Canada's Magic: 2017-07

31 July 2017

Matt Johnson in The Abbotsford News

Matt Johnson’s first crack at TV glory ended before it began when the tank he was trying to escape split open and spilled 260 gallons of water onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage during a rehearsal, along with his dreams.

The UK-born magician came back home to Abbotsford without having had the chance to perform his great escape in front of the celebrity judges – an opportunity he spent years working towards.

But just over a month later, in mid-March, he had another chance to perform the daring escape in front of bright lights, TV cameras and two judges nearly every magician on earth looks up to. He had a slot on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Johnson hastily ordered a new tank – this time reinforced with metal corners – custom built in Calgary and waited for it to arrive at his Chilliwack studio. It arrived at 10 p.m. the night before he was to fly to Las Vegas for his chance to impress magic legends Penn Jillette and Teller on their popular series where illusionists from around the world try to perform a trick that even they can’t decipher.

Johnson’s new tank was three inches tighter on all sides.

Read more.

30 July 2017

Billy Kidd in #FemaleMagician

Watch Billy Kidd, Dania Diaz, Jen Kramer, Ekaterina, Anna de Guzman, Laura London, Soulnia, Manuela Rud, and Lauren Cohen in #FemaleMagician.

From Billy Kidd Magician's Facebook page:

29 July 2017

Michael Kras wins the 2017 Voaden Prize

Congratulatiosn Michael!

From Michael Kras' Twitter feed:

Deeply humbled and honoured that my play has been awarded the 2017 Voaden Prize. pic.twitter.com/8mCNuH9uN0
— Michael Kras (@KrasMagic) July 25, 2017

28 July 2017

Peter Mennie in the Sarnia Observer

From The Observer:

A night of live magic is coming to downtown Sarnia.

Mixx Lounge on Front Street is hosting a show by London magician Peter Mennie being called Magic at the Mixx Lounge, Aug. 10.

Reservations, available by calling 519-491-0077, are required for the $15 show set for 8 p.m. in a special events room at Mixx Lounge.

Mennie said it came about when he was hired to perform at a private birthday party in the back room at the downtown lounge earlier this year.

As he was setting up for the party, a man seated in the lounge recognized Mennie was a magician and called him over.

Read more.

From Peter Mennie's Twitter feed:

"Magic At The Mixx" a melange of Magic, Mind Reading & Marvelously Mixxed Merriment! Aug 10. @MixxSarnia #magicshow #lounge #cabaret #fun pic.twitter.com/fXtSn0AlDe
— Peter Mennie (@petermennie) July 25, 2017

27 July 2017

ReginaCadabra in the CBC

From the CBC:

Doug Arden has been waiting nearly 20 years to be a part of a magic festival in Regina, and this weekend he'll lift the curtain on his long-awaited performance.

ReginaCadabra is Regina's first magic festival. Featuring 10 Canadian magicians, it runs Wednesday through Sunday at various locations around the city.

"I've always loved entertaining people so I look forward to making everyone laugh. That's what I live for," said Arden, a local ventriloquist, comedian and magician who has been working full-time as an entertainer for 20 years.

Read more.

26 July 2017

To learn more about Celeste's extraordinary life and contribution to magic, have a look at "Even in Magic, Happiness First" over at the Northeast Journal, or visit her site at CelesteEvansMagic.com.

The family has suggested that donations in Celeste Evans name could be sent to:
The Junior Program
‪c/o The Magic Castle,‬
‪7001 Franklin Avenue‬,
L.A. ‪CA 90028‬.

From the Celeste Evans Facebook page:

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

Also from Shawn's Facebook page:

Keith Brown on CTV Morning Winnipeg

From Keith Brown's Twitter feed:

Check out my spot on @CTVMorningWPG with @RachelLagacectv thanks so much for having me on! https://t.co/okQH3FNPlG #WpgFringe
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) July 25, 2017

25 July 2017

Bobby Motta on "The Social"

From The Social:

Bobby Motta has been hailed as “one of the top mentalists on the planet” by The New York Times and has become one of the most sought-after consultants for world-class magicians like Criss Angel and David Blaine.

His mind-blowing performances have impressed stars like Nelly Furtado and Russel Crowe, and he recently swung by The Social to blow our minds, too. Mission accomplished, Bobby.

Read more and watch video.

