Toronto: Illusionarium

Back in October, we posted an open call for Jamie Allan's "Magic Maze Live" which has rebranded as "Illusionarium." 

In the same theme as the "Immersive Van Gogh" experience, this exhibit boasts socially distant displays in multiple rooms.  It features 3D projections, immersive room effects, TV studio recreations, and live magicians.

Canadian talent includes: Neil Croswell, Sean Watson, Aaron Matthews (with Caroline Sauve), and Alex Kazam!

Also, involved is Cameron Gibson from the UK.

(We must be missing people ... who else is on board?)

From the Illusionarium website:

This holiday season you and your Magic Circle (of wizards you live with) will explore a labyrinth of mysterious rooms transporting you to different eras of illusion.

Take an immersive journey through the evolution of magic as the world’s most famous illusionists share their deepest secrets…

Using 3D projections, life-like holograms, and live magicians, this is the first time audiences can marvel at the greatest illusions up close – all in a socially-distanced setting.

Conceived by British high-tech magician, Jamie Allan (iMagician), this experiential exhibit blends Jamie’s encyclopedic knowledge on the history of magic with state-of-the-art-technology to bring illusions of the past into the 21st century.

Read more and buy tickets.

Illusionarium now onsale!
This holiday season you and your Magic Circle (of wizards you live with) will explore a labyrinth of mysterious rooms transporting you to different eras of illusion.
Space is limited.https://t.co/p5AeKSovd2#illusionariumTO #Toronto pic.twitter.com/gUH4pHiSkP

— Illusionariumto (@illusionariumto) November 14, 2020

Alex Kazam at Camp Cataract

From the August 9th Facebook post by Alex Kazam:

I'm very excited to announce my first public live show since MARCH! Happening at Camp Cataract on August 28th 2020 at 8pm!

Tickets available here!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/alexkazam/404745

Niagara: Magic Beyond Tricks

From Events Niagara:

An evening of fine dining, good company and an interactive, mind-bending performance that will have you laughing one minute, and awestruck the next.

Your night starts with a delicious 3-course meal at the legendary Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Then you'll head downstairs, to the Grand Ballroom, to experience Alex Kazam's perfect combination of comedy, magic, and mentalism: Magic Beyond Tricks

Read more and buy tickets.

From Alex Kazam's Twitter feed:

I'm excited to announce that "𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 " opens in 10 days.

Tickets are now available for June 16th, 23rd, and 30th.

The evening begins with a 3-course dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House Niagara Falls.

Then... https://t.co/CESt4I95Xz

— Alex Kazam (@wittymagic) June 7, 2019

Alex Kazam's AGT journey

When last we left Alex, he was telling us about his decision to audition for AGT.

Alex gives us an insider's perspective into the thought and effort involved in getting a shot at a chance to become "an overnight success."

Catch up on his journey thus far at his blog at The Alex Kazam.


From his December 20th post "America’s Got Talent – Part One: Getting Told “GO”":

In due time, for now, let me begin at the beginning. It was December 7th, 2017. I was performing at my usual Thursday night spot, St.Louis Bar and Grill in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was one of the first really cold nights, the evening was just starting up. The restaurant was still fairly quiet, and slowly starting to fill with patrons anticipating dinner service. I moved to my usual spot in the back corner of the space, hung up my coat, and prepared what I needed to perform. I noticed my client Jim Reaman (the owner) standing near the bar chatting with some staff.

Since I had a few minutes to spare, and genuinely enjoy catching up with Jim, checking-in and so forth, I headed towards him. We quickly moved from talking about personal affairs, to talking about what I’d been working on, my aspirations, and so on. I mentioned an idea that had been floating around my head, like an annoying little balloon. Sometimes it was filled with helium, sometimes with Sulfur Hexaflouride. The idea was light, in that it was clever, fun, inspiring, educational and full of potential for awesome. It was heavy in that it was terrifying, risky, draining, and full of potential for embarrassment, failure and rejection.

Read more.

