Take the Tarbell Challenge

From the March 15th Instagram post by the Toronto Magic Company:

We're throwing out a challenge to all the magicians out there!

The Tarbell Course in Magic is widely considered one of the most important collections of magic secrets ever published. Most magicians have copies on their shelf, but few have actually gone THROUGH them. Time to change that.

For the next 8 months Jonah and Ben will be going through the Tarbell course, one book per month, competing to see who can find the coolest trick. The winner each month gets fame and fortune. The loser? A horrible punishment.

Here's how YOU can participate! First, grab book one of the Tarbell course (available from any good magic dealer as well as online as a free resource). Then, read the book. Find a cool trick.

Next, send us a video of your performance (either by emailing it to us or posting it online and tagging us). EVERYONE gets a shout out when our video comes out... but if our judges like your trick better than either of Ben's or Jonah's, YOU win the prize and the boys get punished!

Get in on the fun. Take the Tarbell challenge today!

 

 

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Unconventional.fun take 2

Visit Unconventional.fun for more details.

(A perfect opportunity to dust off you magic convention bingo cards!)

 

From the January 28th Instagram post by the Toronto Magic Company:

Unconventional.fun 2 is coming. February 27th and 28th! Link in bio to sign up to be the first to know when tickets go live

 

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Ring 17 hosts a panel on magic in the age of digital reproduction

From the Ring 17 website:

Thursday, January 7, 2021

On Zoom. 

Hosted by David Peck

Featuring:

• Jonah Babins
• Matt DiSero
• Michael Feldman
• Graemazing
• Steffi Kay
• Felice Ling
• Aaron Matthews
• Mysterion
• Ben “Racoon Tamer” Train

In the past year we have been forced to make drastic and rapid changes if we wanted to continue performing. We have assembled a panel of performers, each of whom has made their own transition into the virtual space and found a way to perform from home. The panel will share their experiences, what works, what doesn’t, the challenges they have overcome and the gadgets and gizmos that make virtual performances possible.

Read more and buy tickets. 

Santa's 54 Elves (one of the offers ends 21st Dec 23:59 EET)

From Shawn Farquhar's December 21 repost on Instagram:

All profits donated to water.org , an organization whose mission is to bring accessible and sanitized water to third world countries.

A worldwide collaboration for a good cause. 54 magicians come together in this Christmas Project in order to create something magical and unique, while also helping those who are less fortunate than us.

Luke Jermay, Shawn Farquhar, Justin Miller, Harapan Ong, Simon Black, Jeremy Griffith, Raphael Blin, Jack Paton and many many many more.

From fruit magic to tarot, essays and playing cards. A book great for both beginners and advanced magicians jam-packed with ideas, sleights, routines and philosophies.

Interactive PDF.
89 pages.

 

Visit BizandFriends to purchase the eBook or the limited edition book.

 

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Toronto Magic Company: Show in the Snow

From the Toronto Magic Company:

On Sunday December 20th at 2pm EST join magicians Ben Train and Jonah Babins for an interactive holiday magic show packed full of laughs and surprises.

And the best part? You can take part from the comfort of your own home!

That’s right! This is a LIVE and TOTALLY VIRTUAL magic show great for the entire family.

Not only do you get to watch incredible magic, but you'll actually follow along at home with parts of the show and the magic will happen in front of your eyes, and even in your own hands.

Shhhhh.... don't tell anyone, but we're even going to teach you a few tricks of your own so you can spread some holiday magic too!

Here's what's included:

1.5 hours of interactive, hilarious, and mind blowing virtual magic.

Tricks that happen in your home and in your hands!

Learn 2 holiday tricks during the show that you can instantly do.

Plus after the show we're going to send you 3 more easy to do holiday tricks that you can do with stuff around the house!

All you need is one ticket and you get admission for the entire family!

Tickets are going fast for this one-time-only event, so grab yours now and let the fun begin!

Read more and buy tickets.

Magic tricks to scare your friends (a live virtual magic show)

From the "Magic Tricks to Scare your Friends" post on Eventbrite:

October 31st

The Virtual Halloween event of the season, interactive and fun, from the comfort of your own home, good for the whole family.

