Halifax: The Actual Wizard’s Mystery Parlour [Nov 30]

With Vincenzo Ravina and Ian Stewart!

 

From the November 18th Instagram post by Vincenczo Ravina:

The Actual Wizard’s Mystery Parlour opens on Nov. 30 at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts at 7:30 pm with special guests @ianstewartandstuff, world record magician and juggler, and @theunderstudieshfx, award-winning improv trio! Advance tickets are 20% off at ActualWizard.ca! 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vincenzo Ravina: Actual Wizard (@halifaxmagician)

 

 

 

A peek behind the curtain with Liberty Larsen

The cat's out of the bag.  Champions of Magic welcomes Liberty Larsen to its cast!

We're delighted to interview Liberty leading up to the Champions of Magic "Chasing the Unbelievable" tour dates in Canada:

• Nov 13 - 16:  National Arts Centre, Ottawa ON
  
• Dec 4 - 6:  Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay ON
  
• Dec 8:  Sudbury Community Arena, Sudbury ON
  
• Mar 19:  Slush Puppie Place, Kingston ON
  
• Mar 20:  Place des Arts, Montreal  QC
  
• Mar 22:  Avenir Centre, Moncton NB 
• Mar 23:  Scotiabank Centre, Halifax NS
  
• Mar 25:  FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton ON 
• Mar 26:  Performance Stage at Canada Life Place, London ON 
• Mar 27-28:  Pickering Casino, Pickering ON 
• May 8-9:  Royal Theatre, Victoria BC
  
• May 11:  Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary AB
  
• May 20-22:  Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC

Check the Champions of Magic website for updates and more information.

 

Read our thoughts about the 2023 Champions of Magic show in Toronto:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about Champions of Magic 

 

 

You may already know Liberty: 

• is a fourth-generation magician,
  
• is from the family that founded The Magic Castle, Genii Magazine, and the Academy of Magical Arts,
  
• is a singer,
  
• combines theatrical magic with original musical compositions, and
  
• was on Penn and Teller's Fool Us S04E04
  

What is your first memory of magic?

 

My first memory of magic is on my fifth birthday, at the Magic Castle, on stage with the one and only – Ireland’s Largest Leprechaun, Mister Billy McComb. I believe he did the vanishing birdcage that day. He eventually got me on stage as a volunteer and I was in heaven. I thought he was the bees knees. And as I got older, he just got funnier and funnier. One of my favorites ever. Rest in peace, Billy.

 

Other than your family, who were the first professional magicians you remember seeing?

I was lucky enough to see the Siegfried and Roy show as a young kid, and that show was truly mesmerizing, larger than life. It felt like being in another world. I remember the electricity in the room. It was thrilling and kinetic, and they were so graceful. They seemed to have walked onto the stage from the clouds.

 

On "Penn and Teller’s Fool Us" you mentioned that you 'resisted' the call to magic in your early years.  Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted to perform magic full-time?

Well, I always loved to perform, since I was very young. But I think everyone goes through a phase where they want nothing to do with what their parents (or grandparents, or great-grandparents!) want them to do. My family didn’t push for magic too hard, but I still rebelled against it on sheer principle. I can’t say that the decision to “give in” happened in a single moment. It was more gradual – the result of seeing some truly amazing performers who were really coming on the scene with a very different approach to magic. That was very inspiring, because it showed me that magic is more versatile than I may have imagined. But more than anything, I really came to appreciate the gift magic gives people – the feelings it produces – and I realized I wanted to continue in the legacy and be a conduit for those feelings, because they’re so wonderful.

 

 

 

By what mechanisms did you begin learning magic? 

I learned magic at Magic Camp as a kid (that’s right, folks!) in Idyllwild, California. I also learned from dear family friends, and from books.

 

Liberty Larsen

 

 

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?

Outside of magic, I’m inspired by Joanna Newsom, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen (two very special Canadians who almost dated!), Jesca Hoop, Martha Graham, Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry, Peter Brook, Carmen Amaya, Kate Bush, Harry Nilsson, Tom Waits, Remedios Varo, Robert Moss, on and on… I love people who make worlds out of their dreams and stubbornly insist on living inside them. 

 

 

 

Who inspires you magically?

I’m inspired by Rob Zabrecky, Michael Carbonaro, Jared Kopf, Voronin, The Swedish Monkey Opera, René Lavand (rest in peace) and many other gems.
  

 

 

 

In addition to performing magic, we understand that you are also a musician. Have you studied anything else magic-adjacent? How have these studies informed your magic performance?

