Shawn Farquhar wants to give you $200 in magic!

To be more specific, Shawn wants you to promote the IBM.  The person who promotes the IBM the most between now and September will be awarded a "box full of magic."

Read all the details on the IBM Facebook page.

Post by IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Winners to see The Uncertainty Project in Toronto

The contest to win tickets to see "The Uncertainty Project" next month closed last night at midnight.  Here's the list of entrants:

1. Artemus Syman
2. Dan McLean Jr
3. Derek D
4. Magic Mike Segal

There are four pairs of tickets to be won and four entrants, leaving no uncertainty about who won the tickets!

Congratulations Artemus, Dan, Derek and Mike!  I'll be e-mailing you with instructions about how to claim your prize.  Enjoy the show!  (And don't forget to let me know how you like it.)

Thank you all for playing! A special thanks to James from Abracadabaret for generously making these tickets available to you!

Win tickets to see The Uncertainty Project in Toronto

Updated May 30th:  The contest is now closed and the winners have been announced!

I have been offered four pairs of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend "The Uncertainty Project" in Toronto, Canada.

I will be holding a random draw for each pair of general admission tickets.  (There will be four winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets.)  The draw results will be posted on Friday, May 30th.


To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favourite thing about James Alan.  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)(Your favourite thing could be that he offered tickets for this contest!)
2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle etc.) so that I can notify you if you win.
3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with Abracadabaret.

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.
• If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
• You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
• The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
• Contest closes on Thursday May the 29th at 11:59pm EST.

With thanks to James from Abracadabaret for generously making these tickets available to you!

Winners of the Best Magician Contest 2014

The results from the Best Magician Contest 2014!

From Popular Magic News:

“Best Magician Contest 2014” was successfully completed on April 26, 2014. Comparing with the past years, there were new talented magicians who came from different parts of Toronto to participate the contest; some of them even came from Ottawa just for showing off their talents and made our audience left with so much wonders and joy. 

Here is the result of the contest: 

Champion Award:  Luiz Castro
My Favourite Magician Award:  Scott Hood

Read more and click through to see photos.

Congratulations to Luiz and Scott!



[via Arthur Poon]

Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2014

From Arthur Poon:

Hello to all Magic Lovers, the moment is finally here.

In the evening of April 26th , 2014, “[A1] Chinese Radio” is giving out opportunities to the magic lovers in Toronto! Bringing along with own incredible skills, the candidates will enter into an exciting competition held on a magical platform in Market Village.

Same as the previous years, this magic contest will gather all of professionals and entertainers within the magic scope and the qualified contestants will compete among themselves. After all, they are going to the same stage to compete for the fame of Top Magician in Toronto. It is absolutely an extraordinary experience to give yourself a chance to present your talent.

Date: April 26, 2014 (Saturday)

Time: TBA

Contestant: All Ages, All Genders (The show will be hosted in Cantonese. However, English and other language speakers are welcomed.)

Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic. For stage magic, it does not have to be “big stage illusion; any magic that can be performed on stage is fine, such as producing a rabbit from an empty hat etc.)

Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy)

Audition: We will start with YOUTUBE audition right away. From now till March 22nd, all participants only need to submit a roughly 2-minute video to: starz@classicforce.com. All videos should be titled as “Best Magician Contest 2014 1st Audition: XXXXXX (the title of your performance)”. (P.S. Video editing is permitted; HOWEVER, no editing on the MAGIC PERFORMANCE. Two minutes are including the effect AND all of the editing.)

• By submitting your video before March 16th, 2014, the entry fee will be automatically waived. Any video(s) submitted after March 16th, 2014, a $20 entry fee will be applied.
• When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.
• ONE video entry per contestant.

The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:

a. “Best Magician 2014” trophy,

b. Your chance to perform live at CNE on July 1st, 2014 Canada Day.

c. Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).


Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!

Toronto: Chair Suspension raffle at Browser's

From the Browser's Den Facebook group:

This Saturday, August 3rd from 2:30pm to 5:00pm is our next Free Magic Club. All interested in talking magic with others are welcome.

And as a special bonus for all those who attend the club a raffle ticket will be given and at 5pm one lucky winner will receive for free a Chair Suspension Illusion. You read that right!

Read more.

Winners to see DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY in Toronto

The contest to win tickets to see "DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY in Toronto" on July 5th closed last night at midnight.  Here's the list of entrants:

1. Dan McLean Jr
2. Phil DC
3. Magic Mike Segal
4. Derek D
5. Keith Browne (not to be confused with magician Keith H. Brown)

Given that there are five pairs of tickets to be won and five entrants, I will save the suspense and the random drawing for another point in time.

