A friendly reminder that our next Free Magic Club Meeting is this Saturday, February 1.
All are welcome to attend the club, which runs from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
Have a nice day!
The Jeff's & The Browser's Den Team.
Since 1975
Showing posts with label -ON. Show all posts
Showing posts with label -ON. Show all posts
30 January 2020
Toronto: Free magic club
From the Browser's Den of Magic:
Hamilton: Wes Barker
From Facebook:
Wes Barker / March 13-14 / Levity Comedy Club & Lounge
Levity Comedy Club & Lounge · Hamilton, ON
Wes Barker is the funniest magician around! This show is start to finish full of impossible tricks and unbelievable stories. He has been on America’s Got Talent, MTV, Wizard Wars, and most famously on Netflix where he fooled Penn & Teller on their show Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Wes is also one of the most popular YouTube magicians in Canada, with over 70 million views on his channel! Wes Barker has won the Performer of the Year for his Canadian College show tours, Performed in 20 countries, and been awarded the Silver Play Button from YouTube! Watch Wes really bridges the worlds of magic and comedy. It’s the best magic for comedy fans and the best comedy for magic fans. With this show, you literally can’t miss!
27 January 2020
Burlington: Billy Kidd at the Burlington Comedy Festival
From the Burlington Comedy Festival:
Billy Kidd is a magician who has been popping on screen and stages all around the world. She has appeared on numerous tv shows such as CBC's The Science of Magic, Hosted the Breaking Magic series on Discovery Channel, was a Wizard on Wizard Wars with Penn & Teller, BBC's Xmas Lectures, Now you See Me, ITV's Next Great Magician just to name a few.
Billy Kidd recently had a residency at Pittsburghs new theatre called Liberty Magic and often works in Canada with such companies as Firefly Theatre & Circus. She performs regularly at Hollywoods Magic Castle and runs her own theatre in England called Krowd Keepers Magic Theatre.
Read more and buy tickets.
SHHHHHHH! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try NOT to be amazed at our Cabaret Show by @billykiddshow, @illusionistdg, and @markhayward + comedian guests!— Burlington Comedy (@BurlOnComedy) January 21, 2020
This message will not self-destruct. #BurlONhttps://t.co/BYJMK0IKtv pic.twitter.com/al8bTGgSMX
24 January 2020
London: Keith Brown and Friends at the London Fringe
From the Palace Theatre:
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Palace Theatre, Old East Village Cultural District, London, ON N5W 2Z4
See Description Important: Keith Brown has new friends! Keith is back on Saturday, February 15th 2020 for the second round of Keith Brown and Friends. Get ready for a night of wonder, thrills and magic!
Read more and buy tickets.
23 January 2020
Burlington: Graeme Reed's "Magic at the Bull"
From Graemazing's Instagram:
BURLINGTON: Excited to announce that I will be back @theblackbullneighbourhoodpub every 1st Saturday of the month to share astonishing magic tableside! See you February 1st 5-7pm
22 January 2020
21 January 2020
Toronto: John Carney at Bash "6 in The Six"
We cannot be more excited to let you know that JOHN CARNEY will be joining us at the 2020 Bash!
Mr. Carney is widely acknowledged by his peers as one of the finest sleight of hand performers in the world! Hollywood's Magic Castle has awarded him more awards than anyone in their history, as well as the Academy of Magic Arts prestigious Performing Masters Fellowship.
For those of you who have had the privilege to see him lecture in the past you know that Mr. Carney's magic...well...it looks like MAGIC! He is the last serious student of Dai Vernon. And in the spirit of Dai Vernon, Mr. Carney hides his skill...that's why his magic looks like magic.
His books, Carney Knowledge, Magic By Design, Carneycopia and The Book of Secrets are considered modern classics in instruction of the art form.
Mr. Carney will be performing at the 2020 Bash (Saturday, April 4) as well as giving a full lecture!
And we are not going to be shy here...His lecture may be the most important lecture on magic you will ever see.
As an Extra Bonus John Carney will be offering a Workshop at Browser's Den of Magic Shop on Sunday April 5, 2020. Details to follow.
Read more.
19 January 2020
Toronto: Something Strange Sideshow Festival 2020
From Eventbrite:
Saturday, January 25
The most unbelievable live show of human oddities, marvels and sideshow in the country, Something Strange is a combination of the most exciting current sideshows in Canada and invited acts from around the world. Curated by Canadian mentalist Mysterion, you will be taken for a ride into the amazing world of circus sideshow of the past and the present.
