Toronto: 'Magic Show & Tell' at Browser's Den

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Magic Show & Tell at Browser's Den

FREE EVENTS COMING UP!

SAVE THE DATES!
Saturday, July 20, 2pm to 3:30pm - David Barrett

Saturday, August 10, 2pm to 3:30pm  - James Alan
Saturday, August 31, 2pm to 3:30pm - Andrew Woo

Saturday, September 14, 2pm to 3:30pm  - Dr. Sammy

Saturday, October 5, 2pm to 3:30pm  - Ryan Murray
Saturday, October 26, 2pm to 3:30pm  - David Peck

Read more.

 

 

 

 

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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A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

 

 

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Toronto: James Alan guest hosts The Newest Trick in the Book.

From James Alan's Facebook post:

While the sophisticated and charming Jonah Babins is off lallygagging enjoying his last few days of summer vacation, they've left me to guest-host this special night of The Newest Trick in the Book.

I'm sure Jonah has nothing to worry about. What trouble could we possibly get into with Sammy Jakubowicz, Mike Carbone, uncle Wes and uncle Glenn?

Random thoughts from "The Newest Trick in the Book"

The Newest Trick in the Book is back Tuesday October 3rd, at 8:30pm, for a FREE Halloween themed show, with Benzi Train, James Alan, James Harrison, and Shamus Mac Gregor!

Last month, I attended the September 5th edition of "The Newest Trick in the Book," billed as "Toronto's ONLY magic open-mic."

I had no idea what to expect from a magic open-mic.  I thought it might be a slightly more dressed up version of watching folks jam at the club or the magic shop.  As it turns out I'd previously seen most of the performers on this program both jamming casually and performing professionally.  Would the evening be a repeat of stuff I'd already seen?

The verdict:  no.  Well, sometimes yes.  But not really.

Let me explain.

The event takes place at  See-Scape Toronto, a sci-fi bar and gaming café.  It's a cozy space filled with wonderful people.  (And lots of games.)

Great venue for "The Newest Trick in the Book"

Photo from Sept 5. Next show Tues Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/BhlotVQsDT

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

Everything about the place is interesting.

Do they use this during the show?

From "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/qdMgnAVJ5F

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

You were probably wondering about the show.

The evening was a TONNE of fun.  The performances were elevated well beyond a typical jam.  Each of the performers had an energy that was different from what I expected of them.  Perhaps it was the buzz of doing something in front of an audience for the first time? 

It was also clear to me, that the performers were having more fun than usual too!  I witnessed the child-like excitement of bringing a new idea to life, the brilliance of turning the tables on an old standard, freshening up a classic, and the general enjoyment of working things out in front of a safe crowd.  (I've heard more than one professional espouse the importance of having a "safe place" to try things out in front of an audience.  I better appreciate the wisdom now.)

If you're in the Toronto area, I encourage you to both attend and perform at "The Newest Trick in the Book."



Trivia questions: who said what?

1) Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!	a) Sammy Jakubowicz
2) Mr. Harrison, it's time for your medication.	b) Chris Westfall
3) That's what I would do if I were in your position. But I'm a jerk.	c) James Harrison
4) I'm not a thief, I'm a magician.	d) James Alan

With thanks to the wonderful performers!

.@jonahbabins emcee, at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Tues Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/WPjS0YyV2I

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

.@PickpocketJames schooling us at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Tues Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/Jd7s3tDW0m

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

The super fast hands of @SurrealMayhew at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Oct 3rdhttps://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/mIgiNCmSRv

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

.@Doc_Sammy entertains at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Tues Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/wQsWnBb7fe

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

Reminder to floss from @westfallmagic
at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Oct 3rdhttps://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/wO8OqRvVz0

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

Great show at by everyone at "The Newest Trick in the Book" Sept 5. Next show Tues Oct 3rd.https://t.co/S6ZKXBXhHB@TorontoMagicCO pic.twitter.com/c8xrrgsh7k

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 1, 2017

Toronto: The Newest Trick in the Book

From the Toronto Magic Company's Facebook page:

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Rob Testa reviews Ninety Nine Fabrications

From iTunes:

Powerful stuff man.

Read more.
 

Don't believe him? Read "Ninety-Nine Fabrications Vol. I The Collected Reports of the P. Howard Lyons Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians" for yourself.

Definitely the weirdest thing I've ever published... but so proud bit.ly/S3uJM2 #Ring99 w/ @doc_sammy
— James Alan (@james_alan) January 1, 2013

And our insane (literally) #Ring99 download is now also available on #Kobo: bit.ly/VupVMf
— James Alan (@james_alan) January 2, 2013

Ring 17: executive for 2011-12

The executive of Toronto's Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, IBM Ring 17 for 2011-12:

• President: James Alan
• 1^st Vice President: Dr. Sammy Jakubowicz
• 2^nd Vice President: Deborah Fallick
• Secretary: Rylan Cardoso
• Treasurer: Andrew Goss
• Past President: Robert Taylor

I can't wait to see what's in store for the club next season!