Mahdi Gilbert: He's Fond of Cards

From Kevin Ho's YouTube channel:

Keith Brown in "Fresh from the Fringe" and at Dave and Busters

Keith Brown's doing a three show run in Collingwood, called "Fresh from the Fringe" November 13 - 15.

He'll also be at Dave and Busters November 27th and 28th.

Learn more about these events at Keith's website, Absolute Magic.

Darcy Oake in the news

Updated at 13:43 EST to add:

• At tomorrow's show in Toronto, there will be a free pre-show conversation with Magic Mike the 2013/2014 Canadian Magician of the Year! The pre-show is approximately 30 minutes in length and will begin at 6:30PM in the lower lobby. Seating is limited and will be available to the first 250 guests. 

A reminder that there's a coupon code you can use to see Darcy's show tomorrow in Toronto.

From the Toronto Sun:

For Darcy Oake, the magic started early. And by accident.

The Winnipeg-born illusionist who vaulted to fame on Britain’s Got Talent last year says his father — veteran sportscaster Scott Oake — inadvertently set him on his career path with a fluke card trick some two decades ago.

“My dad knows zero magic,” explains the 28-year-old Oake. “But there was a deck of cards sitting there and he was just playing with it. He said, ‘Pick one, look at it and put it back in the pack.’ Then he shuffled the cards, reached into the pack, pulled one out and said, ‘That was your card.’ And it was my card!

“I had no idea how he did it. It drove me crazy — until I found out weeks later it was a total accident. He had a one-in-52 chance of getting it right, but played it like he meant to do it. It captivated me — being fooled like that. That’s where it all started for me. Who knows how things would have turned out if that trick hadn’t worked.”

Read more.

From the Globe and Mail:

He’s a Canadian illusionist who appeared – suddenly, right before our eyes – on the world stage. In advance of the upcoming Ontario dates of his cross-country Edge of Reality tour, we spoke to magic man Darcy Oake.

You were a finalist in the 2014 season of Britain’s Got Talent. How did that come about?

They approached me to do the show. I was doing a spot in a variety show in Paris, and I was working a lot on cruise ships. Artistically, it was unsatisfying. But doing Britain’s Got Talent could have been risky. I didn’t want to get there and get buzzed off and ruin everything I’d built up to that point. But they assured me that my style would fit the show perfectly. I went and did it, and it turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did.

But you’re from Winnipeg. Did you pull a British passport out of a hat or something?

Anyone can do any of those talent shows. It’s open. Their show is the biggest one, though. I thought: if I’m going to do one, it’s going to be that one.

Read more.

Toronto: Phil Pivnick at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Phil Pivnick








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.

Calling all Canadian magicians!

From Clive Court's Facebook page  (originally posted on September 6):

Calling All Canadian magicians! Can you come up with an act, routine or illusion/effect that could be used to mark/celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday? If so you should video it really soon because following the election on October 19, a new Minister of Canadian Heritage will be appointed to look after the planning of the celebrations. The "60s people" they hire to produce the shows will call on the usual selection of singers and musicians across the country. So, as they will be spending your tax dollars...you deserve fair consideration. So I urge Canada's magicians---and all visual entertainers---to pitch the Department of Heritage's "150th Birthday Celebrations" office with your best "patriotic" material. Make them painfully aware that Canada has a really wide range of talented performers not just singers and musicians. They will be finalizing the plans during the next session of Parliament for budget approval October 2016. And money will be distributed across the country to help local celebrations---so be aware of local committees being formed.

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.

Reviews: "The Experts at the Card Table"

From Magicana:

The reviews are starting trickle in on our latest publication, The Experts at the Card Table: 

"This book is a pleasure to page through, and is an important and welcome addition to Erdnasiana." / John Lovick  

"David has made the once-daunting material more accessible than ever. For my first time, I read the text cover to cover, and it all made sense." / Steve Bryant  

"...if you have some card technique under your belt and if you’ve wanted to plunge into the Erdnase pond, this is a great way to experience the material…" / Michael Close

Read more.

Toronto: Win tickets to see Scott Hammell in "The Trick with the Gun"

This contest is now closed.  The winners have been announced at "Winners of tickets to see Scott Hammel in "The Trick with the Gun."

Updated November 15 at 11:20am to add:

• We're experiencing technical difficulties with the Rafflecopter widget.
• The contest remains open until Sunday November 15 at 11:59pm ET.
• If the widget won't let you enter, leave your entry in the comment form below.  You MUST include your e-mail address for your entry to be valid.
• Optional Twitter entries may also be included in the comment form below.  The URL to the required Tweet must be included for your entry to be valid.
• Apologies for the inconvenience.

