Canada's Magic: Gordon Precious

Showing posts with label Gordon Precious. Show all posts

15 January 2024

Random thoughts about "An Evening of Magic Shop Memories"

Last Saturday, Jeff Pinsky hosted "An Evening of Magic Shop Memories" at The Browser's Den of Magic.

It was a lovely way to spend an evening!

We heard stories from:

Mike Segal
Greg Hobor
Richard Lyn
Nicole Lee
Dick Joiner
Mike King
David Sutherland
Gordon Precious -- who, as an added bonus performed 2 effects for us!
Colin Geddes
David Peck
Jeff Hinchliffe,
Sammy Jakubowicz, and
our host Jeff Pinsky

Stories told included Magic Masters, Daytona Magic, Macy's, The Arcade, The Den (on Bloor across from Varsity Arena, above Yuk Yuk's, Bathurst and Eglinton, and now!), Morrissey's (Montreal and Toronto) and even Marie & Jack Hughes living room in London, England! They also included names like Sophie Smith, Len & Bernice Cooper, Herb & Dan Morrissey, Henry Gordon, Jay Sankey, Gary Kurtz, David Ben, Mark Lewis, David Mitchell, Danny Tsukalis, Steve Martin, Jim Carey, Keanu Reeves, and more!

Did you know that:
Bernice Cooper often baby sat a Toronto magician's son at the store?
Dick Joiner first saw Mark Lewis in England?
David Copperfield once ended his grand illusion show in Toronto with "What's Next?"
Keanu Reeves used to hang out at The Browser's Den of Magic?
There used to be a Canadian 25 cent bill!

Thank you older Jeff, for conceiving and hosting this wonderful evening of sharing!

From the January 14th Facebook post by Greg Hobor at The Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

11 December 2021

Gordon Precious in The Globe and Mail

From the December 7th article "These seniors show why you’re never too old to learn to ski" by Dene Moore in The Globe and Mail:

Mr. Precious says he didn’t really set out for the record but just to enjoy something he has loved his entire life. He vowed years ago he would go heli-skiing every five years as long as he’s able.

His grandson Trevor Young was at his side and it was a beautiful bluebird day, he recalls.

“Trevor and I were up there on the top of the mountain and it’s the strangest feeling when you get out of the helicopter, and he raises maybe 20 feet up in the air and then just seems to drop off down the steep decline and disappears,” Mr. Precious says. “All of a sudden you realize there’s no way to go but down.”
Read more.

07 May 2021

Broken wand: Henri Abdulovski

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Henri Abdulovski. We will miss Henri's kindness, friendship, and his ever-present smile.

Our sincere condolences to Henri's family and friends.

From Gordon Precious:

Our gentle, kind confrere, Henri Abdulovski, died in Etobicoke General Hospital on May 4, 2021. Henri suffered a serious stroke at home just over one week ago, from which he never recovered full consciousness.

Henri was born in Macedonia on April 10, 1942.

In his teens and early twenties, Henri became an outstanding guitarist and member of a band that toured Europe.

Henri moved to Paris, France in his 20s, where he learned his trade as a top coiffeur of women and men – and he also learned the French language.

In 1968 Henri moved to Quebec City, where he was “bitten by the Magic Bug”. In a short time, he was engaged by a Quebec TV station to perform a weekly magic show. His best friend in Quebec was Gary Ouellet, the prominent Canadian lawyer who was world-renowned for his contribution to magic and TV magic shows by great magicians.

Henry met and married his wife in Quebec and they moved to Toronto in 1978. Henri opened a fine women’s and men’s hair salon which became very successful. He had a lovely home built and he and his wife raised two lovely children.

Henri was a long-term member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and was proud to be a member of the Order of Merlin.

Henri loved attending magic conventions all over North America - but his favourite of all was the annual MAWNY at Batavia, N.Y.

Henri was also a good friend of Ken Klosterman, and was more than once a guest of Klosterman at his estates and famous magic collection (Klosterman bought several of Henri’s own magic collection).

Henri was a regular attendee of Toronto’s IBM Ring 17, the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club and for years sold the lottery tickets for the club during intermission.

Henri’s wife died several years ago but he is survived by his daughter, son and grandson.

Henri had made arrangements for his body to be given to the Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Toronto, for medical research.

Henri loved magic to the very end – he practiced old and new effects every day and loved to show them to customers and staff of his local coffee shop, and to his clique of local magician friends.

Henri will be sorrowfully missed by his many friends in magic.

--

Thank you Gordon, for sharing this beautiful write-up about Henri's magical life.

Gordon Precious, Henri Abdulovski, and Joan Caesar
Photo courtesy of IBM Ring 17

30 April 2021

Welcoming a new Friend: Gordon Precious

Welcoming our newest Friend, Gordon Precious!

Bitten by the magic bug over 90 years ago, Gordon is an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word. He is consistently positive, welcoming, and encouraging. I first met Gordon through Ring 17 over 20 years ago. He's younger at heart than many in my generation.

