Showing posts with label 'Ring 17. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 'Ring 17. Show all posts

28 February 2015

Rounding the Central rings in March 2015

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


Montreal, QCRing 62 (20th Century Ring) - Stage work
Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - Members' Favourite
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- TBA
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- a possible exchange night with
Hamilton & London Clubs
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Stand-up Magic
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Browser's Den visit


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

01 February 2015

Rounding the Central rings in February 2015

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



Montreal, QCRing 62 (20th Century Ring) - Stage workers
Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - TBA
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Sponge ball magic.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Impromptu tricks found around the house
and in Dollarama
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Member’s Night:  Jean-Luc’s Theme Night “Everything Book Magic”
- Literacy Magic
- Initiation Shows
- Charity Show:  Rehabilitation Hospital Show (Adults)  
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Pre-meeting Jam with Rob Powers:  "jam session from 6 till 7 before the meeting. Bring whatever you'd like to jam with but if you use linking rings, ill be jamming with rings so bring them along and we can trade some cool moves"
- Members' night
- lecture/panel discussion featuring the cast of the movie "A series of unfortunate effects."


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

04 January 2015

Rounding the Ontario rings in January 2015

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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - Auction Night in Canada
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- n/a
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- A dealer demo
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Member’s Night:  Tenyo Magic Presentation by Pierre B.
- Something New
- New Member Induction Presentation
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Auction


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

30 November 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in December

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



Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- n/a
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Christmas Dinner.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) Michael Close lecture
- Christmas Party Pot-luck dinner 
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - David Regal workshop
- David Regal lecture  


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

03 November 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in November

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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - David Merry lecture.
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Taking the stage.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Magic Movie night.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Joint meeting with the other Ottawa Club
- Flea Market
- Close-up magic
- CHEO Charity Show
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Joint meeting with the other Ottawa Club
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Dr. Michael Rubinstein lecture and workshop.
 
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

02 October 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in October

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

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Corporate strolling.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Shane Cobalt lecture
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) David Kaplan lecture
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Lecture.
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - David Kaplan lecture
 
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

02 September 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in September

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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- n/a
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- n/a
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - n/a
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) Bobby Motta lecture
 
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

29 June 2014

Random thoughts about 90th birthday parties

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending two 90th birthday celebrations, both for Toronto's very own Gordon Precious.  Gordon is an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word.  I've known Gordon for close to 20 years and in that time he's been consistently positive, welcoming and encouraging.  He's younger at heart than many people of my generation.  Simply having Gordon in your life, makes you a better person.

First up was the Browser's event:
  • The event was extremely well attended.  There were people in attendance that I didn't see that day -- it was that packed.
  • It was fabulous showing of friendship from the magic community.  (Folks drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
  • No one does the the Vanishing Birdcage like Gordon.
  • David Merry did a set that kept everyone in stitches.
  • Jeff always throws wonderful celebration parties!
  • I am incapable of entering a magic shop without leaving with a purchase.
  • Read more about it (and see pictures) at the Browser's Den blog.

And later in the week, a celebration by Ring 17 at their year end banquet:
  • The banquet was also very well attended.  (Folks also drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
  • Gordon did a wonderful set, entertaining young and old alike!
  • There was a Zig-Zag illusion that went off without a hitch.
  • I had no idea Gordon could breathe fire.
  • Paul Wildbaum and Bill Abbott were entertaining, as always. 
  • See photos at the Ring 17 Facebook group.

Wonderful celebrations for a wonderful person!  Happy birthday Gordon!



01 June 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in June

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

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Dinner and close-up show.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- tbd
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Year End Party Pot-luck / Banquet
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Year end banquet and Gordon Precious' 90th birthday bash!  Happy birthday Gordon!
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

01 May 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in May

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



Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - No meeting this month.
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Movie themed magic.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- The Annual Auction.
- Robert Barna props and cases to be put up for auction.
- Other clubs are welcome to attend.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Business Meeting.
- Open Night of Magic.
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Vincent Hedan lecture.
- Vincent Hedan workshop.
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

01 April 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in April

Updated April 24th to add the following from the Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:
Mark your calendars for next Wed. April 30th. No, it’s not Tax Filing Deadline (CRA  gave a 5 day extension).  It’s the Tri-City Lecture (London,Kitchener & Hamilton Clubs) hosted by Kitchener IBM Ring#235 at 7pm. at

St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,54 Queen St.North @ Weber Street, Kitchener N2H 2H2.

Originally our 3 clubs were having Mickael Chatelaine from France lecture, after his appearance at the 4F convention (this weekend in Batavia NY.) Unfortunately, Mickael broke his elbow a few weeks ago and will not be attending the 4F convention.  Our thanks to member Joan Caesar for arranging a substitute lecturer/performer/entertainer & multi award winner Michael Dardant, who coincidently was born in France, but calls his home in the “Big Easy” New Orleans.

Read more.


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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Kitchener Club (roadtrip!)
- Mickael Chatelain lecture
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Magic Auction
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Literacy Magic
- Executive Nominations
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Chris Westfall lecture
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Kenton Knepper lecture
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

09 March 2014

Random thoughts about Ring 17 Members' Night

  • Shout out to everyone who hosted and performed at Members' Night last week! 
  • It takes incredible courage for amateurs to perform in front of the club.  Well done everyone who made it up to the front of the room! 
  • The presence of a child, whom James Alan referred to as Urchin, allowed all of the women in the room to let out a collective sigh of relief.  (They were spared the fate of "volunteering" for the evening.)
  • Urchin was treated very well while volunteering.  Impressive.  I've seen highly respected "legendary" professionals treat children horribly.  Keep up the great work folks!
  • There are some very talented magicians in Ring 17.
  • Ariel Frailich knows a lot.
  • The members behaved very respectfully during situations where life wasn't going quite according to plan.  It's nerve-racking performing in front of talented professionals.  Thanks for being supportive!
  • There's truth to the proverb:
    'Tis a lesson you should heed:
    Try, try, try again.
    If at first you don't succeed,
    Try, try, try again.
  • Are all magicians from Calgary named Chris as talented as the two we saw last week?
  • I finally witnessed a peformance by Mark Lewis with young people in the room.  I'm a fan.  Doubly impressed that he took Urchin aside at the end of the night, to teach an alternate presentation of an effect shared that evening.
  • James can tie a perfect bowtie without the aid of a mirror.



08 March 2014

Remembering Jack Bateman

On February 19th, I reported on the passing of Jack Bateman.  On March 3rd, Ring 17 sent an e-mail with recollections of Jack by Dick Joiner.  I'm republishing them here, with Dick's permission.
Recollections by past president, Dick Joiner:

Jack L. Bateman, 95, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, died February 17, 2014, in a local hospital. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1945-1965), and Ring 17 (Toronto).

He became interested in magic as a schoolboy after watching a performance by magician "Laurante," and magic became a passion the rest of his life. He always carried props in his pockets so he could practice wherever he went. In his youth he developed his comedic talents and an illusion show, featuring his own versions of a "sub trunk" and "cut the lady in six." He invented many tricks, some still on the market, such as "Rub-a-dub-dub," featured on a Bill Malone video.

He also was a teacher of magic; one of his pupils was Doug Henning. He was the Technical Supervisor for Outside Broadcasts for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He developed the first mobile television broadcast units for the CBC.

When he died in the hospital, there was a paddle at his bedside, no doubt to entertain the nurses.

03 March 2014

[Guest post] An open letter from the president of Ring 17

The following is a guest post from the president of the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club .
--

Dear Canada's Magic readers,

It is my responsibility as the president of the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club  IBM Ring 17 in Toronto, to clarify a point of some controversy based on my comments in the "President's Message" of the March 2014 newsletter.

By way of background, the club hosted a special lecture on Thursday, February 6, 2014 which featured the cast of the Mosquitoes Suck Project  an instructional magic download designed to raise money to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and featuring such notable magicians as Bill Abbott, Jay Sankey, Joshua Jay, Bobby Motta, David Peck, Anthony Lindan, Brian Roberts and James Alan*. In attempt at humour in stark violation of John Cleese's Three rules of comedy** we dubbed the event, "The Lecture That Sucks."

