Canadians at Magifest and contest for Magifest and The Session

At the bottom of this post is information about winning a ticket to Magifest or The Session!

Canadians on the 2024 Performers and Speakers listed at the Vanishing Inc website include:

• Juliana Chen
• Jay Sankey
  
• The Montreal Trio (Marc Trudel, Michel Huot, Yannick Lacroix)
   

 

From the December 9th Instagram post by Vanishing Inc:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanishing Inc. Magic (@vanishingincmagic)

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joshua Jay (@joshuajaymagician)

 

 

From the December 13th Facebook post by Vanishing Inc:

 🚨 FREE TICKETS TO OUR CONVENTIONS 🚨
In the spirit of the season of giving, we’re once again giving away one free ticket to Magifest and one free ticket to The Session.

But, instead of entering yourself, you'll nominate a friend to win a ticket. Just tag them below and indicate whether you're entering them for "Magifest" or "The Session" to be entered!

One entry per person. The drawing closes on Dec. 24 at 4pm ET.

 

 

 

 

Juliana Chen wins 2023 AMA Performing Fellowship Award, Carisa Hendrix wins AMA Stage Magician of the Year

Congratulations to Juliana and Carisa!

 

From the May 28th article "Chinese-born magician honored at Hollywood's annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards" in News.cn:  

Recipients of the AMA Performing Fellowship award are the performers who have made an impact on the art of magic. Cardini, a world-renowned magician, was the first to receive the award in 1968, followed by performers such as Jose Frakson, Richiardi Jr., and Marvyn & Carol Roy.

"It is a great honor to be the first magician of Chinese origin to receive the Performing Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts. This is not only a personal affirmation for me, but also for Chinese magicians," she told Xinhua Thursday night.

Read more.

 

 

From the May 26th Instagram post by Carisa Hendrix:

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A post shared by Carisa Hendrix (@carisahendrix)

 

 

 

FISM 2022 Official Judges: Canadian content

Congratulations to the Canadians named as Official Judges for FISM Quebec 2022! 

Representing Canada:

• Joan Caesar 
• Juliana Chen
• Shawn Farquhar
• Ryan Joyce
  
• Raymond Dionne

 

See all of the Official Judges at the FISM website.

 

Virtual SAM Assembly: With Connie Boyd, Tina Lenert, Carisa Hendrix, and Juliana Chen

From the January 13th Facebook post from Assembly V1.1:

This month we are handing things over to Magical Women with Connie Boyd. Connie will be welcoming an all star panel of guest for our next meeting to talk about magic and the the ever expanding footprint of women in magic. We are excited to welcome FISM winner Juliana Chen, The Magic Castle's 1994 Stage Magician of the Year Tina Lenert and the current Stage Magicians of the Year Carisa Hendrix. to join us this Sunday.

 

We hope to see everyone there, this Sunday January 17.

 

 

 

 

Shezam with Carisa Hendrix and Kayla Drescher

Ryan and Graeme haven't been the only ones busy releasing podcasts over the past quarter.  Have a look and a listen to the podcasts (including an interview with Juliana Chen!) Carisa and Kayla have released at Shezam since March:

• 049 – Cat Galesky about the women behind magic
• 050 – Corona’s 13 Steps to Isolation
• 051 – Creative Quarantine with Bizzaro
• 052 – How to do a lecture with Marc DeSouza
• 053 – Livestreams: You’re doing it wrong!
• 054 – Catie Osborn on Shakespeare and tips from an entertainment director
• 055 – Margaret Steele on Adelaide Hermann and a dark tale of a show gone wrong
• 056 – Juliana Chen!!
• 057 – Hierarchy of Needs
• Black Lives Matter
• 058 – Sonia Benito on movement in magic

Magical Women with Connie Boyd

Connie Boyd (originally from Newmarket, Ontario!) started the "Magical Women with Connie Boyd" YouTube channel during quarantine.  Since that time it has grown into a series of in-depth talks with  magicians in different magic genres.   Weekly talks are uploaded to the Magical Women YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Connie's off to a strong start featuring Canadian magicians Ekaterina and Billy Kidd.   Juliana Chen's episode will be released this week.  (A little birdie has told me that Carisa Hendrix will be in a future episode too!)


Watch the teaser for the Magical Women series on YouTube:





Episode 1 with Ekatarina:








Episode 2 with Billy Kidd:

Vancouver Magic Circle presents ZOOMagic!

From the IBM Facebook page:

Take a look at what our International President Alex Zander's local Ring did together!

Well done Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92! Way to #KeepCalmAndPerformMagic

With Murray SawChuck Rod Boss, Kelvin Ng Rod Chow Juliana Chen, Glen LaBarre, Graham Kita, Henry Tom, Shawn Farquhar.

Video production: Shawn Farquhar
(Music: Benjamin Tissot Thanks www.BenSound.com )

You'll need a Facebook account in order to view the video.

International Stars of Magic show livestream April 29

Keep your eyes on the Greg Frewin Theatre's YouTube channel.  There's a very good chance this won't be the last spectacular livestream lineup!


April 29 includes:

• Ed Alonzo
• Shin Lim
• Max Maven
• Blake Vogt
• Juliana Chen
• Trevor and Lorenna Watters
• Jorge Blass
• Chris Funk, and
• Greg Frewin

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Join us for #3 International Stars of Magic show livestream April 29 @7PM EDT. For the Niagara SPCA Humane Society. https://youtu.be/bdMn0KFQA4Q An amazing 3rd show with amazing stars for a good cause. #livestreaming #livestream #youtube #magicshow #niagarafalls #niagaraspca #spcaniagarafalls #illusion #familymagicshows

A post shared by Greg Frewin (@gregfrewin) on Apr 22, 2020 at 8:19pm PDT

"A World of Magic" in the Georgia Straight

A World of Magic runs September 7th to the 9th.


From the August 27th article, "A World of Magic will bring Vegas-style illusionists to Vancouver Playhouse" by Charlie Smith in The Georgia Straight:

The opening event is on the Friday evening, followed by three family-friendly shows on each of the following two days. Presented by impresario James Liu, A World of Magic will feature world champion magicians Juliana Chen (also a presenter) and Aaron Crow.

...

That’s not all. Canada’s 2006 magicians of the year, Murray Hatfield & Teresa, will bring their award-winning illusions to the Vancouver Playhouse.

They’ll share the stage with other esteemed magicians, including Ed Alonzo, Claudius Specht, Kevin James, and Wayne Houchin. Alonzo, also a comic actor and vaudeville performer, is known to many TV viewers by his Groucho Marx eyebrows and Harold Lloyd glasses, not to mention his crazy vertical hairstyle.

Read more.

A World of Magic in the Daily Hive

A World of Magic runs September 7 to 9.


From the August 21st article "Vancouver's first-ever magic festival is about to make its grand appearance" in the Daily Hive Vancouver:

 And it’s all happening because the International Magician’s Gala is partnering up with Canada Chuan Sheng Culture & Media Group and The Vancouver Magic Circle.

Now for the magician talent.

You’ll get to see Canada’s master illusionists Murray Hatfield & Teresa, world champion magician Juliana Chen, shock magician and daredevil Wayne Houchin, America’s Got Talent contestant Aaron Crow, the misfit of magic Ed Alonzo, juggling magician Claudius Specht, as well as “the inventor” of magic, Kevin James. 

You’ll be giving back by attending the magic festival as $3 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Richmond Hospital Foundation.

Read more.

Vancouver: World of Magic

From Eventbrite:

Juliana Chen & James Liu presents "A World of Magic": The International Magician's Gala in partnership with Canada Chuan Sheng Culture & Media Group and The Vancouver Magic Circle. In it's premiere showing in the Vancouver Magic Festival from September 7th to September 11th 2018, this is a Las Vegas caliber magic show.

Featuring the talents of:

• Murray Hatfield & Teresa
• Juliana Chen
• Wayne Houchin
• Aaron Crow        
• Ed Alonzo
• Claudius Specht and
• Kevin James

For more information please visit www.WorldofMagic.ca


Read more and buy tickets.

Quebec: Festival de magie de Québec May 3-6, 2018

From the Festival de magie de Québec newsletter:

We are really excited ton inform you that the Festival de magie de Québec will be back for the 8th Edition, in May, 2018. Please visit Web site: www.festivaldemagie.ca

In 2018,  many new concepts will be offered like the "Strange Gala" on Friday night, the "Kids Gala" Saturday afternoon and of course our "International Gala" Saturday night with 7 renowned artists.  You will have the chance to see during that gala: Bill Abbott, Juliana Chen, Éric Leclerc, Max Maven, Xavier Mortimer, Xavier Tapias and Daniel Coutu as Emcee.

Since the Festival also organises the CAMarederie in 2018, the magicians will have the chance to see 9 lectures from Bill Abbott, Stéphane Bourgoin, Juliana Chen, Max Maven, Xavier Mortimer, Xavier Tapias, Christopher Taylor, Marc Trudel and R.Paul Wilson.

You can already buy your magician's package at 300 $ + tx (value of $400 + tx) on our Web site. We also offer a show only package at 75 $ + tx. (Value of $95 + tx)

Prices will raise on January 1st, 2018.

You can also register for the Magic School that will offer different levels during the week-end.  You can also join the Club de Magie du Québec. Its mission is to support magicians who want to compete at high levels of competitions.  You can also register to our 6th Edition of the Concours International de magie "Michel Cailloux" with $4000 in prizes for the winners.

Read more and buy tickets.

[Guest post] "Unbelievable" Review

A reminder that the show runs at the PNE August 20 – September 5, 2016 (Closed Monday August 22 and 29).

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

--

"Unbelievable: A magical experience"


A ninety minute large scale magical extravaganza, nightly at 7:30 pm, free with admission to the PNE, Vancouver.

In a word, "Wow".

This is big time illusion-based magic at its best.

Playing to capacity crowds, "Unbelievable" combines fast paced magic with modern rock concert visuals and music to create a memorable evening's entertainment well worth the cost of admission to the PNE.

I loved that they began with pre-show screenings of some of the greats from the past - Sorcar, Cardini, etc - all in glorious b&w - while the audience filed in.

How to review such an awesome celebration of magic and illusion? I can't. It was just too much to absorb. But here are a few thoughts I somehow managed to jot down:

• American Matt Marcy's understated humour and impressive close up magic (seen on the big screen) should earn him an honorary Canadian citizenship.
   
• Marty Putz - undoubtably the hardest working funny man in all of showbusiness. And the most beloved by children of all ages.
   
• Juliana Chen's performance - sheer visual poetry. Beautiful, enchanting, mysterious. This is Art.
   
• Scott Pepper - definitely the contemporary reincarnation of Houdini's daredevil anything-can-happen spirit.
   
• Murray Hatfield and Teresa - the most accomplished, most polished, most energetic all around magical performers.
  
  
  
  

If you are anywhere near Vancouver this summer run (do not walk) to the PNE and catch "Unbelievable" before it disappears forever as the PNE ends for another summer.

The Magic Demon


 ~~~~

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

Vancouver: "UNBELIEVABLE: A Magical Experience"

The show will run at the PNE August 20 – September 5, 2016 (Closed Monday August 22 and 29).

From the Pacific National Exhibition website:

A world-class magical showcase not to be missed! Watch in amazement and witness grand illusions. Come and be thrilled as we present champions of magic! UNBELIEVABLE magic, comedy and breathtaking illusions - get a front row seat to a magical experience you will simply describe as UNBELIEVABLE!

From the stages of Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Shanghai, Unbelievable brings together some of the world's champion Magicians:

• International Award Winning, Canada's Master Illusionists, Murray Hatfield and Teresa present unbelievable magic, interactive comedy and jaw dropping, state-of-the-art illusions.
• Get ready to jump into the world of Magic and comedy with American comedian magician Matt Marcy who will leave you laughing and gasping in astonishment.
• From the United States, Scott Pepper will amaze you with his unbelievable talent, as he pays tribute to Houdini by attempting a version of an escape that would have made Harry Houdini himself nervous.
• Then to the Weird & Slightly Dangerous, Marty Putz who will bring the arena to it's feet in his world of whacky magic.
• Then be amazed by The First Lady of Magic, Juliana Chen, leading master of manipulation. Chen known around the world, and perhaps the best-known female magician today, will blow your mind.

Collectively, these world champion magicians have performed around the world and have come together to take you on a magical journey that is Unbelievable!

Read more and buy tickets.

The magic life

From The Magic Newswire:

I love Magic Documentaries. I know.  I'm a magic Nerd. That's ok, because some of my magic friends are involved in a project that I want to bring to your attention.

The Magic Life is a film by Nelson Chang featuring Juliana Chen, Jonathan Levit and Richard Turner.

Read more.

From The Magic Life Film:

An Inside Look at a Very Different Career Path

Three aspiring individuals try to turn their passion into a career. Can they pull off the biggest trick of their lives and become working magicians?

Read more.

Watch the trailer:

The Magic Life - Documentary Trailer from Nelson Cheng on Vimeo.

Women in magic week

This week at the Magic Castle is "women in magic" week!  What a fabulous idea!

Let's make this an international week to recognize the fantastic females out there!  Which Canadian women in magic deserve honourable recognition for their contributions to the magic community?


From NBC Los Angeles:

For women have long been master magicians in addition to playing the part of the able and quick-footed assistants. And while we're pretty sweet on vintage illusions like the box-disappearing trick, we're keen to see a magician directing the action from her place at centerstage. So when the Magic Castle hosts its first week fully devoted to women working in magic, it is time to take note.  

That week is happily upon us now. Dates? Monday, May 7 through Sunday, May 13. Stars of magic? Oh yes. The roster of top-notch prestidigitators includes Juliana Chen, who is a wizard with the cards, and the Duchess of Deception Joycee Beck. (We long for a cool title like that.) 

Read more.

[h/t: about.com]

Las Vegas: Juliana Chen's Avant Garde

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

"Avant Garde" opens Tuesday at the Plaza's vintage showroom as a variety show with international appeal. It's directed and headlined by Juliana Chen, a Chinese-born magician who came to live in Las Vegas by way of Canada.

Read more.

Magicians in moustaches

And now for something completely different ....

Have you ever wanted to see Greg Frewin, Shawn Farquhar or Juliana Chen in a moustache?  Get yourself over to MagiciansInMoustaches.com.

From the Magicians in moustaches website:

Welcome to Magicians In Moustaches, a collection of photographs featuring prestidigitators in facial furniture.

THE WHERE - These pictures were taken at the Blackpool Magic Convention (along with some from other magical gatherings) by erstwhile stage manager Russ Brown, with help from Tony Stevens, Juan Tirado and others too numerous to mention.

Read more.

If you want direct links to the Canadians with facial hair, here you go:  Greg, Shawn and Juliana.

Acer, Chen and Sanders at IMX2011 in Las Vegas

From the IMX 2011 website:

IMX 2011 brings together 20+ of the world’s greatest performers in 3 days of non-stop magic – incredible performances, unrivalled training and mindblowing skill.

Included in their all-star line up are Canada's own David Acer, Juliana Chen* and Richard Sanders!
To learn more about IMX 2011 or to register, visit their website at imx2011.com.

--
* While Chen no longer resides in Canada, in the summer of 2003, she was the subject of a four-page cover story in Canadian magazine, Saturday Night.  Since she was the first Canadian magician to be featured on the cover of a national magazine since the late Doug Henning, we'll still claim her as ours.