30 September 2017

Top 5 posts in September 2017

Of the 33 posts at Canada's Magic this month, here are the 5 most viewed posts in the past 30 days:



5. Toronto: Amazing Johnathan and Anastasia Synn - Did you attend?  How was it?
4. Langley: Murray Hatfield and Bizzaro - Sure to be a great show!
3. Vancouver: "SEASONS: A Magical Musical" - The magic scene is alive and well in BC.
2. Top 5 posts in August 2017 - Keeping it meta.

and the most viewed post this month  ...





1. [Guest post] Random thoughts about "UNBELIEVABLE! A Magical Experience" - The most read post two months running!  With thanks to The Magic Demon.

29 September 2017

Vancouver: Randy Charach

From Brown Paper Tickets:
Randy Charach October 14, 2017 (two shows)

Comedian, Magician, Mentalist & Hypnotist... Randy Charach.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness Randy performing live in Vancouver. It's a fast-paced, hilarious and amazing show like no other.

His comedic talents are blended with his unique brand of mind-blowing Mental Magic and Comedy Hypnosis. Lot's (sic) of audience interaction throughout the performance.

Read more and buy tickets.


[via The Magic Demon]

28 September 2017

Vancouver: Tom Stone Lecture

From IBM Ring 92:
Tom Stone will be lecturing for the Vancouver Magic Circle
2:30pm – Sunday, October 1, 2017
Sunrise Community Hall
1950 Windermere Street
Vancouver, BC

Direct from Sweden
Exclusive magic lecture in Canada

Here's some amazing and exciting news for our VMC membership! This coming Sunday, October 1st at 2:30 in the afternoon we will be hosting a lecture by Genii columnist Tom Stone.

He is best known for writing a series of articles and pamphlets about original magical techniques and plots. He co-wrote a book with magician Lennart Green, contributed material to a book by Jason Alford, and has self-published a series of pamphlets as well as an e-book. He is also editor and publisher of various Swedish magic journals such as "Trollkarlen", and "Dr. Faustus Journal".

Read more and buy tickets.

27 September 2017

Shin Lim in the Boston Globe

From the Boston Globe article by Dan Morrell:
Toward the end of magician Shin Lim’s “Dream Act” routine, his hands slowly rise to his head, palms up. Just as the accompanying dramatic orchestral music swells, he opens his mouth, expelling a cloud of smoke and revealing a folded playing card that had been inexplicably moving between both of his hands and his vest pocket.

Fellow magician Don Greenberg watched Lim, then 23, perform this act in July 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of a competition run by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Greenberg had helped organize similar events for the brotherhood in the past, but this time he was there as a spectator. He and his wife, Sharon, were part of a group of more than two dozen audience members and two contest judges gathered in a Hyatt conference room to watch Lim. Greenberg had seen Lim perform in national competitions for years and had always thought he had good hands. But he was struck by this routine — Lim’s precise movements, his intensity, the crescendos of the music. It was cinematic. At the moment that Lim put his hands to his head, released the smoke, and revealed the card, Greenberg looked over at his wife. Her eyes were welling up with tears. Oh, my God, he thought, she’s crying. How the hell did that happen? You don’t expect someone to make your wife tear up with a just deck of cards.

Read more.

26 September 2017

Toronto: Tricks in the Six (Sept 28)

From The Toronto Magic Company Facebook page:

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25 September 2017

Montreal: Soirée Magique au Lockhart Montreal

From the Soirée Magique au Lockhart Montreal Facebook event:

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24 September 2017

Toronto: The Sentimentalists will take mentalism to new heights

From The Sentimentalists' Facebook page:

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23 September 2017

Magical Qualicum Beach fundraiser in the BC Local News

From the BC Local News:
Three magician acts are hoping to make some magic for a new refugee family.

Paul Romhany (a recent arrival to Qualicum Beach) will be headlining a show also featuring Parksville double-act Sandra and Heather McNeill as The Magic of Zanthera, as well as Eric Bedard.

On Sunday, Oct. 1, the four magicians will be performing a 90-minute, all-ages show as a fundraiser for the 2017 Qualicum Refugee Sponsorship Group.