Though I can’t say I’ve officially studied art, film or photography, I’ve definitely been influenced by my own rogue education in all of those realms. Everything that inspires, everything that lights up the circuitry, everything that gives goosebumps, can translate into magic, I think.

I draw from music more than anything else, because I look to magic to create strong feelings. I’m not really drawn to cerebral stuff, or puzzles, it’s not how my mind is wired. I can appreciate them but they don’t motivate me to get on stage.

On stage, I don’t want to be clever. I want to feel connected to people When I’m in an audience, I want to feel like the performer is cracking my heart open like a walnut, and melting me. So, I look to music for how to do that, because that’s how I’m wired. So I often sing, because it’s a quick cheat to shift things from intellect into feeling. But even when I’m not singing, the same elements of music – rhythm and pacing, tone and resonance, harmonics and dissonance, dynamics and flow – all these things go into good theater, and satisfying magic.  

 

 

What, if anything, makes you nervous about joining the Champions family?

Giant theaters! Exciting, but not something I’m used to. I’ve performed in a lot of very small, cabaret style venues. This is a whole different ball of wax.

 

What are you most looking forward to about joining the Champions of Magic family?

The adventure of it! I love the electrical current that’s running through this project. It’s got a strong pulse. It seems like I’m hopping on a train that’s changing platforms and going to a whole new dimension. This is such a fantastic group of people, and it’s an ambitious risk we’re all taking together, which is a truly exciting challenge.
 

 

 

 

If you could go back in time to study (magic or otherwise) under anybody, who would you choose to be your mentor?

I think I would go back in time and study dance with Martha Graham. I devoured her autobiography and am so inspired by the way she lived her life. She was a genuinely magical person, and a profound teacher. I feel like what she taught could translate beyond dance into just about anything. She taught people how to be deeply in their bodies, truly themselves and radically open to their own source of inspiration.    

Liberty Larsen

Many magicians have a Canadian connection to magic.  Tell us about your Canadian magic connection(s).

Dai Vernon and Doug Henning are masters in their own right, but I didn’t have any direct connection with either of them. So, I would say my first Canadian magic connection in this life is one Mister Christopher Hart. I saw his act many, many times growing up, and it was striking for a young imagination to watch. I love Christopher. He also played “Thing” in the (more recent) Addams Family movies. Go Canada!

 

 

If you could prevent other performers performing an effect forever, what would it be?

I read a truly terrible “gag” in an antique magic book about having your Thanksgiving turkey get up and walk off the table. It involved using a real chicken, plucked, and doing some terrible things to force it to be still, and painting it brown as if it was roasted. I would outlaw that turkey trick, punishable by tarring and feathering.

If you could only perform one effect for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I am not sure I could ever be up to that challenge. But if I could shapeshift into a bird while singing, and land one someone’s shoulder, maybe deliver a secret message that only they would understand and that would inspire a huge gasp, it would be that.

 

 

What’s your go-to Karaoke song?

“Get it While You Can” by Janis Joplin. Not because of the lyrics, necessarily, but because her emotional range is just so great to sing.

 

 

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about performing in Canada?

The Louise Bourgeois spider sculpture.

Just the fist thing that came into my mind…  

[Editor's note: "Maman" by Louise Bourgeois can be seen at the National Gallery of Canada.]

 

 

From the October 31st Instagram post by Young Hollywood, Liberty Larsen, and Fernando Velasco (one of her Champions of Magic co-stars) are interviewed about the Magic Castle:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YOUNG HOLLYWOOD (@younghollywood)

 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I just learned that, “The first reference to throwing rotten vegetables at bad stage acts came in an 1883 New York Times article after John Ritchie was hit with a barrage of tomatoes and rotten eggs by an unpleasant audience in New York. A large tomato thrown from the gallery struck him square between the eyes and he fell t the floor just as several bad eggs dropped upon his head.” The more you know…!

 

 

Thank you Liberty, for making the time to answer our questions!