Congratulations Dan, Phil, Mike, Derek and Keith!  I'll be sending you an e-mail with the name of the contact person.  Enjoy the show tonight!

Thank you all for playing! A special thanks to Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for generously making these tickets available!

Win tickets to see DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY in Toronto

Updated July 5th:  The winners have been announced!

I have been offered five pairs of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend "DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY" at the 9 PM screening on Friday, July 5, 2013 in Toronto, Canada.  (I understand that there's a Q&A with the directors after this screening.)

I will be holding a random draw for each pair of general admission tickets.  (There will be five winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets.)  The draw results will be posted on Friday July the 5th.


To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favourite Ricky Jay memory (from a personal encounter, an interview, a performance etc).  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)(Your favourite memory could be entering this contest!)
2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle etc.) so that I can notify you if you win.
3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

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.
• If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
• You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
• Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema box office prior to the show on your way into the screening.
• The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
• Contest closes on Thursday July 4th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.

With thanks to Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for generously making these tickets available to you!

Winners to see "The Comedy & Magic of Jean Pierre"

The contest to win tickets to see "The Comedy & Magic of Jean Pierre" in Toronto on May 10th closed last night at midnight.  Here's the list of entrants:

1.  Farley Carter
2. Ariel Frailich
3. Stephen Kirkegaard
4. David Lew
5. Magic Mike Segal
6. miiyuu

Random draw results:

Congratulations to Farley and Stephen!  I'll be sending you an e-mail with the name of the contact person.  Enjoy the show tomorrow night!

Thank you all for playing!  A special thanks to Tristan from Strut Entertainment for generously making these tickets available!

Win tickets to see The Comedy & Magic of Jean Pierre in Toronto

Updated May 10th: The winners have been announced!

I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away to my readers, for "The Comedy & Magic of Jean Pierre" on May 10th.  This family friendly show is at the Jane Mallet Theater (The St.Lawrence Centre for the Arts) in Toronto.

I will be holding a random draw for each pair of general admission tickets.  (There will be two winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets.)  The draw results will be posted on Thursday, May the 9th.


To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favourite children's magic trick (either done by children or shown for the amusement of children), and why.  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)
2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle) so that I may notify you if you win.

The fine print:

• To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
• One entry per person.
• You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
• Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the theatre box office prior to the show.
• The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
• Contest closes on Wednesday, May the 8th at midnight, EST.

With thanks to Tristan from Strut Entertainment for generously making these tickets available!

Winner of the Best Magician Contest 2013 announced

From Popular Magic News:

Here is the result of the contest:
Champion Award:  Mr. Keith Brown

My Favourite Magician Award:  Mr. Keith Brown

Read more.
 

Congratulations Keith!


[via Arthur Poon]

Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2013

From Arthur Poon:

Hello all Magic Lovers, the BEST Magician is BACK for you. This is your opportunity to show your skills.

In the evening of April 13th, 2013, A1 Chinese Radio is giving out opportunities to the magic lovers! Bringing along with your own incredible skills, the candidates will enter into an exciting competition held on a magical platform in Market Village.

This is the 2nd year magician contest to gather a large amount of Toronto professionals within the magic community and the qualified contestants will be challenge among each other and then finally compete for the fame of Top Magician in Toronto.

Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic.
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders
Event date: Apr 13, 2013 (Saturday) 7:30pm
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy) (Event will be host in Cantonese. Contestants can use any langue for their Magical Routine.)

We are now starting the YOUTUBE audition. From now till 30th of March, all participants only need to submit a roughly 2 - 5 minute video to starz@classicforce.com

• Please submit your video before March 16th, 2013 to waive the $20 entry fee. Any video(s) submitted after March 21th, 2013; a $20 entry fee will be applied.
• When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.  ONE video entry per contestant.

*We will arrange an audition, AFTER March 21, 2013. Roughly 8 magicians or Magic group/ team will be chosen at the audition by the director of A1 media Toronto.  These magicians will be competing on April 13, 2013 for the BEST Magician award 2013.

The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:

• “Best Magician 2013” trophy,
• “My favourite Magician”: this will be voted directly by all of the audiences who attend in the competition.
• Your chance to perform live at CNE on with A1 Radio at Canada Day.
• Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).

Last year, we had given out a brand new smart phone, which included free cell phone plan; the feedback was excellent. For this year, the gift(s) will surely bring you to a new level!!

Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!
 

Thanks for sending Arthur!

