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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Welcoming a new Friend: Richard Lyn

Welcoming our newest Friend, Richard Lyn!

I first had the pleasure of watching Richard, aka Tricky Ricky, perform at a Morrissey Magic anniversary party.  It was an impromptu performance for Richard.  He kindly filled in for some of the scheduled performers who were stuck in a massive traffic snarl on the QEW.  Between his Saturday shows, Richard had come by the store to say hi.  Richard brought out his talented rabbit (Lucy at the time) and had the audience, especially the children, rolling in the aisles with laughter.  I also saw Tricky Ricky perform with similar results at Magicana's show Piff Paff Poof in 2011.

Richard certainly knows what makes children laugh!

Thank you Richard, for becoming an official Friend of Canada's Magic!

Toronto: Piff Paff Poof run extended!

From Sharing Wonder:

We are delighted to announce that our family-friendly magic show, Piff Paff Poof, has been held over at the Lower Ossington Theatre for all weekends in April. Show dates and tickets are now available here.

Read Inside Toronto's write up about Julie and the show.

Book launch: "The Lives of a Showman"

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a book launch party for “The Lives of a Showman” by Mark Lewis. (I live tweeted the event with the tag #TLOAS though I missed tagging a few tweets here and there.)

Upon entering Browser’s Den of Magic, I was instructed to direct my attention upward. Hanging from the ceiling were more than a dozen cheerful Lee Asher sign creations containing “Markisms” such as “If they were all the nine of hearts it would look like this” and “You're quite slow, do you work for the post office?” The mood was set!

It was clear that Mark has a tremendous amount of support in the local magic community! I found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe, Ariel Fralich, Mia Ngueyn and Adam Harmes who had all made contributions to, or were mentioned in, the book. Other notables present include*: Gordon Precious, Owen Anderson, Paul Pacific, Chris Westfall, John Pellatt, Richard Lyn, John Michalson, Shawna Ross-York, Dan McLean, Steve Shrott, Joe Schwarcz and young Daniel (one of Mark’s students).

While reading from his book, we were regaled with stories of Mark’s experiences with The Worst Audience Ever at The Blue Angel and his early days of (not so) psychic readings in Ireland with Adam Harmes. Mark also read a piece written about him by Mai Nguyen, winner of the Jerry Gladman Memorial Scholarship in Journalism.

To round out the evening we were treated to James Alan’s rendition of Mark’s “Pig Trick” and then we all laughed ourselves silly through Jeff Hinchliffe’s impersonation of Mark doing his Svengali deck hustle.

It is always a delightful experience to hear an author read his own words. If the rest of the book is even half as entertaining as the launch party, it should be a good read indeed!

To purchase “The Lives of a Showman” visit Mark's website, Browser’s Den of Magic or contact your local magic dealer.


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* If I’ve missed listing anyone who was there please send me an e-mail or leave a comment below! Thank you to John Pellatt, Ariel Fralich and James Alan for providing attendee intel on the parts of the room I didn’t make it to.

Toronto: March magic for kids!

This March, Magicana presents Piff Paff Poof!

Poof the rabbit and his magician Julie Eng will be performing at The Lower Ossington Theatre (aka the LOT) in Toronto.  Audiences will see some amazing magic for the young at heart – colourful, visual, participatory, funny and, most of all, magical. 

In addition, Poof will also be joined by either Mark Lewis or Tricky Ricky (Richard Lyn), two of Canada's best children's entertainers.

Visit the Piff Paff Poof website for more information or to purchase your tickets!