When: Monday May 6th
Where: Agricola Lutheran Church - 25 Old York Mills Road Admission:
FREE for members and $20 for non-members
Special Lecture!
Who
is Alexander Marsh? Well he is the pen-name and alter-ego of Alex McAleer and
he'd prefer it if you referred to him as Alexander Marsh online, or just Alex
is fine too. He thanks you for your understanding.
Under his
pen-name, Alexander Marsh has lectured at the prestigious Magic Circle;
contributed to publications by Jerome Finley, Elliott J. Bresler, and
Banachek; filmed two Penguin Live Lectures; released best-selling effects such
as Forgotten Princess and Thy Will Be Done; and with The 1914 Magic released a
masterclass on The Art of Stagecraft and the a 5 hour Masterclass on Billet
work.
We are excited to have snagged Alex to do a lecture for us
while he is in town performing at Lighthouse Artspace.
The lecture
covers Mentalism for stage, parlour, close-up, and casual. Topics covered will
include Billet work (peeks, predictions, more), ESP cards, an impromptu book
test, Mentalism with coins and cash, and much more.
The contest to win a pair of tickets to attend the world premiere of
Lost in the Shuffle is closed. Thank you to everyone who
played!
Shawn Farquhar and Michael Vincent at The Magic Circle
Pick a card, any card!
If you’re looking for
magic and mystery, then you’ll love the new documentary LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
which will be having its world premiere at the Hot Docs Film Festival
running from April 25 – May 5.
World champion magician
Shawn Farquhar delves into a medieval murder cold case among Jacks, Queens
and Kings as he devises a new trick inspired by the world’s best
sleight-of-hand artists.
The film will be playing at the TIFF Lightbox on April 29 and May 1st. If you love magic, then you’ll love this film!
On April 27 at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, Key will be teaching magic tricks to anyone who registers (ages 5 and up). The two workshops, each an hour long, are designed to “unlock magical potential,” not only by teaching these skills, but by using the lessons to build self-confidence, public speaking and fine motor skills.
“Magic is a great mechanism to improve your core competency,”says Key. He feels it’s one thing to show somebody a trick, it’s another to present it with the flair of a street performer, while telling a story to build interest.
His fascination with “magic” began at age five, after he got a Halloween-themed kit for his birthday.
We’ve got the trick to finding love -- you’ve got to go out and meet people!
And we get it. That’s not easy. Where can you go to meet awesome singles your age without the awkwardness of speed dating or the stress of approaching people you don’t know at bars?
We’ve got the answer - and it’s happening THIS THURSDAY (April 25th) at the incredible Super Wonder Art Gallery near Dufferin and Bloor!
We’re filling the place with interactive magic, music, and some of Toronto’s most eligible singles - people looking for a fun night and to connect with awesome people like you.
💥🇺🇸TOUR ANNOUNCE 🇨🇦💥 Exciting news! We’re hitting the road with our
brand new show across the U.S. and Canada this summer! Join us for an
unforgettable experience with 💜THE CLAIRVOYANTS SHOW💜 See you there!
Alexandra is a 33-year-old magician from Niagara Falls, Ontario. After working as a magician’s assistant for many years, Alexandra is finally ready to take the CGT stage as the main attraction.
A quick reminder of our earlier Mail as Medicine request for Katie Hunt. If you have the time, Katie and Doug would both benefit from hearing from their friends!
Great news folks! We have been offered tickets to give away to our readers, for
the premiere of Shawn Farquhar and Jon Ornoy's Lost in the Shuffle at the
Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.
Shawn Farquhar and Michael Vincent at The Magic Circle
Pick a card, any card!
If you’re looking for
magic and mystery, then you’ll love the new documentary LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
which will be having its world premiere at the Hot Docs Film Festival
running from April 25 – May 5.
World champion magician
Shawn Farquhar delves into a medieval murder cold case among Jacks, Queens
and Kings as he devises a new trick inspired by the world’s best
sleight-of-hand artists.
The film will be playing at the TIFF Lightbox on April 29 and May 1st. If you love magic, then you’ll love this film!
If you don't want to leave your tickets to chance, you can purchase them
directly at the
Hot Docs
website.
There will be a random draw for two (2) tickets to the film.
There will be one (1) winner.
The prize consists of two (2) tickets. (Approximate retail value of
$40.)
The draw results will be posted by end of day on
Saturday April 27th, 2024.
To enter:
Log into the RaffleCopter widget at the bottom of this post,
using a valid email address.
Mandatory: Leave a comment in the widget, telling us which of Shawn's
special guests you're most excited to see in the movie.
If you win, you must be willing to provide your name, email address, and
phone number, so that a representative fromthe Hot Docs Film
Festival can coordinate the prize with the box office.
The winner will be notified by email. You will have 24 hours to claim
your prize.
If we have not heard back from you within 24 hours, your entry will be
disqualified
and we will draw an additional name.
The fine print:
To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
One entry per person.
This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec.
(Je m'excuse!)
This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
This giveaway may be terminated or withdrawn at any time.
Entries may be disqualified at any time (reasons for disqualification
include but are not limited to the provision of information that is
untruthful, inaccurate, incomplete, or suspected fraudulent behaviour).
You must be able to use the tickets as offered. (No cash value will be
offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
Transportation to/from Toronto will not be provided.
Accommodations will not be provided.
Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the box office prior to
the show on your way into the theatre.
The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
Contest closes on Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.
Entries received after this time will be disqualified.
With thanks to the Hot Docs Film Festival for generously making these tickets
available to you!
We're delighted that Alexandra made time to answer our questions ahead of her April 16th appearance on Canada's Got Talent!
Who inspires you that is not a magician?
Being a female of the millennial generation - I grew up admiring all the pop stars of the 1990s and 2000s. The command they evoked on stage lent inspiration to how I carry myself when I’m in front of the crowd.
What is your first memory of magic?
My first memory of magic would be watching World’s Greatest Magic on TV in the 90’s when I as a child. Initially being drawn to the glamour of the stage spectacle, I was intrigued by the sly cunningness of the performers, namely the deception the magicians assistants added.
Who from the magic community inspires you?
I would be foolish to say Greg Frewin hasn’t been my number one inspiration in magic. From creativity in his workshop and nostalgia from his younger years, to his current on stage demeanour - I draw inspiration from what he continues to provide to the industry.
Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?
When I first started in magic as an assistant, my mentor allowed me to borrow a set of hard drives consisting of virtually any and all magic acts ever captured on film from all the way from the 1960s /1970s to current time! Very educational and very top secret - if you know, you know! ;)
📸 : CGT
Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting
magic?
Through hardships and learning challenges, I am proud to say I was never discouraged enough to think about quitting magic - and of course, fooling Penn and Teller helped with the encouragement!
Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share
with our readers?
Espresso, baby!.. And of course the right playlist to get pumped up to!
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of
Canada's Got Talent?
I believe the time was right for me to participate in Canada's Got Talent to showcase another discipline of my magic. The piece performed in the competition was something contrasted to the last performance I showcased on television.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Shout out to all the ladies in magic - keep doing your thing! xo
Thank you Alexandra, for making the time to answer our questions!
Break a leg on CGT!
The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.
--
CANADIANS FEATURED IN THE APRIL 2024 ISSUE OF "GENII" Exclusive to Canada's Magic by The Magic Demon
In the current April 2024 issue of "Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine", one of Canada's best known magicians, Bill Abbott, rates an almost half page review of his most recent (fourth) appearance at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Shawn McMaster's column, "Knights at the Magic Castle", includes a great action photo of Bill receiving what appears to be an enthusiastic round of applause mid-performance. McMaster details Bill's act which when read certainly sounds like both Bill and his audience had an enjoyable time.
In her regular news column "The Eye", Vanessa Armstrong has a feature item on "The Magic Word" podcast with Scott Wells, who recently interviewed Murray SawChuck about his spate of on-line exposures. While making his own position against such exposure clear, Wells feels he has at least tried to offer a platform for both sides of this controversial and divisive issue.
Finally, in his editorial "Genii Speaks", editor Richard Kaufman offers an unambiguous personal endorsement for the craftsmanship of Roy Kueppers, now residing in Las Vegas. Kueppers' "cornucopia of coins gimmicked in a fantastical variety of ways" clearly delights Kaufman who concludes his editorial this month simply: "If you need a gimmicked coin, he [Roy]'s your guy". Also noteworthy, Roy has taken out a two page ad (the first time he has ever done so I believe) which includes an impressive testimonial from David Copperfield about Roy's latest "Statue Vanish" trick.
Genii is available by subscription, as a digital or printed-on-paper publication, as well as through your local magic dealer such as The Browser's Den of Magic in Toronto. The author paid for their own copy.
- The Magic Demon
Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
Step into the captivating world of magic, mind-reading, and daring escapes with Mind Bender’s highly anticipated theatre show, “The Experience”!
Following its monumental success and sold-out debut at the historic Theatre Aurora in June 2023, due to overwhelming demand, we are thrilled to announce the return of a second show on Saturday, May 11th, 2024.
Prepare to be spellbound as Mind Bender takes you on an unforgettable journey. “The Experience” is an interactive spectacle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, Witness impossible feats of magic and mind-reading that will have you leaving the show questioning what you thought was possible. From predicting your thoughts to mesmerizing illusions, this show will take you on an experience into the unknown. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the unbelievable! • Entertainment for all ages • Alcohol and snacks for sale
The Experience will consist of two 45-minute sets with a 15-minute intermission in between. The first half will feature magic, illusion, and one of Mind Benders’ classic escape acts, while the second half will be dedicated to jaw-dropping mentalism.
Introducing the magical Grand Spectacle lineup for Apr 19 at the Palace Theatre 🪄 The London Magicians' Guild has assembled an array of performers, including: ♣️ The Amazing Corbin is a magician, conjuring artist, and entertainer who uses his love of theatrics to captivate crowds. ♦️ Scott The Magical Guy has been working magic for 35+ years, mesmerizing audiences of all ages. ♠️ Dad Magic will wow and entertain with a range of tricks and jokes to keep you laughing.
Use code OEVMAGIC for magical savings: http://mytickets.palacetheatre.ca/OEVPALACEOFWONDERS ✨
The day after the eclipse, CAM is hosting our next Virtual Chapter on Tuesday, April 9, at 8:30 p.m. EST. ☀️🕶️🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔 We'll share CAM's big (it’s HUGE!) news, PLUS Paul Romhany will reveal the hot magic tricks from this year's Blackpool convention! ... two suitcases full 🙂
(For those in the know, rumour has it that Alexander Marsh will be giving a lecture hosted by Toronto's Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club -- IBM Ring 17. Keep your eyes peeled for more information.)
In addition to his participation in Champions of Magic, you may know Alex through:
his mentalism offerings (under the name Alexander Marsh and available at
The 1914
as well as other magic shops including
The Browser's Den of Magic), or
Our regular readers may recall that we were crushed when Alex
McAleer, due to circumstances beyond his control, was not available perform in Champions of Magic in Toronto last
December. Imagine our excitement when we learned that Alex is bringing his one-man show Alex McAleer - Mind Reader to Toronto in May!
We assume that you perform some pieces of your solo show as part of the Champions of Magic ensemble. How much of your solo show have we seen as part of the 2018 Champions of Magic experience in Toronto or the 2022 experience in Kitchener?
Yes, there’s a couple of things in the solo show that have been part of my work in Champions over the years - although the vast majority will be fresh stuff!
When you're part of an ensemble show, your performance drops into the overarching dynamic set by the show order and your co-performers' acts. Has that experience influenced how you structure the rhythm of your one-man show?
I’ve always liked to keep the structure of my solo stuff as dynamic as possible, like an ensemble show would be; so it’s not all too ‘samey’. I think one of the great things about Champions is that it wasn’t just the same sorts-of tricks over and over again. That can be trickier with a one-man mind reading show, but I keep the audience on their toes.
Alex McAleer (right)
The soundtrack for your show can definitely enhance the impact of your stage performance. (We particularly enjoy your use of Sing! Sing! Sing! in Champions.) From where (or from whom) do you get your inspiration for your music?
The only music in my show is as the audience walk-in and when they leave, but I pick vintage, up-beat music. Some are mid-20th century rock and blues, others are vintage covers of more contemporary songs. I find it sets the tone, the vibe as the kids say, for my style. Fun, playful, up-beat, retro but familiar.
We've seen you perform in large theatres and arenas. What modifications does a performer need to make in order to transition from performing in large arenas to playing small intimate spaces, such as Lighthouse ArtSpace?
Playing large arenas / spaces means a lot of subtlety is lost. I express with my face a lot, so in a big space that gets lost and I have to use my whole body to tell the audience what I’m thinking (ironically), but in a smaller space large gestures and reactions look a bit forced and unusual. A smaller space allows for a better connection with an audience, and for me that’s what it’s all about.
Will you be showcasing favourite effects or routines that don't play well large?
Yes I have a few favourites in the show that just wouldn’t really work in the fast paced, ensemble nature of a show like Champions. There’s a routine about my imaginary friend I had as a child, and and effect where the audience help take over control of a spectator.
Toronto won't be in the middle of winter when you visit this time! Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to exploring in the city in the (hopefully) warm weather?
I’ve never been to Toronto when it’s not been either very cold, or about to be very cold, so I’m looking forward to seeing it in a warmer light. I assume I’ll still have to bring a ‘toque’!?
What is the biggest change to your act, or change in your approach to your mentalism, since you joined Champions of Magic in 2013?
I’d say one of the biggest changes has been not needing to rely so heavily on the trick. Ten years of performing hundreds of shows, for all sorts of people in all sorts of venues, has taught me a lot about myself as an entertainer and performer.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s
Magic?
I'm looking forward to being back in Canada and I hope your readers can make it to my show!
Thank you Alex, for making the time to answer our questions!
Our regular readers may recall that we were crushed when Alex
McAleer, due to circumstances beyond his control, was not available perform in Champions of Magic in Toronto last
December. Imagine our delight when we heard that Alex is bringing his one-man show Alex McAleer - Mind Reader to Toronto in May!