"Best Magician Contest 2012" results

From Arthur Poon:

After two hours of non-stop competition, “Best Magician Contest 2012” finally finished under the joy and good memories.

All of the contestants had shown their wonderful performance successfully, and all of the audiences were having a wonderful night!

In here, I would like to congratulate again those magicians who won the prizes in the competition!

Here is the result:
“Best Magician Contest 2012” 1st runner up: Jeffrey Tong
“Best Magician Contest 2012” Champion: Ryan Brown
“Best Magician Contest 2012” The Most Favourable Magician of the night: Neil Croswell

P.S. The Most Favourable Magician is chosen by all of the audience sending text message to complete the vote.

Read more.

Toronto: Best magician semifinalists

From Arthur Poon:

After the discussion between A1 Chinese Radio and the judges, these are the people who will compete in the final round (no particular order):

• Chad Zhou
• Edward Stone
• Ellison Bautista-Chan
• Jeffrey Tong
• Neil Croswell
• Mark Correia
• Mohamad Motahari
• Ryan Brown

These talented competitors are chosen from all of the wonderful competitors in Toronto. The competition will be unquestionably enjoyable, and you should come to watch the final without any regrets.

Date: April 14, 2012
Time: Saturday night at 7:30pm
Location: Market Village at 4390 Steels Ave. East (located at Steeles and Kennedy Ave.)
Entrance fee: FREE!!!!
 
Please remember that Mr. Wayne Houchin ---- world class famous magician and illusionist will be performing at the competition. Make sure you and your friends & families will be at Market Village on time!

 

SEE YOU GUYS ALL THERE AT MARKET VILLAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toronto: Judges for Best Magician contest

From Arthur Poon:

Here is the information of the judges in the competition "Best Magician Contest 2012":

1. Lee Asher

Lee Asher is one of most popular close up magicians in the world. Over 20 years of experience in magic, his reputation and achievement are both successfully well-known within magic society. Asher has gained his champion in IBM Convention Close up Competition when he was 15 and 16 years old. His signature piece has been chosen as one of “The Ten Most Impossible Trick”. For magicians, his published materials are part of the essentials; at the same time, he always travels to Asia and starts magic lectures for foreign magicians, such as Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan etc. Furthermore, Asher is the organizer of “X-elent Lecture Series” that he brings professional magicians to the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada for lecturing. Recently, he starts to travels all over the world for professional performances and also TV interviews. His magic can be found easily in many countries around the world.

2. Felix Poon

Felix Poon has immigrated into Canada from Hong Kong during the 80s. He is one of the few popular Chinese magicians in Toronto. Felix has studied magic from Len Cooper, the creator of Browser’s Den of Magic, about close up and stage magic. He has developed his unique performance style with theological principles after years of practice. Over the years, Felix has invited to perform for television and some TV specials; he also has performed in some events at CNE and other cities like Hong Kong and Macau. He is specialized in Mentalism, therefore he is expertise in predicting audience reactions and responses. Besides magic, he loves to do researches on magic theories and its history, and also how does it relate to different religions and cultures.

3. Jim Tam

Jim Tam is one of the most famous entertaining magicians in Toronto. Since the age of 7, he started to have strong interests on magic. After he has become a magician, he has performed for many big corporations, and also the Chinese Radio and Television during the important festivals, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas etc. In the past years, Jim has been cooperating with many charity organizations in different countries, such as the U.S.A., France, China, Cuba, Japan and Taiwan etc. Moreover, Jim has been invited to design stage magic performances for many Asian celebrities, such as the famous young model Christy Chow. He has also taken the role of magic consultant for competitors during the local talent shows and beauty pageants. At the same time, Jim has spent his efforts in training new generation magicians, for popularizing the Chinese magic society in North American, for example, he has organized two Chinese magician team ---- “Xtreme Illusion” and the current “Classic Force”. In order to allow more people to understand magic, Jim has taken one step forward and become one of the organizers of this competition “Best Magician Contest 2012” in Toronto area.

Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2012

From Arthur Poon:

"Best Magician Contest 2012"

Hello all Magic Lovers, this is an opportunity to show your skills.

In the evening of April 14th, 2012, “[A1] Chinese Radio” (http://www.facebook.com/l/TAQENPbLxAQGYzpy7GOnuXIOQPuHyXtoBdNq1-gxrYJvfZQ/www.ccue.com/a1_radio/web/) is giving out opportunities to the magic lovers! Bringing along with own incredible skills, the candidates will enter into an exciting competition held on a magical platform in Market Village.

