Names announced for Browser's Bash 2018

  

From Jeff Hinchliffe's post at the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Dear Denizens,

The launch of the Bash 2018 tickets was our most successful yet!

Thank you to all who have already purchased a ticket. We appreciate your kind support of this event!

Of course there are still plenty of great tickets available. Remember the earlier you buy the closer you will be to the stage!

And now...Bash Drum Roll please....Here are some of the talented performers who will be taking the stage at the Bash 2018. We will announce more big names soon!

DICK JOINER - Emcee
Joining us again in 2018! He will share his infectious hysterical laugh, fun-loving zany manner and high paced interactive comedy magic. With Dick Joiner returning as emcee we know that Bash 2018 will be another fun day!

MICHAEL CLOSE- Miracle Worker
Michael Close has a worldwide reputation in the magic community as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. His specialty is sleight-of-hand, close-up magic, but he also has extensive experience in stand-up magic. He has lectured and performed for audiences around the world!

NICHOLAS WALLACE - Practitioner of the Art of Astonishment
Nicholas has been receiving rave reviews from both critics and audiences for his one-man stage shows. His most recent production "Séance" received glowing reviews from the Toronto Star, Now Magazine, The National Post, Torontoist and more.

JAMES ALAN - Blindfolded Card Magic Extraordinaire
One of Toronto's busiest working pros. His one man show Magic & Martini continues to fill the house each night leaving his audiences stunned, perplexed and entertained. We are pleased that James will be joining us on the Bash stage.

CHRIS PILSWORTH - Mixing Magic & Art
A rare breed of magician. A performer who stays true to his strong beliefs about magic as an art form yet always entertains his audiences. And always with a twist of originality. A Canadian hidden treasure.

And we have more big names to announce!

TO BUY TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BASH 2018 please follow this link: http://www.browsersden.com/bash
 
Thank you
-Jeff Pinsky, John Talbot, Jeff Hinchliffe & The Browser's Den Team

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Browser's Den (FREE) Magic Club meets this Saturday, October 7 at the shop from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

All are welcome.

Thank you for your kind support- The Browser's Den Team.

Toronto: Browser’s Den of Magic Shop 42nd Anniversary Party!

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Browser’s Den of Magic Shop
42nd Anniversary Party!

COST TO ATTEND-FREE
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 2017
TIME: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Browser’s Den of Magic

FREE PRIZES * DISCOUNT ON ALL MAGIC ALL DAY LONG * MINI MAGIC AUCTION * SANDWICHES * COFFEE * SNACKS * MAGIC TRIVIA QUIZ WITH BIG PRIZES * LEN COOPER MEMORIAL AWARD * BIRTHDAY CAKE
AUCTION BEGINS AT 11AM!

Read more.

Toronto: Browser's Bash 2018 ticket sale reminder

 

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Tickets go on sale Monday, Sept 18th, 2017 - 10 am Sharp!

Talent currently booked for 2018 include:

• Dick Joiner as emcee,
• Michael Close (author of the Workers series and other ebooks), and
• Nicholas Wallace.

Read more and buy tickets!

Toronto: Amazing Johnathan and Anastasia Synn

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

We are very excited to let you know that Anastasia Synn and the Amazing Jonathan will be at 'Browser's Den of Magic' for a FREE Meet & Greet on: Saturday, September 16 from 2pm to about 4pm.

Whether you are a friend of Anastia & Jonathan or not, they want you to know that all are welcome to attend. You can bring photos to sign if you wish too.

Read more.

From The Amazing Johnathan's Facebook event:

A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.

Toronto: Save the date for 'Browser's Magic Bash 2018'

From the Browser's Den of Magic's Newsletter:

Dear Magic Friend,

We hope that you and family have had a happy and fun summer.

As we approach September we are very excited to tell you about two important dates.

The date of the 'Browser's Magic Bash 2018' is: SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018.

Tickets go on sale for the Bash on: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 at 10:00am.

As in past years you will be able to purchase tickets on the Bash website or if you prefer by phone with a Visa or MasterCard. The price of the tickets will be the same as Bash 2017.

As always everyone involved with the Bash thanks you for your wonderful support of this day.

Read more.

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

This upcoming Saturday, September 2nd will be our next Magic Club Meeting.

The club meets at Browser's Den from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. All are welcome.

Thank you-The Browser's Den Team.
Serving Magicians Since 1975

Random thoughts from "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out."

Updated August 16 to add:

• Michael Weber has been announced as an additional special guest for the October workshop with Jason England.
• Michael posted his thoughts about his lecture.

You may remember that I had the good fortune of spending time with Michael Close at Sorcerers Safari.  (I even snagged a mini-interview with him.)  I was always thoroughly impressed with the wisdom he shared with his advanced card classes. 

When I heard Michael was lecturing locally, I knew I had to make it if I could.


From the Canada's Magic Twitter feed:

Guess where I was last night?@theBrowsersDen pic.twitter.com/q6R8EZYofZ

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) August 14, 2017

Sunday night, the stars aligned and I was able to attend "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out."


Also from the Canada's Magic Twitter feed:

It was standing room only for the @MikeCloseMagic lecture @theBrowsersDen pic.twitter.com/ADymaPhGnC

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) August 14, 2017

Among other things, during the lecture Michael discussed:

• theory's place in performance arts (with wonderful music analogies)
• his wonderfully complete definition of magic
• how to find (and cure) trouble spots in performance
• the importance of emotion and intellect
• the importance scripting
• assumptions that laymen make
• control, repose, and chaos
• "The Big Lie"

We got to see some magic too!  Of note, he performed "Red Blue Mama Fooler" and then pointed out The Big Problem and how he fixed it.  I was also delighted with a yet to be published routine from his upcoming eBook "Paradigm Shift."

Attendees were provided a discount code for MichaelClose.com which includes The Workers series, and Closely Guarded Secrets.  We were also tipped to the great sale price of Magic in the Real World.  (And if you didn't already know, there's this little thing called "Magic In Mind" that you can get for free at Vanishing Inc, which includes an essay from Michael as well as 32 other highly regarded professionals.)

If you haven't seen the announcement, Michael is hosting a workshop with Jason England and Michael Weber (and perhaps an additional mystery guest) in October.  Only eight spots remain.

Bottom line, as with Phil Matlin's report from a 2014 lecture by Michael, I was very impressed!

Far out Magic Dude.

Read Michael's thoughts about his lecture.

The last Tweet from Canada's Magic Twitter feed:

"Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out."

-- @MikeCloseMagic @theBrowsersDen pic.twitter.com/TXs6r6q4lr

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) August 14, 2017

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

Calling all Denizens...This Saturday, August 5 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm is the next (free) Magic Club meeting at Browser's Den. 

All are welcome!

Toronto: Michael Close lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out.
Michael Close Lecture - August 13, 2017

Dear Denizens,

All of us here at Browser's are certain that Mr. Close's brand new Magic Theory Lecture will be a truly inspiring and fun event at our shop. We are convinced that it will have a long lasting effect on your magic journey.

In short...it may be the most important lecture you will ever have an opportunity to see.

Some of the topics that he will be covering in great detail will be...

• What is theory?
• Your definition of magic
• The Power of a Real Magician
• Conviction
• Assumptions
• Scripting vs. Not Scripting
• Who (or What) Has the Power?
• Control, Repose, and Chaos
• and much more. (There may even be a trick or two.)

Michael Close has a worldwide reputation in the magic community as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. He has been a student of the conjuring arts for over fifty years, and has been performing professionally since 1978. His specialty is sleight-of-hand, close-up magic, but he also has extensive experience in stand-up magic. He has lectured and performed for audiences around the world.

Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Hi Denizens-Friendly reminder that this Saturday, July 8 is our next Free Magic Club Meeting.

The meeting is at Browser's Den from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. All who want to talk magic and or share a trick or a move are welcome.

Snacks will be provided.

Thank you for your kind support
-Jeff Hinchliffe, Old Jeff, John Cardella, Luiz, & Lisa Close.

Toronto: Marcus Eddie lecture

Don't forget about the Playing Card Collecters' Meet-up on Jun 11!

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Date & Time: Sunday, June 18, 2017
Location: Browser's Den of Magic
Ticket Price $20.00

1st Place IBM Close Up 1995 * 1st Place T.A.O.M.  Close Up 1996 * 1st Place Stage S.A.M. 2009 * 1st Place Stage T.A.O.M. 2010 * 1st Place Wizard Wars SYFY 2014 and more...

Marcus Eddie from Austin, Texas USA is touring Canada with his lecture. We are so happy that he has decided to give a lecture at Browser's Den and share his brand of cool and inspirational magic.

You may have seen him on 'Penn & Teller's Fool Us'.  You may have seen him headline at the Magic Castle.

If not... well, then you can see him at Browser's Den on Sunday, June 18, 2017.

"Growing up overseas as part of an Air Force family, Marcus did not have access to magic shops or clubs. Using a magic set he received as a gift from his parents and the few magic books he could find in the school library, Marcus began teaching himself the craft when he was just 12 years old. Building his illusions from toy boxes, tape and everyday items, Marcus took his childhood passion and turned it into his career.

Today, he is a 8 time, award-winning magician, including his win on the Syfy Channels magic competition, 'Wizard Wars', he appeared on 'Penn & Teller Fool Us and is the creator of several products on the market and consults for magician's worldwide, including David Blaine on his last special, 'Beyond Magic'. Marcus Eddie's original magic will leave you stunned!"

Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: Playing Card Collectors Meeting

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

PLAYING CARD COLLECTORS MEETING - TORONTO
Sunday June 11th, 2017 at 2PM - 5PM

WHO: Anyone with interest in collecting playing cards
WHAT: Playing Card Collector's Meeting
WHERE: Browser's Den of Magic (3220 Dufferin St. #19, Toronto, ON M6A 2T3)
WHEN: Sunday June 11th, 2017
COST: $10 OR Free for those who attended the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash

Playing Card Collectors Meeting - Calling all card collectors within a 200 kilometer radius of Toronto and the GTA!

With the help of 52 Plus Joker (North American Playing Card Collector's Club), the Browser's Den proudly offers you the opportunity to attend this free meeting and receive expert tips on caring for your collection, as well as learn methods to keep your cards in top-notch condition. Plus see decks of cards you've only read about in books and online.

Read more.

Toronto: Free magic club

From The Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Free Magic Club Meeting this Saturday, May 6 at Browser's Den from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

All interested in talking magic are WELCOME!
See you then-Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe, John Cardella & Luiz Castro

Toronto: Magic auction

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017
At ‘Browser’s Den of Magic’
Cost to Attend: Free!

Dear Magic Friends,

It is time for another fun-filled and bargain-filled magic auction!

This is the time of the year when you our dear customers get to bid on magic equipment, tricks, books and dvd’s at fantastically low prices.

For those who would like to bring in 'magic' to be auctioned off the deadline to bring your used magic to Browser's is Wednesday, May 24.

Please note that you may bring in no more than 3 LOTS.  However, a LOT may consist of more than one item. Please try to make sure that everything has directions and is in good working order.

Also, please make sure to include a list of the items you are bringing in to be auctioned off along with your name, phone number and email address.Magic Auction Bunny

We have been doing these auctions for 41 years. Auctions are a lot of fun!

For those who have never attended one of our auctions, you are missing out on tremendous bargains as most of the magic sells for at least half their regular prices.

Thank you for your continued support - Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe & The Browser's Den Team

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call and discuss with Jeff Pinsky.

Read more.

Toronto: Karl Hein lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Sunday, May 21

Karl Hein is known all over the world for his amazing ability.

The routines that he will perform and teach at the lecture are audience tested in front of laymen.

Karl will use many of his routines to teach basic and advanced moves and principles of magic and misdirection.

And most importantly you will learn his 'Go with the Flow' approach as Karl provides alternate handlings to meet varying skill levels and explains how to change routines depending on your audience conditions.

You will be presented with routines with cards, coins, bills, ropes and cream filled goodies.

You will learn:  Heinsight (Open Prediction);  Square Deal (Magic  Square); False Shuffles & Cuts; Heiny 500;  Just Say Twinkie; Rainmaker; Cube FX (Rubik's Cube Routine); Three Degrees of Separation;  Hein's Catch Up (Updated Copper, Brassk, Silver routine) and if time permitting...even more!
Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Hi Denizens-This Saturday, April 8 is the next free Magic Club at Browser's Den.

The meeting will take place from 2:30pm until 5:30pm. All interested in talking magic are welcome.

Thank you-Old Jeff, Young Jeff & The Browser's Den Team.

