Goodbye to Perfect Magic -- the end of an era in Montreal

On Monday November 1st, after 45 years in the business, Perfect Magic closed up shop for the very last time.*

Phil and Evelyn Matlin started Perfect Magic as a mail-order company in Montreal in 1976.  Later they opened retail space in Montreal.

In 1979, they collaborated with C.W. Vermeys to launch the very first Magie Montréal convention!  Magie Montréal ran annually until 1998.

From 1993 to 2002, their son Brian ran a satellite store in Burnaby, B.C.

You may recall that Evelyn passed in July 2020.

Did you know that Phil is also a professional ragtime piano player?  Browse through his YouTube channel! I enjoy both of his CD's,  Ragtime Daze, and Ragtime Magic.

Thank you to Evelyn and Phil, for the wonderful contributions you've made to my life.  Phil, we wish you all the very best as you begin this new chapter in yours!

--
* Backorders and presales will be honoured.

Phil Matlin on the Joel Matlin Entrepreneur Show

From the April 18th episode of Joel Matlin Entrepreneur Show:

Perfect Magic: How the Entrepreneurial Magic Started

On today's episode, Joel chats with Phil Matlin, co-founder of Perfect Magic, a magic shop for new and seasoned magicians alike. Phil shares about the inception of his business, his music career and the challenges encountered along the way, as well as cogent advice for those within the magician realm.

Spidey in The Suburban

From the February 10th post "Cohen in the City: Episode 46 – World renowned local mentalist and magician Spidey" by Mike Cohen in The Suburban:

Bedros Akkelian, better known as Spidey, is a proud resident of Laval who is gaining notice globally  for his profession as a mentalist and a magician.   He will be performing on a live Zoom broadcast for the Cummings Centre on Feb. 17 at 7:30 pm.   Barbara Zavalkoff, who chairs the committee that organizes these events, joins Spidey on this show. It includes a very emotional moment when Spidey learns about the passing of someone whom he held dear.

Read more and watch video.

 

 

From the February 9th Facebook post by The Society of American Magicians:

Spidey - Mentalist/Hypnotist is one of new stars in the magic world. He is part of the cast of Masters of Illusion, has performed on Penn and Teller: Fool Us and is part of Netflix's Brainchild. Like many entertainers, he has taken to the online world for shows during the pandemic. He took some time out to talk to The Suburban Newspaper about his work and upcoming shows.

 

 

Perfect Magic in the Montreal Gazette

A wonderful piece by Julie Matlin about her parents!



From the March 13th article "The magic of pursuing your dreams: father's bravery had a ripple effect" by Julie Matlin in the Montreal Gazette:

Phil and Evelyn Matlin, my parents, own a beloved Montreal institution called Perfect Magic. It is, fittingly, a magic shop that’s been serving the community for more than 43 years. Walk in and you’re likely to find amateur hobbyists alongside pros chatting about technique. Or a seasoned performer giving some tips to a kid just starting out. It’s a unique experience.

My dad is 83 now, and my mom is 79 and undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, yet they still go to work every day. Whenever I ask them about retiring, my dad shakes his head. “What would I do?” he asks. They’re happy. And I’m happy for them. My dad followed a dream and it led them to not only run a business that supported a family with four children, but also left a lasting mark on the magic community at large.

It’s funny how we got here.

Read more.

Montreal: Guy Camirand Day!

From the October 29th post "GUY DAY" at Perfect Magic:

Mark your calendars NOVEMBER 2ND FROM 10AM TO 1PM. 2019
GUY DAY CELEBRATION

We’re celebrating Guy Day. Yes we are having a special event at Perfect Magic and invite you to to be there. We are honouring Guy Camirand of the Camirand AcadeIMG_0129.jpgmy of Magic. Many of you were his students of magic and he would be thrilled to see you. Many of you may have purchased the excellent products that he and Gary Ouellet created. Guy said he is bringing a surprise, something new that should be of interest to you, but he didn’t tell me what it is.

Bring your kids with you and get them started in magic. I’m sure they’ll be entertained.

We’re having a STOREWIDE SALE for the occasion, so be sure to be here on this coming Saturday NOVEMBER 2nd from 10:00am to 1:00pm 2019   We look forward to seeing you.

Read more.

Phil Matlin's 2018 Ragtime Tour

Phil Matlin - owner of Montréal's magic shop Perfect Magic, will be playing ragtime and touring through Ontario (Cambridge, Elmira, Kitchener, and Waterloo) at the end of December.

If you missed our previous post about the many talents of Phil, have a look at him playing Carolina in the Morning.

Phil Matlin's 2018 Ragtime Tour 

Thursday Dec. 27 2:00 PM    

• Chateau Gardens    11 Herbert Street    Elmira ON

Thursday Dec-27    6:30 PM    

• St. Joseph's Health Center    80 Westmount Road     Guelph ON

Friday    Dec-28    4:00 PM    

• Waterloo Heights Retirement Home    170 Erb St.     Waterloo ON

Saturday Dec. 29    1:30 PM    

• Park Lane Terrace    275 Grand River    North Paris ON

Sunday    Dec-30    1:00 PM    

• Cambridge Country Manoir    3680 Speedsville Road     Cambridge ON

Monday    Dec-31    2:00 PM    

• Lanark Heights Long Term Care    46 Lanark Cres.    Kitchener ON

 

 

 

Without Perfect Magic, there may not have been a JP Parent to fool Penn and Teller!

How many brick and mortar magic store staff are responsible for stories like this one from JP Parent ...

From the October 10th article "A Note from Montreal Magician Jean-Pierre Parent Who Fooled Penn and Teller" by Evelyn Matlin at Perfect Magic:

One goes about ones business everyday, doing what they do, but once in a while something happens to lift your spirits. JP Parent  who fooled Penn and Teller https://youtu.be/_-P4wjAROok took the time to write to me and with his permission I am sharing it with you. This is what he wrote.

“I love your articles you post !

The last one about being in heaven when you walked in the shop was my favorite. Ms Evelyn, you prob would not remember this if I told you ,but you where the first person to perform a magic trick for me in a magic shop.

Read more.

Phil Matlin's 2017 Ragtime Tour

Phil Matlin - owner of Montréal's magic shop Perfect Magic, will be playing ragtime and touring through Ontario (Cambridge, Elmira, Kitchener, and Waterloo) at the end of December.

If you missed our previous post about the many talents of Phil, have a look at him playing Carolina in the Morning.

Phil Matlin's 2017 Ragtime Tour 

Tuesday December 26th
2 PM Hilltop Manor
42 Elliot St. Cambridge ON Tel. 519-621-3067

Thursday December 28th
2 PM Chateau Gardens
11 Herbert St. Elmira ON Tel.519-669-2921

Friday December 29th
4 PM Waterloo Heights
170 Erb St. Waterloo ON Tel. 519-886-3410

Saturday December 30th
1:30 PM Cambridge Country Manor
3680 Speedsville RD
Cambridge ON Tel. 519-650-0100

Sunday December 31st - New Year’s Eve
1:30 PM Bankside Terrace
71 Bankside Dr.
Kitchener ON Tel. 519-749-9999

McCord Museum: Magic, music, and dance

From Perfect Magic:

If you haven’t been to the McCord Museum this summer it’s worth going to. Not your usual museum exhibition. It’s called ILLUSIONS – The Art of Magic and Luc Langevin is the ambassador of the exhibit. It’s the Allan Slaight collection, which was acquired by the McCord with the help of the Emmanuelle Gattuso Foundation.  A tip of the Top Hat to the people who designed it.. Phil and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

We were invited by magician Dr. Joe Culpepper, magician, scholar, consultant and friend and customer of Perfect Magic. Before the guided tour, we were treated to a magic show, in a lovely little theatre there, given by the young students, who attended the McCord Museum Camp, Abracadabra, who were guided and taught by Joe and the counsellors. The kids did a great job and they all knew how to take a bow when the applause came.

So what’s the link between magic and music?

Read more.

Jeff says thanks to everyone for their support of the Browser's Den.

Special guest shouts out to: Kind of Magic's Phil Cox, Perfect Magic's Phil & Evelyn Matlin as well as past president of the IBM and head of the Canadian Association of Magicians – Joan Caesar.

From Len Cooper's family: Bernice, Len's wife, as well as his children Jack and Heather Cooper are here too! Len would have absolutely adored this!

Today's Zone performers: Al Grose, Arthur Poon, Morgan Pierce, Alex Boyer, Derick Finn, and Rosemary Reid!

The Problem With Magic Instructions

Do you agree with Phil's advice below?  It sounds solid to me.  Although it seems that quite a few performers skip the "make it your own" step.  What tips do you have to offer for folks trying to make an effect "their own"?



From Evelyn Matlin's post "The Problem With Magic Instructions" at Perfect Magic:

Phil always said, “When you buy a trick, read the instructions first. See how the trick works and then forget about the instructions and make it your own!” I think that’s pretty good advice!

Read more.

From Perfect Magic: Phil Matlin vs Julius Caesar

From Perfect Magic:

If you’ve  been to the Perfect Magic Facebook site, then you know that Phil has a few gigs  playing piano for the Cote St. Luc Library on the first Tuesday of the summer months. A piano had been donated to Cote St Luc and it went to Rembrandt Park and was inaugurated by none other than Oliver Jones. The media was there, as well as the politicians and it was a big deal.

The first Tuesday of June came along. We had our plans but nature had other plans. There was a storm the night before and the tarpaulin didn’t do its job and the piano was ruined. But in the tradition of show business, the show went on. Some folks from the library came to our condo and carried down Phil’s electric keyboard and speaker and whatever else and he played. It was not his best show, a little trouble with equipment, and whatnot, but people came over after and said they enjoyed it thoroughly. The other day in the elevator, a lady said to Phil, “You’re the piano player. It was so wonderful.” and he said “If you enjoyed it I’ll be there again this Tuesday.”

Read more.

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari

Almost 20 years ago, armed only with the idea of making magic more accessible to kids who want to learn magic, "Magic Mike" Segal opened the doors to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.  Sorcerers Safari is Canada's only sleepaway magic camp, hosting up to 150 campers a year.

Words fail to adequately describe the phenomenon that is Sorcerers Safari.  Everyone comes away from camp with their own unique experience.  To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, here’s a list of:

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari (in no particular order):

1. My favourite camp memory would have to be when I first went to Sorcerers Safari. I saw all of my idols in magic and there were so many magicians that I had watched on TV and on YouTube. It was brilliant to see them perform and not only to see them perform but just to have a normal magic or even non magic conversation with them was amazing to me. It was literally like a dream come true!
   
   Brad B.
   Camper: 2014-2015
   
   
   
2. The first year I ever attended I recall walking down a wooded path and seeing Michael Ammar talking to a group of campers who were seated under the shade of a huge tree.  Michael was talking about choosing magic as a career and I could see the look in all the campers eyes as I eavesdropped.  I knew in that very moment I would return to camp as often as I could as I felt something I’d never felt before.  Not sure how to describe it, but it was just so special.
   
   Shawn Farquhar (magichampion.com)
   Instructor: 2008-2013, 2015
3. A favourite memory was making a card flourish duel that appeared in the 2013 camp video.
   
   
   Eric S.
   Camper: 2007-2014
   
   
   
4. I was overwhelmed by the quality of instruction and the dedication of Mike, Jen and the entire board and staff. It was without doubt one the finest experiences I've had in my almost 40 years in the Magic business.
   
   Phil Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
   Guest: 2014
5. I would have to say that my favourite memory at camp would have to be after Brett C. and I performed the “cube in cube out” stage illusion. It was a huge relief that the whole thing went successfully and it was also the first routine that Brett and I created together.
   
   Holden L.
   Camper: 2008-2015
   
   

6. Many of my favourite memories at Sorcerers Safari come from the late night jam sessions in the campers' cabins.  You never know what newest tricks or guest magicians you'll find.
   
   For example, a few years back, I witnessed Tyler Wilson sharing the longest and most entertaining card revelation I've seen. Over the course of about 45 minutes, the cabin filled with campers as they watched him attempt to find the card.  Pure suspense. Needless to say, he had no idea what the card was, and was playing us the entire time.
   
   The jam sessions offer a great opportunity to see the campers' talent and creativity.  In 2015, Philip B. and I posed an Ambitious Card challenge to the cabin.  They split into 2 teams to work together to create an Ambitious Card routine from scratch.  This impromptu competition went on for close to 2 hours and was a blast to watch!
   
   Sheldon Casavant (SheldonCasavant.com)
   Camper: 2003, Counsellor: 2004 and 2007, Instructor: 2015
   
7. 

   Trying to find only one Sorcerers Safari good memory is impossible because there are so many!  So let’s say that one of them is when Anders Bjorkman, Johnny Toronto, and I did a “fire trio act” together on the beach during the party night. I believe it happened in 2010. We literally had a blast!!!
   
   Loran, (LoranIllusion.com)
   Instructor: 2000 - 2015
   
   

8. a) The first time (repeated over the years) that all the campers hit the stage on the final night to present their interpretation of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ... (always a fun moment).
   b) Seeing the "shy and timid" take the stage for the first time in front of their peers and proudly present an effect they have learned at camp.
   c) The meal times with the table banging under the direction of Lee Asher.
   d) Seeing a camper on TELEVISION presenting magic... and only a few years earlier not being able to communicate...
   e) Year after year - the reunions. Campers emailing each other to make sure they would be in the same dorm.
   f) The chant of "we love Dick, we love Dick."
   
   Dick Joiner, (DickJoiner.com)
   Instructor: ~2001-2015
   
   
   
9. Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp was the first time I ever went to camp. I'm in my seventies and it was fun and exciting. I loved the enthusiasm of the kids and their teachers, who were the best. We met old friends and made new ones. Keep up the good work and thank you Mike for inviting us.
   
   Evelyn Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
   Guest: 2014
10. I have so many wonderful memories of camp that it's near impossible to choose just one. But a camp classic that we continually reminisce about all the time happened on my first year when Rob 'Fish The Magish' Fishbaum secretly hid in the woods during the middle of the night, waited until I walked by, then jumped out making a loud squealing pig noise. I shrieked like a little girl, jumped into Steve Kline's arms completely terrified, and almost crapped my pants.
    
    It was an amazing moment. It's also when I knew these people would be part of my family for the rest of our lives. The best part, scaring the newbie staff has since become a long-standing camp tradition.
    
    Lee Asher (LeeAsher.com)
    Special Guest: 2001, Instructor: 2002-2015
    
    
    
11. Lip Sync Battles
    
    

    

    
    

    

      
    
    Jeff P.
    Counsellor in Training: 2015
    
12. When the whole camp did a one camera take lip dub! That was so exciting and EVERYONE had a part and nailed it! The video was a hit and definitely one to be remembered.
    
    Watch the 2011 Sorcerers Safari Lip Dub on YouTube:
    
    
    
    Lorena Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
    Instructor: 2010-2014

13. a) I remember one night at the nightly stage shows in the Pinetages theatre:  the air was hot and thick… the performers were breaking a sweat after literally 30 seconds on stage.  And out of the blue we see Lee Asher come out and perform a trick (and a dance!) in a massive eggplant costume! It was epic.
    
    b) One year we decided to do a lip dub. It was amazing to see everyone come together and participate with such passion and precision. Check out the video it took us about a half-day to film. It was truly awesome.
    
    Eric Leclerc (EricLeclerc.com)
    Instructor: 2008-2015
    
    
    
14. My favourite memory from camp was probably performing for Michael and Lisa Close's daughter on stage. I was able to use her last name to do a hilarious bit for the entire camp while poking fun of their last name.
    
    Chris Westfall (ChrisWestfallMagic.com)
    Instructor
    
    
    
15. One of my favourite memories would be Eric Leclerc and a few of us attempting to scare RJ late at night with a bunch of scary halloween masks and then RJ wouldn't wake up. I have the video footage of it, but it is one of those bits that never made it into the annual Sorcerers Video, but was very funny to observe at the time.
    
    Chris Mayhew (ChrisMayhewMagic.com)
    Videographer: 2013-2015
16. a) Performing on the camp stage. The first time I worked a stage, wore a mic, stood in front of the lights, and performed for a "big" crowd all came at camp. I'll never forget the love and support people showed me, and it's probably a major reason why I'm still getting up there today!
    
    b) Watching my campers grow up.  I still maintain relationships with campers I had a decade ago.  Some have become better performers than I would have ever imagined. Some are even better than I am... which is both awesome and infuriating!  One that stands out to me is Nathaniel Rankin.  I watched him grow from a cute, but shy, juggler to a world class magician performing on cruise ships around the world.  I don't take credit for his success -- that was all him -- but I'm glad to have been a stepping stone on his path to finding something that makes him so happy.
    
    Ben Train, (BenTrain.ca)
    Counsellor in Training: 2000-2001, Staff: 2002-2015
    

17. This memory is from 2006.  For the end of the week camper show, Sami S. and I decided to dress up like veteran campers and counsellors, Kelvin and Dustin.  Every year, this eccentric duo would perform the “one-handed card trick” in which they are Siamese twins, joined at the hip where each only has the ability to use only one hand.  2006 marked one of the first years Kelvin was not at camp (but Dustin was) so we did not get to see their jubilant routine.  Instead, Sami and I dressed up like the duo and impersonated them and the one-handed card trick.  It was really goofy, not many people understood what we were doing.  But I distinctly remember Scott Hammell and Magic Mike in the audience laughing uncontrollably.
    
    This memory isn’t about the moment itself, but about the inside joke shared with the other veteran campers and staff that makes it stand out so strongly in my mind.  The inside jokes are what I remember now; nonsense jokes told around the campfire (knock-knock jokes will always be the funniest for me because of camp), and ridiculous one-liners.  There are moments with sugar shots, fruit stickers on our foreheads, crocket, fridge box racing, pushing Steve Kline in the lake and so many defining “coming of age” moments that bring me back to camp.  There are too many small memories to put one as the best, but the inside jokes between fellow campers and life-long friends are something I hold onto very dearly.
    
    Lauren Proctor
    Camper: 1999-2008
    
18. My favorite memory is when Magic Mike told us that the visiting volleyball camp found an (invisible) deck, and not knowing what it was straightened all of the cards for us. I retell that story to magicians all the time.
    
    
    Jonah Babins (JonahBabinsMagic.com)
    Camper, Counsellor in Training, and Instructor
    

19. Playing capture the flag with the kids during active time, then one of them realizing that I was the entertainer he watched on stage the night before! He was so excited, then I noticed a few more kids running around with me to beat the game!
    
    Trevor Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
    Instructor: 2010-2014
    
    
    
    
20. I have so very many memories of camp, having been the guy who started it, and having attended every year, that it is hard to pick just one. There really are so many in the 20 years… but one stands out, and is particularly appropriate for this summer.
    
    I remember the summer 15 years ago when we switched our host camp after 5 years at another camp.  It was an amazing summer, as everything felt new again. The energy (which is never lacking at Sorcerers Safari) seemed to be ramped up that summer in everyone, staff and campers. Exploring the new grounds, and meeting new challenges really made everyone bring their ‘A’ Game. It was great.  The move was extremely positive, making me that much more excited to see what our move will bring this summer.
    
    Magic Mike Segal (SorcerersSafari.ca)
    Camp Director: 1996 - 2016

The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016.  For more information, or to register, please visit SorcerersSafari.ca

• Jeff's looking more at home in his “trusty sweater vest.”
• Welcome to Dan Morrissey (of Morrissey Magic) to the stage!  We’ve missed you Phoebe and Dan!
• Welcome to Phil and Evelyn Matlin (of Perfect Magic, Montreal) to the stage!
• Mentioning Joan Caesar, past president of the IBM and founder of the Canadian Association of Magicians! 
• Added bonus:  Welcome to Len Cooper’s family! Bernice, Len’s wife, as well as his children, Jack and Sandy Cooper!

Talk about one big magic family!

New offerings from Phil Matlin

As many of you know, Phil Matlin, owner of Montréal's magic shop Perfect Magic, is also a professional ragtime piano player.  He's been known to tour now and again.  Recently, he's added some new selections to his YouTube channel.  They include: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, A-Razz-Ma-Tazz, After You've Gone, Basin Street Blues, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Sentimental Journey, and Alexander's Ragtime Band.


Have a listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band:




Tracks from his CDs Ragtime Daze, or Ragtime Magic, have also been used to accompany some magic acts!

Phil Matlin's 2015 Ragtime Tour

Phil Matlin - owner of Montréal's magic shop Perfect Magic, will be playing ragtime and touring through Ontario (Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph) at the end of December.

Sat	Dec 26th	2:00 PM	Victoria Place	290 Queen St. S. Kitchener
Sun	Dec 27th	2:30 PM	Fergus Place	164 Fergus Avenue Kitchener
Mon	Dec 28th	2:00 PM	Parkwood   Mennonite Homes	726 New Hampshire Waterloo
Tues	Dec 29th	2:30 PM	Waterloo Heights    Retirement Apts	170 Erb St. W. Waterloo
Thurs	Dec 31st	2:00 PM	The Westmount	200 David Bergy Drive Kitchener
Thurs	Dec 31st	6:30 PM	Village of Riverside   Glenn.	60 Woodlawn Road East Guelph

If you missed our previous post about the many talents of Phil, have a look at him playing Carolina in the Morning.

Perfect Magic on Magicians and Politicians

From Perfect Magic's blog:

For a brief moment I had a flashback to a Magic Convention.  Dai Vernon, the 80 plus year old legend, with a lot of knowledge and experience. He was a living legend and everyone was trying to get to him, but he wasn’t interested in them. He was only interested in Phil, yes, Phil Matlin, because they were both honky tonk and ragtime piano players and Dai loved that music. even more than magic.

Women were not prominent on the magic scene back then. That’s changing too.

Read more.

Phil Matlin with Jazz Legend Oliver Jones

From Perfect Magic:

Speaking of jazz, an event took place in our city of Côte Saint Luc on Monday, June 29, at the park, Rembrandt Park, across the street from our condo. A Piano in the Park was inaugurated by non other than Oliver Jones, the legendary Oliver Jones. There was much excitement afoot. The press was there, including Global TV and CTV, the Gazette, the Suburban; the Mayor of our city, Anthony Housefather; and our City Councillor, Mike Cohen as well as other city councillors from Côte Saint Luc; the Lady who donated the piano, Louise Silverman; and the person who got the ball rolling in the first place, our own Phil Matlin!

Read more.

From Perfect Magic's Facebook page:

Posted by Canada's Magic on Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Connecting John Smithman to Guy Stanley

I'm happy to report that with the help of Phil Matlin, John Smithman was able to reconnect with Guy Stanley 53 years later!

From the Magic Cafe:

I'm a happy man. Some people of action helped me find my long lost friend Guy Stanley.

Nicole at Canada's Magic saw my post here, emailed me and asked me to send her my contact information which she sent to Phil at Perfect Magic in Montreal so that he could forward it Guy Stanley, one of his regular customers. Guy called me within hours and we spoke for several hours catching up on 53 years of separated time.

I was right. Guy still loves magic as a hobby and has a treasury of books on great historical champions of magic. Thanks Nicole for taking action. Thanks Phil for closing the loop. And thanks to Magic Café's Steve Brooks for making connections among us magicians possible!

Report: Michael Close lecture

From Perfect Magic's Facebook page:

Post by Perfect Magic.

A reminder that Mike Close will be performing at (20% discount at Magic Tonight with coupon code cmagic):

A special Magic Tonight Fundraiser for the Centre for Inquiry Canada Dec 21 http://t.co/7VrwhfUUbl
— James Alan (@james_alan) December 4, 2014

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