Markham: Coins, Cards, & Close-up with Rick Holcombe [Nov 18]

A quick reminder about the  Toronto and Montreal lecture (and Montreal workshop) by Rick Holcombe on Coin Magic Nov 19 - 21].

 

From the November 5th Facebook post by Colin Geddes:

 

 

Previously shared on Facebook November 5. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto and Montreal: Rick Holcombe on Coin Magic (Fusion Lecture) [Nov 19 - 21]

For more information visit Toronto's IBMRing17.com (details coming soon) or the Montreal Magic Jam website about the Montreal lecture and workshop.

 

From the Montreal Magic Jam Facebook event "Rick Holcombe on Coin Magic":

Tickets are now on sale for our first lecture of the 2025-2026 season with coin-man extraordinaire Rick Holcombe. On Nov 20, Rick will be giving his Fusion Lecture and sneaking in a few bonuses along the way.

On Friday Nov. 21, Rick will also be giving small coin workshop where he'll teach a variety of hand-picked routines, techniques and sequences that require just three coins and will give an in-depth teaching session on his Sly Palm, a practical new tool that you will happy to be add to your repertoire. Email us if you're interested as spaces are limited.

I first heard of Rick Holcombe through my dearly departed friend Curtis Kam. On a Zoom session during lockdown, Curtis said there was a guy that was doing some very interesting stuff, AND the material was easy. For those that knew Curtis, I'm still not sure if that last comment was a compliment or him throwing shade. 🙂

So we watched some video, and Rick impressed me with how smooth and soft his work was. The Mr. Rogers of coin magic, his disarming nature only adds to the power of his magic. I've never met Rick in person but I'm excited to have him in Montreal for his first ever mini-Canadian lecture tour (he's just doing two dates: Toronto and here).

If you're a fan of coin magic, or are a little scared of it but want to add a little bit of it to your repertoire, Rick's your guy. His magic is strong and accessible (i.e. NOT knuckle-busting). So I hope to see most of you at the lecture, and at least a few of you at the workshop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Steve Valentine lecture [Oct 15]

Details to be added to IBMRing17.com soon! 

 

From the October 8th Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club newsletter:

Steve Valentine Lecture!

Just a quick note to let you know about our next event. Pulling together the copy and info for it, but we don't want you to miss it! Another email with details will follow shortly. 

Date: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: David Ben lecture [Sep 24]

 

 David Ben lecture

Thursday, September 24th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Agricola Lutheran Church - 25 Old York Mills Road

We’re thrilled to welcome David Ben as our special guest for the launch of the 2025-2026 Hat and Rabbit Club season. David is a master magician, author, and co-founder of Magicana, a performing arts organization dedicated to the advancement of magic as a performing art.  

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club's year end event [Jun 19]

A quick reminder that the club's June meet-up is tonight, June 5th at Frog & Firkin, 4854 Yonge St.

 

From the June 3rd newsletter by the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club:

We’ll eat, chat, hang out, and cast some vision together for what’s ahead.

We’ll also be announcing our year of lectures and events that we already have planned.

This is your chance to help build a club that reflects the heart of our community. One that continues to grow, give back, and inspire.

Please RSVP by June 15th so we can plan the right amount of food and fun. 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Mentalism Pro-Panel [May 22]

From the May 17th Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club Newsletter:

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Agricola Lutheran Church, Toronto

A fun and engaging night of insight, inspiration, and intrigue as our panelists pull back their approach to magic, Mentalism and their approach to the craft.

Special Guests:

Mysterion – Internationally known mentalist.

• A true showman with a flair for the strange and surreal, Mysterion has captivated audiences around the world with his bold and theatrical brand of mentalism. Mysterion has appeared on stages from Las Vegas to America’s Got Talent. Blending vintage charm with a modern twist, Mysterion brings a unique perspective to the world and always rooted in character, creativity, and the unexpected.
  
  
  

Ryan Edwards – Award-winning mentalist and creator of original mind-reading effects

• With a sharp mind and a passion for pushing boundaries, Ryan Edwards is a celebrated mentalist, creator, and consultant known for his innovative approach to psychological magic. His work has been featured on international stages and television, and his original effects are used by magicians and mentalists around the globe.
  
