For more information and to buy tickets, visit GreatAmericanComedyfestival.com.
From the April 8th Instagram post by The Evasons:
This year’s Comedy/Magic Show lineup is absolutely stacked—we’ll be sharing the stage with the incredible Juliana Chen and our good friend David Kovac, whose comedy and talent always blow us away. Thursday, June 18, 2026 in the Johnny Carson Theatre, Norfolk, NE.
🎟️ Show details & tickets — see link in bio.
For tickets and more information, visit RadArts.ca/spectacles/les-illusionnistes
From the April 14th Facebook post by Arcf de Saint-Jean:
1927. Forced to replace his stage partner at the last minute, a fading vaudeville magician is suddenly outshined by the bold ambitions of a young usher determined to save a crucial performance for an influential producer.
A dazzling blend of magic, theatre, and comedy — perfect for all ages!
Found at the April 14th Facebook post by Bernard Cormier.
Previously shared on Facebook April 14.
Wes Barker was the special guest for the Feb 5th (Austin) and Feb 20th (Montreal) shows. Who will the special guests be on this tour?
From ItsProbablyNothing.com:
Featuring Chris Ramsay and special guests.
- June 11 - Toronto, ON, Danforth Music Hall
- June 13 - Cleveland, OH, Agora Theatre
- June 14 - Detroit, MI, Royal Oak Theatre
- June 16 - Minneapolis, MN, The Fillmore
- June 17 - Chicago, IL, Park West
- June 19 - New York, NY, The Town Hall
- June 20 - Washington, DC, Lincoln Theatre
- June 21 - Boston, MA, The Wilbur
- August 9 - Tucson, AZ, Rialto Theatre
- August 12 - Los Angeles, CA, The Novo
- August 13 - San Francisco, CA, Palace of Fine Arts
- August 15 - Portland, OR, Aladdin Theater
- August 16 - Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre
- August 18 - Vancouver, BC, Vogue Theatre
Found at the April 15th Instagram post by Chris Ramsay. Shared on Instagram April 15.
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!
--
Thank you to John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, Ian Crawford, Matt DiSero, Doug Hunt, John Smithman, Loran, Peter Mennie, Noah Nogueira, Aaron Matthews, Cam Dix, Ian Batterbury, Sonny Patel, and the Toronto Magic Company 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.
From the Facebook event "Eric Samuels: Mind Games! An Evening of Mind Reading & Mischief":
Eric Samuels is considered one of the top performers and creative forces in his field, lecturing to magicians and mentalists worldwide. In 2021, his work was recognized by the world’s most distinguished mentalist organization – the Psychic Entertainers Association (PEA), honouring him with the coveted Dan Blackwood Memorial Award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Mentalism.
Hosted by the Fraser Valley Magic Company - bringing high quality entertainment to the Fraser Valley since 2015!
Found at the March 12th Facebook post by Mike Norden.
Shout-out to the convention team: Alex Zander, Billy Hsueh, and Brian Cook!
Check out the group photo and highlights including contests, shows, lectures, and panel discussions at PCAMmagic.com/history/2026.
Found at the April 11th post by Ryan Pilling at the Pacific Coast Associations of Magicians Facebook group.
Previously shared on Facebook April 12.
Tickets at MagicTickets.ca/event/wit-and-wizardry.
From the Facebook event "Wit & Wizardry - Comedy Magic Cabaret":
This is not an Easter show, unless you live west of the theatre, then it is easter. The next Wit & Wizardry - Comedy Magic Cabaret is on Friday, April 24th. Join us for a night full of amazing magic.
Previously shared on Instagram April 4 and Facebook April 5.
We recently learned that IBM Members are able to receive free legal advice (regarding performance Visas for entry to the US). Learn more about it at the April 8th Facebook post by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
We were also recently reminded that IBM Members have access to the IBM's video library which includes:
If you're looking to consume some magic videos, this should keep you busy for some time!
From DarcyOake.com/tour:
Found at the April 7th Instagram post by Darcy Oake.
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:
or
Toronto's getting a "Don't Tell Comedy" type of magic show. Not only do you not know WHERE or WHO you're booking a ticket for, you have to APPLY for consideration for a ticket and the PERFORMER WILL BE MASKED.
While we don't know who the performer is, we've been told that the initial ticket price, if your application is accepted, is $20 dollars. The price is set to increase in the Fall.