From his January 16th post "America’s Got Talent – Part Two: All Out of Ideas":

So December 11th, we began the video with my getting out of the trunk of my car, shoving balls of dough in my eyes, and putting coins over top of the dough. Duct tape fastened the lot to my face, and then I covered the lot with a sleep mask, just in case someone thought I could see through dough, coins and duct tape. Off we went. The entire journey took less than 10 minutes. Remember, the final clip was supposed to be no longer than 3.  Thus, on December 12th 2018, I trimmed it down to size, added a quick opening clip of me breathing fire, and a title screen with my contact information at the end of it.

Read more.
 

From his January 24th post "America’s Got Talent – Part Three: Effects That Affect":

How was I making a living at this whole performing arts thing, when I couldn’t find any effects within my repertoire that was good enough to get the attention of someone representing a television network?

Read more.

 From his March 1st post "America’s Got Talent – Part Four: The Sort of Conclusion":

 I’m hoping, through the volume of these posts, specifically through some of these rather wordy digressions, to shine a light on the secret and dirty side of the show business world. So that should you one day be in the position of meeting a celebrity, on the set of a movie, walking by a creative project of some kind, or even just running into your friendly neighborhood mystery entertainer: you will have the experience now to engage respectfully, and with the appropriate etiquette.

Read more.

Canadians on AGT 2018

The next season of America's Got Talent is right around the corner.  How many Canadians will we be seeing this season?


From Alex Kazam's blog:

In due time, for now, let me begin at the beginning. It was December 7th, 2017. I was performing at my usual Thursday night spot, St.Louis Bar and Grill in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was one of the first really cold nights, the evening was just starting up. The restaurant was still fairly quiet, and slowly starting to fill with patrons anticipating dinner service. I moved to my usual spot in the back corner of the space, hung up my coat, and prepared what I needed to perform. I noticed my client Jim Reaman (the owner) standing near the bar chatting with some staff.

Since I had a few minutes to spare, and genuinely enjoy catching up with Jim, checking-in and so forth, I headed towards him. We quickly moved from talking about personal affairs, to talking about what I’d been working on, my aspirations, and so on. I mentioned an idea that had been floating around my head, like an annoying little balloon. Sometimes it was filled with helium, sometimes with Sulfur Hexaflouride. The idea was light, in that it was clever, fun, inspiring, educational and full of potential for awesome. It was heavy in that it was terrifying, risky, draining, and full of potential for embarrassment, failure and rejection.

Read more.

From Eric Leclerc's Facebook page:

Toronto: Kazam at Art Fusion

On Saturday May 4th, join Alex Kazam and other artists at Art Fusion.

From the Art Fusion Collectives Facebook page:

Join ART FUSION *Festival* on MAY 4 @ Mel Lastman Square www.artfusioncollectives.com OPEN SPACE for all ARTS/MUSIC Collectives to Jam: Dance, play Music, Drum & showcase Visual Arts for FREE! *Fire Spinners, Aerialists, Jugglers, Break-dancers, Magicians & Stiltwalkers* www.facebook.com/events/440379596054522

Read more.

Alex Kazam: Making Magic in A Real World

From CineCoup:

An exploration of the life of magicians from the perspective of a young Canadian comedy magician. His struggles in finding his way, as a single child of a single immigrant mom. Conversations and performances by mentor magicians that have led to Las Vegas performances.

Read more.

Saint Catharines: Alex Kazam in Triple Threat

From the Triple Threat Facebook page:

Thursday, 7 March 2013

It's time we did another show, don't you think?!?

The line up is simple.

• Bella Muerta.
• Alex Kazam.
• Danny Zzzz.

Join us for an evening of music, comedy and LOTS of magic!

The evening will feature Non-offensive\Clean Content.  

Read more.

Alex Kazam at Yuk Yuk's

Alex Kazam's first time on a Yuk Yuk's stage, opening for Dave Curran, Canada's Bad Boy of Hypnosis.

