Remembering those who have passed this year. Through your passion and
spirit you have helped shape the magic community in Canada and around
the world. Thank you.
There were 30 posts at Canada's Magic this month. Because the top two posts are about the same subject, this month we present the six most viewed posts in the past 30 days:
6. Congratulations to Colin Geddes, executive producer on Mad God! - We're rooting for you Colin! *fingers crossed* we see Mad God in the list of finalists at the Oscars!
5. Rosemary Reid in episode 95 of Shezam with Kayla Drescher - Congratulations to Rosemary Reid and Lee Asher for their success with the Sisterhood deck Kickstarter!
4. Ring 17: Daily Bread Food Bank virtual fundraiser [Dec 19] - Well done Ring 17 for raising over $1200 for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank. You can still watch their virtual fundraiser show and donate at IBMRing17.com/show
3. Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 2022 - Catch them if you can!
1. (and 2.) Vote now for the 2022 Readers' Choice Award (2022 Readers' Choice award results ) - Congratulations again to all of the fabulous nominees! Keep up the great work!
From the December 30th Instagram post by CHCH Morning Live:
To help us ring in the new year we welcomed our friend @graemazing to dazzle & amaze us with his Level 7 Wizardry.
From the December 25th article "Presenting ... the 12 Good Folks of Christmas in New West" by Julie MacLellan in the New Westminster Record:
Shawn Farquhar: The affable, fast-talking Shawn makes life in New West more magical – quite literally. A two-time world champion of magic, Shawn serves up his world-class sleight of hand at the unique Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience, tucked away in a secret location in downtown New Westminster. It’s a gem that draws people from all around the region into our city. And Shawn himself? Well, he’s an all-around good guy – just ask the folks he saved from a devastating apartment fire once upon a time in New Westminster. He spoke to reporter Julie MacLellan in June. *
* From the June 8th article "There's magic hidden in the heart of New Westminster" by Julie MacLellan in the New Westminster Record:
Farquhar, who lives in Maple Ridge, has a longstanding connection to New Westminster. He first lived in the community in the 1980s and built his career as a magician here, making the pages of the Royal City Record on numerous occasions. New Westminster’s own icon of magic, Leon Mandrake, a.k.a. Mandrake the Magician, is one of Farquhar’s heroes and mentors in magic.
Thank you to those who participated in the spirit in which the awards were
intended:
a fun way to recognize and celebrate all of the wonderful things being done by the fabulous talent in our country!
Thank you to everyone who made the effort to nominate and to
vote.
A special thank you to those who left comments articulating how the nominees inspire others within the magic community. Peer recognition is a tremendous gift.
This year brought out some of the best in the community. We won't name names because we weren't organized enough to ask for permission, but here are some of the heart-warming and fabulous behaviours we saw:
Bravo! This type of behaviour is at the heart of what makes the Canadian magic community wonderful!
Paraphrasing one of our readers,
The real
award is the friends we made along the way.
Indeed!
Some general comments that were left included:
Congratulations again to all of the fabulous nominees!
Keep up the great work!
Here are the results of our seventh annual "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!
Website: HermitMagic.com
Dave Curran
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"I hate voting against myself… but I’m going with Dave Curran! Jokers is
an incredible new addition to the Canadian magic scene!"
Website: Jokers.ca, DaveCurranLive.com
Colin Geddes
Nominated by L7W who wrote:
"To have the ability to inspire others is an incredible gift. I nominate
Colin Geddes as the inspirational magician of the year. Magic shows others
that the impossible can be real; the challenge can be overcome.
"Magic is meant to be inspirational, unlock challenges and make the
problematic disappear. It's rare to find a magician willing to zoom out,
remove their ego and give themselves to others out of passion and
dedication.
"Colin is a magician who embraces those in the spotlight, educates the
willing and uplifts the magicians who might have lost their way. As an
observer of the Canadian magic industry, you cannot find a more authentic
and passionate magician than Colin."
Websites: Ultra8.ca,
learn more about Colin in his brief bio at Canada's Magic.
Chris Gowen
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For his monthly public shows at the Rec Room."
Website: ChrisGowen.ca
Ryan Michael
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"Because he kicked some major butt at PCAM - stage magician AND
mentalist of the year!"
Websites: RyanMichaelMagic.com
Kelvin Ng
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote.
"For his incredible dedication and openness to learn, progress and drive
himself every day. Great magician, even better friend."
Website: KelModernMagic.com
Ryan Pilling
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For continuously creating quality magic and tricks. Giving out more
golden magic tips and asking nothing in return."
Websites: MagicTipsAndTricks.com,
WowRyan.com, learn more about Ryan
in his brief bio at Canada's Magic.
Jason Verners
Nominated by by Anonymous who wrote:
"For his monthly appearances on local news and his sold out run of shows
with Ecologist."
Website: JasonVerners.com
Trevor and Lorena Watters
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For their sense of humour, but seriousness in the art and making the best
of every situation. True performers."
Website: TrevorAndLorenaShow.com
Shawn Farquhar
Ryan Edwards
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For changing the way
people see mentalism in Canada. Putting on a variety of shows rather
than one standard and really showcasing magic in a great light."
Website: Mentalism.ca
From the June 8th article "Magician Chris Ramsay on finding magic, making it big on YouTube and appearing opposite Chris Rock in 'Spiral'" by Devon Preston in Inked:
But, one of his biggest puzzles to date took place in the 2021 film “Spiral,” where he portrayed a drug dealer caught in a Jigsaw copycat’s trap. “Darren Lynn Bousman, who was the director of this film and ‘Saw II,’ ‘Saw III’ and ‘Saw IV,’ is fan of magic and hit me up on email being like, ‘Hey man, I’m a big fan and I would love to kill you in one of my movies,’” Ramsay says. “In between takes, Darren would come up to me and be like, ‘Hey, I’m working on this, how do you think it looks?’ He’d just finished a scene with Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, but he wouldn’t care and would ask me how a card trick looked. I would definitely do it again, and my character doesn’t die. I think he’s the only one who survived.”
On June 6th, Dean Gunnarson participated in a rededication of a plaque at the building where it all started over 100 years ago.
From the June 5th article, "Winnipeg still a magic city 100 years after international organization’s founding" by Sam Thompson at Global News:
Internationally-known illusionist and comedy magician Brian Glow says the brotherhood, which is the largest organization of magicians in the world, was founded in Winnipeg in 1922.
The city’s long history of magic — which includes a 1923 performance by the legendary Harry Houdini, who escaped from a straightjacket 30 feet above a downtown building — is largely due to its geographic location.....
Although the brotherhood became so popular that it moved to the U.S. less than a decade after its founding, Gunnarson said the city has a long history of famed magicians to this day — from himself and Glow to the likes of Doug Henning, Darcy Oake, and Greg Wood.
“Sometimes we don’t appreciate things in our own backyard… and Winnipeg has such a vibrant, rich history of politicians, entertainers — and of course magic,” Gunnarson said.
From the June 6th article "'The magic city': 100th anniversary of International Brotherhood of Magicians marked in Winnipeg, where it all started" by Devon McKendrick at CTV News Winnipeg:
IBM was started by three magicians, including Len Vintus, who is from Transcona, in 1922, and now the organization has around 15,000 members with local groups in more than 88 countries.
"He created the world's largest magic organization with no computer, no smartphone, no fax machine, all with a typewriter and a mimeograph machine," said Dean Gunnarson, who is a Winnipeg escape artist.
The IBM was created to connect magicians who lived outside major cities and were unable to attend magic club meetings."(Vintus) promoted magic, the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba. He was a real ambassador for this city and province and, of course, magic."
From the June 29th article "World’s largest magic club celebrates 100th anniversary, Winnipeg roots" by Cody Sellar in the Free Press Community Review:
To celebrate the anniversary, local members held a ceremony at the original headquarters on June 6, recreating the unveiling of the 1986 historical building plaque by setting the veil ablaze.
Transconian Melvin McMullen, better known by the stage name Len Vintus, founded the organization in 1922 at the age of 19. He rented an office on the seventh floor of the building at Main Street and William Avenue and set to work.
“He was absolutely driven. Wore a suit and tie and vest every day of his life that I knew him, until he went to the hospital with a stroke,” said Dean Gunnarson, a Winnipeg escape artist who became friends with McMullen until his death in 1999....
The Winnipeg ring has now morphed into the Magic Club of Winnipeg, run in part by brotherhood member Carey Lauder. He’s helped teach a host of young magicians, including Darcy Oake. He said for some kids, magic provides a crucial confidence boost.
“It’s like kid Toastmasters,” he said, citing parents who told him their children gained the self-assurance to speak up in class and other such things.
Lauder, who also works at the magic counter at Toad Hall Toys, said McMullen’s legacy is a point of pride for the Winnipeg magic community.
...
Gunnarson said his tombstone is carved in the shape of the province and inscribed with the title: “Mr. Manitoba.”
From the December 22nd Instagram post by the IBM:
Calling all young magicians🙌
Come join the first ever IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam. For those of you that love magic, or want a chance to connect with other young magicians ALL over the world, this is your chance!!
When ⏰
January 3rd 2023
Where 📍
Online via Zoom
Who 👤
Teens who love magic
Special guest✨
Shawn Farquhar
@magichampion
Hosted by🪄
Gabriella Lester
@thegabriellalester
Plus a little bonus fun from the December 20th Facebook post by David Acer:
Fun trick with a bulb you can pluck off a nearby tree OR A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE?!? You decide.
This is from my book "More Power to You," which I will soon re-release one page at a time on TikTok.
From the December 13th Facebook post by David Acer:
I tried to kick off this digital holiday special for The Official SuperDogs with some decorum but no such luck... Writing it was a blast and a phenomenal team of trainers came together to make it one of the cutest, sweetest holiday celebrations you'll ever see. If you like dogs this is a no-brainer—grab some eggnog and watch the full 17-minute special here:
From the December 19, 2020 upload on the Official SuperDogs YouTube channel:
Join The President's Choice SuperDogs for their magical, musical holiday celebration, "Happy Pawlidays."
From the December 22nd upload "1st Female Magician EVER on Breakfast Television | Rosemary Reid" on the Magical Women with Connie Boyd YouTube channel:
1st Female Magician EVER to appear on Breakfast Television National Canadian News - Citytv | Rosemary Reid
In this clip, Toronto female magician Rosemary Reid appears on National Canadian news to promote the SISTERHOOD Deck of playing cards.
From the December 22nd Instagram post by Mike D'Urzo:
BIG Announcement...
Been very excited to share this news. Mega Magic is returning to Niagara Falls from December 26- January 7 (Excluding Dec. 31). Shows run NIGHTLY at 8:00 pm at the @sheratonfallsview. Couldn't be happier to bring the show home for the holidays!
From the December 19th Instagram post by the Canine Circus:
You’ve seen us on your TV but now it’s time to bring our furry four-legged friends to you LIVE in person for ONE DAY ONLY 🎪
Featuring World Champions, Stars from America’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent, Multi-Guinness World Record Holders and most in demand family Illusionists ✨
THE CANINE CIRCUS - LIVE in Markham!!
January 7th
At The Browser's Den of magic:
From the December 18th Facebook post by The Browser's Den of Magic:
Buy Two Get Two Free, Upcoming Lectures!
Read details the newsletter and buy tickets.
From the December 16th Instagram post by the GCSU Backlot:
We are proud to announce that renowned Magician Wes Barker will be returning to The Backlot on Saturday January 14!
Stay tuned after the holiday break for information with tickets!
Get your tickets at do 604:
From the Decmember 17th Instagram post by Parlour Magic Show:
Dec 21! Get tix to the late show, click the bio link. The early show already sold out! It's our FIRST EVER HOLIDAY SPECIAL! See you at @havanatheatre .
The link to donate is already up at the Ring 17 website.
From the December 14th Instagram post by Ring 17:
The broadcast of our virtual fundraiser is Monday, December 19 at 8:00 pm Eastern.
Thanks to all of our members who contributed videos. We can’t wait to share your performances with everyone. Remember the show is free to watch so feel free to share the show with family and friends. All of the information, and the embedded video will be available at ibmring17.com/show.
Donations are currently being accepted through the Daily Bread Food Bank’s website. Donations over $10 automatically receive a tax receipt.