SEE!!! Pain proof people risk their lives for your entertainment
SEE!!! Real Oddities and strange unexplained mysteries
SEE!!! The Devils Harem dance the strip tease
SEE!!! Wonders you will not see elsewhere, guaranteed.
A selection of talent that have been featured acts on Ripley;s Believe it or not, Guinness book of World records, Freakshow Deluxe, Penn & Tellers Fool Us, Americas Got Talent, Coney Island Sideshow,and The Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Every year this is the ONLY sold out sideshow event of its kind in Canada and the largest in Canadian history.
Read more and buy tickets.
18 January 2020
Port Credit: Ryan Brown at Fire and Ice
Ryan will be bringing street style close up magic to this festival.
ICYMI: Ryan was recently awarded The Newest Trick Award by Ben Train and the Toronto Magic Company.
ICYMI: Ryan was recently awarded The Newest Trick Award by Ben Train and the Toronto Magic Company.
"Anyone who watches Ryan perform can see the passion and love he brings to the art. He is a valued member of the magic community, an inspiration to aspiring magicians, and a worthwhile winner of the Newest Trick award!"
14 January 2020
Toronto: Browser's Bash #6 in The Six update
A quick reminder that Andi Gladwin will be lecturing at The Den later in the month.
From the Browser's Den newsletter:
To buy your tickets go to http://www.browsersden.com/
We are thrilled that underground legend Erik Tait will be making a rare convention appearance for us! With killer Sleight of Hand chops he fooled Penn and Teller and on top of that he is damn funny! Not to be missed!
Other great talent locked in so far that includes Eric Bedard, Michel Huot, Aaron Patterson, Loran, Anthony Lindan, Bill McCourt, Chris Mayhew, Ben Train. With special free classes by Al Grose, Simon Rotstein & Greg Hobor. And of course everybody’s favourite MC, the one and only Dick Joiner! More names will be announced soon including our headliner… stay tuned!
To buy your tickets go to http://www.browsersden.com/
10 January 2020
Toronto: April Fools Magic Spectacular
From the Toronto Magic Company:
When was the last time you were fooled? I mean REALLY fooled?
Well you’ve NEVER been fooled like this!
In honour of April 1st, the most fooling day of the year, The Toronto Magic Company has gathered together some of the best and most popular magicians to ever appear on the hit TV show “Penn and Teller Fool Us”. Using world-class sleight of hand and mind-blowing illusions, these master magicians will prove that there’s nothing more fun than being fooled!
Featuring (in alphabetical order)
- Jason Palter - Fool Us, Season 5.
- Jay Sankey - Fool Us, Season 2
- Matt Disero - Fool Us, Season 3
- Nicholas Wallace - Fool Us, Season 5. FOOLER.
- Richard Forget - Fool Us, Season 4
- Ryan Joyce - Fool Us, Season 3
- The Sentimentalists - Fool Us, Season 5. FOOLER.
- Wes Barker - Fool Us, Season 2. FOOLER.
- Yan Markson - Fool Us, Season 4
This is a once in a lifetime event with VERY limited seating! Get your tickets before they disappear!
Read more and buy tickets.
08 January 2020
Mississauga, New York, and Toronto: Mark Correia
07 January 2020
Carisa Hendrix in the news (and in Nashville and Toronto)
Carisa's January dates at the House of Cards in Nashville and February dates for The Art of Magic in Toronto are at the bottom of the post.
From the January 3rd article "Compelling Calgarians: Carisa Hendrix" by Barb Livingstone in The Calgary Herald:
From the January 3rd article "Stars of 2019: It was a good year for these wild roses" by Eric Volmers in The Calgary Herald:
From the January 3rd article "Compelling Calgarians: Carisa Hendrix" by Barb Livingstone in The Calgary Herald:
Carisa Hendrix imagined a future as an author or teacher. But in the present, she was always juggling, eating fire, doing card tricks.
“It was never supposed to be a career; just what I was doing to survive.”
The 32-year-old Calgary-born magician is today at the top of her game, performing in iconic clubs — in her sexy Lucy Darling persona — setting a Guinness world record for fire-eating, guesting on Penn and Teller’s TV show and co-hosting Shezam, a popular feminist podcast on magic.
Read more.
From the January 3rd article "Stars of 2019: It was a good year for these wild roses" by Eric Volmers in The Calgary Herald:
Carisa Hendrix became a bonafide star on the magic circuit in the U.S. this year, infiltrating what is often regarded as an old-boys club. A veteran magician and children’s entertainer in Calgary, Hendrix found an international audience a few years back when she debuted saucy alter-ego Lucy Darling at the Melbourne Magic Festival. On top of being a skilled illusionist and sleight-of-hand expert, Darling is also an elegant and tart-tongued comedienne who has taken the insular world of magic by storm. She was invited to the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, an inner sanctum for magicians and magic enthusiasts, and recently completed a residency at the Chicago Magic Lounge.
Read more.
Lucy Darling is ready to baffle and bewilder on our Carter the Great main stage, Jan. 13 - 19! Don't miss her awe-inspiring magical performances: https://t.co/NtpY44e7nb— House of Cards (@hocnashville) January 3, 2020
(📸: Carisa Hendrix ) pic.twitter.com/nBdgWZiTXx
05 January 2020
Rounding the Central rings in January 2020
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
| Montreal, QC | Ring 62 (20th Century Ring) | - N/A. |
| Hamilton, ON | Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) | - Java night. Have a coffee, talk about restaurant magic and bring tricks to perform for each other and possibly the patrons in the restaurant. |
| London, ON | Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) | - People showing stuff. |
| Kitchener, ON | Ring 235 (KW Magic Society) | - Teach-a-trick night. |
| 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) | - James Harrison lecture (Browser's) - Andi Gladwin lecture (Browser's). |
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
04 January 2020
London: A night of magic
The January 17th edition of Magic at the Marienbad includes Keith O'Brien, Scott Boyd, JP Magic, Mark Hogan, Michael Craig, and of course The Amazing Corbin!
From the Magic at the Marienbad Facebook page:
From the Magic at the Marienbad Facebook page:
Our Line up for January's show includes six great professional magicians all looking forward to entertaining you. An amazing night! head to our events page for more info
03 January 2020
Kingston: Win tickets to Sleightly Off the Wall
From the Kingston Magic Theatre's December 17th Facebook post:
We are so excited and honoured to be able to have David Johnson come back with his newest show "SLEIGHTLY OFF THE WALL!" that we're going to foot the bill for YOU AND A GUEST to be upfront and center at the January 19th premiere! (and we're going to take the shirt off our back to do it!)
👀Up for grabs is a Prize Package valued at well over $100, including... “2” VIP tickets to the premiere engagement of David Johnson “SLEIGHTLY OFF THE WALL!" playing Friday, January 17th at 7:30PM, a meet and greet photo opportunity with David, an autographed show poster and a limited edition Kingston Magic Theatre tee shirt! 😲
This is your chance to experience the Magic of David Johnson live at the absolutely most amazing show in the area …
⚠️BUT there are some hoops... to WIN You *MUST* ...
Read more and enter.
26 December 2019
Oakville: 2019 Spectacular Showcase
From Scott Hood's Facebook post:
I will be in the 2019 Spectacular Showcase December 28 & 29. This cabaret show is a fun two days to be part of an ensemble cast. If you are looking for a fun family show between Christmas and New Year come out and join us. I you are going to be at one of the two shows, shoot me a private message so we can catch up following the show.
24 December 2019
Niagara Falls: Mike D'Urzo
From Mike D'Urzo:
Excited to be back at my home away from home- Niagara Falls! Upcoming Shows...
Dec 21- 24: Sheraton the Falls : 8:30 pm
Dec 25: Fern Resort : 8:30 pm
Dec 26- 28: Sheraton on the Falls: 8:30 pm
Dec 29-30: Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara: 8:30 pm
Dec 31: Invista Centre Kingston: 8:00 pm
Jan 1- 4 : Crowne Plaza Hotel: 8:30 pm
20 December 2019
Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 2019
A quick reminder that the Champions of Magic are half-way through their Canadian tour. Remaining dates: Saskatoon (January 16), Regina (January 17), Prince George (January 26), and Rama (February 29).
Last Saturday Kidlet, Kidlet's Friend (KF), Kidlet's Other Parent (KOP), and I made the trek in the wet snow, to Oshawa's Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). We arrived early and had a chance to get the feel of the arena.
On with the show...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
Don't just take my word for it, have a read of TCC Reviewer Sherri Norton's December 15th post "#TCCreviewer: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC." Here's part of her review: "The memories? Priceless - a must see show!"
Catch the Champions of Magic in Saskatoon (January 16), Regina (January 17), Prince George (January 26), and Rama (February 29).
For more photos, read Sherri's review "#TCCreviewer: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC" or visit the Tribute Communities Centre Instagram.
 |
| Champions of Magic. Photo credit: Champions of Magic. |
Last Saturday Kidlet, Kidlet's Friend (KF), Kidlet's Other Parent (KOP), and I made the trek in the wet snow, to Oshawa's Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). We arrived early and had a chance to get the feel of the arena.
- This was my first time attending a show at the TCC. (My first arena show too. Thank goodness McAleer posted that arena shows are cold. We were dressed accordingly!)
- All of the arena staff were super helpful, professional, and generally fabulous! Special thanks to (TCC's) Kayla for her time spent with Kidlet.
- The show is about an hour for the first half, 15 minutes intermission, and about an hour in the second half.
- Again I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers. The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it.
On with the show...
Note to parents of young children: The music can be very loud at times throughout the show. There's also a smoke machine involved. Forewarned is forearmed.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
So. Much. Fun!
KOP's review: A great cast puts on a great performance!
- While the show has the same overall structure as the one at The Bluma Appel Theatre that I saw last year, there are many new wonderful moments. (Sadly, there were fewer Chimpions. Also missing: a dinosaur and two folding chairs.)
- They've refined their scripting and introduced some brilliant new lines.
- The audience came ready to have a good time! They were all very friendly and primed to be entertained. (It seemed like everyone in the audience knew each other, at least where we were sitting.)
- The four magic acts are interwoven through the show, which works really well at keeping each of the disciplines fresh and reduces down time.
- Kayla Drescher, Alex McAleer, Fernando Velasco, and Young & Strange all do what they do very well!
- The cast seem to genuinely get along amazingly well both on and off stage.
- The show starts strong with Young and Strange and keeps up an astonishing pace. It's refreshing to see a man get put into boxes to be squished and skewered!
- Even after having seen them perform a similar set before, Young and Strange are remarkably entertaining to watch. One can't help but get caught up in the fun they are having on stage!
- They sure know how to play to the crowd!
Young (sporting the jersey of the Oshawa Generals) and Strange.
Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences.
- There's LOTS audience participation with both children and adults!
- McAleer does impressive mind reading. If he asks you how you are, be sure to ask him how he's doing too, so he knows that Canadians are a caring bunch.
- He masterfully handles the subject of geography from a unique frame of reference.
- Should I ever be in a position to interview McAleer live, I'm going to need to wear an aluminum foil hat to keep him out of my thoughts!
- Velasco succeeds in breathtaking, heart-stopping escapes and then some. Even though I've seen him do many of these things before, everything he does makes me nervous! He made some else in the audience nervous too. About the same time the photo below was taken, I could hear someone shout "Common! GET OUTTA THERE!"
Fernando Velasco in danger.
Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences.
- During intermission, the audience was amazed and energized from the first half. I heard many people wondering out loud, "How on earth did they do that?"
- The second half opened with a "new to me" segment that is very engaging. It gave us a chance to connect with each of the performers in a simple but meaningful way.
- Drescher did some fabulous close-up in the audience, and a couple of types of "arts and crafts." (Also of note, Drescher's volunteer Sean, was reluctant to break her heart.)
- I need to mention that Drescher's handling of volunteers, especially young Mason, was EXCELLENT! Things were explained in advance. Consent was obtained. Respect was given. As it should be. (This should come as no surprise to anyone who listens to "Shezam," the podcast she co-hosts, which has touched on the topic of volunteer handling on more than one occasion.)
Kayla Drescher with Mason and Brian.
Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences.
- Canadian trivia: Gerry Frenette's original illusion is still in the show!
- I'll never get tired of watching Young and Strange channel their inner SARMOTI in their high energy illusion medley!
- Marissa Maiorana, the aerialist was fabulous!
Marissa Maiorana flying high.
Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences.
- Also fabulous: Kaylan, Brendon, Brandon, Will, Matt, and the rest of the stage crew and theatre crew. Especially Alex J. These folks hustle to keep the pace going!
- The show felt lighter and more playful this year. Everyone was on board with it!
- Drescher said in her interview: "We work hard to make the show not just magically impressive, but an absolutely fun time." Achievement unlocked.
- Although this was the second time seeing the show, I was again thoroughly entertained! There are so many moments of joyous laughter, and periods of being completely enthralled in the spectacle.
- Bonus post-show magic: three primary school aged girls in adorable dresses, created piles of golden confetti, threw the shiny pieces up in the air and danced and sang "red light, green light" as it showered down over them. Repeatedly.
KF had this to say: They did a really
good job of making a coherent show while preserving each magician's
unique style.
 |
| Kelly and Dave help out Alex McAleer. Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences. |
Note to performers: Always be extra nice to the sound techs. You never know when they WILL exact their revenge!
Kidlet really enjoyed the show. Even knowing what it was going to be, Kidlet still really loved the ending!
While excellent magic is at the core of this experience, it's clear that the focus is providing a fabulously entertaining evening.
They definitely hit their mark!
They definitely hit their mark!
Don't just take my word for it, have a read of TCC Reviewer Sherri Norton's December 15th post "#TCCreviewer: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC." Here's part of her review: "The memories? Priceless - a must see show!"
Catch the Champions of Magic in Saskatoon (January 16), Regina (January 17), Prince George (January 26), and Rama (February 29).
Thank you Oshawa @MyTributeCentre for a really fun show last night! One more on this leg of the Canadian tour at @Place_Bell arena tonight, then we're back in January with shows at @SaskTelCtr, @conexusartscntr, @CNCentre and @CasinoRamaLive. We love Canada! pic.twitter.com/2Br52oiyMR— Champions Of Magic (@ChampionsMagic) December 15, 2019
Disclosure: My family and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.
For more photos, read Sherri's review "#TCCreviewer: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC" or visit the Tribute Communities Centre Instagram.
Brilliant show! Wasn't sure what to expect but it exceeded all expectations!— Sun, surf & sand (@dawnlrogers) December 15, 2019
It was a great show. Will definitely see it again.— Lesley Kielly (@lesley_kielly) December 15, 2019
Was at the #ChampionsOfMagic show today at the #TributeCommunitiesCente and was awesome! What a great show, we were truly amazed #YouGottaSeeThat— moOre (@_mo0re_) December 15, 2019
17 December 2019
Toronto: James Harrison lecture
In case you missed it, here are links to two recent highly viewed videos featuring James:
From The Browser's Den of Magic:
- The September 26th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Watches" with James Harrison has over 1.8 million views.
- The September 30th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Wallets" with James Harrison trended on YouTube in early October
From The Browser's Den of Magic:
James Harrison Lecture
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Whether you are a hobbyist looking to learn a new skill, or a professional looking for a proven trick, don’t miss this rare opportunity to add pickpocketing to your repertoire!
After 20 years of performing close up, strolling magic, James Harrison has established himself as a pickpocket specialist. He has shared his knowledge as an author for Street Magic Magazine, as well as at conferences and conventions across North America and Europe. His television show, Behind the Magic, aired on Rogers TV and his recent appearance on Modern Rogue has been trending on YouTube.
James will teach you how to interrupt and entertain any audience with the opening series from his strolling magic repertoire that lets everyone know that he is worth their time!
Tricks and topics include:
Repeat Card to Pen
A great repeat card to impossible location and Why it’s important to have more than just a Sharpie pen.
Wallet Pen
Wow a table with just a coin and pen with this series based off of Rune Klan, David Stone and Harrison’s own ideas.
Necro Tagged
A thought of word book test with a great scary story, still safe for corporate.
Card CollectionA great segue for handing out business cards – it is a card trick without playing cards!
Grift SenseA con man’s prediction of a spectator’s series of choices.
Ring to WatchIf you like Garret Thomas’ Ring Thing, you will love this perfect segue into pickpocketing.
PickPocketingWatch? Wallet? Cell phone? Anything that is not nailed down! How to deal with change in clothing styles. Who to choose, and more importantly, who NOT to choose!
"It's been a pleasure to work with James at one of the largest hackers convention in Vegas. I watched him explain the how to’s of pickpocketing to a packed room, and still steal off them mere moments later. Watch and learn from him now, while you still can, because soon the whole world will be booking him up.”
Brian Brushwood - host of Modern Rogue and Scam Nation
“I will highly recommend James Harrison’s knowledge and skills… an opportunity not to be missed out on” James Brown, Professional Opportunist
We look forward to you joining us on the 11th!
Read more and buy tickets.
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