From 52-secrets.com:
Hidden somewhere within Toronto, an undisclosed venue will transform - if only for a fleeting moment - into the setting for an experience unlike anything publicly offered. This is not an event you stumble into. It is one you are selected for.
Attendance is by application only.
...On the night itself, a masked performer will take the stage, blurring the line between anonymity and intimacy, spectacle and secrecy.
Each performance is strictly limited to just 52 seats.
From the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club website entries for:
Saturday, April 18th, 2026
The Hat and Rabbit Club is thrilled to host the legendary Steve Beam for a special, hands-on workshop you won’t want to miss.
Drawing from over 1,300 effects across his 12 published volumes and 15 years of the Trapdoor. Steve will guide us through some of his favourites from his brilliantly deceptive semi-automatic and sleight of hand card magic. Effects that are as powerful as they are practical. Expect clever thinking, layered methods and routines that truly connect with spectators.
Read more and buy tickets.
Monday, April 20, 2026
From the man who brought you the Trick that Could Not be Printed, the Flaming Heckler Illusion, and the Vanishing Earthworm, you are now about to be subjected to Magic with No Entertainment Value. Also known as Lecture #17 (and the only one he does) it features some of the finest in comedy magic direct from the instigator.
You will find more usable and practical material in this one lecture than you culled from your entire photocopy of Greater Magic. (Photocopies of Greater Magic will also be available at the lecture.) Best of all, remember Steve’s motto regarding his lecture: Less than 3% filler.
Read more and buy tickets.
The Magic Palace was a Canadian television series, produced and hosted by Dale Harney. You can watch episodes of the show at Magicana.
From the March 31st Facebook post by Scott Imler at the Calgary Magic Circle Facebook group:
(republished with permission from Scott)
Hi everyone. My name is Scott Imler. Some of you are friends while others from the Magic community may know me from our shared love of Magic and working with Dale Harney on The Magic Palace TV series.
Dale's son, Shane, reached out to me seeking support to nominate Dale for the Alberta Award of Excellence for his contribution to Magic and his influence on the Arts in Alberta. This influence spans his live performances across Canada and the world, as well as his starring roles in several television series he created. These series include The Dale Harney Show, Lynsky and Company and of course, The Magic Palace. In addition, he has made many other TV appearances, including a CBC special featuring him and his wife, Lynda.
Part of the Nomination includes a few SHORT letters of recommendation from friends, fans, employees, and the public who were positively influenced by Dale and his work.
If you would like to send me a short blurb to be included in the nomination, the Harney Family would appreciate your input. Please keep it brief: quality over quantity.
Please send your thoughts to me Scott Imler at simler [at] telus [dot] net [editer's note: reformat accordingly]
Thanks in Advance Scott!!
Please note that if nominated it will be a surprise for Dale. [emphasis added]
Hosted by the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, IBM Ring 17.
From The Second City website:
It is not possible to fight chaos, but there are ways to find harmony within it. A fixed point. A breath. Giancarlo Scalia invites you on a journey where changing perspective transforms reality itself. Through impossible moments, humor, and visual poetry, simple elements will open doors to alternative realities. An invitation to transformation. A moment to escape. A journey within and beyond chaos.
Thank you Renée-Claude Auclair, for all you have done for the Canadian magic scene!
From the March 27th Facebook post by Renee-Claude Auclair:
Congratulations to Dal Sanders the new president of FISM NA!
From the March 27th Facebook post by FISM International:
We would like to inform you that Renée-Claude Auclair has stepped down as FISM North American President, and we like to take the opportunity to thank Renée-Claude for years of dedication on behalf of FISM and everything she has done for the North American Magic community.
From the David Peck interview David Ben in Episode 629 on the April 1st podcast "Curiosity, Magic & Meaning" at Face2Face with David Peck:
In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with magician, historian, and thinker David Ben for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, illusion, and the deeper intellectual life behind magic. At the heart of the discussion is Ben’s extraordinary collection, now housed at The Lilly Library at Indiana University, a vast archive spanning more than a century of magical history. Together, they explore magic as a “prism” for understanding the world, touching on ethics, problem-solving, and the power of wonder. This is more than a conversation about magic, it’s about how we see, ask questions and make meaning.
