For tickets and more information, visit ActualWizard.ca.
From the April 27th Instagram post by Vincenzo Ravina:
On Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm, actual wizard and Halifax magician Vincenzo Ravina returns to the illustrious and mysterious Bus Stop Theatre with his newest weird magic show! This show is for you, specifically and in particular.
Last September we had the pleasure of listening to two well respected master card magicians speak. Both of them touched on the topic of practise.
They both raised valid points. We got to wondering how you, dear readers, practise?
In October, we asked the following on Facebook and Instagram:
What do you do when you practise? Do you:
A. Use a mirror
B. Video record the session
C. Both of the above
D. None of the above
E. I don’t practise
Seven people replied. Two were 3-way mirror responses, two were video responses, we had two responses from those who do neither, and one of you have a very thoughtful practise involving both mirrors and video.
The practise preference was divided along social media platforms.
- Facebook preferred video,
- Instagram favours mirrors or neither.
(With N=7 it's difficult to draw meaningful inferences. We found it interesting nonetheless.)
From the April 27th Instagram post @CanadasMagicDotCom:
A thought from the pro-video camp:
A very thorough and insightful answer from Eric Bedard, who kindly took the time on October 2nd to write [emphasis added]:
"Mirror at home when first learning a new sleight or routine (3 mirrors one head on, two at 45 degrees on each side), also practice facing the mirror, then turn right angle to one side so you can see what people see over your shoulder or looking behind you, then repeat on the other side - when you are satisfied that you do not flash, then record at home several times while tweaking, adjusting blocking, checking script and timing, etc. and then definitely record the first time if it is a stand up routine. Close-up if you do all of the above, you should be bullet proof when you perform. However, you will continue to make adjustments and improvements once you have performed the first 100 times - in Martial arts it is said that you must do a move 10,000 times before you can start to really learn it - in Magic it is not 10,00 but definitely after you have field tested a routine, trick or sleight a minimum of 100 times, you can start to really understand the subtleties involved. Real world practice is best, just make sure you are bullet proof before you perform out in the world or you make us all look bad. Carry on......"
We have nothing to add to Eric's excellent answer. It seems that the
method of practise is often presented as a false dichotomy. One or the
other. In reality, a blend of both may be the recipe for optimal
results.
In the comments, let us know whether you use mirrors or video or both in your practise!
--
* We have heard it said that when practising in front of a mirror, magicians are more likely to blink while performing the sleight, and therefore will be unable to see themselves flash or make a mistake. We wondered if there was any literature to back this claim. This is what we found:
Other thoughts about practising in front of a mirror:
References:
We were informed of the recent passing of Glenn Ottaway. We will post more information as it becomes available.
Our sincere condolences to Glenn's family and friends at this difficult time.
Visit the April 25th Facebook post by Tim Ottaway.
For tickets and more information, visit HandAndEye.com
From the April 21st Instagram post by The Magic Hideaway:
From May 5–10, Bill will be performing at The Hand and Eye—a newly opened space redefining what a luxury magic experience can be. A venue built with extraordinary vision, detail, and ambition, and one of the most remarkable rooms of its kind anywhere in the world.
For tickets and more information visit the ComedyBar.ca
From the April 13th Instagram post by Magic Ian:
The legendary Comedy Bar Danforth. The original Magic Guys at Work. This could get nuts.
Read more.
Alex Kazam is documenting on Instagram his journey back to live performances.
Follow him in his journey. Let him know if anything resonates with you. If you can, encourage and support his efforts!
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