Learn more about Liberty by visiting her website LibertyLarsen.com, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Liberty in Champions of Magic touring in Canada 2024-2025:

• Nov 13 - 16:  National Arts Centre, Ottawa ON
  
• Dec 4 - 6:  Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay ON
  
• Dec 8:  Sudbury Community Arena, Sudbury ON
  
• Mar 19:  Slush Puppie Place, Kingston ON
  
• Mar 20:  Place des Arts, Montreal  QC
  
• Mar 22:  Avenir Centre, Moncton NB 
• Mar 23:  Scotiabank Centre, Halifax NS
  
• Mar 25:  FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton ON 
• Mar 26:  Performance Stage at Canada Life Place, London ON 
• Mar 27-28:  Pickering Casino, Pickering ON 
• May 8-9:  Royal Theatre, Victoria BC
  
• May 11:  Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary AB
  
• May 20-22:  Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC
  

    Check the Champions of Magic website for updates and more information.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with the rest of the cast:

• Michelle Mazzarella
• Sam Strange 
  
• Fernando Velasco and
• Richard Young   
  

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in May 2024

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in April 2024

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in March 2024

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in February 2024

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

ON, BC, AB, SK, NS & NB: Wes Barker on tour [Jan - Mar]

Tickets at LinkTree.

• JAN 19 - COLLINGWOOD, ON
• JAN 26 - VANCOUVER, BC
• JAN 28 - CALGARY, AB (afternoon show)
• FEB 10 - SASKATOON, SK
• FEB 11 - REGINA, SK
• FEB 16 - McALESTER, OK
• FEB 17 - McALESTER, OK
• MAR 14 - HALIFAX, NS
  
• MAR 15 - FREDERICTON, NB
• APR 28 - MAIMI on CELEBRITY SUMMIT CRUISE SHIP 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in January 2024

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in November 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in October 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in September 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page. - Ian Stewart talk about world records.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, St John: Matt DiSero, Ken Margoe, & Khang Pham [Sep 14 - 17]

From the June 29th Facebook post by Matt DiSero:

East Coast Canada !! Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, St John... Comin at ya in September. I know its early but tickets are flyin, so get em now while the gettin's good. FYI - gifts of lobster or screech will get you backstage.

Sept 14 - Fredericton 
Sept 15 - Moncton
Sept 16 - Halifax
Sept 17 - St John

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in June 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- Magic with a holiday theme.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in May 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- Show openers.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Halifax: Vincenzo Ravina -- Actual Wizard and Global News interview [Apr 22, May 13, Oct 30]

From Halifax Magician:

After two sold out performances, Actual Wizard returns to the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts by popular demand.

In this unusual show, actual wizard and Halifax magician Vincenzo Ravina brings his magic to an odd little room with two pianos in it.

Vincenzo will emerge from his mysterious smoke-filled cave to show you some strange stuff.

There will be: Potions! Ghosts! Playing Cards! Murder!

Actual Wizard is funny, mystifying, absurd, and experimental.

Read more and buy tickets.

From the April 5th upload by Global News Morning Halifax:

Global’s Eilish Bonang is joined in studio by actual wizard and magician, Vincenzo Ravina to talk about his upcoming magic show at the Maritime Conservatory and perform a mind-blowing magic trick!

 

 

 

 

 

A peek behind the curtain with Piff the Magic Dragon [2023]

We were delighted to interview Piff the Magic Dragon ahead of his upcoming Canadian tour!

 

Casino Nova Scotia [Apr 28]
Casino NB [Apr 29]
Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls [May 21 -23]

TCU Place, Saskatoon [Oct 10]

Casino Regina [Oct 12]

Club Regent Event Centre, Winnipeg [Oct 13]

Read our 2020 interview where we learn about Piff's:
 
- first memory of magic
- inspirations
- take on Canadian audiences
- connection to Canadian magic
- most memorable touring misadventure
- pre-show rituals, and
- mental health tips

 

Was there anyone or anything that was instrumental to you becoming a magician? 

My journey into magic was influenced by a combination of different factors. I was captivated by magic shows, books, and DVDs that I came across during my childhood. However, it was my chance encounter with a card trick performed by a fellow student at university that truly sparked my interest in magic. From there, I delved into magic books and sought advice from experienced magicians who became mentors, helping me develop my skills and hone my craft.
 

What magic-adjacent disciplines have you studied? 

I have studied several magic-adjacent disciplines, such as theater, voice, and acting. These experiences have greatly informed my stage performances by enhancing my stage presence, audience engagement, and storytelling abilities. As a result, I've been able to create a more well-rounded and captivating show for my audience.

 

What is your most important self-care practice while on tour?

My most important self-care practice while on tour is ensuring that I get enough rest. Traveling and performing can be physically and mentally demanding, so it's crucial to make sure I'm well-rested to maintain my energy levels and stay sharp. In addition, I also make sure to exercise regularly, eat healthily, and take time for relaxation and mindfulness.

Watch Piff's special 

"Reptile Dysfunction" 

on YouTube.