  
  

Ron Guttman – Longtime Ring 17-member, performer and thinker.

• Known for his thoughtful presentations and deep psychological insights, Ron's performances blend intuition, suggestion, and storytelling into powerful moments of connection and wonder. Ron has a quiet charisma that leaves a lasting impression.

Hosted by our own Ian Crawford – Mentalist, Hat and Rabbit Club member, and passionate host for the evening.

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in May 2025

Updated May 18th to add:

• The Toronto Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club event as been changed to a Mentalist Pro-Panel discussion with Mysterion, Ryan Edwards, and Ron Guttman.

 

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- Eric Leclerc lecture - James Harrison lecture
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- London Ring Exchange
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Magician Foolers.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Club social. - Chris Congreave lecture. - Mentalism pro-panel.

Please leave a comment to let us know about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Jeff Hinchliffe Lecture [Apr 17]

A reminder that you can see Jeff's show, Stepping into the Impossible, at the Red Sandcastle Theatre on May 22nd.  Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club (IBM Ring 17):

I've been involved in magic for nearly 30 years, and yet in those 3 decades I had never put together a complete show. In the summer of 2024 that finally changed. With the encouragement of our own Mahdi Gilbert, I set out to create my first show. A show about how and why I became a magician.

In my lecture this month I'm going to dissect my show for you.

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

Do you think Jeff will explain the set he performed at the Browser's Bash this summer?

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A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in April 2025

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- Alain Iannone lecture
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Auction. - Members performing different magic themes
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Closers.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Club social. - lecture TBA.

Please leave a comment to let us know about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in March 2025

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- Alex Linian lecture. - Yoan Tanuji lecture.
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Doug Hunt High Hopes lecture.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Scott Hood: Floating Hank levitation, and - Christopher Campbell lecturing on escapes.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Club social. - Alex Linian lecture

Please leave a comment to let us know about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in February 2025

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- Mario Diamond workshop.
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Symposium Ancaster. - Teach and perform restaurant table magic.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Levitations. (incl. floating hank with Scott Hood)
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Chung and Slim lecture

Please leave a comment to let us know about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

FREE Zoom chat with Lance Burton hosted by Ring 17 [Jan 9]

A reminder that posted time is EST.  

 

From the January 5th Facebook post by Ian Crawford at the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club Facebook page:

Join us for a FREE special Zoom chat with Lance Burton on January 9th at 7:30pm.  Lance has agreed to participate in a virtual chat with The Hat and Rabbit Club members and guests.  

LANCE BURTON is widely considered by his peers to be the greatest stage Magician of the past century. As magic historian Mike Caveney has stated; “Take every Magician in the world, line them up and give them each twelve minutes…Lance Wins!”

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Lance Burton burst onto the national stage on October 28, 1981, by making his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. So impressed was Carson while watching the rehearsal that he allowed Lance to do an unprecedented 12-minute routine. Through the course of Burton’s career, he was invited back for a total of ten appearances while Johnny Carson was host, and another ten appearances during Jay Leno’s tenure.

Lance loves performing, although mainly retired, (he doesn’t do 500 shows a year any longer) he enjoys doing select shows across the United States and the world.

Read more and get link.

Rounding the Central rings in January 2025

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- N/A.
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- What I Bought for Xmas.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Biddle, Paddle or Double.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Zoom chat with Lance Burton! - Chris Pilsworth lecture

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Help Ring 17 reach their donation goal in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank

Updated December 29 to add:

• Embedded December 27th uploaded YouTube video of show at the bottom of the post.
   

 

Donate through the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club's link at the Daily Bread Food Bank.

 

From the December 28th Instagram post by David Peck:

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support the @hatandrabbitclub fundraising magic show for the @dailybreadto

Your energy, generosity, and love for magic helped make the night unforgettable. 🪄💛

We’re so close to reaching our goal of $3,000 to support families in need this holiday season. If you couldn’t make it to the show or want to help push us over the top, there’s still time to give!

💻 Donate now: Link in Bio

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A post shared by David Peck (@davidpecklive)

 

 

From the December 27th upload "Daily Bread FoodBank Fundraiser 2024" at the Ring 17 YouTube channel:

 

 

 

Toronto: With an Extra Helping of Magic fundraiser [Dec 18]

Edited at 5:30pm to add:

• More recent rumours suggest the line up will include:  David Peck, Magic Mel, James Alan, Phil Pivnick, Jeff Hinchliffe, Ian Crawford, Rob Fishbaum, David Sutherland, and Charles McBurney.
  

 

This year's line up rumoured to include David Sutherland, James Alan, Mel Jones, Ian Crawford and more!

 

From the December 9th Instagram post by the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit club (Ring 17):

Come see some AMAZING magicians, including @magicforgrownups James Alan at the Moonlight Lounge in Toronto!

The Hat and Rabbit Club is bringing you an unforgettable night of wonder and giving.
📅 When: December 18, 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Moonlight Lounge, Toronto

Every ticket helps support the Daily Bread Food Bank. Let’s make a difference together! 💫
@dailybreadto

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A post shared by Hat & Rabbit Club, Toronto (@hatandrabbitclub)

 

 

From the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit club (Ring 17) website:

The show will be on Wednesday, December 18th, 7:30 pm. We've secured the Moonlight Lounge in Kensington market (easily accessible by TTC with Green P nearby.) The room seats about 100 people so we are looking for material appropriate for that size of audience. There is a stage, with limited space to preset props off to the side. We will have the ability to play music but not the ability to do any video projection or any other multimedia. Performances should be 5-10 minutes in length and suitable for audiences age 12 and up. Holiday themed material is welcome, as is material involving non perishable food items. We will need to know what you plan on performing ahead of time so that we can put together a show that is balanced without repetition.

Read more.

From the December 6th Instagram post by the Hat & Rabbit club:

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Toronto: Lost in the Shuffle at the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club [Nov 21]

From the November 9th Instagram post by CAM:

Hosted by The Hat & Rabbit Club: Movie Night! LOST IN THE SHUFFLE

When: Thursday November 21, 7:30pm (Doors open 7:00pm)
Where: Agricola Lutheran Church, 25 Old York Mills Rd, North York
Admission: FREE for members and $20 for non-members

Trailer: https://youtu.be/HrOOw8B5yMI

Popcorn and Magic! This month our Event is a screening of the documentary Lost in the Shuffle featuring a post screening Q&A with Director Jon Ornery.

Seen through the eyes of some of the world’s best sleight-of-hand artists, including Shawn Farquhar, Juan Tamariz, Alexandra Duvivier, Richard Turner and Michale Vincent, Lost in the Shuffle is a multi-faceted look at this remarkable 400-year relationship that’s seen these simple playthings provide an endless source of miraculous inspiration for magicians throughout time. After a trip to France Shawn Farquhar wondered why the court cards look the way they do. Of particular interest was the King of Hearts, also known as the “Suicide King” because he appears to be stabbing himself in the head.

Shawn believes there is a much more sinister story, that an actual medieval French king was assassinated at the hand of his own wife. Now Shawn is out to see if his theory’s true - will the greatest illusion of all prove to be that an ancient cold-case murder has been hiding under our noses all this time?

 

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A post shared by CAM 2.0 (@cammagicorg)

 

 

 

Toronto: Michel Huot lecture [Sep 19]

From the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit club newsletter:

When: Thursday September 19th
Where: Agricola Lutheran Church - 25 Old York Mills Road
Admission: FREE for members and $20 for non-members

Michel Huot is a Canadian magician known for his exceptional skills in corporate magic and mentalism. Based in Montreal, Huot has made a name for himself through his innovative and entertaining performances that blend humour, psychological insight, and sleight of hand.

He has been a prominent figure in the magic community for over two decades, performing at high-profile events and creating original effects that are widely respected by fellow magicians. Michel’s original effects like Socks, Priceless, Nostalgia, Cardvertisement are enjoyed by audiences and used by magicians all over the world. His unique style and professional approach have earned him recognition in Canada and abroad.

Michel Huot will deliver a lecture to the Hat and Rabbit Club, offering an intimate opportunity to dive into his creative process and technique. The lecture will feature a blend of classic effects from his repertoire, refined over decades, alongside new material that showcases his evolving approach to magic.

Attendees can expect a hands-on experience, with Huot providing detailed explanations and step-by-step instruction on each effect, ensuring that magicians of all levels can grasp the subtleties of his work. Beyond the tricks themselves, Michel will share valuable insights into the psychology of performance, audience engagement, and the art of creating memorable magical moments.

Come and hang out with one of Canada's most respected magicians.

www.lemagiciencorporatif.com

Read more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random thoughts about "Alex McAleer - Mind Reader"

There's still time to see Alex McAleer - Mind Reader in Toronto!  The show closes May 12th. 

 

Last Sunday, Kidlet and I made the trek to Toronto's Lighthouse Immersive ArtSpace. 

• This was our first experience at this venue.
• For Alex's show, you enter through the Queen's Quay entrance.  (Ignore the sign that suggests you use the Yonge Street entrance.)
• The performance space is half a flight of stairs up from street level, and one flight of stairs up from the entrance.  Contact the venue if you require accommodations.
• The show is about an hour and fifteen minutes, with no intermission.
• While there is nothing inappropriate for young children in the show, because it is a mentalism performance, it is recommended for audience members who are at least 12 years of age. 
• His book This Book Will Read Your Mind is available for purchase at the venue.  (You may have to ask the staff about it... the display was not obvious to us when we were there.)

 

 

On with the show...

• The performance space is intimate, capable of seating approximately 100 people.
• It is general admission seating.  If sitting at the front is important to you, arrive early.
• Unless you are short and there's a tall person sitting in front of you, there are no bad seats in the house.  (The seating is NOT raked.  All the chairs are on the same level.  The stage is raised.)
  
• The show is highly interactive.  We counted about 10 volunteers in addition to multiple whole audience activities. 
• The audience was completely baffled time and again.  It genuinely appeared that minds were being read!
• Exclamations such as "How'd he do that?", "That's not possible!", and "How could that even be done?" were frequently heard in the audience.
  
• Alex has a commanding stage presence, well honed audience management skills, and extraordinary technical abilities!  (The impressiveness of his technical abilities was reinforced to us after we attended his lecture earlier this week and learned more about the processes involved!)
• Add to the above that Alex clearly put a lot of thought into his underlying motivation for the different aspects of his performance.  We especially enjoyed his delightful storytelling!  (The imaginary friend segment he teased in his interview was very creatively satisfying.)
• Kidlet and I recognized one segment from the Champions of Magic show we saw in 2022, but the rest of the show was new to us.  He expertly scaled his large stage performance to this cozy venue, where it was even more impressive.
• Alex's warm, witty, and inviting personality, coupled with getting to know copious audience volunteers, made it feel like we were having a fantastic time with friends! 
  

 

 

We didn't want it to end.

 

 

 

Alex McAleer - Mind Reader closes May 12th.   

 

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Alex McAleer (right)

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in May 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.  

 

ICYMI,

• Bill Malone will be in Montreal June 3 - 4.  Details at MontrealMagicJam.com.

Montreal, QC	Montreal Magic Jam	- Anson Chen lecture.
Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- N/A.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- N/A.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Social meet-up. - Alexander Marsh (UK) Mentalism lecture. - Club event TBD

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Alexander Marsh lecture [May 6]

We have it on good authority that there potentially will be things for sale.  Possible things for sale include:

• Billet Masterclass (via download code)
• Art of Stagecraft (via download code)
• Penguin lecture (via download code)
  
• Forgotten Princess gimmicks (limited)
• Thy Will Be Done gimmicks (limited)
    

Budget accordingly!

 

 

From the April 25th Instagram post by the IBM Ring 17 Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit club:

Special Lecture! - Alexander Marsh

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.

♣️♥️♠️♦️🃏 

 

 

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