Montreal and Toronto: Mark Mason lecture

In addition to the Hamilton Ring's September lecture, Mark Mason is also lecturing in Montreal and Toronto.

From the Montreal Magic Jam:

Tuesday Sept 22

If you’ve ever seen Mark demo at a convention, you know what a great, entertaining performer he is. Through JB Magic, he has been responsible for releasing some of the greatest effects in magic. However, because he’s so well known as a dealer, people forget he’s actually a great performing magician as well. This lecture is not just a dealer’s demo, he’ll be teaching his favourite effects that you can go out and use to amaze your audiences.

Read more and buy tickets.

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Sunday, September 20

Mark Mason is simply one of the best in the world!

He has put out some of the best tricks ever including: Word in a Million, Thirteen, No Tear Newspaper, X-Act, Shoe-T, Hole Sensation, Club Sandwich, Optical Ropes and more and more and Tons of killer Coin Effects.

But wait until you see his new goodies!

The truth is that for the past twenty years or so the largest crowd at any magic convention is at Mark Mason's booth.

Read more and buy tickets.

Rounding the Western rings in September 2015

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- Dani DaOrtiz lecture.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Dani DaOrtiz lecture.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- Dani DaOrtiz lecture.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- Dani DaOrtiz lecture.
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- N/A
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- N/A
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Dani DaOrtiz lecture.

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

Rounding the Central rings in September 2015

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

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- TBA
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Mark Mason lecture.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- What you learned this summer.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- TBA
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)	- David Ben lecture.

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

Rounding the Eastern rings in September 2015

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

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

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

Thank you to our September 2015 friends!

Thank you to John Smithman and John Harrison for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.

You too can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Thank you to our September 2015 sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.

This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

• Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
• Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic 
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic and 
• Michael Fisher, aka The Amazing Corbin, aka Captain Corbin The Magical Pirate!

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Top 5 posts in August 2015

Here are the most viewed posts at Canada's Magic this month:

5. Darcy Oake on BBC's "The One" -- Catch him in Canada soon!

4. Download your free copy of "Card Culture" -- A wonderful treat!

3.  Video: Shawn Farquhar Fool Us REVEALED -- Popular as ever!

2. Greg Frewin on the Aug 10 Today Show  -- Well done Greg!

and the most viewed post this month  ...

1. Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2015 -- It is a privilege to be associated with this organization.

Darcy Oake on BBC's "The One"

A reminder that Darcy's Canadian tour kicks off October 31st in Halifax and that there's a coupon code available for his Toronto performance.

From ET Canada:

It's not often London is brought to a standstill, but that's exactly what happened when Canadian Illusionist Darcy Oake performed a death-defying stunt at the BBC.

Oake managed to escape from a box in less than a minute before it dropped 30-feet to the ground, a stunt that's being called "the largest illusion ever performed on the BBC Broadcast House." 

Read more.

Watch the stunt on YouTube:





[via iTricks] 

The Outerbridges in the Linking Ring and Vanish

Linking Ring mention from Outerbridge Magic's Facebook page (How exciting to learn of their standing ovation!):

We enjoyed reading this review in the Linking Ring Magazine about our performance at The International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) Convention in Jacksonville, Florida! (http://www.magician.org/)
Posted by Outerbridge Magic on Monday, 24 August 2015

"Zelda the Psychic Chicken" article in Vanish from Outerbridge Magic's Facebook page:

Check out the latest OUTERBRIDGE - Zelda the Psychic Chicken article in the August/September issue of VANISH – International Magic Magazine. It is a free download from www.vanishmagazine.com.
Posted by Outerbridge Magic on Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Vancouver: David Acer at PNE Playland

From David Acer's Twitter feed:

I'll be at the @PNE_Playland from Aug 22nd to Sept 7th unleashing a new #SuperDogs show. (this guy wrote that pun) pic.twitter.com/IgoLdrwWN0

— David Acer (@David_Acer) August 19, 2015

Toronto: Mysterion at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Mysterion








James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



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

Halifax: Michael James in the Atlantic Fringe

From Michael James' Twitter feed:

Hey #halifax ,be sure to check out this show at @AtlFringeFest #GetYourTicketsNow #magic #magicshow #FringeFestival pic.twitter.com/yWeVNE3NY2

— Michael James (@MichaelJMagic) August 24, 2015

Toronto: Agri-magic at the CNE

From Daniel Steep's Twitter feed:

See Agri-Magic 4x daily @ #CNE Farm! We can't wait to try the fun #CNE2015 food! #CNECottoncandyTimbit #ontag #CdnAg https://t.co/6pAYuIzZTI

— Daniel Steep (@danielsteep) August 20, 2015

Toronto: "Trick of the Eye and Sleight of Hand"

From David Ben's Twitter feed:

Looking forward to "Trick of the Eye and Sleight of Hand" w/ visual artist Alexander Pilis, Aug 30 @kofflerarts @2PM http://t.co/xP3RYVgAHq

— David Ben (@theconjuror) August 24, 2015

The Browser's Bash 2015 in Vanish Magazine

Updated August 23rd to add:

• With thanks to Lee Asher for his collaboration and editing.
• And also thanks to Paul Romhany for publishing!

The August/September 2015 edition of  Vanish Magazine has a write-up, by yours truly, about this year's Browser's Bash.

From page 74 of Vanish Magizine's August/September 2015 edition:

“I’ve never attempted to do anything like this before! Save this date – April 12, 2015.”

That’s the message that Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser’s Den of Magic in Toronto, sent out last December. Whatever could it be, I wondered? I read and reread the small amount of text, searching for clues or hidden meanings. Would it be preparation for a Flash Mob? A marriage proposal? The filming of a movie or television show?

Read more.

Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2015

• Mike and Jen Segal are totally awesome and inspiring people!
• It is tremendous that organizations such as Ellusionist support Sorcerers Safari. (Kids, did you remember to send a quick "thank you" e-mail to them for the generous gift you received?  Do it now!  -- Mom)
• The safety and welfare of the children is an absolute priority.
• Spotted: Mike and Jen Segal, Dan Wiebe, Eric Leclerc, Aaron Fisher, Dave Mitchell, Carey Lauder, Lee Asher, Dick Joiner, Steven Kline, Lisa & Michael Close, Shawn Farquhar, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Rosemary Reid, Marc Chalmers, Jonah Babins, Joan Caesar, Philip DaCosta, Mark Correia, Chris Westfall, Sheldon Casavant, Scott Hammell, Greg Frewin, Neil Croswell & Ashley Da Silva, Loran, Marion & Ted Outerbridge and special guest Daryl ... I'm sure there were more and I'm sorry if I missed you!
• If you haven't met Daryl yet, get thee to the Browser's Den for the Daryl Workshop or get to the Daryl Lecture.  He is fabulous.  You're welcome.
• Epic staff lip sync battle: Eric's "Blank Space" (Taylor Swift), Mark's "Independent Women" (Destiny's Child), Chris Mayhew's "Single Ladies" (Beyoncé), Rosemary & Chris Westfall's "Cheerleader" (Omi), Jonah & Jonah's "Love Is An Open Door" (Frozen), Michael's "Whip My Hair" (Willow Smith), Scott's "Ice Ice Baby" (Vanilla Ice), The Farquhar's "You're The One That I Want" (Greece), and Mike, Chris G, Steph, Jen & Lisa's "Mahna Mahnam" (Muppet Show).  Need I say more?
• Grand stage shows nightly including doves, big box illusions and multiple champions of magic!
• Beach party, cook outs, relay races, Food Chain, Capture The Flag, Dealer's Day, wrap party  fireworks, and swimming, swimming, swimming!  (Jumping in the lake is an experience like no other.)
• Carey Lauder is an incredible photographer. 
• Chris Mayhew shot some fabulous footage – I can't wait to see this year's camp video!
• Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp really does get better every year!
• Jen, Christina, Stephanie, Lori, and Lisa work super hard behind the scenes making sure that everything runs smoothly.
• Mike Segal and Mike Toal should be very proud of what they started together over 19 years ago.
• Sorcerers Safari is full of super nice, caring, talented individuals!

Don't just take my word for it, here's what other people had to say about this summer's magic camp experience:

Goooooooood morning campers! First full day, let's rock it! #magiccamp #camplife #ss2015 pic.twitter.com/1aP7IsPvHu

— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) August 15, 2015

Camp life is calm. Oh, there's a lot of card tricks too. #bestyearever #Farquharfun #sorc… http://t.co/Xw5qMt09eU pic.twitter.com/vDBl17TTbv

— Shawn Farquhar (@magiChampion) August 15, 2015

Show ended a bit early tonight so managed to get my first real sunset of Sorcerers Safari 2015 Day 3 #bestyearever
Posted by James Carey Lauder on Sunday, 16 August 2015

Yesterday was Dealer Day at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. A great way to see a lot of magic and we had so much fun to...
Posted by Marion Outerbridge on Tuesday, 18 August 2015

We are officially over 1000 likes on this page! We had a $10 000 prize for our thousandth liker but unfortunately you're...
Posted by Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp on Monday, 17 August 2015

Camper: "I wish I could sleep for 360 days. So I could miss the school year and when I wake up it would be time for camp again."

— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) August 19, 2015

Today marks the last day of the 19th year of @SorcerersSafari. I'm sad to be leaving but I'm excited to get home and share what I learned!

— Ben Train (@ErdnaseinTO) August 20, 2015

Toronto: Ron Guttman at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Ron Guttman









James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



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

Review: Why Card Tricks are Important

From Reality Based Magic:

I went to go see magician Chris Bruce at the Hamilton Fringe Festival last night. His show, Why Card Tricks Are Important, is part of the Fringe’s “Gallery Series”. It’s an unusual collection of short shows — this one runs about twenty minutes — performed for much smaller audiences.

The show contains — spoiler alert — card tricks. In fact it contains nothing which could not be called a card trick. They are spiffy and well-executed card tricks and fiercely interactive.

The burning question is whether or not the show could succeed in convincing someone that card tricks are, in fact, important. A more interesting question might be could anything convince you that card tricks were important. The answer is, unless you are slightly deranged, no… Unless you accept a perverse artistic meta-definition of important which allows that frivolous pursuits are important as a celebration of their own right to exist. After all, if we have a species have evolved to the point where we have so thoroughly beaten back the threats of disease, malnutrition, predators and war that we have the free time to wonder what exactly Justin Bieber is up to, isn’t that a triumph worth celebrating?

Read more.

Summer magic

Julie Eng does tremendous things with Magicana's My Magic Hands programme.

From Sharing Wonder:

Today's Big Show at Holland Bloorview wraps up the last of three simultaneous sessions we had been running at the hospital. We worked in partnership with Hands2Hands and Helping Hands; and hosted a full session of My Magic Hands. We had 27 clients participate with nearly 1:1 magic coach support! Needless to say these kids blossomed beautifully with such encouragement. We are so fortunate to work with such dedicated staff and volunteers at Holland Bloorview.

Even though each program and client had a wide range of goals, we were pleased to see so many kids not only achieve their goals but to also discover new skills they didn’t realize they even possessed! There is power inside that kind of self-confidence and self-esteem - and we find it simply inspiring.

Read more.

Calgary Magic Circle’s 2015 – 2016 Executive

From the Calgary Magic Circle:

At the Calgary Magic Circle’s 2015 Annual General Meeting on June 18, 2015, the Calgary Magic Circle nominated the Executive team for the coming year.

• President: Dan Stephenson (re-elected)

• Vice President: Ryan Pilling

• Treasurer: Yeats Wong (re-elected)

• Secretary: Rob Vanden Heuvel

• Sargent at Arms: Chris Hogan

• Member at Large: Malcolm Russell

We welcome Chris Hogan, who is on Executive for the first time.  All other members have held Executive positions in the past.

As well as the elected positions, Rob Vanden Heuvel has also volunteered to be our Lecture Coordinator again, and help us make our professional lecture series run, and Charles Silbernagel and Ryan Pilling are volunteering their time to run the Junior Magic Club for the coming year.
Read more.