly missed and remembered by his husband Dale, stepchildren; Johnathan, Joshua, wife Katrina, sister Pauline, father-in- law Mike, mother-in-law (Deceased) Jane, niece Jackie, great niece Lori, nephew Cody as well as numerous relatives and loving friends.

Read more.