With volunteers having helped to resettle the Johdee refugee family in 2016, this new group aims to do the same for another refugee family.

The group will be required to support a family of up to four for its first year in Canada, meaning Qualicum RSG-17 needs to raise approximately $35,000.

Read more.

22 September 2017

Hamilton: Nicholas Wallace in "Strange and Unusual"

From the "Strange and Unusual" Facebook event:
We all share a common delusion. We believe our world view is based on truth and logic - but whether you admit it or not, we all believe in something strange and unusual.

In this 90 min show, Nick uses story telling and illusions to explore the world of conspiracy theories, superstitions, psychics and all things STRANGE AND UNUSUAL.

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21 September 2017

Toronto: Browser’s Den of Magic Shop 42nd Anniversary Party!

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
Browser’s Den of Magic Shop
42nd Anniversary Party!

COST TO ATTEND-FREE
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 2017
TIME: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Browser’s Den of Magic

FREE PRIZES * DISCOUNT ON ALL MAGIC ALL DAY LONG * MINI MAGIC AUCTION * SANDWICHES * COFFEE * SNACKS * MAGIC TRIVIA QUIZ WITH BIG PRIZES * LEN COOPER MEMORIAL AWARD * BIRTHDAY CAKE
AUCTION BEGINS AT 11AM!

Read more.

20 September 2017

Langley: Murray Hatfield and Bizzaro

From the Facebook page of Norden the Magician:

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19 September 2017

What do you call a group of magicians?

An interesting question posed by James Alan while posting a photo of the attendees of Ring 17's first meeting of the season.

Seriously though, what term do you use to refer to a group of magicians?

I look forward to your answers in the comments below.  (Or email them to me and I'll add them to the comments for everyone's enjoyment!)

From James Alan's Facebook post:





18 September 2017

Calgary: Ryan Pilling's Magic Cabaret

Purchase your tickets at Snap Tix.


From Brent Smith's Facebook page:

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17 September 2017

Toronto: Browser's Bash 2018 ticket sale reminder

Browser's Bash logo 
From the Browser's Den of Magic:
Tickets go on sale Monday, Sept 18th, 2017 - 10 am Sharp!




Talent currently booked for 2018 include:
  • Dick Joiner as emcee,
  • Michael Close (author of the Workers series and other ebooks), and
  • Nicholas Wallace.

Read more and buy tickets!



16 September 2017

Montreal: "Masters of Spectacular: Back2School"

I had the good fortune of meeting young Mr. Caiden Finch at Sorcerers Safari last year.  He's sure to impress!

From Masters of Spectactular:
Cast for September 17th

Host: Mystery Host to be seen at the show
Armand Naftali - Singer
Cam Fleming - Juggler
Geoffrey Applebaum - Sounds & Voices
Leonard Yelle - Comedian
Mike Deslaurier - Magician
Plus special guest magicians Caiden Finch & Garrett Struthers

Read more and buy tickets.


From the Perfect Magic Facebook page:

15 September 2017

Wes Barker: Variety Act of 2017

Congratulations Wes!

From Wes Barker's Facebook page:

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14 September 2017

People of the train: Zach Wells

From the Twitter Feed of Zachary Wells:
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From the Facebook page of VIA Rail Canada:





13 September 2017

Medicine Hat: Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries

 From Tixx Central:
A professionally orchestrated theatrical production with over twenty custom-designed illusions and world-class lighting and set design, Outerbridge, Clockwork Mysteries is a high-energy magical adventure for both adult and family audiences. Recognized as one of the most creative and dynamic shows of its kind, critics have hailed Ted and Marion Outerbridge as “the most successful magicians in Canada” and “champions of magic”.

Outerbridge will be on the Esplanade Main Stage Friday December 8th, 2017
Tickets go on sale for the public on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:00 AM MST.


Read more and buy tickets.

12 September 2017

Toronto: Alfredo Marchese (Magic Alan) lecture

From IBM Ring 17:
To accommodate travel schedules, our October Lecture will be in the Last Week of September! (Because we ALL need more Spanish magic in our lives.)