Ajax: Alex Kazam opening for Dave Curran

From Alex Kazam's Twitter feed:

Alex Kazam will be opening for Dave Curran - A Real Dirty Hypnotist, Canada's Bad Boy of Hypnosis, this Friday,... fb.me/1ikgDJIYw
— Alex Kazam (@wittymagic) January 23, 2013

St. Catharines: Alex Kazam

From Alex Kazam's Facebook page:

21 December 2012

Where will you be the day the world end?
Join us for a post-apocalyptic styled show.
Featuring an odd collection of chicanery, and drama.
We'll bring you a true vaudeville styled evening spiced with a dash of DEAD.

(UN)LIVE MUSIC from Bella Muerta
& Mike Jewell
Mind-Bending Mentalism
DrEADful Juggling
Paranormal Affairs
Misconceived Magic
Hypnotizing Hypnotists
HOSTED BY ALEX KAZAM

Read more and buy tickets.

Alex Kazam vs.Teller

And now for something completely different...

Alex Kazam vs.Teller

Alex Kazam's Braingasm podcast

From The Braingasm Podcast:

We began as we do every week by blaming art for all of the world’s problems.

This episode is an hour and a quarter conversation between Ben and Alex that covers topics as wild and varied as their views of show business, why magicians hate psychics, Alex’s history as a performer and a man, the importance of branding in the 21st century entertainment industry, and the Carson Couch. All the while the two were cracking jokes and keeping things fun and light while also being thought provoking and deep.

Read more and listen to the podcast.

Alex Kazam steals mayor's watch

During the opening ceremonies to the Niagara Falls Buskerfest, Alex Kazam steals the mayor's watch!

St. Catharines: Don't tell mom!!

From Alex Kazam's Facebook page:

Alex Kazam has been featured on MTV, he has consulted for major productions across Canada, and has performed comedy magic around the world. If you haven't seen his show live, now's your chance... 

Don't tell mom!! (A night of burlesque, comedy, music, and magic. BETA V.1.0) ‎ 

12 May at 19:00 at Mahtay Café & Lounge
Read more.

Alex Kazam in the Brock Press

From The Brock Press:

At 19-years-old, St. Catharines magician Alex Kazam has accomplished more for himself than most people still living in their teenage years – and arguably more than some in their twenties.

Over the past year Kazam rode his unicycle to New York City, in attempt to perform on the David Letterman show (although he didn't get on, he did meet Paul Schafer and Donald Trump), hosted lectures at varying universities (including one on Neuroscience and it's correlation with magic at York), travelled to Vegas where he met Penn and Teller and performed a trick for Criss Angel, took part in the debut of St. Catharines' Buskerfest where he performed nine times during the weekend and has performed countless gigs — whether they are stand-up showcases, or at events for corporate clients — and that's just cracking the surface.
Read more.

The Magical Arts Hour: Baldini, Gordon Precious, Alex Kazam

Watch on YouTube as Baldini welcomes Gordon Precious and Alex Kazam to the studio at ThatChannel.com for this episode of "The Magical Arts Hour."
 
 

Alex Kazam: The truth behind the lies

Watch Alex Kazam's October 27th lecture at York University.
 

Niagara College Welland Campus: Alex Kazam

From the Facebook Page "ComicaZi" "DrinK, LaugH & PlaY!" *ALL AGES!*:

Hey guys, there is going to be an AMAZING show going on in the niagara college welland campus pub! Its called Comicazi and its going to feature some awesome local stand up talent, an amazing headliner and an improv show! The show is absolutely free and its going on from 7-9pm on Tuesday October 4th!

Headliner is ALEX KAZAM a hilariously refreshing modern comedic magician! His act is as mesmerizing as it is hilarious.

Read more.

For more information, visit "ComicaZi" "DrinK, LaugH & PlaY!" *ALL AGES!*

Alex Kazam on ThatChannel

From ThatChannel show listings:

Hugh Reilly and Stu Hay speak with: Jason Quitt from thecrystalsun.com on sacred geometry, biogeometry, the Egyptian Postures of Power - an ancient system of personal energy healing used by the Pharoahs; witty magician Alex Kazam tells us of his unicycle trip to NYC, Letterman, and performs several funny illusions; Amos Tayts, founder of ResumeTarget.ca discusses the new approaches everyone needs to find a job or find leverage in your current job.

Watch video below: