Ken McCreedy: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Second in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Ken McCreedy!

 

Ken McCreedy: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 

 

Ken needs no introduction; his magical skills are well known throughout Canada and internationally.  A professional magician since the 1970s,  Ken has proven over the years to be Canada’s premier award-winning performer.

From stage to close-up performance to creating quality stage illusions and teaching his brand of creative magic, Ken does it all!
 
I find most inspirational about Ken is his ongoing effort and commitment to bring attention and recognition to many of our late great Canadian
Magicians.

I am honoured to know Ken.  He is a good person and wonderful friend.

Ken McCreedy is certainly an Inspirational Magician!

Submitted by Doug Hunt

Congratulations Ken!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Ken McCreedy, visit KenMcCreedy.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Thank you Doug, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Doug, visit his website at DougTheGreat.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram. ICYMI, read Graeme Reed's guest post about Doug's 2023 Guinness World Record breaking stilt walk, for which Doug was honoured by the The City of Brantford which officially opened a new Guinness World Record Stilt Display at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Monday December 2nd, 2024.

2024 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase featuring (in order of publication):

Matt Johnson
Ken McCreedy
 

 

[Guest post] Random thoughts about "Magic Show" with Ken McCreedy

The following is a guest post from John Smithman.

--   

On October 28th, Champions in the Workplace sponsored an afternoon magic show by Ken McCreedy for seniors in St. Catharines at the Gibson Road Older Adults Centre. Over 100 people enjoyed a full show of classic magic by a true professional. Ken was perfect - funny, colourful and very entertaining. Several members of our Fonthill Magic Circle also attended to support our service to senior citizens in St. Catharines. The Community Centre promoted the show and provided the venue - a beautiful hall with a well-equipped stage.

— John Smithman

  

 

 

Thank you John for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

Buffalo: Ken McCreedy and Shawn Farquhar at MAWNY 2024 [Apr 28]

From the February 16th Facebook post by IBM Ring 12:

The greatest one day convention in the world! MAWNY 2024 is approaching on Sunday April 28 at the M Hotel in Buffalo, NY! Register at mawny.org today!

 

 

 

2019 Readers' Choice award results

Thank you all for participating in the spirit in which the awards were intended:

a fun way to recognize and celebrate all of the wonderful things being done by the fabulous talent in our country.

Over 500 votes were cast in this "bragging rights" only contest.  You all have a lot of devoted fans!

Here are the results of our fourth annual "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!

Beacons of Inspiration (in alphabetical order by surname)

Gwyn Auger (aka The Magic Assistant)

Nominated by Aaron.
"I would like to nominate Gwyn Auger the Magic Assistant. Gwyn’s endless enthusiasm and passion for magic and the magic community is an inspiration, whether it is helping support young local magicians in Calgary, promoting the value of the assistant in the industry and her eagerness to help others at conventions or shows at the drop of a hat. Gwyn is one of the most professional, kindest, freelance magician assistants in the business who also recently branched out to perform her own act as part of the Celebrities of Magic in Bakersfield, CA. This year Gwyn was also the first assistant to perform at the new Magic Castle Cabaret in Santa Barbara, CA with Lance Burton."

"Gwyn is truly an amazing ambassador for the business!"

Website: Gwyn Auger
 

Comments from Gwyn's fans include:
- Gwyn totally deserves this she has been instrumental in the Calgary magic community as well as many larger circles globally.
- Talented and skilled people, one and all, but only Gwyn has the magic presence that makes those around her shine.

Voters' musical tastes include:  Frank Loesser / Hoagy Carmichael, Queen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

James Harrison (aka Pickpocket James)
Nominated by Unknown, Amy Thibodeau, Missa Deadlove, Rex P., Mike Weiland, Anonymouos, and Unknown.  The quote below is from Unknown.

"James Harrison. He's the pickpocketing MASTER, he's got a YouTube video that is going viral like crazy right now with 2 million views and counting and he works like crazy, at home and internationally. So all of that is amazing, but here's why I think James REALLY deserves a nomination: He's the kindest, most giving magician I've met in years. When he's not on stage, he's off stage sharing his knowledge to apply what he's learned in the trenches to help others. So in short, I think James is inspirational because he covers both bases. He's one hell of a performer with incredible original creations and he's one hell of a good person to go with it."

Editor's note:

• The September 26th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Watches" with James Harrison has over 1.8 million views.
• The September 30th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Wallets" with James Harrison trended on YouTube in early October

Website: PickpocketMagic.com

Comments from James' fans include:
- Stole my watch while I 'watched' and I still missed it...AMAZING.
- I've seen him perform multiple times and can't tell you how great he is! Charismatic, talented and just a decent guy. Good for any event.

Voters' musical tastes include:  Bach, Peter Gabriel, and Green Day.

Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling)
Nominated by Lukas Stark.
"I would like to nominate Carisa Hendrix not only is her public work charming and incredible, her success in a primarily male dominated industry (and world), and her humble Canadian beginnings, but her penguin lecture is the best 5 hours I've spent thinking about my magic for years and the best work I've ever heard about bringing character to your magic."

Editor's note:

• In case you missed it, Carisa is the co-founder of Shezam, the feminist magic podcast that hopes to make itself obsolete."
• In June of this year, she received the Magicana's Allan Slaight award for Canadian Rising Star.
• Carisa lectured and performed at the first OWOW Magic Festival this year.
• Carisa Hendrix LIVE ACTS (Penguin Live).

Website: CarisaHendrix

Comments from Carisa's fans include:
- Phenomenal entertainer and lecturer. Goes out of her way to give of herself to anyone who asks.

Voters' musical tastes include:  Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Elton John.

Ryan Joyce
Nominated by Anonymous.
"Ryan Joyce for creating Canada's most unique magic festival. The OWOW Magic Festival brought more than a dozen of the top magicians to the most magical place in Canada - Fergus, ON to perform for the public this past Halloween. For magicians, Ryan has created a fun-space where they can gather and further their own careers - Wondertown - which includes Magicians Masterclass and the new podcast Magicians Talking Magic. We should all be so dedicated in furthering the art and the perception of our art."

Editor's note:

• In addition to launching the first ever OWOW Magic Festival,  Ryan co-hosts the podcast "Magcians Talking Magic," and does a lot of travelling for shows.

Website: RyanJoyce.com

Comments from Ryan's fans include:
- His work and efforts speak volumes and he is all about bringing the magic community together.

Voters' musical tastes include:  The Beatles, Pitbull, and Ed Sheeran.

Ken McCreedy
Nominated by Jason Maiuri.
"Ken McCreedy for his vast knowledge of Canadian magic as well as being a mentor to so many great acts."

Editor's note:

• Ken has an extensive knowledge of Canadian magic history and is very generous with sharing his knowledge! 

Website: KenMcCreedy.com

Comments from Ken's fans include:
- Always entertaining and full of surprises.  He is a kind and patient teacher.  It is an Honour to be his assistant.

Musical tastes include:  Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, and  Deep Purple.

The Sentimentalists (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay)

Nominated by Ross.
"I always felt the Toronto fixtures known as "The Sentimentalists" would shine on a bigger international stage. Their numerous TV appearances this year solidified this. They are an inspiration as a fellow Toronto based Canadian performer. Especially Steffi being the first woman Mentalist to fool Penn and Teller."

Editor's note:

• After being eliminated from America's Got Talent Season 14 during the Judge Cuts, they returned as the wildcard in the quarterfinals!

Website: TheSentimentalistsMagic.com

Comments from The Sentimentalists' fans include:
- These two are AMAAAAAAAAAZING. Been in the business nearly half a century, at this point, and I've never seen a live mentalism act to top theirs. Just a stunning act. Stunning.

Voters' musical tastes include:  Steve Miller, Queen, and Harry S. Miller.

Anastasia Synn (aka Sia Synn)
Nominated by Krystal Lawrence.
"She's a freakin cyborg pioneering a new brand of magic! It's been getting worldwide attention, she's been on international news with her crazy implants."

Edtitor's note:

• Anastasia has over 30 implants.
• You can read more about her biohacking in the September 6th article "A cyborg magician explains why she implanted 26 microchips and magnets in her body" by Rebecca Robbins in Stat News.
• Jonah Babins interviews Anastasia in the September 19th episode of Discourse in Magic, "Biohacking Magic with Anastasia Synn."

 
Website: Synnister.com

Anastasia's fans were people of few words.

Musical tastes include:  Radiohead, Crystal Eyes, and Rag'n'Bone Man.

Editor's Choice

Ted and Marion Outerbridge

Nominated by Unknown.
"I would like to nominate Ted & Marion Outerbridge as being truly inspirational entertainers in the world of magic. What you see on the stage is exactly what you get off the stage. They are soft spoken, humble and sincere - but extremely passionate and talented in everything they do. From costuming to scripting, choreography and illusion, they do it all!"

Editor's note:

• Ted and Marion lectured and performed at The Browser's Bash this year.
• They moved to Smith Falls, ON earlier this year and created an opportunity for themselves to have a very well received standing show at their local theatre!
• Ted and Marion are in the process of restoring their new home, the "Keyhole House."  They've found a note dated 1892 and signatures that date back to the year the house was built, 1897.

 
Website: TedOuterbridge.com

The Outerbridge's fans were also people of few words.

Voters' musical tastes include:  Smash Mouth, Brockhampton, and Frank Sinatra.

Readers' Choice

Mike Norden
Nominated by Anonymous.

Congratulations to Mike for winning the 2019 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!


Keep up the great work!


Website: MagicShows.ca

Mike's fans were most likely to not follow instructions, and also most likely to get the date wrong.

Musical tastes include:  A wide assortment of Christmas music.

Vote now for the 2019 Readers' Choice award

 

The nominations are closed and voting is now open for the fourth annual 2019 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!

Congratulations to everyone for inspiring someone(s) enough for them to submit your name!  (I'm always tempted at this point, to declare all of the nominees as winners and not bother with the voting part. However, a vote was promised and a vote there shall be.)

Voting will close on Monday, December the 23rd at 11:59pm EST.

To vote, scroll down to the bottom of this post and participate in the poll. (Click through the PollJunkie link if the poll does not appear in your browsers.)

Let's have a look at the nominees (listed in alphabetical order by surname):

Gwyn Auger (aka The Magic Assistant)

Nominated by Aaron.
"I would like to nominate Gwyn Auger the Magic Assistant. Gwyn’s endless enthusiasm and passion for magic and the magic community is an inspiration, whether it is helping support young local magicians in Calgary, promoting the value of the assistant in the industry and her eagerness to help others at conventions or shows at the drop of a hat. Gwyn is one of the most professional, kindest, freelance magician assistants in the business who also recently branched out to perform her own act as part of the Celebrities of Magic in Bakersfield, CA. This year Gwyn was also the first assistant to perform at the new Magic Castle Cabaret in Santa Barbara, CA with Lance Burton."

"Gwyn is truly an amazing ambassador for the business!"

Editor's note:

• Gwyn performed solo in the May 13th Celebrities of Magic - Variety Show Spectacular #2

Website: Gwyn Auger

James Harrison (aka Pickpocket James)
Nominated by Unknown, Amy Thibodeau, Missa Deadlove, Rex P., Mike Weiland, Anonymouos, and Unknown.  The quote below is from Unknown.

"James Harrison. He's the pickpocketing MASTER, he's got a YouTube video that is going viral like crazy right now with 2 million views and counting and he works like crazy, at home and internationally. So all of that is amazing, but here's why I think James REALLY deserves a nomination: He's the kindest, most giving magician I've met in years. When he's not on stage, he's off stage sharing his knowledge to apply what he's learned in the trenches to help others. So in short, I think James is inspirational because he covers both bases. He's one hell of a performer with incredible original creations and he's one hell of a good person to go with it."

Editor's note:

• The September 26th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Watches" with James Harrison has over 1.8 million views.
• The September 30th Modern Rogue episode "How Pickpockets Steal Wallets" with James Harrison trended on YouTube in early October

Website: PickpocketMagic.com

Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling)
Nominated by Lukas Stark.
"I would like to nominate Carisa Hendrix not only is her public work charming and incredible, her success in a primarily male dominated industry (and world), and her humble Canadian beginnings, but her penguin lecture is the best 5 hours I've spent thinking about my magic for years and the best work I've ever heard about bringing character to your magic."

Editor's note:

• In case you missed it, Carisa is the co-founder of Shezam, the feminist magic podcast that hopes to make itself obsolete."
• In June of this year, she received the Magicana's Allan Slaight award for Canadian Rising Star.
• Carisa lectured and performed at the first OWOW Magic Festival this year.
• Carisa Hendrix LIVE ACTS (Penguin Live).

Website: CarisaHendrix

Ryan Joyce
Nominated by Anonymous.
"Ryan Joyce for creating Canada's most unique magic festival. The OWOW Magic Festival brought more than a dozen of the top magicians to the most magical place in Canada - Fergus, ON to perform for the public this past Halloween. For magicians, Ryan has created a fun-space where they can gather and further their own careers - Wondertown - which includes Magicians Masterclass and the new podcast Magicians Talking Magic. We should all be so dedicated in furthering the art and the perception of our art."

Editor's note:

• In addition to launching the first ever OWOW Magic Festival,  Ryan co-hosts the podcast "Magcians Talking Magic," and does a lot of travelling for shows.

Website: RyanJoyce.com

Ken McCreedy
Nominated by Jason Maiuri.
"Ken McCreedy for his vast knowledge of Canadian magic as well as being a mentor to so many great acts."

Editor's note:

• Ken has an extensive knowledge of Canadian magic history and is very generous with sharing his knowledge! 

Website: KenMcCreedy.com

Mike Norden
Nominated by Anonymous.
"It gives me great pleasure to nominate Mike Norden for Canadian Magician of the Year. Mike has worked tirelessly for the magic community over the last 15 years. He has organized and co-hosted at least 8 local conventions, and several weekends of magic. He has held the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Sergeant at Arms in several local magic organizations, including the Vancouver Magic Circle, the Fraser Valley Magic Circle, & the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. He was instrumental in creating the local KIDabra Chapter, as well as one of the newest rings in Canada, IBM Ring 387, aka FVMC. He spearheaded the creation of 3rd Monday Magic, a monthly magic show held in his hometown, and has performed in and produced countless of those shows. He hosted all lectures at his house for more than 8 years, and continues to host all local meetings of the FVMC. He has, and continues to donate untold hours to the art of magic, through the clubs he belongs to, the conventions he runs, the shows he produces, and the youth he mentors. Mike truly embodies all that is magic, and exemplifies what it is to be an ambassador of one's art."

Editor's note:

• This is a very complete nomination submission.  I've got nothing to add!

Website: MagicShows.ca

Ted and Marion Outerbridge
Nominated by Unknown.
"I would like to nominate Ted & Marion Outerbridge as being truly inspirational entertainers in the world of magic. What you see on the stage is exactly what you get off the stage. They are soft spoken, humble and sincere - but extremely passionate and talented in everything they do. From costuming to scripting, choreography and illusion, they do it all!"

Editor's note:

• Ted and Marion lectured and performed at The Browser's Bash this year.
• They moved to Smith Falls, ON earlier this year and created an opportunity for themselves to have a very well received standing show at their local theatre!
• Ted and Marion are in the process of restoring their new home, the "Keyhole House."  They've found a note dated 1892 and signatures that date back to the year the house was built, 1897.

 
Website: TedOuterbridge.com

The Sentimentalists (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay)

Nominated by Ross.
"I always felt the Toronto fixtures known as "The Sentimentalists" would shine on a bigger international stage. Their numerous TV appearances this year solidified this. They are an inspiration as a fellow Toronto based Canadian performer. Especially Steffi being the first woman Mentalist to fool Penn and Teller."

Editor's note:

• After being eliminated from America's Got Talent Season 14 during the Judge Cuts, they returned as the wildcard in the quarterfinals!

Website: TheSentimentalistsMagic.com

Anastasia Synn (aka Sia Synn)
Nominated by Krystal Lawrence.
"She's a freakin cyborg pioneering a new brand of magic! It's been getting worldwide attention, she's been on international news with her crazy implants."

Edtitor's note:

• Anastasia has over 30 implants.
• You can read more about her biohacking in the September 6th article "A cyborg magician explains why she implanted 26 microchips and magnets in her body" by Rebecca Robbins in Stat News.
• Jonah Babins interviews Anastasia in the September 19th episode of Discourse in Magic, "Biohacking Magic with Anastasia Synn."

 
Website: Synnister.com







Cast your vote now at Poll Junkie!

Niagara Falls: Mystify

From Niagara Falls Tourism:

June 27-29

Prepare to be amazed! Enjoy an extraordinary close up magic experience featuring mind blowing magic, comedy, interactive mind manipulation and world class entertainment. The show runs 60 minutes, featuring two sleight of hand artists with over twenty five years of experience entertaining audiences!

All seats are general admission and are up close for optimal viewing. The show is suitable for ages 10 and up and make sure to get your tickets before they disappear.

Read more and buy tickets.

Niagara Falls: Ken McCreedy's "Mystify"

From the Scotia Bank Convention Centre:

Come join us for an extraordinary close-up magic experience featuring mind blowing magic, comedy, interactive mind manipulation and world class entertainment. The show runs 75 minutes and features two sleight of hand artists with over 25 years of experience entertaining audiences just like YOU! All seats are General Admission. The show is suitable for ages 12 and up. We have lots of tricks up our sleeves, so get your tickets before they disappear!

Show Dates
June 9 & 15
July 7 & 14
August 4
September 15

Read more and buy tickets.

Rounding the Central rings in February 2018

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

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- Free form first Fridaze - Executive meeting - Second Saturday night special - Meetup Mensuel - Sunday brunch - Instagram Tuesday
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- TBA.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- TBA.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Ken McCreedy lecture.
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)	- Caleb Wiles lecture.

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

Sid Lorraine at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Ken McCreedy has posted some wonderful photos of Sid Lorraine performing at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

From Ken McCreedy's Facebook page:

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Ken McCreedy at MAWNY

Ken McCreedy from Niagara Falls, is scheduled to perform at this year's MAWNY on Sunday April 27th.  Other performers names listed include: Shaun Robison Glenn Brooks, Brian Miller, David Wu, Pierric, Ouka, Mike Chao, Jay Scott Berry and Rian Lehman. 

Visit the MAWNY website for more information and to register.