Browser's Bash 2017 in the Toronto Star

Edited to add this direct link to the Toronto Star website:

• https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2017/04/06/browsers-annual-bash-for-illusionists-is-where-the-magic-happens.html

From Press Reader:

Jeff Pinsky is the guy who makes it all happen.  For the third year in a row, he has rounded up the sprawling community that's grown around his four-decade-old specialty store, Browser's Den of Magic, on Dufferin St. north of Lawrence Ave. W.

"The magic shop, and in extension the bash itself, is a separate little world," he said. "It's a wonderful escape for some people."

Guests at his bash said that Pinsky's event is really the only one out there of its kind and scale. Some flew in from across the country, or even as far as Japan, to be there for the 12 hour "full day of magical fun!"

Read more.

Winners of Browser's Bash Bingo 2017

You'll notice that I didn't mention anything about Magic Convention Bingo in the Browser's Bash recap.  That's because this year, Browser's Bash Bingo was not officially part of The Bash.  It was just a little side entertainment provided by Canada's Magic.

Thank you all for your kind words about the idea.  And for playing along!  And especially for not being rude and shouting "bingo" during a speech, presentation, lecture, or performance!  (I twitched a little when Dick Joiner shouted "bingo" on stage at one point, but it turned out he wasn't playing our little game!)

The eagle-eyed of you may have noticed that I published the winning cards on the evening of The Bash.

Winning #BrowsersBash2017 bingo cards! pic.twitter.com/jDmzIC7Za9

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 2, 2017

Without further ado, the winners of the tickets to the Toronto Magic Company's yet to be announced show are:

• Jeff Kosciejew,
• Lee Elliott, and
• Randy Govang!

I'll be in touch with details about your prize!  Congratulations!

Thanks again to Ben Train for making these prizes possible.   (If you haven't already, go to Toronto Magic Company's website now and sign up for their newsletter!)

If you couldn't find me to drop off your completed card (with a bingo), or you were playing along at home and got a bingo  (5 across, 5 down, 5 diagonally through the centre, or all 4 corners), take a picture of your card and email it to me (canadasmagic at gmail dot com) by Sunday April 9th 2017 for a shout out.  Maybe Ben will have some extra "buy one get one free" coupon codes to share.  You never know!

Did you see the clues I left to help you out?

Eye spy a handlebar mustache, for those of you playing Magic Convention Bingo (Bash Edition) at home. #BrowsersBash2017

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Bingo players, did you catch the sweater vest? #BrowsersBash2017 pic.twitter.com/fQj7nfgmKU

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Bingo players, Glenn just said ACAAN! #BrowsersBash2017

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Bingo players, did @aaronfishercard just say, "or are you happy with the mind you've got?" #BrowsersBash2017

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

(Which must have meant he said, "Would you like to change your mind?" just before that.)

Dick just mentioned @SorcerersSafari , for those of you playing Magic Convention Bingo (Bash Edition) at home. #BrowsersBash2017

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Jeff and the Coopers. #BrowsersBash2017 pic.twitter.com/erg7T1UHdk

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

(Mother and daughter, anyone?)

Roxanne and John helping out. #BrowsersBash2017 pic.twitter.com/mn0RPBHr6a

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Female and male volunteers.

Next up, four-time Guinness World Record holder, @Scotthammell ! #BrowsersBash2017 pic.twitter.com/GfAHp9kuQI

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) April 1, 2017

Here are some of the other items the winners have marked off on their cards:

• False cut
• Appearing cane
• Someone mentions "CAM"
• Someone said "Ordinary deck of playing cards"
• Used the tag #BrowsersBash2017 on social media (verified to be true!)
• Jumbo cards
• Father and daughter
• Charlier cut
• Handkerchief
• False shuffle
• Visited the USPCC booth
• Someone said "ordinary piece of rope"
• Forcing pad
• Cads from mouth
• Ambitious card
• Purchased something
• Invisible deck
• Someone wearhing white socks and black pants
• Said hello to someone from Montreal
• Top hat
• Cardistry
• Visited the Browser's booth
• Said hello to the Cooper family

Browser's Magic Bash 2017 recap

In case you missed it, I live-Tweeted and live-blogged this year's Browser's Magic Bash last Saturday.  In this post I've consolidated (and edited) the blog posts and Tweets. (For the complete list of Tweets and photos check out this Twitter link to #BrowsersBash2017.)  It's a very long post.  Click "read more" below to view it.  Thanks for joining in.

I hope you all had as much fun as I did!