From James Alan's April 1st post "A Magical Acquisition" at Magicana:
In a landmark moment for the scholarly study of magic, Indiana University’s Lilly Library has announced the acquisition of the David Ben Magic Collection. The Lilly Library is one of the nation’s preeminent rare books, manuscripts, and special collections libraries.
From the April 1st article "Too Good to Be True? IU Acquires Legendary Magic Collection
David Ben's extraordinary collections chronicle the art and history of magic" at Indiana University:
This April Fools’ Day, turn disbelief into discovery as the Lilly Library announces the acquisition of David Ben's very real collection of extraordinary materials chronicling the art and history of magic, illusion, and performance history.
and so do I.
QR Code created by the generous folks at Wikimedia Commons.
If you don't have a device that can read a QR code, try this website: QRCodeRaptor.com
There were 22 posts at Canada's Magic this month. Here are the top 5 posts in the previous 30 days:
5. St John: Magic by Bernard [Mar 14] - This event was postponed due to weather. We'll provide an update when it becomes available.
4. Toronto: Magic Guys at Work -- After Hours [Mar 11] - Catch The Magic Guys at Work (Ian Batterbury & Rob Fishbaum) in Guelph on May 1st. Details at Ian's March 27th Instagram post.
3. [Guest post] Remembering Ron Leonard (1923-1998) - We miss you Ron.
2. Fredericton: Nigel Harrison -- Unreal [Apr 17] - Coming up fast!
1. Toronto: Details for Jared Kopf's lecture, show, and workshop announced [Mar 18 - 20] - Montreal and Toronto, you were treated to a fantastic lecture, show and workshop! See photos from the Toronto workshop at our Facebook photo album.
Tickets at EldritchTheatre.ca/zombocalypse
From the March 26 Press Release by Eldritch Theatre:
Created by Eric Woolfe, this social satire mixes Romero’s Night of the Living Dead with Hughes’ The Breakfast Club to take aim at societal prejudices, xenophobia, and our horrifying tendency to polarize and turn against those different from us when looming disasters demand we pull together to survive. Don't worry, the play mixes live actors with Eldritch Theatre's iconic puppets and masks, and of course, there will be parlour magic.
PLAY SYNOPSIS
The Dead rise from their graves to feast on the flesh of the living in a suburban high school in 1985. A jock, a brain, a rebel, a preppie and a basket-case barricade themselves in their school cafeteria to fend off the gathering hordes of their hungry, undead friends, only to discover that their real enemies are each other.
It’s totally the Breakfast Club, but like with Zombies.
From the March 25th Facebook post by Ron Pearson at the Edmonton Magic Club Facebook group:
In this lecture, Jeff will be teaching some of his tried-and-true effects that have been performed for his audiences over the past decade. In addition, Jeff will cover performance theory and how to improve your own effects.
Previously shared on Facecbook March 25.
From the March 18th Instagram post by Brandon Love:
On April 23 & 24, magician Brandon Love brings an evening of impossible demonstrations, mind-bending surprises, and audience interaction to Bridgeworks in Hamilton.
Tickets available for purchase now at Neighbourhood Brewing.
From the March 23rd Instagram post by NBHDBeer:
On Thursday, April 16th, award-winning magician @ryanmichaelmagic is bringing mind bending magic to Neighbourhood Brewing! This isn’t your average card trick night...
For more information and tickets visit ChicagoMagicLounge.com
From the March 20th Instagram post by The Toronto Magic Company:
Catch Ben Train on the main stage and Jonah Babins in the 654 Club. Shows on Thursday (SOLD OUT), two on Friday (one SOLD OUT), two on Saturday (BOTH SOLD OUT), and finally two on Sunday (ALMOST SOLD OUT).
Previously shared on Facebook March 20.
Tickets and more information at BeaconCS.ca
From the March 21st Instagram post by Beacon Community Services:
On March 26, we’ll gather at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre for an evening dedicated to making a real impact. Beacon Bits brings our community together to raise vital funds for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across our region.
For tickets and more information, visit MagicAndShenanigans.com.
This year's magicians include:
From the March 3rd Instagram post by Magic and Shenanigans:
Back for its 2nd year, this unique experience combines the greatest magicians from around the globe along with professional comedians, actors and improv specialists chosen as tour guides to help you navigate the streets of Uptown Waterloo.
We had a great time at last year's festival. Have a look at some of our photos:
