Showing posts with label Chris Mayhew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Mayhew. Show all posts

23 December 2023

04 November 2023

Chris Mayhew on CP24

From the November 1st Instagram post by Chris Mayhew:

I don’t ever do TV magic, I much prefer to perform live, but I was asked to do a lil segment on CP24’s breakfast television for Halloween! 🎃 Here’s a clip of the performance 🤗 Shout out to Richard Sanders for this awesome piece of magic. I was a lil nervous because I don’t do this sort of thing ever, but I think I did alright considering this is my first live TV performance 😅 Anyways enjoy everyone and come watch me perform live weekly in downtown Toronto at @coctoronto

 

 

 

 

 

30 January 2023

Toronto: Alan, Brown, and Mayhew at The Rec Room [Feb 3]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the January 28th Facebook post by Chris Mayhew:

I’ll be performing on this show at the Rec Room Toronto this upcoming Friday Feb 3rd! Come watch me and my friends tear up this awesome stage folks, I promise it will be a wild ride like usual with me 😎😈🔥 

 

 

 

 

28 November 2022

Kickstarter: Leon Playing Cards Version 2

Learn more about Leon Playing Cards Version 2 at Kickstarter.

 

From the November 26th Facebook post by Chris Mayhew:

“Without our consciousness the universe is just matter that doesn’t matter. Our bodies exist to give us the ability to manifest our ideas in time, during our small window of existence in eternity.”

I’m so excited to share the new vertical loading tuck box with everyone for the Leon V2’s! This box will be printed with Expert Playing Card Company on the same cardboard stock as their Rainbow Superior Brand Playing Cards. The texture is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Silky, soft, but also strong and sturdy, and oh so elegant. Silver foil outlines all sides of the tuck making it eye catching from every angle. Unlike most boxes, there is no fine print to interfere with the stunning minimal aesthetic, this tuck box is a pure beauty 💖 

The Kickstarter launches Dec 1, sign up to be notified by using the link. Follow @leonplayingcards on Instagram to keep up to date with the project ✌️



 

24 October 2022

Richmond Hill: An Evening of magic & mystery with Joshua Jay, Chris Mayhew [Nov 10], Toronto: Joshua Jay lecture [Nov 11]

From the October 12th Tweet by David Peck:

Join us for An Evening of magic & mystery with @joshuajaymagic
 on November 10th, 8:30PM @jokers905club
 and featuring the comedy magic of @surrealmayhew
 Get tickets now: https://bit.ly/3yx6xt6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23 March 2022

Montreal: Rag Bag Cabaret with Chris Mayhew [Apr 1]

From the RAG BAG Cabaret BILINGUAL à Café Cléopatra Eventbrite page

Our rock star line-up includes:

Drag Diva Ruby Foxglove

Hilarious Jokesters Thomas Levac

Burlesque Goddess Rhapsody Bluth

Songstress Extraordinaire Cat & The Queen

Magic Mistro Chris Mayhew

Read more and buy tickets.


 

 

 

 

04 February 2022

London: Keith Brown & Friends Vol. 3 [Feb 18-19]

From the Keith Brown & Friends Vol. 3 Facebook event:

Join me and my friends, for an evening of incredible magic and entertainment!

Hosted by Keith Brown
Featuring Graemazing & Chris Mayhew

Friday, February 18th
AND
Saturday, February, 19th

WHERE: Sommerville 630
630 Dundas St, London, ON 

Read more and buy tickets.



 

21 December 2020

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.


 

 

 

 

24 October 2020

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.


07 September 2020

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 

 

 

 

 

01 September 2020

Toronto: Now You See Me (from a distance)

From the August 27th Facebook post by Chris Mayhew:

It seems like forever since I was last on a stage performing. I haven’t performed live magic or zoom magic since the pandemic hit. But I’m finally ready to get back on the performance horse and play around on stage with my friends ☺️ This will be interesting to see how the energy of a social distanced live performance feels. Grab your tickets and I’ll see you at the show folks!!

It seems like forever since I was last on a stage performing. I haven’t performed live magic or zoom magic since the...

Posted by Chris Mayhew on Tuesday, 25 August 2020



20 February 2020

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.
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.

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.


Browser's Bash logo  
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.


10 December 2019

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






24 January 2019

Bullock, Mayhew, and Eng in the CBC!

From the January 23rd article "Escape the headlines, find the magic: Why we need the oldest tricks in the book more than ever" by Conor Sweetman in the CBC:
In the 1900s, the silver screen provided some distraction from the news of the World Wars, but it also served as a conduit for propaganda. These days, we similarly struggle to find escapism that isn't tinged with politics. Only now, partisan tension seems to follow us everywhere, beyond the movie theatre and into comedy clubs, sports arenas and  every content-producing corner of the internet.

It's hard to hide from it — all of our open tabs beckon us to dip one more time into what will inevitably put a damper on the day. But what if there were a way to momentarily hush the noise and avoid getting swept away by the deluge of headlines? What if, just for an evening, instead of going into a tailspin of reading, arguing and frantically fact-checking...you allowed yourself to be fooled?


Read more.

28 November 2018

Toronto: Chris Mayhew lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:
Sunday, December 9

Chris Mayhew enters. And magic mayhem follows. He will disarm you, charm you, and make you laugh out loud with his uniquely entertaining brand of magic.

Magic is not only a profession for Chris Mayhew, it's a way of life. Throughout the past decade Chris Mayhew has developed a beautifully unique way to create, perform and entertain with magic, which has garnered him a reputation worldwide.

This lecture will enhance your repertoire with new twists on classic plots like Triumph, Ambitious Card, Anniversary Waltz, and Colour Change in Spectator’s Hand. Chris will also reinvigorate your imagination with fantastic new and visual ideas that will have your brain ticking long after the lecture is over. By the end of this special event you will be enlightened with some inspiring thoughts, be refreshed on old and new plots, and filled with memories of a thoroughly enjoyable time with Chris Mayhew.

Read more and buy tickets.

20 August 2018

Chris Mayhew on Trickheads

From Chris Mayhew'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.

30 April 2018

Toronto: The Newest Trick In The Book - May 1

From James Alan's newslettter:
Tuesday night (May 1st) I'll be appearing on a special free show in downtown Toronto. The Newest Trick In The Book is put on by The Toronto Magic Company and hosted by the adorably charming Jonah Babins.

This is a magic show not quite like any other. The rule is that performers have to showcase brand new material. Which means either the opportunity to see something special for the first time ever... or the opportunity to see something crash and burn horrendously. Either way, special! I'm actually cheating. I'll be presenting very old magic which hasn't been seen in nearly 100 years.

See Scape
2840 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

I'll be appearing alongside Chris Mayhew, Sawyer Bullock and Daniel Lawson. This is an absolutely free event to attend. Although it can get quite full and you can reserve a free ticket by going to the Toronto Magic Company website.

Plus... See Scape is a board game and video game bar, so once the show is over, you can stick around to play.
Reserve your tickets at Eventbrite.


15 November 2017

Kickstart Leon Playing Cards

From the Leon Playing Cards Kickstarter page:
My name is Chris Mayhew. I am a magician living in Toronto Canada, and I love playing cards. For me, my interest in magic was inevitable. I grew up in Calgary Alberta, close to a magic shop that opened a few blocks down the street from my house.

As soon as I walked into that shop I was hooked. I would spend every chance I could hanging out at the magic shop, absorbing as much as I could from the local magicians that frequented it. I found the Dr. Leon Playing Cards at the magic shop, and fell in love with the look and feel of the cards instantly.

Read more and back project.


From Chris Mayhew's Twitter feed:




02 October 2017

Random thoughts from "The Newest Trick in the Book"

The Newest Trick in the Book is back Tuesday October 3rd, at 8:30pm, for a FREE Halloween themed show, with Benzi Train, James Alan, James Harrison, and Shamus Mac Gregor!
Last month, I attended the September 5th edition of "The Newest Trick in the Book," billed as "Toronto's ONLY magic open-mic."

I had no idea what to expect from a magic open-mic.  I thought it might be a slightly more dressed up version of watching folks jam at the club or the magic shop.  As it turns out I'd previously seen most of the performers on this program both jamming casually and performing professionally.  Would the evening be a repeat of stuff I'd already seen?

The verdict:  no.  Well, sometimes yes.  But not really.

Let me explain.

The event takes place at  See-Scape Toronto, a sci-fi bar and gaming café.  It's a cozy space filled with wonderful people.  (And lots of games.)



Everything about the place is interesting.


You were probably wondering about the show.

The evening was a TONNE of fun.  The performances were elevated well beyond a typical jam.  Each of the performers had an energy that was different from what I expected of them.  Perhaps it was the buzz of doing something in front of an audience for the first time? 

It was also clear to me, that the performers were having more fun than usual too!  I witnessed the child-like excitement of bringing a new idea to life, the brilliance of turning the tables on an old standard, freshening up a classic, and the general enjoyment of working things out in front of a safe crowd.  (I've heard more than one professional espouse the importance of having a "safe place" to try things out in front of an audience.  I better appreciate the wisdom now.)

If you're in the Toronto area, I encourage you to both attend and perform at "The Newest Trick in the Book."



Trivia questions: who said what?

1) Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! a) Sammy Jakubowicz
2) Mr. Harrison, it's time for your medication. b) Chris Westfall
3) That's what I would do if I were in your position. But I'm a jerk. c) James Harrison
4) I'm not a thief, I'm a magician. d) James Alan



With thanks to the wonderful performers!