We're bringing all of our favourite magicians, ghost, and creepy ghouls together for a night of TRICKS, TREATS, and a whole lot of spooky fun!

It's one night only, one show only, and we want YOU to be part of it.

You can expect to:

• Have your mind blown from Ontario's Top Magicians
• Get spooked, scared and frightened right inside your home
• Learn a spooky trick that you'll be able to do forever
• Participate in our virtual costume contest
• Enjoy plenty more scary surprises we have in store for you!
• This event is going to be silly, scary whacky and a whole lot of fun.

It's time for you to meet the cast of ghosts, ghouls and goblins you'll be spending halloween with this year:

• The Sentimentalists
• Nick Wallace
• Aaron Matthews
• Chris Mayhew

And finally your hosts:

• Jonah Babins and Ben Train

Read more.

UnConvnetional.Fun

Talent includes: Garrett Thomas, Curtis Kam, Carisa Hendrix, Caleb Wiles, Chris Mayhew, Kainoa Harbattle, and more!

 

From the August 25th Facebook post from Ben Train:

For the past few months I've been working with about 25 of the world's best magicians on an exciting project. Trailer, information, and all kinds of surprises are going to be announced soon, but trust me when I say if you LOVE MAGIC you are NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS.

Follow the Facebook page, and the instagram account, so you don't miss you!

https://www.facebook.com/unconventional.fun 

 

 

 

 

Toronto Magic Company starts a vlog (and Newest Trick on July 28)

From the July 17ty Toronto Magic Company Instagram post:

I know what you're thinking.⁠
You started a VLOG in the middle of a pandemic???⁠ 

Yes we did!⁠ ⁠ 

We took a trip to the Browsers Den of Magic to visit Jeff, buy some tricks, and have a good time⁠ ⁠ 

Please like, share, subscribe and whatever Youtube things to help us explode!⁠ ⁠

From the July 22nd Toronto Magic Company Instagram post:

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One week today is The Newest Trick in the Macbook, our virtual open mic magic show streaming live on Facebook.⁠ ⁠ It featured 5 incredible performers. Blowing your mind Virtually.⁠ ⁠ Plus a little bit of antics from Jonah and Ben.⁠ ⁠ It’s happening on July 28 at 8:00pm EST⁠ ⁠ We want to see you there⁠ ⁠ sign up and get notified when we go live so you don’t miss the show!⁠ ⁠ Oh yea… and did we mention that it’s FREE?⁠ ⁠ Link in Bio⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #magic #magician #torontomagic #torontomagician #magicintoronto #magiciantoronto #torontomagicshow #torontotheatre #torontocomedy #torontomagiccompany #comedytoronto #torontoentertainment #torontoevents #torontoevent #abracademy #visualmagic #magicianslife #cardmagic #magicians #magicperformance #sleightofhand #cardtricks #didyouknow #illusionist #creativeart #artofvisuals #artlife #artistry #artofmagic #thenewesttrickinthebook

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The Newest Trick in the Macbook - June 9th, 23rd; July 14th, 28th

From the Toronto Magic Company:

For the past three years The Newest Trick in the Book, Canada’s only open mic magic show, has been THE place in Toronto for magicians to test new tricks and for audiences to experience mind-blowing magic. 

Now Canada's only open mic magic show is going VIRTUAL - and we want you to take part in the fun!

Join a dozen incredible magicians from the comfort of your own homes for a virtual, and highly interactive, magic show you have to see to believe! 

We're featuring 6+ performers from all over the world doing brand new magic on each and every show! 

We're going to be broadcasting our open mic shows LIVE on Facebook, so you don't miss a moment

But, the shows will NOT be available for recording, so sign up to get notified so you don't miss a show!

Come see it LIVE. It's TOTALLY FREE! 

Sign up. Get notified. Never miss a show.

The next few shows are: 

June 9th...June 23rd...July 14...July 28

Read more and grab your ticket.

Random thoughts about "Illusions: The Art of Magic"

Visit "Illusions: The Art of Magic" February 22nd to May 18, in the AGO’s Sam & Ayala Zacks Pavillion.

The exhibition is free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass holders and visitors 25 years and under.

I participated in the recent media preview of the upcoming AGO exhibition, "Illusions: The Art of Magic," which features more than 55 colourful vintage posters from the Allan Slaight Collection.*  The collection is guest curated by Magicana’s artistic director and historian David Ben.

Adolph Friedländer, Comedians de Mephisto Co. Allied with Le Roy-Talma-Bosco, 1905. 186.5 × 266.5 cm. M2014.128.318. ©McCord Museum

The exhibition is a journey back to the Golden Age of Magic.  During this time magicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were among the first artists to embark on international tours.  Promotional posters portrayed magician's magical powers through illustrated advertisements ranging in size from postcards to wall-sized posters.

“These posters tell us so much about that time – the public’s fascination with Asia, with spiritualism, the occult and the changing role of women in society,” says Julian Cox, the AGO’s Deputy Director and Chief Curator. “Toronto was a popular stop on the international touring circuit for magicians, and Houdini performed here numerous times over his career. These works and the stories behind them remain as captivating today as they were one hundred years ago.”

The Metropolitan Printing Company, Adelaide Herrmann and Company, About 1905, 20th century, 76.7 x 50.2 cm. Purchase, funds graciously donated by La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso. M2014.128.207. © McCord Museum

Listen to the February 18th interview with Julie Eng in the CBC q studio where she talks about the exhibit, cultural appropriation, the role of women in magic, and how many of their stories have been overshadowed and forgotten.

There are many focal points within the exhibition, such as: women in magic, spiritualism, cultural appropriation, and the symbolism of devils, skulls, & demons.



More than posters.

In addition to the beautiful posters, there are wonderful video clips too.  For example:

A still shot from video of Harry Blackstone and his dancing handkerchief

A still shot from an interview with Julie Eng talking about her life in magic.

A still shot from video of Houdini's variation of a forearm riffle.

Keep an eye open for these "hole in the wall" viewing portals to catch a peek of more video!

Make your own magic poster
There's a station where you can digitally create your own magic poster!  (Complete with a legend that explains what all the animals and other objects on the posters represent.)

The exhibition also features other magcially historical items such as:

• wonderful selections from David Ben's collection, including Hofzinser cards and items particular to magic in Toronto (including a vistors' book from Arcade Magic!)
• handcuffs used by Houdini, and
• Houdini's straitjacket

Hofzinser cards from David Ben's collection

Visitor book from Arcade Magic.  From David Ben's collection.

Houdini's straitjacket.

Av Yaga, Alexander, the Man Who Knows, 1915, 20th century
207.9 x 107.7 cm. Purchase, funds graciously donated by La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso. M2014.128.3. © McCord Museum

But wait!  There's more!

There will be daily live performances at the exhibition provided by the Toronto Magic Company.  Confirmed performers include:

- James Alan (Classics of Magic)
- Jonah  Babins (Interactive Impossibilities)
- Harry Zimmerman and Chris Mayhew (Close-Up Magic)
- Toronto Magic Showcase
- Toronto Magic Company (Making Magic)
- Ben Train (Mental Mysteries)

Check the Toronto Magic Company website for the performance schedule.






Visit "Illusions: The Art of Magic" February 22nd to May 18, in the AGO’s Sam & Ayala Zacks Pavillion.   The exhibition is free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass holders and visitors 25 years and under.


--
* ABOUT THE ALLAN SLAIGHT COLLECTION
Acquired by the McCord Museum thanks to La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso, the Allan Slaight Collection is one of the world’s largest collections of rare magic posters comprising more than 600 posters and more 1,000 documents and rare books. The collection was named in honour of the Canadian businessman and magic enthusiast Allan Slaight.

Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria: Ben Train

From Ben Train's Instagram:

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Doing a little bit of traveling in January! Message me for details! #2020letsgetatit #magicroadtrip

A post shared by Ben Train (@train.ben) on Jan 8, 2020 at 12:53pm PST

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:

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/bash or call the shop, 416-783-7022.

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.

Rounding the Western rings in January 2020

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)	- Club meeting. - Andi Gladwin lecture.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Andi Gladwin lecture.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- Andi Gladwin lecture.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- Andi Gladwin lecture.
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)	- Annual banquet featuring Ben Train. - Andi Gladwin lecture.

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

Toronto: Show in the Snow

From the Facebook event:

To celebrate the end of our THIRD season of the Newest Trick in the Book we’re throwing a party. No wait, a show. No wait, we’re throwing BOTH!

Join us at See-Scape for our last event of the Year - and also our biggest one ever. Doors open at 8pm and then the show starts at 8:30, featuring TEN of our favourite performers from the past year, including:

• Mark Correia
• Bobby Motta
• Jacqueline Swan
• Patrick Nemeth
• Chris Mayhew

Toronto Magic Club Town Hall

Town Hall on Monday September 23rd, The Imperial Pub.  See the end of the post for more information.


From the September 13th post by James Alan in the (Sid Lorraine) Toronto Magic Club Facebook group:

Apologies in advance for the length of this post, from the conversations we have been having, a number of you would like to read it! A few people have brought up concerns or questions regarding the changes being proposed for the club, and we want to address them.

Please feel free to comment below, or to reach out to any of us privately. We have also organized a Town Hall on Monday September 23rd to discuss the changes and so anyone who wants to come talk in person is welcome (and invited!) to do so. - https://www.facebook.com/events/436950640256041/

But to answer some of your questions.

We are the same club, The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, IBM Ring 17. We are still committed to providing our members with valuable magic experiences and opportunities; to help grow individually as magic enthusiasts and to leave magic as a whole better off than we found it. (And if you are one of those distinguished humans with an honorary lifetime membership, it is still here waiting for you.)

Toronto: "Magic Tonight" with James Alan, Ben Train and Nicholas Wallace

From James Alan's newsletter:

Recently I've been focused on Magic & Martini and other projects, but by special request, and for old time's sake, we're back for one more night at the Social Capital Theatre in Toronto. On Saturday, September 14, I'll be joined by Ben Train and Nicholas Wallace.

Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: The Carnival of Wonders Summer Edition

August 30th and 31st.


From Eventbrite:

Games, prizes, magic, jugglers, drinks, and variety performers you have to see to believe!

The Toronto Magic Company has partnered with The Super Wonder Gallery to bring you:

The Carnival of Wonders SUMMER EDITION - a show & experience unlike anything we've ever done before.

We're transforming a downtown Toronto art gallery into an unforgettable carnival; complete with games, prizes, delicious carnival treats, and interactive exhibits like the worlds smallest haunted house, con games, and a real life "freak" show. 

Read more and buy tickets.

From the Toronto Magic Company Facebook page:

Toronto: The Art of Magic with Scott Hammell

From the Toronto Magic Company's Facebook page:

The Art of Magic is back with 2 back-to-back shows!

Featuring Scott Hammell, Harry Zimmerman, Benzi Train, and Jonah Babins!

So far we've produced 11 Art of Magic events, and all 11 have SOLD OUT.

This will be much the same!

Head to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-art-of-magic-with-headliner-scott-hammell-tickets-61384706309

The event is a month away and tickets are already moving quickly!

Toronto: The Art of Magic (back to back)

From Eventbrite:

May 22nd and 23rd

Headliner: David Merry
Performances by: Ben Train, Jonah Babins, and Ryan Brown

Toronto has spoken! After 9 straight sold shows The Art of Magic is returning with TWO BACK TO BACK SHOWS!

The Art of Magic is more than just a show. It’s an entire evening filled with beautiful art and mind blowing illusions that’s taking Toronto by storm!

The fun begins at 730pm inside the Wonder Gallery. Enjoy delicious drinks and paintings from some of Toronto’s best local artists while close up magicians dazzle you with sleight of hand.

Then at 8pm SHARP the show begins, and for the next hour and a half you’ll witness professional magicians from around the world performing magic so incredible that you’ll be laughing out loud and gasping in disbelief!

In order to ensure every seat in the house is a good one, only 60 tickets are available for this intimate theatre experience. Make sure you order yours before they disappear forever!


Read more and buy tickets.