TEDxSurrey: The Magic of Pursuing Your Passion by Gabriella Lester

From the March 19th upload "The Magic of Pursuing Your Passion | Gabriella Lester | TEDxSurrey" at the TEDx Talk YouTube channel:

Gabriella’s talk explores the transformative power of pursuing your passion. She shares her journey of discovering a love for magic at age 10, a spark that ignited a lifelong pursuit, leading to performances on global stages and overcoming immense personal challenges. From inspiring joy in a terminally ill woman to finding resilience after trauma, Gabriella reveals how doing what you love can shape your identity and impact others.  The talk urges viewers to chase their big or small passions despite risks or setbacks, as they are essential to happiness and personal growth. Viewers will learn how passion fuels purpose, offering a roadmap to living a fulfilling and unique Award Winning Magician.

Read more.

 

 

 

 

Previously shared on Facebook March 21st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriella Lester -- She made her choice to live -- on the DEAD Talks podcast

This episode is also available on Spotify and other podcast hosts.

 

From the Episode 182 of the DEAD Talks podcast, "She made her choice to live | Gabriella Lester" at Apple podcasts:

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Gabriella Lester, a renowned magician and escape artist, to discuss a crucial and delicate topic: mental health and coping with loss. Gabriella shares her harrowing experience of losing her boyfriend to suicide, just weeks after their breakup, and the subsequent emotional turmoil she faced. She also bravely opens up about her own past suicide attempt at the age of 16, offering a unique dual perspective on both losing someone and surviving after a suicidal attempt. Gabriella reflects on the importance of living and grieving, the impact of one's decisions on loved ones, and finding balance amidst the chaos. This episode delves into life, loss, resilience, and the critical conversations we must have around mental health. Gabriella Lester is a well known Magician x Escape Artist.

For more on Gabriella Lester: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegabriellalester/?hl=en⁠

Read more and listen.

 

 From the November 11th Instagram post by DEAD Talks podcast:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DEAD Talks | Death & Grief Podcast (@deadtalkspodcast)

 

 

From the December 4th Instagram post by Gabriella Lester:

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

Surrey: TEDx with Gabriella Lester [Jan 18]

More information at TEDxSurrey.ca

 

From the November 21st Instagram post by Gabriella Lester:

Honoured and excited to announce l’ll be doing my first TEDx talk this January.

This opportunity has been in the works for a while, and involves several important topics - some passion based, some heartbreaking - but all near and dear to my heart.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Canadian Rising Star

Congratulations to Gabriella Lester for winning the Allan Slaight Canadian Rising Star award!  

  

From the June 17th Instagram post by Magicana:

The Slaight Family Foundation founded the Allan Slaight Awards a decade ago to celebrate magic as an art. As we kick off this week of celebration, we are delighted to congratulate GABRIELLA LESTER as this year’s Canadian Rising Star!

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MAGICANA | Sharing Wonder (@sharingwonder)

 

 

 

[Guest post] February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians


The current issue of Genii opens with a heart-felt tribute filling an entire page in their "In Memorium" section to the late Micky Hades written by Stephen Forrester.

"The Eye" section (featuring stories from around the world of magic) curated by Vanessa Armstrong has two Canadian references:

• A photo of Gabriella Lester illustrates a short piece linking to a longer New York Times article on diversity in magic, highlighting three women performing today including Lester. Armstrong refutes some of its broader generalizations.
  Link - https://myqrcode.mobi/70e1232e
  
  
• A second longer piece about the Magic of Tony Eng Exhibition opening in the Victoria BC Chinatown Museum includes several quotes from Tony's daughter (the Executive Director of Magicana Julie Eng) as well as a link to the CBC television report on the Exhibition's openinglast December.
  Link - cbc.ca/player/play/2290720323810

Finally, in Shawn McMaster's column "Knights at the Magic Castle" Murray Sawchuck is prominently reviewed for his December holidays appearance at The Magic Castle along with Lefty (Doug Leferovich.)

 

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

 

USA: Gabriella Lester on tour [Nov 13 - Dec 3]

From the November 1st Facebook post by Gabriella Lester:

My life for the next month🤯

Excited to announce these dates and gear up to go perform in some of my favorite venues out there! #bookedandblessed

📸Photo by @andrewgerardphotography

Where will I see you??

Nov 13 - Bakersfield, CA

Nov 16 - Chicago, IL
Nov 17 - Chicago, IL
Nov 18 - Chicago, IL
Nov 19 - Chicago, IL

Nov 20 - New York City, NY

Nov 27 - Nashville, TN
Nov 28 - Nashville, TN
Nov 29 - Nashville, TN
Nov 30 - Nashville, TN
Dec 1 - Nashville, TN
Dec 2 - Nashville, TN
Dec 3 - Nashville, TN

More dates tbd…🤫

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

Bakersfield: Gabriella Lester and Alex Zander in Celebrities of Magic [Nov 13]

Tickets at the Melodrama.

 

From the October 16th Facebook post by Ron Saylor:

"Celebrities Of Magic" presents GABRIELLA LESTER and ALEX ZANDER, Live in Bakersfield, Monday, November 13th, at The Gaslight Melodrama.

GABRIELLA LESTER is an internet sensation. With 50 thousand followers and over a million views, her fans flock to keep up with what she is going to do next.

Originally from South Africa, GABRIELLA LESTER, before the age of 20, has already appeared on some of the Largest stages in Las Vegas, The Magic Castle and even Penn & Teller’s FOOL US.

GABRIELLA LESTER is fascinated by Escapology Magic and, as a Junior Member of The Academy of Magical Arts, she is officially one of the youngest magicians to master Houdini’s Upside-Down Strait-Jacket Escape.

Also on the bill, ALEX ZANDER just completed a 500-Show Tour across America.

ALEX ZANDER’s Magic will tug at your heart-strings with childhood nostalgia and modern miracles.

It’s no wonder that ALEX ZANDER has already been elected as the President of the World’s Premier Magical Organization, The International Brotherhood of Magicians.

THIS SHOW WILL SELL-OUT so Do Not Wait to Reserve your Seats.

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz, and Blake Aleong [Sep 27]

Tickets at Ticket Tailor. 

From the September 15th Facebook post by Cabaret of Wonders:

This month features Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, and guest performers Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz and Blake Aleong! 

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Lester, Verners, and Hsueh [Apr 24]

From the April 14th Instagram post by Billy Hsueh:

Excited to share the stage with my friends @thegabriellalester and @jasonverners !

If you are free come hang out with us at the Cabaret of Wonders for an interactive magic experience! 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Billy Hsueh (@sdpmagic)

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Lester, Chow, and Hsueh [Mar 31]

From the March 20th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

The next edition of the Cabaret of Wonders is coming March 31st. Tickets on sale now at CabaretofWonders.com

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh: Gabriella Lester in Astonishment [Feb 22]

From the February 2nd Instagram post by Gabriella Lester:

Absolutely STOKED to be headlining “Astonishment” in Edinburgh this February!

Looking forward to sharing the stage with this talented group of people, thanks to mister @camerongibsonirl

Grab your plane and show tickets, and I’ll see you out there…😉✈️

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders [Jan 16]

From the January 4th Instagram post by Simon Cassegrain:

It's my absolute pleasure to share with you that I'll be on stage with two fantastic performers @thegabriellalester and @sdpmagic for the Cabaret of Wonders on January 16th!

Grab your tickets for a magical evening!
www.cabaretofwonders.com

Thanks @magichampion for giving us the opportunity to perform on the stage of #hiddenwonders

 

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A post shared by Simon Cassegrain (@csgsimon)

 

 

IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam with Shawn Farquhar hosted by Gabriella Lester [Jan 3]

From the December 22nd Instagram post by the IBM:

Calling all young magicians🙌

Come join the first ever IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam. For those of you that love magic, or want a chance to connect with other young magicians ALL over the world, this is your chance!!

When ⏰
January 3rd 2023

Where 📍
Online via Zoom

Who 👤
Teens who love magic

Special guest✨
Shawn Farquhar
@magichampion

Hosted by🪄
Gabriella Lester
@thegabriellalester

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I.B.M. - Official (@ibmmagic)

 

 

Gabriella Lester on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us"

Well done Gabriella!  Congratulations!

 

From the November 18th upload "WILL 18-year-old FOOL Penn & Teller UPSIDE-DOWN?! Gabriella Lester on Fool Us Season 9" at
Gabriella Lester's YouTube channel:

Magician Gabriella Lester performs an act inspired by Penn and Teller’s performance of “Casey at the Bat”

This performance is from Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Season 9, episode 6: “Magic Socks Big Time”

Gabriella is only eighteen, but has already been performing on stages all across the continent. In the past few years, she has entertained hundreds of audiences and companies; including venues such as the world-famous "Magic Castle" in Hollywood and the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Gabriella Lester in the TriCity News and on Global News

From the November 3rd article "Port Moody's Gabriella Lester hopes to 'fool' world-class magicians on national TV" by Kyle Balzer in the TriCity News: 

Lester told the Tri-City News the experience has been a dream come true and it's an appearance she has pursued since she was 12 years old.

"This makes me so excited for the next few years," the Heritage Woods Secondary graduate said in notable disbelief and excitement.

"Performing is my greatest passion, and 'Fool Us' is just another reminder to set myself impossible goals. What may seem 15 years away, could only be five. And that I have to keep pushing myself to achieve remarkable things."

Read more.

 

 

From the November 18th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Zander: Vancouver Magic Circle's 2021 Stage Magician of the Year

Congratulations IBM Ring 92 competitors!

• 1st Place: Junior Stage winner Gabriella Lester
• 2nd Place: Rod Chow
• 1st Place: Alex Zander
  

 

From the November 26th Facebook post by Alex Zander:

What an honour to be named “2021 Stage Magician of the Year” by the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92, one of Canada’s oldest and largest magic clubs.

After a multi-year hiatus from competing while producing conventions and lectures for our global IBM magic community, it feels great to showcase some of my own original creations.

Congratulations to all my fellow competitors for a great evening of strong magic, and honourable mentions to 2nd Place Rod Chow (soon to be at the helm of the The Society of American Magicians!) and 1st Place Junior Stage winner Gabriella Lester