In our March 2004 newsletter, I reported that the lecture was a complete success, citing well known member and terror of the Internets, The Great Mark Lewis who posted on the Facebook that the lecture sucked:
According to Mark Lewis' posting on Facebook, the the lecture sucked so it was, in principle, a complete success. And more importantly, through the evening, we raised $400 for the Mosquitoes Suck Tour, which translates to 40 bed-nets, which will protect up to 200 people for up to five years. So we are extremely grateful for your support.

In point of fact, his full commentary (divided into two posts before and after the event) was:
I am in great dread that it may not just be the mosquitos that suck.  
Only half of it sucked. Naturally I am far too tactful to say which half.

While Mr. Lewis feels that his views were misrepresented in the newsletter, I believe my remarks were faithful to his original sentiment. Of course it is now up to the reader to decided whether this is, in fact, so.
What's really at issue here is the applicability of the term "sucks" in an environment with an abundance of puns and a deficit of a well defined sense of humour in people with (clearly) too much time on their hands. Does the act of sucking blood automatically imply "sucks" in the pejorative schoolyard sense? Does it work the other way as well? 

The Ring 17 Philosopher in Residence and Professor Emeritus of Ring Reportage of the P. Howard Lyons Ring, Dr. Sammy Jakubowicz suggested, when reached for comment, "We might consult the writings of Lewis Carroll here. He may have been right when he wrote, 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.' On the other hand, he may have been wrong. It is difficult to say with certainty. Why are you bothering me with this anyway? I was out of the country and nowhere near the lecture."

It's also clear that the actual quality of the lecture plays no part forming Mr. Lewis' opinions and can safely be set aside for the purpose of this discussion.

If you feel the need to weigh in on the matter, please feel free to contact the Ring 17 Goodwill Ambassador, Matt DiSero with your thoughts.

Thank you very much for your kind attention as we attempt to resolve this misunderstanding. We look forward to seeing our members at the next meeting, Thursday, March 6, 2014.

*Present on the DVD but absent from the lecture were Joshua Jay, who was reportedly in the United States working on his six-pack and Brian Roberts who was alphabetizing his sock drawer. Matthew DiSero did turn up, somewhat against his will.

**No puns, no puns and no puns.


--

Thank you, I think, for guest posting at Canada's Magic!


Rounding the Ontario rings in March

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

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Dollar store magic.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Possible exchange night with
Hamilton & London Clubs.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) Stand-up Magic
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Members' night.
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

04 February 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in February

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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - Coin, money and paper magic. 
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- Family and friends night.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Impromptu tricks found around the house and in Dollarama.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - n/a
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- n/a
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Mosquitoes Suck Tour lecture "Magic that Sucks": Bill Abbott, James Alan, Anthony Lindan, Bobby Motta, David Peck, Brian Roberts and Jay Sankey. Hosted by  Matt DiSero.
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

06 January 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in January

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

Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - n/a 
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- New routine workshop night
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Dealer demo
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Something New
- New Member Induction Presentation
- Fritz Alkemade lecture
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- Talk about your magic resolutions for 2014
- Talk about why you already quit your new years resolutions!!!!
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Club auction
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

02 December 2013

Rounding the Ontario rings in December

Updated December 3rd, to add Hamilton event details.


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


Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - "Share the Magic" at Wentworth Lodge Long Term Care Residential Home
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- tricky boxes and tabletop illusions
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Christmas dinner
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - Christmas party
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- last meeting before Christmas
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) Browser's Den of Magic visit
 

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

23 November 2013

Broken wand: Harold Black

From the Ring 17 newsletter:
We are sad to report the passing of one of our members, Harold Black, passed away Wednesday at the age of 89. He joined the club in 1949 (as reported in the Linking Ring by then secretary Bruce Posgate.) He was a lifetime member, who as the club librarian and was the president in 1974-75. While health concerns kept him from attending club meetings in recent years, he was actively involved in the magic community in Toronto and performed as a magician and a clown for decades.

Read more.


From The Star:
BLACK, Harold E. (Buster) - Past Patron, Eastern Star (Scarborough Chapter 231), Masonic Lodge (Coronati 520), IOF (Court Futura), Hat & Rabbit Association - Linking Ring 17 (Kambla the Magician), Circus Fans Association (Buster the Clown), CN Railway - 37 years service (Blackie). After a recent leg amputation, at the age of 89 Harold peacefully passed away at Scarborough General Hospital on November 20, 2013 with his loving family by his side.  
Read more.