2023 Canadian Rising Star

Congratulations to Atsushi Ono for winning the Allan Slaight Canadian Rising Star award!

Read our previous interviews with Atsuhi:

• Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Atsushi Ono
• Canada's Got Talent: Checking in with Atsushi Ono    
  

 

From the June 19th post "Canadian Rising Star 2023" at Magicana:

A dynamic professional magician from Calgary, Atsushi has turned his childhood dream into a thriving career. He raised his game this year by auditioning for Canada’s Got Talent and made his way to the finale round.

Far beyond competitions, Atsushi seeks to further the art of magic. He sets out to bring joy with wonderment. Atsushi has revealed himself to be a thoughtful, hardworking magician, constantly pushing past stereotypes as he embraces the curious ways of being a professional magician. Atsushi’s passion for magic and his quest to be the best performer he can be make him a true rising star.

Read more.

 

From the June 19th Tweet by Magicana:

Meet this year's Allan Slaight Canadian Rising Star, ATSUSHI ONO! This award also comes with $5,000 and an iPad. Come and meet this Calgary magician and learn more about how he knocked the socks off the Canada's Got Talent panel of judges! WATCH: https://t.co/XU6sgHmwqm pic.twitter.com/rO2To4M26r

— Magicana (@sharingwonder) June 19, 2023

 

 

 

ICYMI: Atsushi Ono's performance on the Canada's Got Talent finale

Sleight of hand, time travel, British rectangular prism in a primary colour.  What's not to like?

Fabulous job Atsushi!

 

From the May 17th upload "Atsushi Ono Travels Through Time For The Finale" at the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Atsushi Ono conquered his nerves on the way to the CGT Finale, where his playful brand of sleight-of-hand magic once again took centre stage - again and again and again and again... 

 

 

Atsushi Ono in the Calgary Herald

Tune into Canada's Got Talent on CityTV tomorrow night to watch Atsushi compete in the live finale!

 

From the May 12th article "How Calgary magician Atsushi Ono wowed his way to the season finale of Canada's Got Talent" by Eric Volmers in the Calgary Herald: 

For now, he is in Niagara Falls, Ont., which is where the two-hour live finale of Canada’s Got Talent will be filmed on May 16. Ono, who showcased some genuine nervousness during his initial audition, seemed to legitimately wow the judges, particularly Offishall. The hip-hop artist seemed too enamoured with what he was seeing to sit still.

“I thought I was very lucky,” he says. “The beauty of close-up magic is that you never know what is going to happen. When I saw him (walking away), I thought I can make this funnier. The other thing was that I trust all the judges. They are the real stars … they understand how TV works. So whatever happens, I’m going to trust them. They are going to make me even funnier or make me cool or whatever.”

Still, he admits he is dealing with some nerves leading up to the all-important finale.

“I don’t want to disappoint anybody,” he says. “At the same time, of course, I’m nervous because it’s a live show.”

Read more.

 

 

 

 

Canada's Got Talent: Atsushi Ono moves on to the May 16 finale!

Congratulations Atsushi, on a fantastic performance at the semi-finals!

 

From the May 2nd upload "Atsushi Ono’s MAGIC Dazzled The Judges With Quick Card Tricks" on the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Don’t ask Atsushi Ono where your card is!  He’s just the kind of magician who could tell you it’s anywhere and it will show up.  The speed of his card tricks and stage presence blow the judges away and his incredible talent is rewarded with a spot in the #CGT Live Finale!

 

 

 

 

Canada's Got Talent: Checking in with Atsushi Ono

Last week we learned that Atsushi Ono advanced to the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals!

Semi-finalist Atsushi Ono
source: @CanGotTalent

 

We had the opportunity to check in with Atsushi ahead of his appearance on the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals tomorrow.   He very kindly to answered the questions below.

Read our March interview where we learn about Atsushi's:
 - first memory of magic,
 - magical inspirations,
 - other inspirations,
 - magical influences,
 - motivation to audition,
   and
 - thoughts about quitting.

