Toronto: Magic at the Red Sandcastle Theatre [Aug 18, Sep]

Tickets at the Red Sandcastle Theatre.

 

August 18

• Scott McClelland's Orville Doodles and his Terrible Imagination
  (more on Scott's summer tour at the bottom of this post)
  

 

September: every weekend

• Mahdi Gilbert
  (Mahdi the Magician, Mystica, Jeff Hinchliffe Stepping onto the Impossible, and Halden's Hypnosis, Magic, and Mindreading)
  

 

 From the July 30th Facebook post by the Red Sandcastle Theatre:

From the July 28th Facebook post by Scott McClelland:

We are One Week away from the Premiere of Orville Doodles and his Terrible Imagination! And then the Tour Begins!!! Take a look at where I will be playng, and if it is close to you, grab a ticket because you will not want to miss this Strange and Exciting New Puppet Production!

The Tour is coming in August and I am very excited to bring this New Show to you!

Get your Tix HERE~
https://www.ticketscene.ca/list.php?q=orville+doodles

There be Magick HERE

 

Browser's Bash: Getting to know Jeff Hinchliffe

  

The 2024 Browser's Bash is on Saturday, July 13, 2024!

We are pleased to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of this year's performers.  Next in the series is Jeff Hinchliffe!

 
 

You may already know that Jeff:

• Was the inaugural recipient of the Len Cooper Memorial Award in 2003, 
• Was featured in the film A Series of Unfortunate Effects (Mayhew & Train), 
• Was a counsellor and also staff at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp,
  
• Works at the Browser's Den of Magic where he is sometimes referred to by the moniker "Young Jeff," and
• Was the subject of the very first post at this blog!
  

We're delighted that Jeff made time to answer our questions ahead of this year's Bash!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
I find inspiration more in ideas than in people. So I'll read philosophy, science, art, history and look for inspiration there.

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

My first memory of magic is my dad dressing up as a magician for my 5th or 6th birthday party, and trying to perform a bunch of tricks from a magic set. I distinctly remember one kid heckling my dad quite well.
 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

Honestly, not one person in particular. But when I see young magicians starting to really develop their magic, and when I see younger guys that are making a go of it, performing public shows, it helps rekindle that early passion and love.
 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

I bought a Svengali deck from the booth that Browser's used to operate at Wonderland in 1996. I got my wooden nickel for a free trick from the shop at Bathurst & Eglinton. I took in my nickel, got my free trick, and my life was changed forever.

'Young' Jeff

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
I didn't just get discouraged, I did quit magic for 5 years. I came back in 2017. What encouraged me to come back was living in the real world for 5 years lol.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 

I personally do not have any pre-show rituals.

 

 

What are you most looking forward to about participating in the 2024 Browser's Bash?
 

Being on the stage and performing again (my last performance on the Bash stage was at the 1st Browser's Bash).

 

  Do you have a favourite Browser's Bash memory?  

My favourite memory is when Michael Ammar and Eugene Burger told us that the Bash was unlike any other convention they had attended. They could feel the difference in the room.  

 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 

Get ready, the next few weeks are gonna fly by!

 

 

Thank you Jeff for making the time to answer our questions!  We look forward to seeing you at this year's Bash!

Follow Jeff Hinchliffe on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Visit the Browser's Den of Magic website to buy your ticket and learn more about this year's Bash!  See you on Saturday, July 13, 2024!

 

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Toronto: Magic Quartet premiere [Jun 3]

Tickets at Eventbrite. 

 

From Kemin Zhang:

MAGIC QUARTET

Featuring 4 of Toronto's most eccentric magicians!

Sean Rooney,
Jeff Hinchliffe,
Mark Lewis and
Kemin Zhang (a.k.a. Dr. K)

​Date: June 3rd 2024
Time: 6pm & 8pm
Place: Ontario Historical Society
34 Parkview Ave.Willowdale ON

 

From the May 1st Facebook post by Kemin Zhang:

A psychic, a scholar, a composer and a balloon artist walk into a bar... no it's not a bar, it's an old house of the Ontario Historical Society. Looking forward to this show! Come check it out if you have your first Monday night in June free!

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:

 

 

 

 

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Checking in with Ben Train and The Art of Magic [Oct 21]

This morning we let you know about the upcoming The Art of Magic show presented by The Toronto Magic Company.  

If you've never been to one of these shows, they're a very unique experience.  Ben Train was kind enough to answer some questions we had about The Toronto Magic Company, and The Art of Magic.

 

Ben Train

What is the Toronto Magic Company (TMC)?

In 2016 I partnered up with my best friend Jonah Babins to produce magic shows across the GTA. Specifically, we wanted to produce GOOD magic shows - the kind of shows we’d be excited to see.

Since then we’ve produced more than 200 shows a year, worked with hundreds of amazing magicians from around the world, and entertained thousands of people.

 

Who are the players in TMC?

There’s myself, Ben Train, and my good buddy Jonah Babins. We’re the two co-founders. We also have an amazing team working behind the scenes; video editors and photographers, our incredible magicians and volunteers, and of course - our audiences!

Ben and Jonah Babins on an adventure.

 

 

What is The Art of Magic?

Magicians have been talking about magic being an art form for hundreds of years. So in 2018 Jonah and I had an idea. What if we produced an event that wasn’t just a show, but rather a “gallery” of magic art?

And that’s what we did! We filled a gallery with magic-themed art (posters, props, and interactive exhibits), invited some of our favourite close-up magicians to walk around the space performing, and finished the whole experience off with a stage magic show filled with mind-reading and illusions.

 

Admiring the art at
The Art of Magic

 

How does The Art of Magic differ from the Toronto Magic Company's other offerings? 

All of our shows have different concepts, because we want to appeal to different audiences and we want to explore different ways of presenting magic.

What most of our shows have in common though is that they follow a pretty traditional show format: you arrive at the venue, sit in your seat, watch a show, and then go home. (I promise the shows are waaay more fun than that description makes them sound!)

What makes The Art of Magic different is that it’s not just a show, but rather an interactive exhibit that lets you explore magic in different ways (including actively being part of the experience in ways you simply couldn’t do with a typical show).

Oh… and on top of all that you ALSO get an amazing show!

 

Jonah entertaining at The Art of Magic

 

 

How was the recent September show (the 30th Art of Magic show) different from the very first The Art of Magic show?

The first Art of Magic, back in 2018, was very different. We were in a different location, which meant different limitations (and advantages), we didn’t have access to enough magic-themed art, and we were relying more on out-of-town talent.

When the pandemic temporarily shut us down we used our time to retool everything.

We found a better venue (two floors which allowed us to have different experiences happening at the same time), we got WAAAY more magic-related art pieces (Several dozen and counting), and watched as the talent in Toronto developed to a point where we no longer needed to bring in outside help (though we still bring in performers from all over the world - because we love featuring the best magicians on the planet!).

The concept is ALWAYS something we’re tweaking with, because we’re always trying to make it better. Speaking of which, if anyone reading this has been to one of our shows and has ideas for how we can improve… please message me! ( ben at TorontoMagicCompany dot com)

Ben entertaining at The Art of Magic

 

What have you learned from producing 30 of these shows?

That there are waaaaay easier ways to make money lol.

Also, I’ve learnt that sometimes the things that excite ME (or passionate magic lovers like me) aren't necessarily what excites the general public. So as we test and try new things we pay special attention to which exhibits resonate with people and WHY, so we can make all our future events better.

 

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers about The Art of Magic?

Yah. Buy some tickets and come on out!

If you’re a magic fan, this is a must-attend. I truly believe that.

And if you’re not yet a magic fan but you are a fan of fun nights… come on out and we’ll convert you. ;)

Thank you Ben, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

 

You have two chances to catch The Art of Magic on Saturday October 21st.  The show features:  Jeff Hinchliffe, Harry Zimmerman, Jonah Babins, and James Alan.  (Ben Train will be appearing in the second show.)   Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

Learn more about The Toronto Magic Company and follow them on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

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Toronto: The Art of Magic [Oct 21]

From Eventbrite:

Toronto has spoken! After more than 30 straight sold out shows,The Art of Magic is BACK! This time with full night of magic plus an interactive EXHIBIT

The Art of Magic is way more than just a show. It’s an entire evening filled with beautiful magic inspired art, and interactive magical exhibit and most importantly a secret magic show that you have to see to believe!

The Gallery
The fun begins at 6pm OR 8pm -  inside the Super Wonder Gallery. Enjoy delicious drinks while you interact with our magical art.

We don't want to give away all our secrets but you'll get to enjoy:

100+ year old magic props, world famous magic posters, and paintings and physical illusions that you get to BE IN! (You read that right!)

The Close-up Magic
During the gallery, while you're drinking, relaxing and enjoying the night - our magicians are working! 5 Magicians will be wandering around the event doing close-up magic that happens IN YOUR HANDS!

This is a chance for you to not only experience magic, but to experience a lot of it, right at your finger tips!

The Secret Show
At one magical moment during the night you are whisked away to a private SECRET show . This is a private show, for a small selection of the audience where you get to interact up close and personal with the magic. It's intimate, impossible, and this is magic of the highest level the way it was meant to be experienced: up close and personal. Seating for this secret experience is extremely limited and is included with your ticket to the Art of Magic show!

In order to ensure every seat in the house is a good one, only 50 tickets are available each show for this intimate theatre experience. Make sure you order yours before they disappear forever!

Oh! And did we mention that each ticket comes with a drink 🍸 😘

Read more and buy tickets.

 

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The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 9

Recap (click to show | hide)

From Part 1 of the series:

In lieu of a physical reunion bringing together past campers and staff, Canada’s Magic is hosting a virtual reunion of sorts.  We’ve reached out to the Sorcerers Safari community with a dozen or so questions to help bring us up to date on what everyone has been up to since our magic camp days.

If you completed our survey, keep your eyes peeled for your segment!  

If you would like to participate but haven’t filled out the survey, there’s still time.  The survey can be found here:  https://forms.gle/umg77yj9QxUzfpm76

Thank you to all that contributed!

 

Mike, Jen, Sorcerers Safari staff, and alumni, this series is for you.

 

<< part 8  |  part 10 >>

 

Part 9 features:  Marc Hache, Jeff Hinchliffe, Bill Wells, and Lauren Proctor. 

 

  Marc Hache  

Retired.

Attended camp from 2003 to 2010 as staff.

In his own words:

• Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
• Camper show every year. Those kids were amazing!
  
  
• Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
• The lifelong friendships I made especially with Jen and Mike.
  

 

 

  Jeff Hinchliffe  

Professional magician.

Attended camp in 2003 as staff, and from 2004 to 2011 as a counsellor.

Since his time at camp Jeff has:

• Continued the tradition of passing along knowledge.

In his own words:

• Sorcerers Safari helped cultivate a culture of sharing and growing together.
  
  
  
• Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
• Every year was the "best year ever!"
  
  
• Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
• The friendships

 

I will never have another experience in magic that was like Sorcerers Safari!

 

 

  Bill Wells  

Retired.

Attended camp in 2014 as a guest.

In his own words:

• Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
• The kids!!!
  
  
• Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
• Seeing what a great network existed between staff and campers.
  

 

 

  Lauren Proctor 

Director of Customer Service & Art.

Attended camp from 1999 to 2008 as camper and CIT (counsellor in training).

Lauren has this to say about her time after Sorcerers Safari:

• While I don't think anything I've accomplished is "significant" in the sense of contributing to the world or the profession as a whole, my accomplishments are significant to my life.  
• I'm very proud of the life I've built for myself; it is not a life that just happened, but one I have worked hard to obtain.  
• I've met the love of my life who I've started a family with and moved to Colorado.  
• I've built a network of wonderful humans who I consider my family.  
• I've found a career that is exciting, stimulating and allows me to be creative every day.
• These are all such simple things, but I'm incredibly grateful for them.

In her own words:

• I think many of my accomplishments in my career can be credited to my time at Sorcerers Safari.  
• Performance Workshop was a fantastic opportunity to learn how to give and receive constructive criticism.  
• Performing directly influenced my creativity and gave me confidence when public speaking.  
• Spending time in a male dominated industry as a youth gave me confidence and taught me how to speak up in the male dominated industry I've landed in. 
• Most importantly, Sorcerers Safari taught me the value of relationships and how to navigate long distance ones.  The good ones are certainly worth time spent apart.  
  
  
  
• Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
• Gosh, there are so many.  I don't think I can pinpoint one specific memory as the best.  More, it's the feeling I get when I reminisce on my time there.  It was a time of youthful innocence coupled with newly found independence.  It was a time of mystery and illusion.  I spent almost a decade of my life looking forward to a single week of camp, reconnecting with friends from years past, showcasing new skills and nerding out over our common interest.  [emphasis added]
• There are a handful of camp friends that I grew up with; we spent that week, summer after summer together (for me at least) finally feeling at home.  
• If I had to pick one memory, I would say our girls' cabin rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody is high on the list.  What on earth were we thinking?!
  
  
  
• Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
• I am grateful for all of my takeaways from Sorcerers Safari, but my biggest gift is one of my favourite humans.  I gained a best friend at magic camp, someone who has been in it with me now for over 20 years.  She was the Maid of Honour at my wedding, someone who has known the ins and outs of my life for over two decades.  This kind of a friend doesn't just grow on trees.  Thank you Sorcerers Safari for giving me RR.

 

 

Thank you Marc, Jeff, Bill, and Lauren for sharing your memories!

Check back throughout the month to read updates from other Sorcerers Safari alumni and staff!

 

 Previously featured 

• Alex Zander - part 7 
• Ben Train - part 1
• Brad Bond - part 2  
• Brett Chrest - part 3
  
• Byron Berry - part 1
• Cameron Dunlop - part 2
• Chris Pilsworth - part 6 
• Dan McLean Jr - part 8
  
• Dennis Gorya - part 5
• Dick Joiner - part 3 
• James Carey Lauder - part 2
• Jennifer Antonio - part 6 
• Jesse Arndt - part 8
  
• Jonah Babins - part 6
• Jonathan Santiago - part 7 
• Keith Brown - part 4
• Loran - part 5
  
• Mark Clearview - part 5
• Matt DiSero - part 3 
• Rosemary Reid - part 8 
• Sam Pearce - part 1
• Shawn Farquhar - part 7 

 

Learn more about Sorcerers Safari.

part 1 | part 2  | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | part 11 | part 12

<< part 8  |  part 10 >>

 

 

Toronto: The Art of Magic [Jun 3]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the May 18th Instagram post by the Toronto Magic Company:

Toronto has spoken! After 24 straight sold out shows The Art of Magic is BACK!

If you missed out on getting tickets for our previous events, good news: in order to ensure everyone has a chance to experience the magic, we’re doing TWO shows on June 3rd!!!

So… what’s it all about? Great question!

The Art of Magic is way more than just a show. It’s an entire evening filled with beautiful magic inspired art, an interactive magical exhibit and most importantly a secret magic show that you have to see to believe!

The Gallery:
The fun begins inside the Super Wonder Gallery . Enjoy delicious drinks and music while you interact with our magical art.

The Exhibit:
After the open gallery viewing it's time for the exhibition. This is a combination of an interactive magic show, and a gallery tour, AT THE SAME TIME. You'll be transported through some of magic's most incredible moments all experienced by YOU in an intimate setting

The Secret Show:
At one magical moment during the night you are whisked away to a private SECRET show. This is a private show, for a small selection of the audience. It's intimate, impossible, and is magic the way it was meant to be experienced: up close and personal.

Seating for this secret experience is extremely limited and is included with your ticket to the Art of Magic show!

In order to ensure every seat in the house is a good one, only 60 tickets are available per showing for this intimate theatre experience. Make sure you order yours before they disappear forever!

 

 

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Toronto: Lectures by Train & Babins [Jan 15], Lewis [Jan 28], Hinchliffe [Feb 18], and Hood [Feb 25]

At The Browser's Den of magic:

• Ben & Jonah's Lecture  [Jan 15]
• Mark Lewis  [Jan 28]
• Jeff Hinchliffe [Feb 18]
• Scott Hood [Feb 25]
  

 

From the December 18th Facebook post by The Browser's Den of Magic:

Buy Two Get Two Free, Upcoming Lectures!
Read details the newsletter and buy tickets.

 

 

Markham: Music and Magic for the Holiday Season [Dec 15]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the Facebook event:

Come join us for a magical evening of Christmas songs performed by the beautiful and talented Alexia Marian in between the mind-blowing magic acts of the under-rated underground genius Jeff Hinchliffe, the balloon maestro Sean Rooney, and master of sleight-of-hand Andrew Eland! Also featuring Michael Murphy on the drums and Kemin Zhang on the piano when not telling bad jokes and conspiracy theory stories about Santa Claus.

It's a fun date with that special someone or can be a wholesome evening with family and friends!

Everyone who comes to the show will also be eligible to enter the special lucky draw for some surprise Christmas presents, the top prize being a brand new violin!

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Browser’s Den of Magic 47th Anniversary party! [Nov 20]

From The Browser's Den of Magic:

Sunday, November 20
 
BIG DISCOUNTS ON ALL MAGIC ALL DAY LONG * MINI MAGIC AUCTION * MAGIC TRIVIA QUIZ WITH BIG PRIZES * LEN COOPER MEMORIAL AWARD * BIRTHDAY CAKE

Due to the virus this will be the first anniversary party in two years! Many of you have been customers of ours since the beginning back in 1975. We hope that you will be able to join us on November 20!
 
This is also the day that we remember our founders Len and Bernice Cooper.
 
Jeff Pinsky purchased Browser's Den from Len and Bernice in November 1995. Len Cooper passed away in 2003. Since then at each anniversary party we hand out in Len's memory a full set of eight Tarbell Course in Magic books to someone under 26 years of age who has shown a dedication to the art of magic. Jeff Hinchliffe was the first recipient of the award!
 
PLUS - In appreciation of your devotion to our shop this is the only day of the year where EVERYTHING in the shop is on sale all day long!
Everyone who comes to the shop gets to choose a playing card from a deck. On that card will be a number that represents the percentage discount on any non-auction items you buy during the day.

You may use the card as many times as you wish. Discount cards range from 10% to 20% off.
 
SPECIAL NOTE: Masks must be worn in the shop at all times except at the end of the day when we serve cake.
 
Yours very truly - The Jeff's & The Browser's Den Team 

Read more.

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto: Ring 17 social meet [Oct 6] and Jeff Hinchliffe lecture recap

Ring 17 is having a social meet this Thursday at Shoeless Joe's Sports Grill, 3200 Dufferin St, North York.  Contact Ring 17 for details.

 

From the October 3rd Facebook post by Ring 17:

No, that wasn't a practical joke when we suddenly switched the lecture speaker last week! Sadly just two days before our lecture, our scheduled speaker and past president James Alan tested positive for that trendy virus that just won't go away (and we thought the Macarena stuck around a long time!), so we had to scramble. We are truly grateful that Sir Jeff Hinchliffe stepped up to help us out. Our heads are still reeling from the routines and knowledge he dropped on us including a some history of magic colouring books and his new rising card effect! And it was member Rob Fishbaum's birthday! His family must really love him if they let him spend his special day with us! Afterwards folks went down to the Uptown Pub for drinks, food and of course, MAGIC! 

NOTE: We did videotape the lecture (thanks to member Chris Mayhew) and are currently editing it. As soon as that is done, a screening link will be made available to members to view – just one of the new perks of being a member of the 2022-2023 season!

Reviews are thumbs up on the venue we were used for Jeff's lecture, the Agricola Finnish Lutheran Church located by York Mills Station, which has a big open hall and a parking lot to match. We have been having difficulty finding venues that are central and within the club's budget, but hope to return here. We will be exploring other spaces over the season as we are not always able to get the dates that we want for certain places. 

Thanks to everyone who came out! It was great seeing you all in person and we look forward to more Meet-Ups and Events to come