New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders [Nov 28]

Tickets at Cabaret Of Wonders.

 

From the November 17th Facebook post by Cabaret of Wonders:

Returning this week from their double-Gold Medal wins, Alex Zander & Billy Hsueh bring their award winning magic to the Cabaret of Wonders

November 28, 2023
Tickets while they last, @ CabaretOfWonders.com

 

 

 

Vancouver: The Parlour Magic Show [Nov 22]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the November 12th Instagram post by The Parlour Magic Show:

Tickets available for the Nov 22 Parlour Magic Show! Come in from the cold and enjoy a cornucopia of wizardry at @theshowcellar !

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Parlour Magic Show! (@parlourmagicshow)

 

 

 

 

A peek behind the curtain with Hollie England [2023]

This is the fourth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 31]  ** extended to Dec 31 ** 
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
• Lloydminster, Vic Juba Theatre [Mar 20]  ** recently added **
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7] 
• Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8]   ** recently added **

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 

 

In addition to her stage shows, you may know Hollie England through her:

• involvement in Illusionarium in Toronto,
  
• appearances at Late Night Magic in Vegas, or
  
• designs at thehexclubstore.com

We're delighted to interview Hollie ahead of her Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!

 

Through social media, we've watched your act change and grow over time.  When you have an audience tested, well-received show, what drives you to modify and advance your act?

I originally joined the show with the least experience as a magician with these 4 other performers who had developed and perfected their acts over many years. I guess, coming to be a magician later in life, I felt like I was ‘catching up’ at the beginning and so I was very motivated to try things, see what worked and what didn’t and make my acts bigger and better as fast as I could. I just wanted to be GOOD more than anything in the world. Every iteration of my acts have got closer and closer to being more ‘me’ and that’s what makes it fun to perform and also makes the audience connect and relate more.
 
I try to stay inspired by seeing shows and movies, watching other performers (not necessarily other magicians) and listening to Pandora stations that introduce me to new music (still within my preferred styles). I’m always trying different lines here and there when I get an idea for something funny.

Ultimately, I’ve always had this desire to create and sometimes what I create ends up being a completely new routine or it flips an existing one or it just adds elements.

Some changes have come about through dealing with venue challenges. For example, when there were theaters on the tour that didn’t allow fire, I found a way to create a similar effect but using water instead. Both versions are custom made and so they also tick the very important box of being completely unique and ‘me’.

Performing in smaller shows in Vegas and Nashville has helped me grow exponentially as a performer. From altering, tweaking material for an adult-only, small venue, late night, 'Vegas' (sometimes very drunk) audience to getting to play with crowd work (and sometimes control), interacting differently with the rest of the cast onstage in my routines and theirs in terms of finding characters plus just being able to perform so consistently in the same venue (5 mins away from my house) and develop new routines- being able to try new things out in front of a real audience. I've also been able to get hired as a 'featured act' and ‘headliner’ in other shows and it's allowed me to see how different audiences have very different reactions and how I can adapt my acts without a video camera feed.

I've been able to create my own 20 minute set and then 30 minute set, which I'd never had to do before as my acts were always broken up throughout the ensemble magic shows.  I constantly needed to add routines to meet the required length of the show or alter some elements to meet the needs of the style of venue/ type of audience. I created 2 new acts and now they are some of my favorites to perform.
 

You come from a professional dance background. Have you studied anything else magic-adjacent? 

I studied musical theater (dancing, singing and acting) at college and also performed in musicals across the UK, USA and Dubai. I took art A-level in school and have always like to paint just for fun. Although now I get to design my own merch on thehexclubstore.com.

I truly believe everything I learnt from being a dancer, singer, actor, director, producer, artist and even an office assistant has made me a better performer. It is show BUSINESS after all- being a good performer is only a small percentage of the job! 

 

 

Tea Party with Hollie

 

 

 

 

Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted to perform magic full time?

Magic has been the thing that has kept recurring in my life. It’s like the universe has been gently nudging me towards being a magician since I was a kid, when all I wanted was to be a dancer on the West End. Maybe that’s why I was able to achieve that goal early on (in a magic show no less), so I was then forced to find a new and bigger dream/ goal!

I always loved being the assistant or at least somehow assisting in the ‘magic effect’ as a dancer since I was on tour with Hans Klok back in 2008. I loved seeing ways to enhance the magic on stage while I was associate directing The Illusionists tours and Illusionarium.