 

When you first learned you made it to the semi-finals, was your first impulse to add complexity to your semi-final performance?  Or was it to simplify?  Will you be honouring that impulse or did you change your mind? 

When I first learned that, I was in all emotions like surprise, relief, grateful. However, I didn't actually have any specific plan for the semi-finals as I gave everything I had to the audition lol, so nothing changed my mind but I started working on it right away! 

 

 

ICYMI:

 - Watch Atsushi's audition video "MAGICIAN Atsushi Ono’s Audition FREAKS OUT Kardinal"

 - Listen to Jacob Elyachar interview Atsushi Ono on the April 6th episode "Canada's Got Talent: Season Two Special #4: Atsushi Ono" of his podcast "Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar" 

Will you be performing something from your regular repertoire or have you created something new for the competition?

I have created something new so I’m very excited and nervous to see how people will react to it!
 

Will you give it everything you’ve got or will you hold something special back for the finals?

Yes! Of course I will give it everything I've got as always!   :) 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

Who is on your team of advisors for your progression to the next round(s) at Canada’s Got Talent? 

My friend Kevin Rusli has been helping me since the beginning in every way, and the feedback from the team at CGT has also been very helpful.

What will it mean to you to advance to the CGT finals?
 

It means a lot but it would also give me more opportunities to deliver my message.

 

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

I hope you will enjoy my act and always appreciate it if you could sending me your thoughts and feedback! Thank you for your time.  :)

 

Thank you Atsushi, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on the CGT semi-finals!

Learn more about Atsushi at his website AtsushiOno.com and follow him on Instagram.

 

Watch Atsuhi's performance at the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals May 2nd on CityTV. 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ATSUSHI ONO | アツシオノ (@atsushimagician)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atsushi Ono and Magic Ben advance to the CGT semi-finals!

Congratulations to Atsushi Ono and Magic Ben for advancing to the CGT semi-finals!   

  

From the April 25th Facebook post by Canada's Got Talent:

The auditions have come to a close on Canada's Got Talent! We're proud to announce the 18 Semi-Finalists that will continue to the next round with our judges and give the country the opportunity to vote for their Season 2 Champion!

The best compete for your vote! Canada's Got Talent Semi-Finals start next Tuesday 8/7c on Citytv!

  

 

 

 

 

Canada's Got Talent audition: Atsushi Ono

Congratulations Atsushi, on a fantastic audition!

 

From the March 21st upload "MAGICIAN Atsushi Ono’s Audition FREAKS OUT Kardinal" on the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Japanese Magician Atsushi Ono now resides in Calgary, Alberta. While studying English, he discovered magic and his spellbinding tricks never left him! His incredible wizardry pays off with the judges, even making Kardinal Offishall disappear! His nerves and emotional reaction win over the Canada’s Got Talent audience and judges.

 

 

 

 

 

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Atsushi Ono

On March 10th we shared with you that this season of Canada's Got Talent boasts six magicians and one escapologist. 

We are delighted to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of the acts.  Kicking off the series is Calgary's Atsushi Ono.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ATSUSHI ONO | アツシオノ (@atsushimagician)

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Many people, things have been inspiring me at each stage of my life but I had an opportunity to work with AGT winner Kenich Ebina ( one of a kind dance performer ) in 2015, he changed the way I think about being a performer.

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

I was around 22. I joined "Seattle magic backroom session" on every Saturday.
 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

Many but Tom Frank and Tobias Pashia from "Seattle session" are my mentors.
 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Beside the mentors mentioned above, "Strong magic by Darwin Ortiz" is my bible. I don't want to say it out loud as it's too good.

Atsushi with Howie and Lilly
📸 : Jag Gundu/Citytv

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
Not quite. When I'm discouraged, my wife Naomi always reminds me that I'm nothing if you take magic from me which sounds more scary to me.

What inspired you to be a part of this season of Canada's Got Talent?
 

People in the audience from my gigs often told me to apply it, and I thought like, why not just give it a shot.

 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 

Thank you for your time checking out my interview!

 

 

Thank you Atsushi, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!

Learn more about Atsushi at his website AtsushiOno.com or follow him on Instagram.

 

 

 

Canada's Got Talent premieres March 21st on CityTV.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canada's Got Talent (@cangottalent)

 

 

Magicians on Canada's Got Talent [Mar 21 premiere]

Learn more at the Canada's Got Talent website. 

From the March 7th media release "Canada’s Got Talent Reveals This Season’s Showstopping Acts, Premiering March 21 on Citytv" at Globe Newswire:

ALBERTA
ATSUSHI ONO – Magic Act, Calgary

BRITISH COLUMBIA
WILL STELFOX – Magic Act, Vancouver

MANITOBA
DEAN GUNNARSON – Stunt, Onanole

ONTARIO
CHRISTIAN MASCIA – Magic Act, Stoney Creek
RICHARD FORGET – Magic Act, Whitby

QUEBEC
JP PARENT – Magic Act, Montreal

YUKON TERRITORY
MAGIC BEN – Magic Act, Whitehorse

Read more.

 

 

 

Fabulous first show with:

• Buck MacLeod,
• Adam Grace,
• Atsushi Ono,
• Aaron Fisher,
• Eugene Burger, and
• Michael Ammar!

(Dick mentioned Sorcerers Safari, for those of you playing Magic Convention Bingo (Bash Edition) at home.)

More names announced for the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash

  

From the Facebook group for the Browser's Den of Magic:

You're not alone! These artists will be with you at the 2017 Bash!
Announcing More Artists For the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash.
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

It's time to share even more artists with you that will spend the day with us at the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO - MORE BASH ARTISTS:

Atsushi Ono
- Kyoto Konjurer -
Atsushi Ono-san's relaxed charm, sense of humor and creative approach to performing magic have made him a popular magician and entertainer in
Japan as well as Western Canada.

Aaron Fisher
- Card Conductor -
Specializing in card magic, Aaron Fisher travels the world sharing his original thoughts and energetic performances with other fellow magicians.

Rosemary Reid
- Ms. Magic -
From her humble beginnings at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp to becoming one of Canada's leading female magicians, Rosemary is going to answer the
one question she's been asked most often throughout her career. Can you guess what it is?

Adam Grace
- Renaissance Man -
Adam Grace, a profesional magician, musician, actor, speaker, writer and producer, tours the world sharing his love for all performing arts. He plans to
spend the entire day with us.

Also including:
- Michael Ammar
- Silly Billy
- Chris Mysterion & Steffi Kay
- Dick Joiner
- Buck Macleod
- Luiz Castro
- Keith Brown
- Scott Hammell

REGISTER NOW - Be A Part Of The 2017 Bash Experience
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

We hope you'll join us. It's unlike any other magic event around. You're going to love it! Book your ticket today by clicking the button above.

See you at the Bash on Saturday, April 1st, 2017!

Magical Hugs,
Jeff Pinsky, John Talbot, & Lee Asher
(Your faithful Browser's Magic Bash team)

Calgary: Malcolm Russell and Atsushi Ono

 From Malcolm Russell's Facebook page:
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.

Hey everyone! Here it is - the biggest public show I've put together so far. One night only, and it's coming up fast! It...
Posted by Malcolm Russell on Thursday, 3 March 2016

[via Gwyn Auger]

Calgary: Mega Magic Saturday

Gwyn Auger will be greeting people at the door!

From the Mega Magic Saturday Facebook page:

Join Chris Westfall, Anthony Lindan, Stephen Forrester, Brent Smith, Brent Miller, Atsushi Ono, and special Guests for a 1 day MEGA Magic Saturday JUNE 27th. Shows, Auction, Competitions, and lectures will all be happening. Registration is NOW OPEN . For all the details, registration packages and VIP Passes go to www.MEGAMagicSaturday.com

Read more and register.