Alfredo Marchese from Spain

When: Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Where: Fairview Public Library (35 Fairview Mall Drive – map)

Admission: FREE for Members ($20 for guests – tickets at the door)

Travelling all the way from Spain, Alfredo Marchese, or as he is often known on stage, Magic Alan, will present “A Different Lecture” based on 35 years experience as a professional performer. Those familiar with the famous “Spanish School of Magic” know that they have a well-earned reputation for taking card tricks and turning them into deeply deceptive, emotionally powerful card miracles. Even better is the way in which they generously offer to explain all the thinking and obsessing over details that went into it.


Read more and buy tickets.

Montreal: Alfredo Marchese (Magic Alan) lecture

From Montreal Magic Jam:
Wed Sept 27 at 7pm

Argentinian magician Alfredo Marchese (known simply as Magic Alan) has been a professional for over 35 years, working all kinds of environments and traveling all over the world.

A student of the maestro Juan Tamariz, he performs in most of Tamariz’s theatre shows performing a wide variety of material from the spirit cabinet to the Chinese linking rings.

His lecture for us will focus on what he calls “Vertical Card Magic” that can be close-up, in parlour and on the stage, including other visual props and a wide variety of effects (not just your standard pick-a-card tricks).

Of course all this with a combination of clever modern methods. And of course as a student of Tamariz, it wouldn’t be complete with explanations of the psychology behind the tricks and magic performance in general based on his personal experience and of course the work of Tamariz and Ascanio, with am emphasis on these main points
-EFFECT
-EMOTION
-SURPRISE
-SITUATIONAL COMEDY
-VARIETY

Perhaps a relative unknown in our part of the world, he is well-respected throughout Spain and his native South America . Roberto Giobbi, Dani DaOrtiz and Juan Tamariz all sing his praises, and that’s enough to make any magician sit up and pay attention to what he has to say.

Read more and buy tickets.



11 September 2017

Vancouver: "SEASONS: A Magical Musical"

From Rod Chow's post in the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92 Facebook page:

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10 September 2017

Broken wand: Bruce Fricker

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  Bruce Fricker from Kitchener, Ontario.

From Life News:
FRICKER, Bruce Passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at St. Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener, at age 64. Beloved husband of Linda for 28 years. Loved father of Jordan and fiancée Tina, Alysia, Melissa, and Sidney. Dear son of Marion and the late R. Bruce Fricker; brother of Donelda Fricker. He is also fondly remembered by his mother-in-law Gilda Stante, in-laws Marie (Eldon) and Donald (Diane), nephews Matthew, Joseph, and Nicholas and many friends. Bruce was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He performed under the name "Magic by Zachary".

Read more.

08 September 2017

Toronto: Amazing Johnathan and Anastasia Synn

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
We are very excited to let you know that Anastasia Synn and the Amazing Jonathan will be at 'Browser's Den of Magic' for a FREE Meet & Greet on: Saturday, September 16 from 2pm to about 4pm.

Whether you are a friend of Anastia & Jonathan or not, they want you to know that all are welcome to attend. You can bring photos to sign if you wish too.

Read more.


From The Amazing Johnathan's Facebook event:

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07 September 2017

The Magician James Randi on the Importance of Skepticism

From Holy Koolaid's YouTube channel:
James Randi, the legendary magician, skeptic, and paranormal debunker talks about the importance of scientific skepticism and how his work as a magician has shaped the way he views the world. James "The Amazing Randi" has spent decades in show business as a magician, but as a psychic investigator and debunker of the paranormal, Randi stresses the fact that it's all an artful deception and not supernatural at all - earning him the nickname "An Honest Liar." In this interview, James Randi discusses his work as a magician and the importance of being skeptical.








06 September 2017

Matt Johnson's UK tour

From Matt Johnson's Facebook page:

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05 September 2017

Toronto: The Newest Trick in the Book

From the Toronto Magic Company's Facebook page:

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Montreal: Jörg Alexander lecture

From the Montreal Magic Jam:
Tuesday Sept 5th

Jörg Alexander is one of Germany’s busiest magicians, and a member of the world famous Flicking Fingers. As a full-time professional since 1994, he has performed and lectured in Germany, England, Spain, Argentina, USA, France, Finland, Austria and Switzerland.

As a FISM competitor he won awards for his performances in the categories of close-up card magic, and mentalism.

He is the creator of Sympathetic Ten and Fantastic Aces, both commercially available, best-selling items from his working repertoire.

His lecture covers both parlor and close-up magic, and also delves into performance theory, discussing the topics of direction of attention, intrinsic actions, and routine construction and development.

Read more and buy tickets.

04 September 2017

Rounding the Western rings in September 2017

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


CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- TBA.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- TBA.
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- TBA.
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Third Monday Magic.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- TBA.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- TBA.
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - TBA.


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

Rounding the Central rings in September 2017

Updated September 11th to add:
  • Ring 17 (Toronto) will host a lecture by Alfredo Marchese in addition to the one by Jörg Alexander


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


Montreal, QCRing 62 (20th Century Ring)- Stage workers.
- Sunday brunch.
- Instagram Tuesday
Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)- Current and past executive perform.
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Easy but good.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Ryan Joyce lecture.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)- TBA.
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Jörg Alexander lecture.
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)- Jörg Alexander lecture.
 (Note location change.)
- Alfredo Marchese lecture.


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

Rounding the Eastern rings in September 2017

Does anybody have current information to share about the Magic Circle of St. John?

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



Halifax, NSRing 316 (Conjourer's Court) - Jörg Alexander lecture.
- Visit their Facebook page
St. John, NBMagic Circle of St. John- TBA


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

[Guest post] The "Magicians Support Fund" by IBM

The following is from Dennis Schick, the editor of the Broken Wand in the International Brotherhood of Magician's magazine, The Linking Ring:
 Hello fellow magicians:

    There likely will be magicians in the very-active world of magic in Houston, Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast, who will need all the help they can get in coming weeks and months. Since the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods was still taking place as the September issue of The Linking Ring was going to press, I had the idea of asking I.B.M. members — and other magicians — to give to the Magicians Support Fund, anticipating those needs. I was able to get a request for funds in that issue.

    The Magicians Support Fund was started almost exactly twelve years ago, in response to another natural disaster — Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. The late Phil Wilmarth, then editor of The Linking Ring; Past I.B.M. International President Michael Stratman (2002-03); and then-IBM President Roger Miller, got the idea of an independent fund to help fellow magicians in need.

    Indeed, the fund did help a number of magicians who suffered in various ways from Katrina, and has continued to help other magicians since then. The fund is not an official activity of the I.B.M., and magicians do not need to be an I.B.M. member to benefit from it. “This is a magicians-helping-magicians fund,” said Stratman, who continues as chairman of the committee.

    At this time the Fund is not tax-deductible (although it may become so if someone volunteers to take it over and do the paperwork). Requests for help can come directly from a magician, or can come from someone who knows of a need. The committee will consider every request.

    “Right now we need donations to build up the fund,” says Stratman. “We can’t give it away if we don’t have it. Magicians are a generous lot, and now is the time to show it.” Please send check donations — and requests for help — to:

Mike Stratman
Magicians Support Fund
126 Coyatee Circle, Louden, TN 37774.

    Contact Stratman at mikestrat4 @ aol . com for more information.




03 September 2017

McCord’s Camp ABRACADABRA

From Joe Culpepper:
It’s not the magician who teaches the children. It’s the children who teach the magician.

I had a great time working with the McCord Museum’s education team to teach over 100 different mini-Montrealers how to perform magic onstage this summer as part of their ABRACADABRA camps.* This series of week-long summer camps was inspired by the ILLUSIONS exhibition. The exhibition contains beautiful chromolithograph posters from the Allan Slaight collection acquired with help from the Emmanuelle Gattuso Foundation. Each week, the ABRACADABRA kids took a tour of this magnificent collection as part of their discovery of Montreal’s entertainment history. They then worked with me and their camp counselors (Skippy, Scala, Echo, Stein and Marc-André) to learn a new effect or two each day as preparation for their “Grand Spectacle” at the end of the week. As part of preparing for this big show for their friends and family, they learned fine motor skills, creative brainstorming techniques, performance vocabulary, public speaking skills and how to interact with audience members onstage.
Read more.

02 September 2017

Thank you to our September 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.

01 September 2017

Thank you to our September 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:

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.