This never hosted magician contest is gathering a large amount of Toronto professionals within the magic scope and the qualified contestants will be challenging among themselves, and then finally compete for the fame of Top Magician in Toronto.

Also, we are honor to have Wayne Houchin, giving an hour performance (exclusively) for the event, which you would not want to miss.

Date: April 14, 2012 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30pm
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders (The show will be hosted in Cantonese. However, English and other language speakers are welcomed.)
Performance: Stage Magic or Close Up Magic. For stage magic, it does not have to be “big stage illusion; any magic that can be performed on stage is fine, such as producing a rabbit from an empty hat etc.)
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy)
Audition: We will start with YOUTUBE audition right away. From now till 30th of March, all participants only need to submit a roughly 2-minute video (MAX: 5 minutes) to: starz@classicforce.com. All videos should be titled as “Best Magician Contest 2012 1st Audition: XXXXXX (the title of your performance)”. (P.S. Video editing is permitted; HOWEVER, no editing on the MAGIC PERFORMANCE. Two minutes are including the effect AND all of the editing.)

Notes:
· By submitting your video before March 24th, 2012, the entry fee will be automatically waived. Any video(s) submitted after March 24th, 2012, a $20 entry fee will be applied.
· When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.
· ONE video entry per contestant.

The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:
1. “Best Magician 2012” trophy,
2. Your chance to perform live at CNE on July 1st, 2012 Canada Day.
3. Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any question, please contact with the team "Classic Force" : info@classicforce.com
Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!

Thanks for sending Arthur!

Canada's Got Talent 2012 auditions

For the latest information about the second season read "How to audition for Canada's Got Talent 2012."

From the Canada's Got Talent website:

Do you have an inner talent that needs to be seen? Are you the next Shania Twain, Howie Mandel or do you belong on stage at the next Cirque du Soleil show? Is your child the next Justin Bieber or is your talent something brand new the world has never seen before?

Whatever it is you do then we want to hear from you! Canada's Got Talent and Citytv are searching for Canada's most talented performers. Canada's Got Talent is open to acts of all ages - jugglers, comedians, dancers, magicians, trapeze artists, singers, and more. Think you've got talent? Fulfill the dream of a lifetime and sign-up now!

Auditions are being held this Fall.  For more information visit the Canada's Got Talent website.

[h/t: Randy Burtis]

Win free tickets for Luminato at Morrissey Magic

From the Sharing Wonder website:

To add to the prizes (editor's note: to be given away at Morrissey's 52nd anniversary party), Magicana has donated FREE TICKETS to see Natural Magick June 11 at the Tarragon Theatre and  Vodavil June 17 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Read the full post, which includes what you need to do to be eligible for the draw, at Sharing Wonder or visit Morrissey Magic's website.

Jay Sankey: April 1 live party on the new Bending the Real channel

From JaySankey.com:

Starting at 9:00PM EST on Friday April 1 I’m hosting a live party on the new Bending the Real channel on YouTube. This is where we are going to host the $5K ‘Bending the Real Competition’ and we thought we’d start things off with a couple of exclusive videos from the ‘Bending the Real’ project. I’m also going to be giving away 12 FREE ‘Bending the Real’ DVDs and hanging out on the channel to answer questions and share bending tips.

Subscribe to the Bending the Real channel on You Tube to find out more!

Links for 2011-Mar-11

• Caleb Wiles blogs about his lectures in:
  - Toronto (mentions of Ben Train, Simon Lovell,  Greg Frewin, Lee Asher, David Acer, Jay Sankey,  and videos of Jeff Hinchliffe, Chris Westfall, Glenn West and Mahdi Gilbert)
  - Ottawa (video with Eric Leclerc and Ben Train)
  - Montreal (mentions of  Derrick Chung, Grant McSorley, Yves Tourigny, Ekaterina)
  - New York (video of Ben Train)
   
• Piff Paff Poof!
  - reviews
  - another contest to win tickets and prize pack
  - ticket deals
   
• Rocky the tiger takes a well deserved snack break during his visit with Greg Frewin on Real Life! [h/t: @LeeAsherMagic]
   
• @magicassistant raising money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters
   
• The Flight of Time by David Ben
       
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube:
  62. Beginner Lego Magic Trick - Day 62 of 365
  63. The Charlie Sheen Magic Trick - Day 63 of 365
  64. Julie the Magnificent - Day 64 of 365
  65. This one time... at Magic Camp... - 65 of 365
  66. Pizza Man Mentalism - DAY 66 of 365
  67. Magic Trick While Getting Chest Waxed - DAY 67 of 365
  68. 4 Phase Colour Change - Day 68 of 365