I was originally asked to be a magician when I was producing but, at the time, felt like I had no business standing next to these giants in the industry that I hugely admired and had perfected their craft over decades. However, it definitely ignited a desire in me to at least consider the challenge. When these magicians were the ones telling me I should be a magician, I finally started to take it seriously (although it wasn’t until years later that I actually started to work on it).

I had some permanent injuries from being a dancer but I still very much wanted to perform. Everything about magic just felt right- I already had a pool of the best magicians, producers and directors in the world as close friends and colleagues, I had worked on ‘both sides of the table’ and so I felt the most prepared and abundant with resources. When I finally put out clips of me performing magic, the response was overwhelming. 

 

 

 

What is your most memorable performance misadventure? 

I feel like there have been many... Young and Strange leave a small puddle of water at the front of the stage in the one of their acts before mine and I happened to walk straight into it one show and completely fell over like a cartoon character.. with the closeup camera right on me. I think I naturally just bounce up again, but as I get older, it's harder to do!  

 

 

What sets Champions of Magic apart from other touring ensemble magic shows?

Our producer comes from a stand-up comedy background and also used to run a pyro company so… the show is very funny and as one article said ‘has more pyrotechnics than a KISS concert!’ We also all perform some acts together ‘Now You See Me’-style, we interact with each other, we all have very individual characters and personalities that feed and bounce off each other in the show. We don’t take ourselves too seriously!  

Hollie striking a pose

 

Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
 
Normally I have an ongoing D and D app game to stay connected with my partner. I watch a lot of the true crime YT channel ‘That Chapter’ if we are on the tour bus. I’m known for my morning ritual of making a bagel with a cup of tea. In Canada, I just have to go to Timmy Horton’s of course!

One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home for a lengthy tour.  Do you bring a special something from home with you? 

My backpack is always full of British tea because that is one daily ritual that is mandatory! I also bring a blanket for travel- you never know when you’ll want is as a pillow on a plane, plus the company gets very divided on the optimal temperature on the bus! 

Every performer experiences some level of post-show blues.  Post-tour blues, we expect, are on a whole different level.  Do you have any tips for touring entertainers with respect to re-entering one’s non-touring life, after an extended time away from home?

Try to maintain a routine and daily habits on tour and off. Eat healthy. Get good sleep. Take your vitamins and ashwagandha and magnesium. Get a massage. Go for walks. Exercise or do something active that makes you happy. Invest in self-care (cut your hair/ get a facial etc) If you can afford it, invest in a therapist. Journal. Meditate. Read. Allocate time to spend with friends/ family. Schedule things to look forward to.  

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?

Regardless of how many shows, or billboards or how much money I'm making, I ultimately just want to be creative, and weird and me. I'm trying to do things like no-one else does. As Marilyn Manson once said, 'The key is to change what is popular. That's why rather than submit to the mainstream, you have to become it- then overcome it.'  

Thank you Hollie, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

Learn more about Hollie at HollieEngland.com and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Hollie in Champions of Magic touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 30] 
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7] 
• Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8]

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with:

• Alex McAleer
• Michelle Mazzarella
  

Read our 2022 interviews with the cast:

• Hollie England
• Alex McAleer
• Sam Strange
• Fernando Velasco
• Richard Young 

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

 

 

Victoria: Vitaly [Dec 9]

From the November 3rd Instagram post by Vitaly:

Next stop is @uvicfarquhar !
Victoria residents: prepare to be erased from your driver's licenses!

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vitaly Beckman (@vitalyeveningofwonders)

 

 

 

A peek behind the curtain with Michelle Mazzarella

This is the fourth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 31]  ** extended to Dec 31 ** 
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
• Lloydminster, Vic Juba Theatre [Mar 20]  ** recently added **
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7] 
• Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8]    ** recently added **

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 

 

We're delighted to interview aerialist, and serial big box illusion victim, Michelle Mazzarella ahead of her Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

Growing up, my father was a Magician Member at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, so we would occasionally head there for Sunday brunch and a show. While I was really young at the time, I still remember details like the secret bookcase entrance, the portraits whose eyes would follow you, the iconic owls, the red velvet showroom curtain, and of course, all the stairs.
 

What surprised you most about touring with magicians? 

This one’s hard for me! Alex, Young, and Strange did a really great job of managing my expectations before I joined the tour. I knew that every day was going to be so wildly different from the next, and I really appreciated their transparency. It helped me figure out that I really wanted the job, and it has been quite an adventure!

 

Michelle on the Silks

 

 

 

 

What is the most annoying thing about touring with magicians?

I would call it more fascinating than annoying, but everyone talks about magic… a lot. Coming from a non-magic background, I often have no clue what they’re talking about, but I’ve been enjoying piecing things together over the months, and I’m learning a ton. 

 

 

 

Have you learned how to do any magic since you joined Champions of Magic? 

Ha, yes, but only the basics… I actually have a silly secret goal of learning at least one trick per tour leg, and all my friends at home are enjoying the results.  

 

 

How do you keep your skills fresh and performance ready?

In every new city, if time allows, I make an effort to connect with the local circus community. Sometimes they have open gyms, or I’ll even teach workshops. When we’re in hotels, I try to take advantage of their Fitness Rooms, or I’ll do a little workout on a yoga mat in my dressing room. Unfortunately, it’s hard to train Silks without actually being on a Silk, so the skills do ebb and flow a little bit, but they always come back. 

Michelle preparing to descend

 

Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
 
I actually went to boarding school in British Columbia, and I really miss some of the old snacks I had, like poutine, Aero Bars, Sour Jubes, and Beaver Tails. I try to grab some whenever I can, but really any delicious food will do it for me.

One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home for a lengthy tour.  Do you bring a special something from home with you? 

I actually had a friend attend one of my first shows with Champions of Magic. She asked me the night before what my favorite colors were, and she crocheted me a little jellyfish! I named him Squort and he has stayed in my crate ever since, often hanging on my dressing room lights or sitting nearby. 

Michelle and Squort

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at a show!

Thank you Michelle, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

Learn more about Michelle at MichelleMazzarella.com and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Michelle in Champions of Magic touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 30] 
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7] 
• Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8]

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interview with:

• Alex McAleer

Read our 2022 interviews with:

• Hollie England
• Alex McAleer
• Sam Strange
• Fernando Velasco
• Richard Young 

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

 

 

Rounding the Western rings in November 2023

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- N/A.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- N/A.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- N/A.
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Christmas dinner.
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- N/A.
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- N/A.

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

 

 

 

 

A peek behind the curtain with Alex McAleer [2023]

This is the fourth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 31]  ** extended to Dec 31 **
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
• Lloydminster, Vic Juba Theatre [Mar 20]  ** recently added **
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7] 
• Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8]   ** recently added **

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 

 

In addition to his stage shows, you may know Alex McAleer through:

• his book This Book Will Read Your Mind,
• his mentalism offerings (under the name Alexander Marsh and available at The 1914 as well as other magic shops including The Browser's Den of Magic), or 
• his weekly podcast Through the Magic of Television (also available on Apple Podcasts) which is part of Richard Young's Magicians' Podcast Network (Apple Podcasts link).  In his podcast Alex, along with the help of a special guest, reminisces about iconic magic TV shows from the past.

On episode 4 of Through the Magic of Television (Apple Podcasts link), Alex and guest Erik Tait

   CanCon  

discuss The Worlds Greatest Magic 4 (1997), which includes performances by Juliana Chen and Carl Cloutier.
[Editor's note:  This podcast requires a paid subscription.]

We're delighted to interview Alex ahead of his Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!

 

We were fortunate to see Champions of Magic in three times in the past five years.  Your part in the show changed significantly from year to year.  In fact the 2022 experience was almost completely different from the first time we saw you in Toronto in 2018. 

When you have an audience tested, well-received show, what drives you to modify and advance your act?

It’s very tempting to just do the tricks and lines you’ve been doing for years, and the temptation is even greater when you’re waiting in the wings about to go on stage and do a new routine. It’s very rewarding however to keep things fresh, in my own act there are sections that are brand new every night so I have to think on my feet.

 
I think what drives me to make changes is not wanting things to become stale, and it’s always fun to tinker and improve each performance of a new routine.
 

Have you studied any magic-adjacent disciplines? 

I’ve studied various other skills that have all informed my performances. Theatre work when I was younger and performing in plays, readings, even panto! I’ve also studied a bit of comedy writing and physical comedy. I also went to Art School so that's given me an interest in aesthetics. 

 

 

Alex on stage with an audience member keeping Alex's eyes shut

 

 

 

 

Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted to perform magic full time?

I think it was probably after my first “show” - I did a twenty minute show on stage in between some one-act plays in my hometown. The show I did was dreadful in hindsight but the audience really responded to it; this shy young man they all knew could now apparently read minds and hold a room’s attention. 

 

 

 

What is your most memorable performance misadventure? 

Probably when a prop we were using in Champions malfunctioned and the ‘big prediction moment’ I had been teasing throughout the show just didn’t happen. Foolishly, there was no out. I just had to move onto the next, much smaller and less significant, part of the prediction.  

 

 

What sets Champions of Magic apart from other touring ensemble magic shows?

I think it’s probably that you’re seeing a full show, not just a series of different acts doing their own thing. There are multiple moments when we are all working together on stage, or involved in another performer's act. 

Alex on stage

 

Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
 
Vegan junk food. Vegan Poutine is always a highlight for a trip to the true north.

One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home for a lengthy tour.  Do you bring a special something from home with you? 

As silly as it may sound but having a VPN on my iPad means I can enjoy the comforts of UK television. 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?

Subscribe to the Magicians' Podcast Network (Apple Podcasts link) to hear my nostalgic-rewatch-podcast Through the Magic of Television (Apple Podcasts link) . Oh and I guess you can listen to [Richard] Young’s podcasts on there too.  
[Editor's note:  These podcasts require a paid subscription.]

Thank you Alex, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

Learn more about Alex at AlexMcAleer.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Alex in Champions of Magic touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

• Toronto, Ticketmaster  [Dec 27 - 30] 
• Lethbridge, Enmax Centre  [Mar 16]
• Regina, Conexus Arts Centre  [Mar 17] 
• Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall  [Mar 18]
  
• Saskatoon, TCU Place  [Mar 19]
  
• Edmonton, Festival Place  [Mar 22 - Apr 6]   
• Prince George, CN Centre  [Apr 7]
  

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.


Read our 2022 interviews with the cast:

• Hollie England
• Alex McAleer
• Sam Strange
• Fernando Velasco
• Richard Young 

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

 

 

AB and BC: Reveen [Oct 19 - 28]

From Reveen's website:

• Oct 19th - Melissas Missteak, Banff, AB
• Oct 21st - Century Casino, Edmonton, AB
• Oct 22nd - The King's Head, Calgary, AB
• Oct 25th - Co-op Mercer Hall, Dawson Creek, BC
• Oct 26th - Vanier Hall, Prince George, BC
• Oct 28 - River Rock Casino, Richmond, BC

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

BC and AB: Wes Barker in Alex Mackenzie's Hungry for Laughs Comedy Tour [Oct 6 - Nov 18]

From the September 11th Instagram post by Alex Mackenzie:

Its time!!! Less than a month until the Hungry for Laughs Comedy Tour kicks off starting in Kamloops! When I say this is a stacked show its an understatement. This is the best variety act on the planet!! We have world class comedians @thisissimonking  @ivanwdecker who have been on Conan, Just for Laughs, Netflix and even won a Juno award for Best Comedy Album. We have a stunt magician @stuntmagician who has been on Ellen, Americas Got Talent and even Fooled Penn and Teller in Las Vegas on the hit shoe Penn and Teller Fool us! And to top it all of we have one of the most impressive circus acts in the world with international foot archer @orissakelly! You may have seen her Win @robdyrdek Amazigness, on Britains got Talent and she had even performed for the late Queen of England!

Not only is this the best show on the planet but it also gives back to local charities in every city. We are donating to Food Banks, Womans Shelters, Mental Health Associations, Animal Shelters, Animal Food Banks and Hospice Societies. If you or anyone you know is in these cities please let them know we are coming!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Mackenzie (@alextellsjokes)

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Western rings in October 2023

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- N/A.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- N/A.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- N/A.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- N/A.
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- N/A.
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- N/A.
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- N/A.

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

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz, and Blake Aleong [Sep 27]

Tickets at Ticket Tailor. 

From the September 15th Facebook post by Cabaret of Wonders:

This month features Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, and guest performers Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz and Blake Aleong! 

 

 

 

 

Surrey: Magic and Mystery with Paul Romhany and Murray Hatfield [Sep 23]

Tickets at the Bell Performing Arts Centre.

 

From the August 31st Facebook post by Sin City Illusions:

Join us for an incredible evening of magic and illusions that is fun for all ages! We’re featuring Canada’s very best magicians, and you’re sure to love them! 🇨🇦🪄
Get your tickets now for the best seat selection.
⏰  7.30 PM
🗓️  Sat. September 23, 2023
📍  Bell Performing Arts Centre

 

 

 

Winlaw: Magician and the Muse [Sep 19]

From the August 29th Instagram post by Pharatree Learning Centre:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pharatree Learning Centre (@pharatreelearningcentre)