To vote, scroll down to the bottom of this post and participate in the poll. (Unfortunately, the poll does not appear in the mobile version of the site.)
Let's have a look at the nominees (in no particular order):
Nominated by Phil Matlin.
"He has performed on stage for paying audience and I might say he was great. His magic was excellent. He was dressed for the occasion. He had a themed routine and what I really liked was that came in [to Perfect Magic] about week before the show and asked for some advice. I talked, he listened and implemented 95% of it in his show."
I had the pleasure of meeting Caiden at Sorcerers Safari in 2016. He's a fine young man with a bright future ahead of him!
Website:
- Read more about Caiden at the Perfect Magic Facebook page.
- Read more about Caiden at the Perfect Magic blog.
Ryan Brown
Nominated by dmdlfyer.
"Ryan started
performing magic very early in school. While he was in my class, he
would bargain his work completion in order to go to the kindergarten
class and perform his latest trick. He continued to perform and cam
back several years to perform free at our school's fun fair. True
school and community spirit. Ryan has inspired many of the students to
believe in their dream and to work hard to achieve it. He continues to
seek advancement in his craft by seeking peer help and taking classes
taught by more experienced magicians. In 2017 Ryan performed at Screemers at Exhibition Place Toronto in October. Great show Ryan!! Increased
his knowledge of magic by taking classes in Las Vegas with the master
of masks and magical knowledge, Jeff McBride earlier this year."
Supporting information from Patricia Silver:
"Ryan Brown is an example of a young man who knew what he wanted to
accomplish, kept focused under difficult conditions, and has achieved it
- a life in magic. Not only is he talented, he is a joy to work with,
both personally and professionally. My agency had the pleasure of
mentoring and booking Ryan from early in his career. He takes his magic
very seriously, and is constantly working to raise the bar on his show
and learn from others. He is worthy of an award."
Supporting information from Anonymous:
"The magic or Ryan Brown. I have known Ryan for many years and not only
is he a close friend but amazing magician who is dedicating his life to
magic and works extremely hard so he definitely deserves an award."
Supporting information from Anonymous:
"I'd like to nominate Ryan Brown ("The Magic of Ryan Brown"). I've known
Ryan since he was a youth and was shown his first magic tricks. From
that point on, Ryan became dedicated to learning the craft, and
perfecting tricks and routines. He recently won a scholarship to an
exclusive magic school in Las Vegas where he had opportunity to perfect
his craft further. Ryan creates routines to amaze his audiences with
thought to ages he he performing in front of. He continues to create
illusions himself. Seeing a performance by Ryan is nothing short of
amazing. "
Supporting information from Unknown:
"I second all these nominations of
Ryan. I have worked with as his assistant. And he is always improving
and raising the bar, trying and accomplishing new tricks and striving to
be the best magician he can be. "
Supporting information from Anonymous:
"I nominate Ryan Brown because having known him since he was 15, I have
seen him hold fast to his dream of being a professional magician in the
face of having his mother suffer a devastating illness when Ryan was age
11.
As a result Ryan had to grow up in a blue collar single parent household in a low income area, having to overcome many obstacles in order to be where he is today."
As a result Ryan had to grow up in a blue collar single parent household in a low income area, having to overcome many obstacles in order to be where he is today."
Supporting information from Anonymous:
"Many years ago, I gave Ryan Brown his first opportunity to perform
professionally. Seeing his accomplishments to date astounds me, just
like his magic does. Ryan continues to diversify his act. In 2017 he added new stage illusions and executed them flawlessly in his own style. As Ryan moves to the next phase of his career, I can't help but be inspired by his daily dedication to the craft of magic. New wardrobe, new card manipulation, new stage illusions, he's been hard at work this year.
On a personal level, 2017 was an extra challenging year for Ryan, with the passing of his father. Ryan's first performance on a Las Vegas stage this past September would have made him very proud.
It is for these reasons that I nominate Ryan Brown for "Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year"."
Website: RyanBrownMagic.com
Neil Croswell
Nominated by Anonymous.
"I would like to nominate Neil Croswell. I have watched Neil devote his life to magic from a young age and he has stuck to his vision from day one. His determination and work ethic over the years make him an inspiration as well as his countless awards and international TV appearances (Fool Us, etc.). In 2017, he appeared on "Masters of Illusion" , completed 250+ shows on a cruise in the Bahamas, and performed internationally across Asia which helped raise money for charitable causes in Sri Lanka. To accomplish what he has at his age, I believe, is an inspiration to Canadian magicians with goals of a professional career. "
Neil's Asia appearances include the "Knights of Illusion" magic show held in Colombo, Sri Lanka alongside Michael Finney and Xavier Mortimer. He also performed 32 stage shows in Beijing, China at the annual "Happy Valley International Magic Festival." This year, Neil performed over 300 shows across five countries.
Website: NeilCroswellMagic.com
Nominated by James Alan.
Along with running programs such as "Senior Sorcery" and "My Magic Hands," this year Julie has had a few other things on the go!
"The Magic of Johnny Thompson": Julie has been project managing the production and publication of "The Magic of Johnny Thompson." Her roles include: photographer, photo editor, and editor.
Magic Live - performer, presenter, and host: Julie was invited back (for the third time since 2015!) to co-host all the general sessions with Jonathan Levit. Sometimes hosting
meant interviewing interesting magic characters, like the one-and-only
David Williamson, or being part of something like a “show and tell” with Levent (where he talked about 3D printing).
Magicana - Magic Collectors Weekend - producer, host, project manager: As part of Magicana, Julie staged and produced a Magic History Conference called the Magic
Collectors Weekend in Montreal (first time out of the USA). It coincided with the opening of Illusions: The Art of
Magic poster exhibition featuring some of the top-drawer posters from
the newly acquired Allan Slaight Collection of posters.
Magicana - A Rich Cabinet of Magical Curiosities - publisher, project manager: This
year, Julie also worked closely with Dr. Eddie Dawes and his family to
start the process of publishing the historical series A Rich Cabinet of
Curiosities (published in the Magic Circle’s organ the Magic Circular).
Magicana will produce and release Dr Dawes's collected monthly series in
an epic, multi-volume compendium spanning forty years, of over 450
articles. The first volume is now in the works and with hopes of getting an
edition out by the late fall of 2018 or perhaps early 2019.
Magic and Science - performer, host, presenter: Julie was included as part of the Magic and Science special,
one-hour documentary for CBC’s "The Nature of Things: which will air
sometime in the early part of 2018. Julie acts as “host” and helps to link the
segments together, performing a bit of magic along the way. This is Julie's first major television piece.
Website: magicienne.com
Murray and Teresa Hatfield
Nominated by The Magic Demon.
"The Magic Demon nominates Murray and Teresa Hatfield for starring in and producing their second ever extraordinary magic and illusions-filled phantasmagoria "Unbelievable" at this summer's PNE in Vancouver. For the second year in a row, it was again one of the the most inspiring and entertaining stadium-scale magical events Vancouver has ever seen."
In addition, Murray and Teresa amazed on season 4 of Penn and Teller Fool Us this year where Penn said of their performance "I haven't seen a better version of Metamorphosis ever." Murray is also the President of the Canadian Association of Magicians.
Website: MurrayHatfieldMagic.com
Nominated by Ari.
"I nominate Benzi Train because of his tireless work over the years to promote the performance of live magic in Toronto and his efforts at the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club and bringing in of top quality lecturers to our community. His (and partner Jonah Babbins) show Newest Trick in the Book gives any magician a venue/opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. He has inspired many magicians to challenge themselves creatively or to even perform live."
Supporting information from Steven Lafond:
"I second the nomination for Ben Train for his incredible work with the Toronto Magic Company. He is an amazing performer and producer and has worked very hard to keep magic alive in the Toronto performing arts scene."
Supporting information from Natasha:
"I’m nominating Ben Train for all the work he’s done for the Toronto magic community. Besides becoming one of the most popular performers in the city, Ben also founded the Toronto Magic Company and produces different magic shows every week across the city. Whether working with aspiring young magicians to give them the confidence to go on stage, provide professionals with new opportunities to share their magic, or bringing the best magic in the world to Toronto for public shows and lectures, there isn’t anyone in the city doing more for magic than Ben."
Website: BenTrain.ca
Cast your vote now at Poll Junkie!