You likely know Gordon's signature Vanishing Birdcage effect. But did you know that he also holds the World Record for the oldest heliskier?

For a deeper dive into Gordon's extraordinary life, have a listen to episode 161 of Discourse in Magic.

Thank you Gordon, for befriending Canada's Magic! We look forward to celebrating your 97th birthday next month!

03 December 2020

Ring 17 is Conjuring for a Cure

Updated to add links to Tweets:

If all goes according to plan, we'll be live Tweeting the event. Join us by following the hashtag #Ring17Cure

From The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club:

The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club is getting together (virtually) to put on a show to raise money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Over a dozen magicians will be performing from home. It's going to be a great time.
To see the show go to www.ibmring17.com/show on Thursday, December 3 at 8PM Eastern. The show is free to watch and all donations, big and small, are very much appreciated. If you like, you can head there now and donate early.
Come and join us and together, let's make cancer disappear!

25 July 2019

Gordon Precious in the Hamilton Spectator

From the July 18 article "Jeff Mahoney: Gordon Precious, Hamilton’s own, is in the Guinness World Records as oldest heli-skier" by Jeff Mahoney in The Hamilton Spectator:

He enjoyed skiing, as well as tennis, from an early age. "As I got better (at skiing) we'd go to Cedar Springs, but I was 15 and not allowed to drive so I'd go with 16-year-old friends who were. Once there were four of us in the car. Our names were Precious, Love, Darling and ... Anguish."

Gordon's conversation, fed by the springs of a terrific memory, is full of such delights, and when he tells me that, in addition to skiing and tennis, he practised the art of magic, I am not surprised, as there's a general feeling of magic about the man.

Read more.

10 May 2019

Gordon Precious, world record holder

From the Discourse in Magic YouTube channel:

At 94 Years of age, Gordon Precious goes Heli-Skiing with his son for a world record attempt!

Watch him glide down the Cariboo Mountains with ease in the gorgeous British Columbia.

By my count, that puts the total of Canadian World Record holding magicians to nine!

Doug The Great: Heaviest Stilts Mastered. [Guinness World Record]
Scott Hammell: Highest Suspension Straitjacket t Escape. [Guinness World Record]
Lucas Wilson: Fastest Suspension Straitjacket Escape. [Guinness World Record - 2011]
Carisa Hendrix: Longest duration fire torch teething. [Guinness World Record - 2012]
Michael Francis: Most one-handed coin rolls in a minute. [Guinness World Record - 2013]
Mark Correia: Longest Amount of Time Wearing a Straitjacket. [World Record - 2014]
Gordon Precious: Oldest heli-skier [World Record - 2019]
The Sentimentalists: (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay) Most items transferred from one mentalist to another. [World Record - 2017]

12 September 2016

Rounding the Central rings in September 2016

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- TBA.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- “Teaching Table Session” with Scott Hood. - All members meeting.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Magic Auction.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- TBA.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- TBA.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- TBA
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- The Electronic Wizardry of Gordon Precious.

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

02 April 2016

It's time for the stage show!

First up, Gordon Precious.
Next, it’s Jason Palter.
And Steven Brundage!
David Merry’s taking the stage.
And closing with David Williamson who made special arrangements to come up here and fill Tom’s spot!

20 January 2016

Toronto: Browser's Bash announces more names!

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

Pound for pound, the Browser's Magic Bash packs in more magic with more value for your dollar than anything we have offered you. Where else can you get a scrumptious free lunch & dinner, and twelve hours of magic with so many top name magicians?

MORE TALENT = MORE FUN!

http://www.browsersden.com/bash

Therefore, without further adieu, we'd like to share more wonderful names with you. These artists will appear at this year's Bash. In no particular order, it's our pleasure to announce:

Additionally...

Saturday, April 2nd will be a day that we will all be together celebrating our common love for magic. If this fun sounds like the time you're looking for, please take two minutes to register for the 2016 Browser's Magic Bash at our official Bash website - http://www.browsersden.com/bash

We hope you will join us. Book your ticket today, and see you at the Bash!

Thank you for your support.

Magical Hugs,
Jeff Pinsky
(Your faithful magic shopkeeper)

ps. The gold section is almost sold out, with the silver section not too far behind. Don't wait any longer to reserve your seats.

23 November 2015

Review: Glenn Ottaway benefit

From Fordham PR:

On stage, well-known comedians, magicians and even a pair of mentalists celebrated Glenn’s career and encouraged the audience to dig deep to help Glenn and his depleted bank account. Thanks to comedian/magician Matt Disero, who created the one-night only comedy concert, some of the country’s top headliners volunteered their time and talent, so here’s a brief pictorial account of The Rocky Horror: It’s a Wonderful Life Anyway show.

Read more.

15 October 2014

Spot the Canadian magician!

Eagle eyed reader, Mark Baluk, tipped me to this video. One hundred points* to the first person in the comments who can tell me which Canadian magician has a cameo in Timber Timbre's video for the song Grand Canyon.

From YouTube:

Thanks for sharing Mark!

--
* To borrow a phrase from Drew Carey in "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", the points don't matter.

29 June 2014

Random thoughts about 90th birthday parties

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending two 90th birthday celebrations, both for Toronto's very own Gordon Precious. Gordon is an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word. I've known Gordon for close to 20 years and in that time he's been consistently positive, welcoming and encouraging. He's younger at heart than many people of my generation. Simply having Gordon in your life, makes you a better person.

First up was the Browser's event:

The event was extremely well attended. There were people in attendance that I didn't see that day -- it was that packed.
It was fabulous showing of friendship from the magic community. (Folks drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
No one does the the Vanishing Birdcage like Gordon.
David Merry did a set that kept everyone in stitches.
Jeff always throws wonderful celebration parties!
I am incapable of entering a magic shop without leaving with a purchase.
Read more about it (and see pictures) at the Browser's Den blog.

And later in the week, a celebration by Ring 17 at their year end banquet:

The banquet was also very well attended. (Folks also drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
Gordon did a wonderful set, entertaining young and old alike!
There was a Zig-Zag illusion that went off without a hitch.
I had no idea Gordon could breathe fire.
Paul Wildbaum and Bill Abbott were entertaining, as always.
See photos at the Ring 17 Facebook group.

Wonderful celebrations for a wonderful person! Happy birthday Gordon!

01 June 2014

Rounding the Ontario rings in June

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- n/a
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Dinner and close-up show.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- tbd
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Year End Party Pot-luck / Banquet
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- n/a
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Year end banquet and Gordon Precious' 90th birthday bash! Happy birthday Gordon!

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

24 April 2014

Happy (early) birthday Gordon!

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

You are invited to Gordon Precious' 90th Birthday Party!
Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Browser's Den

Dear Magic Friends,

You are invited to attend the party of one of the most special, unique and dear customers of our magic community. He has done so much to promote magic & has lived a magical life.

Gordon Precious will be turning 90 years YOUNG!!! That's right 90 years YOUNG! Gordon has more energy than most people half of his age. In fact he just returned from a helicopter skiing trip!

On this day Gordon will be performing a few of his special effects including the Vanishing Birdcage...a tough trick to perform and one in which he does beautifully.

He will also be sharing some enchanting & unique stories of his magic travels and experiences.

You will be surprised by some of the special guests that will be attending...

Read more.

27 April 2012

Baldini: Interview with Gordon Precious

Watch Baldini interview Canadian War Veteran & Magician, Gordon Precious:

23 November 2011

The Magical Arts Hour: Baldini, Gordon Precious, Alex Kazam

Watch on YouTube as Baldini welcomes Gordon Precious and Alex Kazam to the studio at ThatChannel.com for this episode of "The Magical Arts Hour."

07 March 2011

Book launch: "The Lives of a Showman"

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a book launch party for “The Lives of a Showman” by Mark Lewis. (I live tweeted the event with the tag #TLOAS though I missed tagging a few tweets here and there.)

Upon entering Browser’s Den of Magic, I was instructed to direct my attention upward. Hanging from the ceiling were more than a dozen cheerful Lee Asher sign creations containing “Markisms” such as “If they were all the nine of hearts it would look like this” and “You're quite slow, do you work for the post office?” The mood was set!

It was clear that Mark has a tremendous amount of support in the local magic community! I found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe, Ariel Fralich, Mia Ngueyn and Adam Harmes who had all made contributions to, or were mentioned in, the book. Other notables present include*: Gordon Precious, Owen Anderson, Paul Pacific, Chris Westfall, John Pellatt, Richard Lyn, John Michalson, Shawna Ross-York, Dan McLean, Steve Shrott, Joe Schwarcz and young Daniel (one of Mark’s students).

While reading from his book, we were regaled with stories of Mark’s experiences with The Worst Audience Ever at The Blue Angel and his early days of (not so) psychic readings in Ireland with Adam Harmes. Mark also read a piece written about him by Mai Nguyen, winner of the Jerry Gladman Memorial Scholarship in Journalism.

To round out the evening we were treated to James Alan’s rendition of Mark’s “Pig Trick” and then we all laughed ourselves silly through Jeff Hinchliffe’s impersonation of Mark doing his Svengali deck hustle.

It is always a delightful experience to hear an author read his own words. If the rest of the book is even half as entertaining as the launch party, it should be a good read indeed!

To purchase “The Lives of a Showman” visit Mark's website, Browser’s Den of Magic or contact your local magic dealer.

--
* If I’ve missed listing anyone who was there please send me an e-mail or leave a comment below! Thank you to John Pellatt, Ariel Fralich and James Alan for providing attendee intel on the parts of the room I didn’t make it to.