Toronto: James Randi at An Honest Liar

From Event Brite:

CFI Canada is pleased to present James Randi, who will be in Toronto this week to promote the Hot Docs Canadian premiere of An Honest Liar, a documentary of Randi’s life.

http://vimeo.com/91847894 

CFI is hosting an exclusive, once in a life time, special event where CFI members will meet James "The Amazing" Randi, an 85-year-old magician and escape artist who’s been enchanted with illusions from a young age. Dedicating his life to learning the tricks of the trade, Randi became a sensation who toured the world, always honest about being a “liar, cheat and charlatan.”

Please join CFI at beautiful and trendy Screen Lounge at 20 College Street (Second Floor) this Friday, May 2, 2014. Time is short, and space is limited, so purchase your tickets now.
Filmmakers of An Honest Liar will also be joining us for the conversation. 

Read more and buy tickets.

[via James Alan] 

Top 5 posts in April 2014

 5. Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2014 - Winner to be posted soon!

4. Toronto: A Series of Unfortunate Effects - Who is going to send me a review to post?

3. Road Trip to see Jay Scott Berry

2.  Grateful for our April sponsors (It's true.  I really, really am.)

and the most viewed post in April is ...

1. Toronto: The Ghost Experience with Jamie Stam

Toronto: Magic Class with Al Grose

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

This SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 MAGICIAN AL GROSE will be coming to Browser's Den to give a FREE CLASS at our MONTHLY MAGIC CLUB!

Al will be performing and teaching (time permitting) two classic effects from Guy Hollingworth's book 'Drawing Room Deceptions', REFORMATION AND WAVING THE ACES. These two supremely magical effects are quite demanding to learn.  

We hope that many of you will come to the shop to learn how to perform these effects and spend some time with Al who wants to share his love of the art of magic with other serious hobbyists or professionals.

Read more.

Aaron Fisher interviews Chris Mayhew: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

A reminder that this film has it's Toronto premiere tomorrow night!

From Aaron Fisher Magic:

We're just a week from the launch & premiere of the most fun to watch, entertaining magic DVD I've ever seen. It's a fascinating, laugh out loud story of two Toronto magicians who go to extraordinary lengths to uncover the secrets of magic. In the process, both they and you (the audience!) discover a lot of great tricks – and some serious laughter.

Last week I did an in-depth video interview with Chris [Mayhew] about his own journey in magic, how he made his new movie and what we can all discover about magic from Chris's story. I learned a great deal talking with Chris – I suspect you will too.

Read more and download / watch the interview.

Toronto: Transgressive Magic at Luminato 2014

From Magicana:

Transgressive Magic: Magic that violates a law, command or moral code. Card Table Artifice and Bullet Catch do just that.

Card Table Artifice – puts the con into concert, combining techniques employed by professional card cheats with a sumptuous musical score. It is a window into the world of advantage players, and the machinations they employ when they place their livelihood, and sometimes their life, into their own hands.

Bullet Catch blurs the lines between conventional plays and magic shows, addressing an act that violates both civil and moral codes – the asking of a member of the audience to point a gun and pull the trigger that sends a bullet towards a performer quite confident he can defy death, all under the guise of entertainment.

Both productions challenge form and function, and place magic and the audience outside the traditionalist’s comfort zone of top hats, bunny rabbits and family-friendly fare.

Read more and buy tickets.

Card Table Artifice and Rob Zabrecky’s  TURN ON THE DARK!
WORLD PREMIERE: June 13 and June 14

Bullet Catch
CANADIAN PREMIERE: June 14 and June 15

Fort Erie Times: IncrediBrent and Super Sarah

From the Fort Erie Times:

Behind the laughter and the magic tricks, Brent and Sarah Nicholls had an important message for Stevensville Public School students last Thursday morning.

“We teach students about the four secrets of magic: anything is possible, believe in yourself, you’re not alone and find your magic,” Brent Nicholls said.

The Fort Erie native, known to children as IncrediBrent, travels to schools across Ontario with his wife, Sarah, to entertain children and teach them about the effects of bullying.

“As much as the show is about anti-bullying, it’s about confidence,” Nicholls explained.

“Confidence and bullying go hand-in-hand. Kids who are self confident are less likely to be bullied and they are less likely to bully.”

Nichols said there is a difference between calling someone a name or hurting their feelings and bullying.

“Bullying is when it's repeated. The real issue is when someone is being repeatedly picked on. We make sure to define what bullying is, and not just anything is bullying,” he said.

The show is meant to empower students and give them the tools to deal with bullying.

Read more.

Kitchener: Michael Dardant lecture

I had the pleasure of seeing Michael perform last Spring.  It's sure to be a great lecture!