  

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
Of course, as with any creative pursuit, there have been times when I felt discouraged and considered quitting magic. But what encouraged me to continue was my passion for entertaining people and the desire to create unique magical experiences. Additionally, the support from my friends, family, and fellow magicians helped me overcome those moments of doubt.

What about your 2023 show would "2013 you" find unbelievable to imagine as your current reality?
 

If 2013 me were to look at my 2023 show, I think the most unbelievable aspect would be the scale and success of it all. Back then, I could never have imagined performing in front of such large audiences, collaborating with renowned magicians, and even having my own TV specials. The growth and evolution of both my act and character have been truly remarkable, and I am extremely grateful for how far I've come.

 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 

I'd like to share that Mr. Piffles, the World's Only Magic Performing Chihuahua™, has been an essential part of my act and a constant source of joy and inspiration. We've built a strong bond over the years, and his presence has undoubtedly contributed to our success. Mr. Piffles is not just a canine sidekick, but a true partner in crime, and I couldn't imagine performing without him.

 

Thank you Mr. Magic Dragon, for making the time to answer our questions! 

 

Catch Piff at:  

• Casino Nova Scotia [Apr 28],  
• Casino NB [Apr 29], 
• Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls [May 21 -23],
• TCU Place, Saskatoon [Oct 10]
• Casino Regina [Oct 12], or
  
• Club Regent Event Centre, Winnipeg [Oct 13]!
  

 

Learn more about Piff at his website PiffTheMagicDragon.com and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

 

Get ready Canada!🐉🔥✨ I'm flying over to Halifax, meet me at Casino Nova Scotia on April 28th! 🎉🎰 @CasinoNSHalifax
Link to tickets 🎟️ https://t.co/jo40BjAqBv ytc4b9wa #PiffTheMagicDragon#CasinoNovaScotia #OnTour#Canada #Halifax pic.twitter.com/HOhgX95a7P

— Piff the Magic Dragon (@thepiff) March 22, 2023

 

 

Exactly 1 month away New Brunswick, Canada!!🔥Catch us live at @Casino_NB on April 29th, and yes. The dog is coming. Tickets on sale: https://t.co/n88HFQ2a9H #newbrunswick #canada #magic #comedy

— Piff the Magic Dragon (@thepiff) March 30, 2023

 

 

🐉Calling all dragons!! Fly over to Niagara Falls and catch us at the @fallsviewcasino✨May 21-May 23 at the Avalon Theatre
Don't be a dragon your feet and get your tickets now to experience the heat of the show!🔥🎟️ https://t.co/txwNrNVaNe#NiagaraFalls #Canada #OnTour #Magic pic.twitter.com/fethaRuBOs

— Piff the Magic Dragon (@thepiff) March 30, 2023

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Piff The Magic Dragon (@piffthemagicdragon)

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casino Regina (@casino_regina)

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Piff The Magic Dragon (@piffthemagicdragon)

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in April 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- A trick that scares you. - Spring gathering.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in March 2023

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- Audience management.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Moncton, Niagara Falls (and possibly Halifax): Piff the Magic Dragon [Apr 29, May 21 - 22]

Updated March 12th to add:

• Halifax show confirmed.  Tickets at PiffTheMagicDragon.com/tour/
  

 

Tickets at Casino NB [Apr 29] and Fallsview Casino [May 21 -23].

Read A peek behind the curtain with Piff the Magic Dragon) where we learn about Piff's:
- first memory of magic
- inspirations
- take on Canadian audiences
- connection to Canadian magic
- most memorable touring misadventure
- pre-show rituals, and
- mental health tips

 

This January 24th Tweet by Piff may also be of interest:

I can neither confirm nor deny the rumors. Wink wink wink. (Spoiler alert: YEP) https://t.co/XXlYg3eg2r

— Piff the Magic Dragon (@thepiff) January 24, 2023

 

 

From the January 27th Facebook post by Conjurers' Court:

 

 

From the February 7th Tweet by Fallsview Casino:

More entertainment performances coming to the Avalon Theatre! 📣 @TheBroadwayBoys: April 3-6@EliYoungBand: April 29@peternoone: May 2-3@thepiff: May21-23

Tickets for these performances go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.!@NiagaraParks @NFallsTourism pic.twitter.com/FZIUc2qHbF

— Fallsview Casino Resort (@fallsviewcasino) February 7, 2023

 

 

Halifax: Vincenzo Ravina's Actual Wizard [Feb 25]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the January 26th post at the Conjurers' Court Facebook page: