Dean Gunnarson: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Second in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Dean Gunnarson!

 

Dean Gunnarson: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 

 

 

Dean Gunnarsson was an incredible inspiration and mentor to me. His fearless creativity and dedication to the art of escape taught me the power of perseverance and showmanship. Dean always encouraged me to push boundaries, stay authentic, and believe in my own unique magic. His guidance helped shape not only my performances but also my confidence as an entertainer. 

Submitted by Sean Watson 

Congratulations Dean!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Dean Gunnarson, visit his website AlwaysEscaping.com or follow him on Instagram.

Thank you Sean for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Sean Watson, visit his website at SeanWatsonMagician.com, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

2025 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase featuring (in order of publication):

Matt DiSero
Dean Gunnarson
  

Matt DiSero: Inspirational Canadian Magician

First up in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Matt DiSero!

 

Matt DiSero: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 

 

 

He’s a working pro who not only excels at the best gigs but also at some of the hardest. Growing up in a comedy club environment Matt knows how to work a difficult crowd or room. He is comfortable in any environment. Matt knows how to construct a routine for maximum entertainment, and can squeeze a LOT out of very little. He was recently interviewed on a podcast about the secrets of cruise ship magic and he wasn’t afraid to drop the real dirt. His experience and knowledge can be very helpful to magicians of any level. 

Submitted by Mystery Magician

Congratulations Matt!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Matt DiSero, visit his website MattDiSero.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you to our anonymous Mystery Magician, for your excellent submission!

2025 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase featuring (in order of publication):

Matt DiSero
 

ICYMI: The Power of Magical Women book virtual book launch party

With Gabriella Lester, Anastasia Synn, Tessa Evason, Chanelle Munroe, EKaterina, and many more! 

 

From the November 8th upload "The Power of Magical Women take the Stage | Full Book Launch Party!" at the Magical Women with Connie Boyd YouTube channel: 

✨ With the support of  @TheLosAngelesTribune  this historic, first-of-its-kind event brought together 25+ extraordinary women in magic from around the world! The night was packed with talent, laughter, empowerment, and pure magic as Connie and her guests celebrated women taking center stage and stealing the spotlight in the magical arts. That's no illusion! 

The two hour event included:  @vanishtvlive9590   @promhany   @KyleandMistie   @dianazimmerman3107   @causetowonder   @ekatmagic   @seanwatsonmagic   @EveningMagician   @PresentationMagician   @solangekardinaly   @solangekardinaly5885   @thegabriellalester   @rachelingordon   @magicagilly   @AvaVManuel360DegreeAuthority   @alyxhilshey8294   @AlyxHilshey   @AnastasiaSynn   @lunamagick   @TheEvasons   @timwise6013   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#TurnBackTuesday: Never play chicken with a magician [from Reddit]

From the October 28th Reddit post "TIFU by challenging a magician to a game of chicken": 

This happened when I was a young man of about 19-20. The distant past of the early 2010s. An important thing about me back then (and still now) is that I didn't really ever consider the consequences of my actions. If something sounded like it would be funny, as a rule, I would generally just do it and hope for the best.

I was attending university in Canada and there was a campus event where comedy magician Wes Barker was performing at the campus pub.  

Read more to learn about Wes' trump card. 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual book launch party: The Power of Magical Women [Nov 1]

RSVP at https://globalmagicianshalloffame.com/magicalwomen 

 

From the The Power of Magical Women Book Launch Party Facebook event:  

 

 

From the October 24th Facebook post by Magical Women with Connie Boyd: 

✨ You’re invited to free VIP MAGICAL celebration! ✨
Join our online Launch Party for The Power of Magical Women — an unforgettable book launch event presented by The Los Angeles Tribune & #GlobalMagiciansHallofFame.
👉 Sign up now: https://globalmagicianshalloffame.com/magicalwomen
🎁 Register early for a chance to win fun gifts!
🎩 Meet and chat with some of the incredible #MagicalWomen featured in the book.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration of magic like never before! 

 

 

 

Previously shared on Facebook October 25.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn West and Mark Clearview on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us" S11E15 [video]

Congratulations on a job well done Glenn and Mark!  

Learn more about Glenn on his Facebook page and follow him on Instagram. 

Learn more about Mark on Facebook and follow him on Instagram.  

 

From the October 26th upload "Glenn West WOWS Penn & Teller . . . With a Cherry?" on Glenn West's YouTube channel:    

 

 

From the October 25th upload "Predicting his own FAILURE?" on Mark Clearview's YouTube channel:   

 

 

 

 

 

Windsor: Walkerville Magic Emporium Grand Opening [Oct 3]

From the September 30th Instagram post by Walkerville Magic:

1477 Wyandotte ST E, Windsor ON N9A 3L1

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Walkerville Magic Emporium & Theatre (@walkervillemagic)

 

 

 

Mark Clearview and Glenn West to appear on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us" S11E15 [Oct 24]

From the September 30th Instagram post by Penn and Teller's "Fool Us": 
 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Penn & Teller: Fool Us (@ptfoolus)

 

 

 

 

Magic Festivals and Conventions in Canada through the years

What are we missing?  Leave your knowledge in the comments!

 

Magic Festivals

• Magic and Film event, Calgary, 1970s?  [submitted by Ryan Pilling]
• Stouffville Magic Festival, Stouffville, 1982 - 1986  [submitted by Ken McCreedy]
• Magical Arts Festival, Toronto, ~2001 - 2002
• The Capital Magic Festival (Ottawa) August 2008  
  Talent included Harry Anderson, Jeff McBride, The Pendragons, Kreskin, James Biss, Mitch and Mike Hrycan, and Eric Buss.  [submitted by Adam Goldberg]
• The Magic Festival, Vancouver, ~2013 - ???
• WOWFest, Calgary, 2012 - 2019  (organized by Gywn Auger and Ryan Pilling)
• Festival de magie de Québec, Quebec City, 2011 - present
• ReginaCadabra, Regina, 2016
• Ontario Week of Wonder (OWOW) now Ontario Magic Festival, Fergus, 2019 - present
• Magic and Shenanigans, Waterloo, 2025 - present

 

Magic Conventions

• Passport to Magic, Inn on the Park Hotel, Toronto (organized by Norm Wyvern and Larry Silverman.  Attendees included Doug Henning and Dai Vernon.) [submitted by Chris Pilsworth and Ken McCreedy]
• Magie Montreal (organized by Phil and Evelyn Matlin)  [submitted by Chris Pilsworth] 
• Comedy Magic conference (organized by Anthony Lindan) [submitted by Chris Pilsworth]
• NYCAN  
• PCAM  
• CAMaradarie (organized by the Canadian Association of Magicians), 2021 - 2022)
• The Browser's Bash (organized by The Browser's Den of Magic, Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe, and John Talbot), 2015 - 2019, 2024)
• Montreal Magic Jams (organized by Marc Trudel and Derrick Chung)   [submitted by Chris Pilsworth] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Canadian Association of Magicians launches new deck!

This is possibly the first Canada-themed magic deck launch since Phil DaCosta's Can-eh-diana deck (which featured 9 Canadian magicians including Julie Eng, Jason Palter, and Bill Abbott) circa 2014.

 

From the Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM): 

A Design That Celebrates Canada

The back design, illustrated by CAM President Ryan Joyce, is packed with hidden nods to our home and native land. 

Look closely and you’ll spot tributes to iconic Canadian wildlife — the moose, goose, puffin, and polar bear — along with imagery that celebrates our vast landscapes and rich culture.

The faces and layout were created by Casey’s Playing Cards, ensuring every detail is perfectly balanced for performance, flourish, and collection. 

Read more to learn about the embedded "performance extras" and how to purchase the deck.

 

Recently CAM has been highlighting the benefits of becoming a member which include:

• a 20% discount on performers insurance,
• a 50% discount on a VANISH Magic Magazine subscription,  
• a 10% discount at The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop,  
• a subscription to Northern Peeks, and 
• virtual lectures, debuting with Ekaterina on October 19th.  

 

Visit CAMmagic.org to learn more about their new deck, the benefits of membership, and to join. 

 

From the September 11th Instagram post by the Canadian Association of Magicians: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CAM 2.0 (@cammagicorg)

 

 

 

 

Ryan Pilling's Magic Library project

Those of you who subscribe to Ryan Pilling's Tips & Tricks for Magicians newsletter have already read about his Magic Library project.  (If you don't subscribe, do so now at Tips & Tricks for Magicians.  It's full of great content, written with heart, and it's FREE.  There are no ads.  Go ahead, we'll wait.)

 

What is Ryan's Magic Library project?  Quoting from his July 31st Tips & Tricks for Magicians newsletter [emphasis added]:

The short summary: A public database to catlogue magic books and their contents. The distinction between this and other archives is that it is interactive, allowing you to add your collection and notes.

I've opened the doors, with the disclaimer that this is still a work in progress. It will feel a bit like walking into a giant empty building with a few books scattered here and there.

Take a look at MagicLibrary.org.

If you want to create an account, you can start adding things to your personal collection, and keeping track of your own magic homework. 

 

Ryan's been noodling the idea for over a decade and it's taking shape beautifully! 

 

From the June 12th Tips & Tricks for Magicians newsletter: 

Too, I wish to emphasize I have no desire to compete with any other archive. I hope to collaborate with and support those existing resources. Actually, my personal project within the project is to create an in-depth research tool for The Linking Ring magazine (back to 1922) to solve that Marlo problem I mentioned. There's nothing like that anywhere.

 

Help Ryan build magic's biggest INTERACTIVE magic book indexing resource.  It's free to join, free to participate, and ad free to boot!

 

Visit MagicLibrary.org to see it in action. 

 

 

Ask a professional (on Reddit)

Do you have questions you want to ask a professional magician?  Ben Train has answers for you! 

 

From the August 2nd Reddit thread "Ask a Pro!" in r/Magic: 

Are you a hobbyist interested in getting paid to perform?

Or maybe a part-timer looking to take the jump to going full time?

If so you probably have questions. And if so, maybe I can help! 

Read more and ask a question.

 

 

From the August 3rd post by Ben Train on Bluesky:

Are you a hobbyist looking to start charging for your magic? Or maybe a part-timer looking to go pro? Check this thread out!

[image or embed]

— Ben Train (@trainben.bsky.social) Aug 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM

 

 

 

 

 

ICYMI: London Jones awarded a Max Maven Voices of Tomorrow Scholarship

Congratulations London!

 

From the July 8th Instagram post by the Magic of London: 

This year I was awarded one of the first ever scholarships from the Max Maven’s voices of tomorrow organization. 

I cannot express how much this means to me. It has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to join Tannens Magic Camp this year and meet so many amazing people. 

Read more and see photos. 

 

 

 

 

ICYMI: Gabriella Lester announced as new director of the IBM Lance Burton Teen Seminar

Congratulations Gabriella! 

 

From the July 8th Facebook post by the International Brotherhood of Magicians:

What a special night at the Lance Burton Teen Seminar. Jeff and Larry passed the wand over to the new director of the program, Gabriella Lester. She will lead this amazing program into the future. Congratulations Gabriella❤️ 

 

 

From the July 11th Facebook post by Jeff McBride:

A LIVING LEGACY OF MAGIC! this week at the IBM convention in Houston, Lance Burton, Larry Hass and I, passed on the position of director of the Lance Burton Teen Seminar to the Gabriella Lester. Her vision and creativity will take the teen seminar into the future. Gabriella is a recipient of the Eugene Burger legacy award, a student of mystery school, she has appeared on 
FOOL US.  

 

 

 

 

 

Previously shared on Facebook July 9. 

 

 

 

 

Update about Michael Close auction at The Browser's Den of Magic [Jul 20]

In June we mentioned that Michael Close will be auctioning some of his collection at The Browser's Den of Magic later this month.

Here are some updates from Michael's website:

This isn’t a yard sale of worn-out props and library magic books. You’ll find first editions, out-of-print gems, rare lecture notes, props, tricks, and so much more.

Highlights include:

• Books and manuscripts you simply won’t see again.
• High-quality props.
• Vintage magic ephemera and hard-to-find lecture material. 

Come for the chance to own something that inspired me. Stay for the stories, magic,  and camaraderie. I hope these items bring you the same joy they brought me.

Read more.

 

To see some of the items for auction and for sale, download the PDFs from Michael's website. 

Item	Type
Eugene Burger Booklet (8)	Books
Genii Wenii and Majoke	Collectible Magazines
Box of Sponges/Ropes/20th Century Underwear	Prop
More Power to You/100% Sanky/Kurtz Unexplainable	Book
2-Pack Playing Card (Piff etc) 3-Pack Playing Card (Piff etc)	Cards Cards
Mini Chop Cup	Prop
Ackerman Books (4)	Book
Woody Aragon Set (2) Two Josh Jay Books (Overlap &Triptych) (2)	Book Book
Dean's Box - Original with Accessories	Prop
Escape Lot - Large Case/Mail Bag Escape + extras + books	Prop
Kid Show - Change Bag/Run Rabbit Run/ What's Next Stage Hypnosis Book	Props Book
Magic Live Souvenir Portfolios + ONE by Stan Allen (3) +Cover mania Ca	Collectibles
Joe Porper - Just in Case Ring Flight	Prop
School for Scoundrels Fast and Loose/ Magnetic Shells Bundle (4) Illustrated Story of Magic Comic	Prop Book
MAJ Magazines	Magazines
Sessions Aronson	Book
Eric Sharpe Children's Book UK Grant's Temple Stand (1960s)	Book Prop
Fraidy Cat Rabbit (1960s)	Prop
Shaken Not Stirred Trick - Chop Cup	Prop
Daryl's For Your Entertainment Farelli Card Books (3)	Book Book
Cy Enfield Card Magic Books (3)	Book
Jerry Andrus Manuscripts (6)	Book
Scotty York Color Changing Knives (4+ 2 extra)	Prop
Trap Door Three Book Set	Book
Paul Curry Presents/Special Effects (2)	Book
Magic of Ascanio Book Set (4) Tamariz Knife set	Book Prop
Leather Close-Up Carry Pouch	Accessories
Brainstorm in the Bahamas	Book
Children's Show Case Silver - 2 books + Props Wordsmyth - Francis Menotti	Prop Prop
Goldstein/Maven 14 Booklets	Book
Shoe Trick - Size 10 (come with link to PDF trick)	Prop
Murphy's Chest Watch and Wear by Bazar de Magia	Prop Prop
Dean Dill - The Revelation	Prop
The Pro-Folio	Prop
Four Steve Beam Booklets Four Robert Neale Manuscripts	Book Book
Four Gary Kurtz - Lecture Notes	Notes
Semi-Automatic Card Tricks - Beam (3) Vols 8,9,10	Book
Joe Mogar Knife Set Racherbaumer/Marlo Manuscripts/Magazines	Prop Magazines
Dan Harlan - The Minotaur Complete File	Magazines
Penn and Teller Book/Fool US Lanyard/Door Hanger Rio (4)	Books/Collectible
Bound to Please - Aronson (Bonus Birthday Books) The Aronson Approach/Simply Simon (2) + Bonus	Book Book
Try the Impossible/Art Deco	Book
Small Trick Grab Bag (5 Mystery Tricks)	Tricks
Paul Cummins Bundle FASDIU (4) Hollingworth Bundle (3) Quartet/Waiting for Inspo/Notes on Card Tricks	Book Book
Scotty York Bundle (7 manuscripts + 4 knife set)	Prop/Books
Trick Grab Bag #2 (Lot of	Tricks
The Unexpected Card Book - Marlo/Cardician (2)	Book
Bob Hummer's Collected Secrets	Book
Confessions of a Psychic (2) Uriah Fuller + Bonus book	Book

Title
A Magician Among the Spirits - Houdini Hardcover
The Book - Gene Anderson - Hardcover
Buffaloe'd - Jim Buffaloe Hardcover Tasselled Rope Trick & The Ramsey Legend (Two Manuscripts) Michael Ammar Encore III Harcover
Giacomo Bertini's System for Amazement Hardcover
Essential Stewart James Hardcover + Postcard 3 Vanni Bossi Lecture Notes & The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi Jean-Pierre Vallarino by John Lovick Hardcover
Barrie Richardson - Act Two Hardcover
Barrie Richardson - Curtain Call - Hardcover Kidshow Matters - Jim Kleefeld Routines Matter - Trevor Lewis/Willmarth - Hardcover
Second Thoughts - Rioboo - Hardcover
Tamariz Bundle - Sonata/Pamphlet/New Mini Symbolic Method Teaching Magic by Eugene Burger Hardcover
Andrew Wimhurst Bundle (4) Booklets
Homage to Dai Vernon by Roberto Giobbi Rafael Benetar Bundle (4) Bob Farmer Tricks and Manuscript Bundle (10)
Dai Vernon Bundle - (4) Inner Secrets/More/Select/Cali Lecture Notes
Aaron Fisher Bundle (4) Routined Manipulation Vol 1&2 - Lewis Ganson Steve Bedwell Lecture Notes (2)
David Paar Manuscripts (2)
Ultimate Color Separation (2) Chesbro Stewart James Pamphlets (2) Marlo Manuscripts (7)
JK Hartman Bundle (4 Books)
Peter Duffie Bundle (7 Books/Manuscripts) Vintage Chop Cup Circa 1965
Fast and Loose Chain and Carry Bag
School for Scoundrels Brass Shells with glass and peas School for Scoundrels GOLD Shells with glass and peas

PLUS... Playing Cards, Rope, Wallets, other magic props. Come early to see it all.

 

 

 

David Merry's first feature film, Switched at Death, now available to stream in Canada!

Watch Switched at Death on Vimeo On Demand. 

 

The script has beat after beat of solid David Merry comedy!  

Don't laugh too loud or you might miss the next joke!

Read our Random thoughts about David Merry's "Switched at Death"

 

 

From the June 17th Globe Newswire press release:

Home Invasion Studios, in association with High Star Entertainment, announce the highly anticipated Canadian streaming release of Switched at Death, a new comedy feature that has captured audiences and judges alike, winning over a dozen film festival awards. Written, Produced and Directed by award winning Canadian filmmaker and comedian David Merry. Switched at Death stars a fantastic ensemble all Canadian cast including Alex Kolanko, Meeland Nicola, Jamie Sherman and Lawrene Denkers. It's the story of a self-centered computer analyst who after his wife kicks him out of the house, moves into the retirement home of the only person he hasn't pissed off, his wife's grandmother. Soon he uncovers a sinister enterprise, forcing him to try and save his new friends and marriage without getting himself killed. 

Read more. 

 

 

Read our interview with David where we learn about his:
 
- first memory of magic
- inspirations
- motivation for transitioning from live shows to television
- inspiration for the screenplay
- thoughts about scripting movies and live shows
- his next project

 

 

You may remember that in 2024, David won Best First Time Director (Feature) Award at the Los Angeles Film Awards, but did you know that David and this film have won:

• "Best Comedy Film” 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards
• “Best Feature Film” 2024 Rome International Movie Awards 
• “Best First Time Director” 2024 Rome International Movie Awards
• “Best Feature Film” 2024 Madrid International Movie Awards 
• “Best First Time Director” 2024 Madrid International Movie Awards
• “Best Comedy Film” 2023 New York International Movie Awards
• “Best First Time Director” 2023 New York International Movie Awards 

 

 

 

Congratulations and well done to all involved!   

• Main cast: Alex Kolanko, Meeland Nicola, Jamie Sherman, and Lawrene Denkers.
• Score: Carlos Lopes 
• Director of Photography: Jason d'Souza (yes, Jason from from the Noodle Boys days!)
• Writers:  David Merry and Marty Putz. 

 

 

From the June 20th Facebook post by David Merry:

 

 

Watch Switched at Death on Vimeo On Demand and let us know if you spotted the cameos by David and Marty Putz!

 From the September 24, 2023 Instagram post by Canada's Magic:  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

 

 

 

Where in the world is Matt Johnson?

Upcoming ship dates for Matt!

 

From the June 16th Instagram post by Matt Johnson:

I’ve been getting a lot of messages from @celebritycruises cruise guests wanting to know if I have my 2026 schedule yet. I am happy to announce that it’s now in and confirmed. See the image for my dates and ships for 2026 and take a screenshot of it. The November/December 2026 ships are not yet confirmed. As soon as I get those I will post. I continue to be on the Celebrity Beyond for the rest of 2025. Search earlier in my socials for those dates. 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MATT JOHNSON - ESCAPE ARTIST & ILLUSIONIST (@likemattjohnson)

 

 

 

 

Where in the world is Neil Croswell?

Upcoming ship dates for Neil!

 

From the April 16th Instagram post by Neil Croswell:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neil Croswell (@neilcroswell)

 

 

 

Carson & Taylor in The Observer

From the April 20th article "Astronaut and sketch duo from Sarnia team up at Canada's Got Talent" by Paul Morden in The Observer:

“We sent him over the script and Taylor and I were like, ‘Oh, there’s no way he’s going to sign on to this,’” Pinch said.

But Hadfield agreed “and we were off to the races,” he said.

“We thought this is going to be our love letter to Sarnia,” he said. “And it just so happened to work out the new judge this year is Katherine Ryan, who I actually went to high school with.”

Ryan was a student in the year ahead of Pinch at Northern Collegiate and they had some banter that didn’t make the final edit, including a line where he said, “I remember you from high school . . . where just like now, you were there judging me and I’m on stage doing my silly comedy.”

Ryan is “so, so funny, like impossibly funny,” Pinch said. “Where people would normally have one joke, she has 10 at the ready.”

And Hadfield was a “real professional” and “nailed it,” he said.

“If he has any aspirations to be a magician, I think he may have something,” Pinch said. “He’s definitely got a future.”

Read more.

 

From the April 4th post "ICYMI:  Carson & Taylor's Canada's Got Talent audition" at Canada's Magic:

Disappearing the moon before David Copperfield could!  

Watch Carson and Taylor make Sarnia proud by invoking a Canadian treasure!

 

From the April 4th upload "Magicians Carson & Taylor Return To CGT With SURPRISE Guest" at the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Sarnia magicians Carson & Taylor are BACK on CGT - and this time, with more surprises up their sleeves!  

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Browser's Den magic auction [May 4]

From the Browser's Den website:

Get ready for a day packed with fun, bargains, and incredible finds at our annual Magic Auction!

This is a great opportunity to bid on magic props, books, and more at fantastic prices. Many items sell for at least half their original cost, and you may even find rare or collectible pieces.

For nearly 50 years, magicians have gathered at Browser’s Den for this event, and it’s always a fun and worthwhile experience. If you’ve never attended before, we encourage you to join us and see what bargains you can find.

Read more.

 From the March 19th Facebook post by the Browser's Den of Magic:

 

 Previously shared on Facebook March 19.