a fun way to recognize and celebrate all of the wonderful things being done by the fabulous talent in our country.
Over 500 votes were cast in this "bragging rights" only contest. You all have a lot of devoted fans!
Here are the results of our fourth annual "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!
Beacons of Inspiration (in alphabetical order by surname)
Gwyn Auger (aka The Magic Assistant)
Nominated by Aaron.
"I would like to nominate Gwyn Auger the Magic Assistant. Gwyn’s endless enthusiasm and passion for magic and the magic community is an inspiration, whether it is helping support young local magicians in Calgary, promoting the value of the assistant in the industry and her eagerness to help others at conventions or shows at the drop of a hat. Gwyn is one of the most professional, kindest, freelance magician assistants in the business who also recently branched out to perform her own act as part of the Celebrities of Magic in Bakersfield, CA. This year Gwyn was also the first assistant to perform at the new Magic Castle Cabaret in Santa Barbara, CA with Lance Burton."
"Gwyn is truly an amazing ambassador for the business!"
Website: Gwyn Auger
Comments from Gwyn's fans include:
- Gwyn totally deserves this she has been instrumental in the Calgary magic community as well as many larger circles globally.
- Talented and skilled people, one and all, but only Gwyn has the magic presence that makes those around her shine.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Loesser / Hoagy Carmichael, Queen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
- Gwyn totally deserves this she has been instrumental in the Calgary magic community as well as many larger circles globally.
- Talented and skilled people, one and all, but only Gwyn has the magic presence that makes those around her shine.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Loesser / Hoagy Carmichael, Queen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
James Harrison (aka Pickpocket James)
Nominated by Unknown, Amy Thibodeau, Missa Deadlove, Rex P., Mike Weiland, Anonymouos, and Unknown. The quote below is from Unknown.
"James Harrison. He's the pickpocketing MASTER, he's got a YouTube video that is going viral like crazy right now with 2 million views and counting and he works like crazy, at home and internationally. So all of that is amazing, but here's why I think James REALLY deserves a nomination: He's the kindest, most giving magician I've met in years. When he's not on stage, he's off stage sharing his knowledge to apply what he's learned in the trenches to help others. So in short, I think James is inspirational because he covers both bases. He's one hell of a performer with incredible original creations and he's one hell of a good person to go with it."
Editor's note:
- 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
Website: PickpocketMagic.com
Comments from James' fans include:
- Stole my watch while I 'watched' and I still missed it...AMAZING.
- I've seen him perform multiple times and can't tell you how great he is! Charismatic, talented and just a decent guy. Good for any event.
Voters' musical tastes include: Bach, Peter Gabriel, and Green Day.
- Stole my watch while I 'watched' and I still missed it...AMAZING.
- I've seen him perform multiple times and can't tell you how great he is! Charismatic, talented and just a decent guy. Good for any event.
Voters' musical tastes include: Bach, Peter Gabriel, and Green Day.
Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling)
Nominated by Lukas Stark.
"I would like to nominate Carisa Hendrix not only is her public work charming and incredible, her success in a primarily male dominated industry (and world), and her humble Canadian beginnings, but her penguin lecture is the best 5 hours I've spent thinking about my magic for years and the best work I've ever heard about bringing character to your magic."
Editor's note:
- In case you missed it, Carisa is the co-founder of Shezam, the feminist magic podcast that hopes to make itself obsolete."
- In June of this year, she received the Magicana's Allan Slaight award for Canadian Rising Star.
- Carisa lectured and performed at the first OWOW Magic Festival this year.
- Carisa Hendrix LIVE ACTS (Penguin Live).
Website: CarisaHendrix
Comments from Carisa's fans include:
- Phenomenal entertainer and lecturer. Goes out of her way to give of herself to anyone who asks.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Elton John.
- Phenomenal entertainer and lecturer. Goes out of her way to give of herself to anyone who asks.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Elton John.
Nominated by Anonymous.
"Ryan Joyce for creating Canada's most unique magic festival. The OWOW Magic Festival brought more than a dozen of the top magicians to the most magical place in Canada - Fergus, ON to perform for the public this past Halloween. For magicians, Ryan has created a fun-space where they can gather and further their own careers - Wondertown - which includes Magicians Masterclass and the new podcast Magicians Talking Magic. We should all be so dedicated in furthering the art and the perception of our art."
Editor's note:Website: RyanJoyce.com
- In addition to launching the first ever OWOW Magic Festival, Ryan co-hosts the podcast "Magcians Talking Magic," and does a lot of travelling for shows.
Comments from Ryan's fans include:
- His work and efforts speak volumes and he is all about bringing the magic community together.
Voters' musical tastes include: The Beatles, Pitbull, and Ed Sheeran.
- His work and efforts speak volumes and he is all about bringing the magic community together.
Voters' musical tastes include: The Beatles, Pitbull, and Ed Sheeran.
Ken McCreedy
Nominated by Jason Maiuri.
"Ken McCreedy for his vast knowledge of Canadian magic as well as being a mentor to so many great acts."
Editor's note:
- Ken has an extensive knowledge of Canadian magic history and is very generous with sharing his knowledge!
Website: KenMcCreedy.com
Comments from Ken's fans include:
- Always entertaining and full of surprises. He is a kind and patient teacher. It is an Honour to be his assistant.
Musical tastes include: Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, and Deep Purple.
- Always entertaining and full of surprises. He is a kind and patient teacher. It is an Honour to be his assistant.
Musical tastes include: Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, and Deep Purple.
The Sentimentalists (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay)
Nominated by Ross.
"I always felt the Toronto fixtures known as "The Sentimentalists" would shine on a bigger international stage. Their numerous TV appearances this year solidified this. They are an inspiration as a fellow Toronto based Canadian performer. Especially Steffi being the first woman Mentalist to fool Penn and Teller."
Editor's note:
- After being eliminated from America's Got Talent Season 14 during the Judge Cuts, they returned as the wildcard in the quarterfinals!
Website: TheSentimentalistsMagic.com
Comments from The Sentimentalists' fans include:
- These two are AMAAAAAAAAAZING. Been in the business nearly half a century, at this point, and I've never seen a live mentalism act to top theirs. Just a stunning act. Stunning.
Voters' musical tastes include: Steve Miller, Queen, and Harry S. Miller.
- These two are AMAAAAAAAAAZING. Been in the business nearly half a century, at this point, and I've never seen a live mentalism act to top theirs. Just a stunning act. Stunning.
Voters' musical tastes include: Steve Miller, Queen, and Harry S. Miller.
Anastasia Synn (aka Sia Synn)
Nominated by Krystal Lawrence.
"She's a freakin cyborg pioneering a new brand of magic! It's been getting worldwide attention, she's been on international news with her crazy implants."
Edtitor's note:
- Anastasia has over 30 implants.
- You can read more about her biohacking in the September 6th article "A cyborg magician explains why she implanted 26 microchips and magnets in her body" by Rebecca Robbins in Stat News.
- Jonah Babins interviews Anastasia in the September 19th episode of Discourse in Magic, "Biohacking Magic with Anastasia Synn."
Website: Synnister.com
Anastasia's fans were people of few words.
Musical tastes include: Radiohead, Crystal Eyes, and Rag'n'Bone Man.
Musical tastes include: Radiohead, Crystal Eyes, and Rag'n'Bone Man.
Editor's Choice
Nominated by Unknown.
"I would like to nominate Ted & Marion Outerbridge as being truly inspirational entertainers in the world of magic. What you see on the stage is exactly what you get off the stage. They are soft spoken, humble and sincere - but extremely passionate and talented in everything they do. From costuming to scripting, choreography and illusion, they do it all!"
Editor's note:
- Ted and Marion lectured and performed at The Browser's Bash this year.
- They moved to Smith Falls, ON earlier this year and created an opportunity for themselves to have a very well received standing show at their local theatre!
- Ted and Marion are in the process of restoring their new home, the "Keyhole House." They've found a note dated 1892 and signatures that date back to the year the house was built, 1897.
Website: TedOuterbridge.com
The Outerbridge's fans were also people of few words.
Voters' musical tastes include: Smash Mouth, Brockhampton, and Frank Sinatra.
Voters' musical tastes include: Smash Mouth, Brockhampton, and Frank Sinatra.
Readers' Choice
Mike Norden
Nominated by Anonymous.
Congratulations to Mike for winning the 2019 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!
Keep up the great work!
Website: MagicShows.ca
Mike's fans were most likely to not follow instructions, and also most likely to get the date wrong.
Musical tastes include: A wide assortment of Christmas music.
Musical tastes include: A wide assortment of Christmas music.