From Bobby Motta's Facebook page:

24 July 2017

Quebec City: North American FISM qualifications 2020

From Renee-Claude Auclair's Facebook page:

23 July 2017

Toronto: James Alan at The Lockhart

From The Lockhart's Facebook page:

22 July 2017

Spain and Chilliwack: Shawn Farquhar in 2018

Take a peek at what Shawn Farquhar's up to in early 2018!

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

Also from Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

21 July 2017

Burnaby: "M"

Catch Kelvin Ng, Wes Barker, Vitaly Beckman, and Trevor and Lorena on October 21st, 2017 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre

From Kelvin Ng's Facebook page:

20 July 2017

Magic and science in CBC's "The Nature of Things"

From Julie Eng's Facebook page:

19 July 2017

Toronto: Sorcerers Safari farewell party

Updated July 22nd to note that this event has been cancelled.

From the Toronto Magic Company Facebook event:

18 July 2017

Kitchener: Ryan Joyce lecture

From IBM Ring 235:

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017

On this day: Ring 235's very own; Magician, Illusionist & Hypnotist Ryan Joyce, will speak and put on an amazing lecture for all in attendance.

Ryan spends most of his time on the road... well, at sea - performing his amazing Magic and Hypnotist Shows on luxurious cruise ships. He has travelled the world, leaving people in astonishment after seeing his creativeness, uniqueness and originality projected through to his art; Magic!

Ryan is a two-time Entertainer of the Year nominee by the Canadian Events Industry Awards Committee. This prestigious award recognises the accomplishments of the country's greatest entertainers.

Read more and buy tickets.

From Scott Boyd's Facebook page:

17 July 2017

Nicolas Dutel: FISM North American Champion, stage 2017

From Renee-Claude Auclair's Facebook page:

Alex Seaman: IBM International Vice-President

Congratulations Alex. Thank you in advance for your hard work!

From Alex Zander's Facebook page:

16 July 2017

Recently at "The Doug Henning Project"

From the Facebook page of The Doug Henning Project:

15 July 2017

Sid Lorraine at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Ken McCreedy has posted some wonderful photos of Sid Lorraine performing at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

From Ken McCreedy's Facebook page:

14 July 2017

Toronto: Michael Close lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out.
Michael Close Lecture - August 13, 2017

Dear Denizens,

All of us here at Browser's are certain that Mr. Close's brand new Magic Theory Lecture will be a truly inspiring and fun event at our shop. We are convinced that it will have a long lasting effect on your magic journey.

In short...it may be the most important lecture you will ever have an opportunity to see.

Some of the topics that he will be covering in great detail will be...

What is theory?

Your definition of magic

The Power of a Real Magician

Conviction

Assumptions

Scripting vs. Not Scripting

Who (or What) Has the Power?

Control, Repose, and Chaos

and much more. (There may even be a trick or two.)

Michael Close has a worldwide reputation in the magic community as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. He has been a student of the conjuring arts for over fifty years, and has been performing professionally since 1978. His specialty is sleight-of-hand, close-up magic, but he also has extensive experience in stand-up magic. He has lectured and performed for audiences around the world.

Read more and buy tickets.

13 July 2017

Picton: Bobby Motta

From Bobby Motta's Facebook page:

12 July 2017

Neil Croswell on "Masters of Illusion"

Watch Neil's appearance on last week's episode of "Masters of Illusion."

From Neil Croswell's Facebook page:

11 July 2017

Toronto: The Lamentable Absurdical Chronicle of Punch and Judy

From the Eldritch Theatre Twitter feed:

@canadasmagic arcane magic, puppet on puppet violence, and a dash of the horrific, we wouldn't want you to miss https://t.co/ewi21HTdTY pic.twitter.com/H2kMJlgMpf
— Eldritch Theatre 💀 (@EldritchTheatre) July 3, 2017

10 July 2017

Markham: Music, Magic and Mischief

From Kemin Zhang's Facebook page:

09 July 2017

Win a magical weekend at ReginaCadabra

Contest closes Monday July 10 at 5pm CST.

From the ReginaCadabra Facebook page:

ENTER TO WIN A MAGICAL WEEKEND ULTIMATE VACATION PACKAGE GIVEAWAY. $1000 Value, Prize Details below.

To Qualify
LIKE OUR REGINACADABRA PAGE and SHARE THIS POST and COMMENT ANY SONG TITLE WITH THE WORD "MAGIC" IN THE TITLE OR LYRICS, prior to Monday July 10 at 5pm CST. Must be at least 19 years old to qualify.

Prize Package Includes (approx. $1000 value, no cash value):

Two Nights Hotel Room SUITE Courtesy Regina Ramada Plaza July 28 & 29

Two Tickets in LOGE SEATING SUITE Riders vs Argos July 29, Hosted by Regina Hotel Association. Loge Seating provides guests the action and excitement of open-air stadium seating with the benefits and amenities of a suite

Two Tickets to ReginaCadabra's Hocus-Pocus Hilarity Comedy Magic Show Friday July 28 at Regina Ramada Plaza. 3 World Class Magicians on One Show.

Two Tickets to ReginaCadabra's Smoke And Mirrors Spectacle at Casino Regina Saturday July 29 post Rider game. 5 World Class Magicians on One Show

08 July 2017

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Hi Denizens-Friendly reminder that this Saturday, July 8 is our next Free Magic Club Meeting.

The meeting is at Browser's Den from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. All who want to talk magic and or share a trick or a move are welcome.

Snacks will be provided.

Thank you for your kind support
-Jeff Hinchliffe, Old Jeff, John Cardella, Luiz, & Lisa Close.

07 July 2017

Billy Kidd in the Irish Examiner and on the Irish Times Women's Podcast

Billy Kidd will be performing in Dublin, July 7-9, and Cork on July 15 and 16.

From the Irish Examiner:

Billy Kidd’s previous experience as a professional actor and classically-trained musician informs her career in magic.

“I saw a magician perform at a street festival and I was instantly hooked. I didn’t know how it was done, but I knew I wanted to do it,” she says.

In 2008, Kidd left Canada for Britain, where she was mentored by the legendary street magician, Gazzo. Did she find it hard to break into the male-dominated world of magic?

Read more.

From Billy Kidd's Twitter feed:

Magician @Billykiddshow is @cityspectacular this weekend in Dublin but why do so few women perform on the street? https://t.co/be9ehw1hEn pic.twitter.com/09eirAepbs
— TheWomensPodcast (@ITWomensPodcast) July 6, 2017

06 July 2017

Thank you to our July 2017 Friends!

Thank you to John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, and The Outerbridges, for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.

You too can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year!

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Thank you to our July 2017 sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.

This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic,
Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic, and
Michael Close, author of the Workers series and other ebooks.

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.

05 July 2017

Owen Sound: Michael Close and Jason England workshop

Updated August 16 to add:

Michael Weber has been announced as an additional special guest for the October workshop with Jason England.

From Michael Close:

You are cordially invited to join Michael Close and Jason England on October 17-20, 2017, for a unique workshop in the beautiful cottage country of northern Ontario (Owen Sound, ON). You’ll be away from the physical and mental noise of the city, but you won’t be roughing it; the accommodations are luxurious.

You’ll fly into Toronto on Monday, October 16, Tuesday morning you'll be bused to beautiful Owen Sound, ON where you will spend most of Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and all day Thursday talking magic and receiving personalized instruction from two of the most knowledgeable magicians on the planet. You'll return to your hotel in Toronto on Friday, and fly home on Saturday.

Read more and register!

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

04 July 2017

Canadians competing at IBM SAM 2017

A little bird has told me that four Canadians will be competing at the upcoming IBM-SAM Combined Convention.

Keep an eye out for Philippe Theriault, Nicky Circelli, and Nicolas Dutel (stage), and Chris Bruce (close up) who all made the preliminary judges’ selection to compete for IBM and SAM prizes plus a chance to obtain a spot to compete at FISM 2018 in South Korea!

Joan Caesar is a co-chair of the competition, along with Vinny Grosso, Past President of the SAM.

Break a leg Canada!

[With thanks to Joan Caesar for sending me the information.]

03 July 2017

Toronto: Free magic jam!

From Ben Train's Facebook page:

02 July 2017

Canadians at IBM SAM 2017

The IBM-SAM Combined Convention is coming up July 12th to 15th!

Canadian roll call please!

So far, I've got:

Julianna Chen (stage and lecture),
Jay Sankey (close-up and lecture),
Murray Hatfield and Teresa (stage and lecture), and
The Outerbridges (stage and lecture).

Who'd I miss?

From Ted Outerbridge's Facebook page:

01 July 2017

Happy 150th, eh?

Does anyone know what Wes actually did with all the shots in the image at the bottom of this post?

From Brent and Sarah's Facebook page:

From Wes Barker's Facebook page:

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