Showing posts with label James Alan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Alan. Show all posts

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!













23 July 2017

Toronto: James Alan at The Lockhart

From The Lockhart's Facebook page:

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09 June 2017

Toronto, Oakville, and Hillsburgh: "Magic Tonight" and "Magic & Martini"

From James Alan:
From 2013-2016, I hosted a weekly magic show called Magic Tonight which brought together an extraordinary lineup of magical talents with different special guests each week. 

Thanks to some lucky scheduling and special arrangements of the Soul City Social Club, we're pleased to bring it back for one night - Saturday, June 17 at the Social Capital Theatre.
I'll be joined by two special guests the exceptional comedy magician Rob Testa and Canada's foremost theatrical pickpocket, James Harrison.

Read more and buy tickets.


Also, from James Alan:
It's been a fantastic spring season at Magic & Martini and we're thrilled with the enthusiastic support and reviews we're received. We just completed thirty consecutive sold out shows and we're fully booked until the end of June!

We've just added fifteen new shows in our three locations through the end of September. Tickets are available now and we're expecting them to sell out fast. But we're offering our subscribers a discount. Use the code secrets and get two-for-one tickets to our shows in Toronto, Oakville and Hillsburgh.

Read more and buy tickets.



14 May 2017

Toronto: Introducing "Tricks in the Six"

Scroll down to see the contest to win tickets to the May 25th show with Ben, Keith Brown, and headliner Karl Hein.  (Contest closes at end of day today.)


From the Toronto Magic Company:
The Toronto Magic Company is working with the best magicians in the world to put on incredible shows in Toronto, at incredible prices, every single week. Whether you come see our magic open mic, “The Newest Trick in the Book,” our premier magic variety show, “Tricks in the Six,” or one of our many special events, we promise you’ll always have an impossibly good time!

Read more and buy tickets.


From the Toronto Magic Company's Facebook page:

24 February 2017

More "Magic and Martini"

From James Alan's newsletter:
It's been a fantastic fall season at Magic & Martini and we're thrilled with the enthusiastic support and reviews we're received. Our shows in Toronto are sold out through March 5 so we've added additional dates to help manage the demand.

We've just added performances for Saturday nights on March 18, April 15 and April 29. Tickets are available now and we're offering our subscribers a discount. Use the code secrets and get two-for-one tickets to our shows in Toronto, Oakville and Hillsburgh.

Here is the full list of available dates:
SpiritHouse in Toronto
Saturday, March 18 (new)
Saturday, April 8 (limited space)
Saturday, April 15 (new)
Saturday, April 22 (limited space)
Saturday, April 29 (new)
Saturday, May 6
Saturday, May 20


O'Finn's Irish Temper in Oakville
Friday, March 3 (limited space)
Friday, April 21
Friday, May 12

The Friendly Chef in Hillsburgh (Erin)
Friday, February 17 (very limited space)
Saturday, March 4
Saturday, May 13


Read more and buy tickets.

08 February 2017

Hillsburgh: Magic and Martini

From James Alan's Facebook page:

Friday February 17.


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.

29 January 2017

Rounding the Central rings in February 2017

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



Montreal, QCRing 62 (20th Century Ring)- Free form first Fridays.
- Executive meeting.
- Valentine's Day dance.
Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)- TBA.
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- TBA.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- James Alan lecture.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)- TBA.
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- TBA
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)- Members' night.


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

13 November 2016

Toronto: The Newest Trick in the Book

The graphic on James' site states that the show is running every Tuesday in November.  Contact Ben Train for more information.


From James Alan:
Coming to See-Scape in Toronto, there's a new show organized by Ben TrainThe Newest Trick In The Book. In the same way that comedians experiment with new and fresh material at open-mic nights, and plays are refined through workshops, this is an opportunity for magic material in development to be tested in front of a live audience.

In addition to having the privilege of seeing tricks for the first time, guests have the opportunity to offer feedback to help shape the new material. It's an interesting experiment that I'm looking forward to being a part of.

I'll be appearing on the show Tuesday, November 8 and Tuesday, November 15 performing never-before-seen tricks. If you'd like to join us, the entire event is pay-what-you-want.

The location is 2480 Dundas Street West in Toronto.

26 October 2016

James Alan: Face2Face, Mystic Hallowe'en, and Hillsburgh

From Reality Based Magic:
I sat down recently to have a chat with David Peck, the host of the Face2Face Podcast. As far as I can tell, David is a man who never sleeps. In addition to putting out a prodigious number of podcast interviews (mine is number 222) he also teaches in the International Development Program at Humber College, practices magic and has a family.


Read more and listen to podcast.


Also from Reality Based Magic:

Join the live studio audience at the upcoming “Mystic Halloween” Connected Circle Live Show and Dance Party! as mystic guest mediums, tarot card readers and magicians share insights to help you discover your mystical self. Meet the mystics and dance the night away with other audience members.

Halloween costumes optional but encouraged.

The show’s live filming will take place on Friday, October 28th from 5:30pm onwards at Maezo Restaurant + Bar (formerly The Rum Exchange) in downtown Toronto.

Read more and buy tickets.


From Magic and Martini:
Saturday, November 19 & 26
 
Come enjoy the magic of James Alan at the NEW restaurant of Chopped Canada winner Chef Pam Fanjoy in the Village of Hillsburgh.
 
Read more and buy tickets.




06 October 2016

University of Toronto magic club 2016 - 2017

First class starts Friday Oct.7th.

From Will Zhang's Facebook page:

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10 September 2016

Oakville and Toronto: James Alan's "Magic and Martini"

From James Alan:
After months of preparation, Magic & Martini is coming to Toronto tonight! We will be at SpiritHouse in the heart of Downtown Toronto near Queen & Spadina.

This new show, developed in collaboration with Grand Spirits, pairs some incredible magic, seen intimately and up close, with finely crafted cocktails (and some wonderful food options as well.) It's a perfect evening out on the weekend. We hope you can join us. You can see the show on weekends at two locations September through November:

SpiritHouse
Downtown Toronto (map)
Beginning Saturday, September 10

O'Finn's Irish Temper
Downtown Oakville (map)
Beginning Saturday, September 3

Doors open at 6:30 for you to enjoy a bite and some incredible cocktails before the show begins at 7:30.

Magic & Martini is strictly a 19+ event, dress code in effect.

Purchase tickets at www.magicandmartini.ca



15 August 2016

Toronto: Magic, mystery, and mayhem

From James Alan'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.
I'll be part of a special one-night only show Saturday, August 20 at the The Social Capital Theatre with the hilariously...
Posted by James Alan on Thursday, 4 August 2016


09 July 2016

Catching up with David Peck's "Face 2 Face"

Edited at 10:15am to add a list of magicians David's interviewed over the years:

  • Matthew Disero - episode 3
  • Jay Sankey - episode 5
  • David Merry - episode 27
  • Anthony Lindan - episode 45
  • Gabe Fajuri - episode 48
  • Tom Ogden - episode 102
  • David Ben - episode 145
  • James Alan and Mike Close - episode 79
  • Lawrence Hass - episode 150
  • Viveka Melki - 177 - On the Circus
  • Marcie Hume - filmmaker - about the movie "Magicians" - episode 187
  • Jeff McBride - episode 188
  • Mac King - episode 189

Coming soon:
  • Lawrence Hass (Part 2)
  • Bobby Motta 
  • Jeff and Tessa Evason
  • Matthew Disero (Part 2) 




David's got a long list of interesting guests on his "Face 2 Face" podcasts this year.  Check out his interviewees, then click through to his site and have a listen!  (I'm hoping to get a chance to listen to the Mac King and Jeff McBride interviews soon.)

From David Peck Live:

  • Greg Paul – Episode 193
  • Brian McKenna  – Ep. 192
  • Alex Hinton – Episode 191
  • Jay Whitelaw – Episode 190
  • Mac King – Episode 189
  • Jeff McBride – Episode 188
  • Marcie Hume – Episode 187
  • Michael Coren – Episode 186
  • Mitch Abrams – Episode 185
  • Nicholas Greco – Episode 184
  • Susanne Regina Meures – Episode 183
  • Peter Stockland – Episode 182
  • Christal Earle – Episode 181
  • Alethea Arnaquq – Episode 180
  • Todd & Jedd Wider – Episode 179
  • Anjali Nayar – Episode 178
  • Viveka Melki – Episode 177
  • “Best and Most Beautiful Things” – Ep. 176

Read more and listen to podcasts.



21 March 2016

Monday musings: What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?

I've seen a lot of strange and unexpected things happen at shows.  I've seen stage platforms give way.  I've seen entire sets fall over actors (thankfully no one was injured), I've seen audience volunteers walk off the stage.  And there was that one time when a smoke machine caused a cape to catch fire...

I haven't performed often enough to experience anything like that.  Best I can do is report a family member who zealously tried to make a fool out of grade-school-me (boy was he surprised when he opened his hands to find an entire family of sponge rabbits!), and the suggestion of "Abracadabra, hey presto!" as a magic "word" by a grade-school student.

I'm sure a number of you have some juicy tales to tell though, and I'd love to hear them!

I'll let James Alan start you off with this video from his Reality Based Magic post, "The weirdest thing to ever happen to me on stage."




And now, over to you. What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?





10 February 2016

Toronto: Michael Ross at "Magic Tonight" (new location)

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com


Click for details.

This Sunday:  Michael Ross


Upcoming:  Phil Pivnick, Nicholas Wallace




James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



Please note the new location:




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* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

02 February 2016

Toronto: Chris Westfall at "Magic Tonight" (new location)

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com


Click for details.

This Sunday:  Chris Westfall


Upcoming:  Michael Ross, Phil Pivnick, Nicholas Wallace




James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



Please note the new location:




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* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

27 January 2016

Toronto: Nichaolas Wallace at "Magic Tonight"

Don't forget to go to their new location!

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com



Click for details.

Toronto (Sun):  Nicholas Wallace








James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



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* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

24 January 2016

James Alan on why math is important

From Reality Based Magic:
On the way home, however, was another story. I hopped off the 401 to get gas in Whitby. I located an Esso station (150 Consumers Drive, for those who want to avoid it). They had gas posted for 92.3¢/L which seemed quite reasonable. I authorized my card and began pumping. But soon it stopped. When I looked up, I was rather confused to see that I had managed to pump less than 14L of fuel and the price at the pump what a whopping $125.00.
Read more.

22 January 2016

Toronto: Chris Mayhew at "Magic Tonight" (new location)

From James Alan:

Click for details.Toronto’s longest-running ambiguously named magic show has moved. Magic Tonight (which, depending on when you’re reading this is probably not actually happening tonight) is moving into a larger, newly renovated theatre just around the corner from their old digs.

The new location is in Downtown Toronto, just 500 feet from the Crimson Lounge where they made their home for the past two years. Continuing the tradition of vague names, “The Studio” offers up a larger stage, additional seating and a venue which is wheelchair accessible. 

The first performance at the new venue is this Sunday, January 24 with special guest Chris Mayhew. Those who have seen Chris perform join me in hoping that the new stage is very sturdy. 

Tickets to the shows through the end of February. are available online at www.magictonight.ca/tickets. Upcoming special guests include Chris Westfall, Phil Pivnick, Michael Ross and Nicholas Wallace. Readers of Canada’s Magic can use the code cmagic* for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when booking online. 





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* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

15 January 2016

Toronto: Jason Palter at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com


Click for details.

Toronto (Sun):  Jason Palter








James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



--
* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.