From the Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:

Mark your calendars for next Wed. April 30th. No, it’s not Tax Filing Deadline (CRA  gave a 5 day extension).  It’s the Tri-City Lecture (London,Kitchener & Hamilton Clubs) hosted by Kitchener IBM Ring#235 at 7pm. at

St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,54 Queen St.North @ Weber Street, Kitchener N2H 2H2.

Originally our 3 clubs were having Mickael Chatelaine from France lecture, after his appearance at the 4F convention (this weekend in Batavia NY.) Unfortunately, Mickael broke his elbow a few weeks ago and will not be attending the 4F convention.  Our thanks to member Joan Caesar for arranging a substitute lecturer/performer/entertainer & multi award winner Michael Dardant, who coincidently was born in France, but calls his home in the “Big Easy” New Orlean

Read more.

Happy (early) birthday Gordon!

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

You are invited to Gordon Precious' 90th Birthday Party!
Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Browser's Den

Dear Magic Friends,

You are invited to attend the party of one of the most special, unique and dear customers of our magic community. He has done so much to promote magic & has lived a magical life.

Gordon Precious will be turning 90 years YOUNG!!! That's right 90 years YOUNG!  Gordon has more energy than most people half of his age. In fact he just returned from a helicopter skiing trip!

On this day Gordon will be performing a few of his special effects including the Vanishing Birdcage...a tough trick to perform and one in which he does beautifully.

He will also be sharing some enchanting & unique stories of his magic travels and experiences.

You will be surprised by some of the special guests that will be attending...

Read more.

Kingston: David Acer

As foretold by Nostradamus in his 1555 book "Les Propheties," I'll be headlining @ComedyKingston April 23-26: http://t.co/3fdl7qpptf
— David Acer (@David_Acer) April 21, 2014

Linking Ring (v94, 4) round-up

For those of you who haven't flipped through the April Linking Ring, here's some of the Canadiana inside this issue:

• Cover and page 16, "Tony Econ An Icon in Card Magic" by Joan Caesar
• Page 58, report of Ben Train Lecture (Ring 211)
• Page 61, "Manitoba Magic Museum is Tribute to Young Magician" by Dennis Schick

Vincent Hedan in North America

Remember to catch him in Toronto at Abracadabaret, Ring 17 and at his workshop or in Montreal at The Comedy Nest or Théâtre Mainline.

Post by Vincent Hedan.

Charlottetown: Neil Croswell

From Clive Court:

This illusion is a modern variation on the Broomstick suspension which actually dates back to Robert-Houdin, the founder of modern stage magic. and beyond. It has it's origins in Asian priestcraft and street magic. Last New Year's Eve Neil appeared on the world's leading TV variety show from Paris, Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde. 

Read more.

Watch Neil Croswell perform the Microphone Stand Suspension in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island:

Darcy Oake at Got Talent

Updated April 20th to add:

• Britain’s Got Talent magician Darcy Oake frustrates David Walliams with brilliant illusions!
• GORGEOUS Darcy Oake the BEST Britain’s Got Talent magician yet!
• Watch his performance on YouTube:

From Telly Mix:

Darcy Oake performs an impossible trick on Britain’s Got Talent 2014 tonight… winning over Simon Cowell.

The magician – from Canada – goes on stage with an impressive a sleight of hand illusion with doves, a bird cage and a finale at the end where a woman appears from nowhere. 

He leaves the audience, the judges and Ant and Dec speechless, with David Walliams gushing: “I think you’re the best magician I’ve seen on the show.”

Amanda Holden adds: “The most important thing about magic is making us believe the impossible is possible and you just did that.”

Finally, even Simon is won over as he says: “You are without question the best magician we’ve had on the show.”

Read more.

Edmonton: Abra-Kid-Abra 2014

From Tix on the Square:

May 3, 2014 - 1 p.m.

MAGICALLY CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW! This is what Abra-Kid-Abra is all about. From full time professionals to magic enthusiasts, the members of the Edmonton Magic Club come together each year to produce a magic extravaganza, specifically designed to raise thousands of dollars for local charities and family-based organizations.

Read more and buy tickets!

Mark Correia: Escaping Parkinson's

From Team Fox for Parkinson's Research:

Escaping Parkinson's

Stunt:
This July, to raise money for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Magician Mark Correia will spend two weeks completely strapped inside a straitjacket; no tricks, no freedom, and no escape - until the very last minute. Spending the longest amount of recorded time in a straitjacket. Mark will film daily video blogs of himself attempting to go about his everyday life during the project.


Goal:
Raise as much awareness, and money, for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research as possible, to help find a cure in this lifetime.

Read more and learn how you can be a part of this project.

Vancouver: PCAM 2014

From PCAM 2014:

The PCAM (Pacific Coast Association of Magicians) 2014 convention will be held in Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) and will continue with the tradition of being the biggest and best annual convention on the West Coast. As usual, the convention will run on the August long weekend, beginning the afternoon/evening of Thursday July 31st and wrapping up the evening of Sunday August 3rd.

Hosted by Mike Norden and Gord Boyes (Norden & Gordon Productions) who are working hard to make this one of the best conventions you've attended.

Especially exciting is that Calgary's own Gwyn Auger, aka The Magic Assistant, will be lecturing!

Guess who's lecturing at PCAM 2014!!!!! pic.twitter.com/iTeveyRD26
— Gwyn Auger (@magicassistant) April 10, 2014

Broken wands: John Bierma and Donald McCulloch

Dear readers:

If any of you have any information on the passing of:

• John Bierma, from Oshawa, Ontario

or

• Donald McCulloch, from Victoria, B.C.

would you please let me know in the comments below or by e-mail.

Dennis Schick of the Linking Ring passed these names along to me.  However, neither of us have any information about them, including their date of passing.

Thank you, as always, for your attention.

Orlando: Keith Brown's Exchange

From Orlando Fringe:

May 14- 27, 2014

Join Keith in an exchange of mystery, wonder and imagination fused together in an intimate, interactive theatre setting. Interactive entertainment at its finest revolving around you, the audience. I have been doing this for 12 years because I love it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Keith Brown

Read more.

Peter Mennie on Rogers Daytime

@petermennie amazed @DaytimeLondon on @RTVLondon April 1st. He amazed @MrKenEastwood with a b-card map of his 'hood. http://t.co/tmWuPxzlJI
— RTV13 Insider (@RTV13Insider) April 3, 2014

James Alan on Rogers Daytime

Back in March, I mentioned that

"I'm always delighted to see James [Alan] on stage with a roll of duct tape in hand.  Because I know what follows is going to be wonderful."

Here he is on Rogers Daytime Toronto. With duct tape.  Now you can see for yourself!





Magic@the Cage is still runs every Tuesday & Sunday night at 7:00 PM.  Information and tickets are available at www.abracadabaret.com

Victoria: Victoria Tonight

From the Victoria Tonight Episode 1 Facebook event:

14 April

Featuring hosts Sam Lee and Patrick Boyle, Victoria Tonight's first show is April 14 at the Ratfish Lounge.

Our first guest is magician/podcaster Dave Attwood, with stand up comedy from Mark Robertson and Darcy Collins.

Shane Priestley is our man on the street looking for people to tell him jokes around town!

Read more.

Toronto: The Ghost Experience with Jamie Stam

From Reality Based Magic:

On Friday nights, starting April 25, we will be premiering The Ghost Experience. Jamie Stam — who has appeared many times on Magic@theCage and Magic at the Winchester, one of our favourite presenters — is exploring a much more serious and mysterious side of the human experience; what happens with those who are no longer with us, yet remain behind. It’s a chilling, and yet somehow uplifting, affair.

The show will be every Friday night at a secret location in Downtown Toronto, which is only revealed to ticket holders (which means all tickets must be purchased in advance — you’ll never find the door!). Doors open at 6:30, with dinner served up until 7:30. After dinner, everything changes.

Read more and learn about the special preview performance.

IncrediBrent & Super Sarah on CHCH's "Morning Live"

On Vimeo, watch IncrediBrent and Super Sarah talk about their anti-bullying magic show on CHCH's "Morning Live."

Toronto: Vincent Hedan workshop

I attended a lecture by Vincent Hedan last Spring.  What a brilliant magician!

From the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club:

Saturday, May 3, 2014 

The Browser’s Den of Magic

Read more and buy tickets from Ring 17.

[via Magic Information Canada]

Kitchener: Mickael Chatelaine lecture

From the Caesar hat and Wand Magic Circle:

April 30th
Tri-City Lecture
Mickael Chatelaine
This is our yearly 4 F lecturer.

Read more.

[via Magic Information Canada]

Toronto: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

From Five Academy Magic:

Tuesday April 29th, 2014
The Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave)

If you love magic, movies, and laughing this is the event for you. Combining a story-driven plot with a magic instructional, join Toronto's top magicians as they premiere their long awaited movie, A Series of Unfortunate Effects!

After witnessing an amazing magic trick performed by the Five Card Stud Lee Asher, Chris Mayhew enlists his friend Ben Train to help him discover Lee’s secret.

These two soon discover that uncovering the secrets to magic are not as easy as they once thought. Join Chris and Ben as they learn magic from underground magicians Jeff Hinchliffe, Glenn West, and Chris Westfall, all while avoiding destruction at the hands of crazed card collector Bill Abbott. Get ready for a wild story-driven magic instructional, filled with laughs and incredible card tricks.

Read more.

Road Trip to see Jay Scott Berry

From The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:

GOOD EVENING MEMBERS & FRIENDS OF THE DOUG HENNING MAGIC WAND CLUB HAMILTON IBM RING #49:

The Club Executive has unanimously agreed to make our April Meeting a “ROAD TRIP” to BUFFALO IBM Ring 12 on MONDAY APRIL 7th  to see the Jay Scott Berry 2014 Speed of Light Lecture. (normally our April meeting would be on Tues April 8th at Binkley Church) Paid up club members will have the lecture fee of $10 (US) paid out of our Ring treasury. Non-members must pay a $10 lecture fee at the door.  ****PLEASE NOTE**** ALL ATTENDING THE LECTURE MUST HAVE A VALID CANADIAN PASSPORT in order to enter the United States.

Read more.

Lucas Wilson bowling for for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie

Good luck Lucas and Kelly!

From YouTube: The Illusionist - Bowl for Kids Sake:

Check out this great fundraiser to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie. Did you know they served 498 local children in 2013! Bowl For Kids Sake is a lot of fun, a great way to raise money, and a long lasting investment in our community.

Help my team by donating today!



Read more and donate.

[via iTricks]

Trevor and Lorena: Thursdays Live

From Brown Paper Tickets:

Thursdays Live always features Seattle's premier entertainers up close and personal, so on April 17th join us for an evening of laughter and mind-bending magic with Brian Cook Chris Bange and Canada's own Trevor and Lorena Watters.  You will not only be close enough to experience every detail, but you may even be asked to help make the magic happen, so get ready to participate in the fun. You will experience the wonder of new possible realities first had and have a great story to tell your family, friends and co-workers the next day.

Read more and buy tickets.

Grateful for our April sponsors

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

• Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
• Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic and
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic!

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.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Rounding the Western rings in April

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- n/a
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- n/a
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- n/a
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle)	- Magic flea market - Parlour Magic with special guest stars Rod Chow and Steve Dickson
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Steve Brooks lecture
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- n/a
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Annual General Meeting

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

Rounding the Ontario rings in April

Updated April 24th to add the following from the Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:

Mark your calendars for next Wed. April 30th. No, it’s not Tax Filing Deadline (CRA  gave a 5 day extension).  It’s the Tri-City Lecture (London,Kitchener & Hamilton Clubs) hosted by Kitchener IBM Ring#235 at 7pm. at

St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,54 Queen St.North @ Weber Street, Kitchener N2H 2H2.

Originally our 3 clubs were having Mickael Chatelaine from France lecture, after his appearance at the 4F convention (this weekend in Batavia NY.) Unfortunately, Mickael broke his elbow a few weeks ago and will not be attending the 4F convention.  Our thanks to member Joan Caesar for arranging a substitute lecturer/performer/entertainer & multi award winner Michael Dardant, who coincidently was born in France, but calls his home in the “Big Easy” New Orleans.

Read more.

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

Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- n/a
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Kitchener Club (roadtrip!) - Mickael Chatelain lecture
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Magic Auction
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Literacy Magic - Executive Nominations
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- Chris Westfall lecture
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Kenton Knepper lecture

 

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

Rounding the Eastern rings in April

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- n/a
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- n/a

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

Going for it!

I've spent the past 3+ years posting notices of performances, lectures, awards and achievements at this blog.  At the back of my mind, a seed was planted.

"I can do that."

It was small and quiet at first.  A hushed whisper of a thought.  Easy to ignore.

"I can do that."

As the days and months progressed, the inner voice grew slowly but surely.  The everyday busy made it easy to discount.  There are bills and groceries and errands and accounting and schedules that need my attention. 

But with every post about a magical success story, the notion became more entrenched.

"I can do that."

Most recently at Ring 17 members night I was delighted to see so many members go to the front of the room and just go for it.  And so, the subconscious niggling finally asserted itself to the conscious mind.

"I can do that.  Go and do it!"

The time has come for me to put all of my free time towards mastering the craft of magic.  Toronto magician and five year producer of Abracadabaret, James Alan, has agreed to take me under his wing.  (I've watched him very patiently teach children.  He's going to need all of his patience to get me stage ready!)

To increase my motivation, a downtown Toronto venue has been booked in the middle of October, for my first solo show.  It is with tremendous gratitude that I thank James for clearing his schedule to assist with coaching me, as well as both producing and directing this project.  Accordingly, posting at this site will be infrequent to nonexistent over the next while.

Details of the upcoming performance will be released when the timing is right.  Timing, as they say, is everything.

And with that I remind you, dear readers, to check the timing (and especially the date) of publication of this announcement.