I have been offered eight pairs of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend "The Trick with the Gun" at the Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. screening in Toronto, Canada.  (I understand that there's also a Q&A with director Michael McNamara and subjects Scott Hammell and Christopher Gudgeon.)

Did you know that Scott is a four-time Guinness World Record holder?  I know he's got the record for "Highest Suspension Straight Jacket Escape."  Can anyone let me know what the other three are for?

Watch the trailer at  Markham Street Films YouTube channel.

If you don't want to leave tickets to chance, you can either purchase them at the cinema box office, or have a look at this post in the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

Markham Street Films is looking for three young magicians to perform close up magic on November 19, 2015 from 6:00pm-6:30pm, at the premiere of their film The Trick with The Gun.If interested please contact Hilary at 416-536-1390 ext 222 or email hmuth@markhamstreet.com for more information. 

(This is a volunteer thing. In exchange for some walkaround, you will get a ticket to the screening.)

I will be holding a random draw for each pair of general admission tickets.  (There will be eight winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets.)  The draw results will be posted on Monday November the 16th.

To enter:

1. Log into the RaffleCopter widget below, using Facebook or a valid e-mail address.
     
2. Mandatory: Leave a comment in the widget, telling me your favourite Scott Hammell memory (from a personal encounter, an interview, a performance etc).  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)(Your favourite memory could be entering this contest!)
     
3. Optional: For an additional entry:
   a) Sign in to your Twitter account
   b) Use the RaffleCopter widget to send this message to your Twitter followers:
   "Enter by Nov 15 to win 2 tix to see @scotthammell in "The Trick with the Gun" at @TheBloorCinema via @canadasmagic
   http://canadasmagic.blogspot.com/2015/11/toronto-win-tickets-to-see-scott.html"
   
   c) Enter the URL of your Tweet into the RaffleCopter widget to validate your entry.
       (The optional entry is only valid if the Tweet URL is included.)
     
4. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with Alex from the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

The fine print:

• To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
• One entry per person.
• This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)
• This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
• If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
• This giveaway may be terminated or withdrawn at any time.
• You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
• Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema box office prior to the show on your way into the screening.
• The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
• Contest closes on Sunday November the 15th, 2015 at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



With thanks to Alex from the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for generously making these tickets available to you!

Grand Master of Magic: Paul Romhany

Congratulations to Paul Romhany who was recently awarded the "Grand Master of Magic Citation" at the 32nd New Zealand International Magicians Convention.

From the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians:

The Grand Master of Magic was first awarded to Edgar the Great Benyon in 1969 and in the forty-six years since then only seventeen names have been added to the list, you Paul Romhany are now the eighteenth member. The criteria for this award is simple : 

“Its purpose is to honour those magicians who are acknowledged by their fellow magicians to be masters of the art and craft of magic. The recipients first and foremost must be magical performers of a high standard. In addition they might be originators of magical effects, or administrators giving time and expertise to running societies and conventions. They could be consistent competition winners, or have an international standing, or be known only in the New Zealand setting. But above all they are people who have served magic well, have graced our art, and made a special contribution over many years.” 

Paul you have been judged to be such a person. A Grand Master of Magic. Congratulations.

Let me share with you a little of Paul’s history in magic.

He was born in 1968 in Auckland. At the age of eight he saw his first Charlie Chaplin movie, The Circus, attended a live magic show, and became interested in ventriloquism. He joined the Shore City Magicians Club, an Auckland magic society with an emphasis on youth. At the age of twelve Paul won his first talent quest and began to perform semi-professionally. He is still a member of the Shore City Magicians Club and was its President for many years. He maintains a lively interest in the society and has donated copies of most of his published books and many magic tricks and props to the Shore magicians.

Read more.

David Merry at Casino Niagara, Yuk Yuk's and more

This month, David Merry will be appearing at:

• Casino Niagara - Nov 6-7
• Yuk Yuks Comedy Club Montreal - Nov 12 -14 
• Youngstown Magic Club - Nov 21

And of course he'll be at the Rocky Horror benefit show for Glenn Ottaway on November 9th.

For more information, visit the Events section of David's website.

Toronto: Jason Palter at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Jason Palter








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.

Owen Wong: Recipient of the 2015 Young Entrepreneurs Award

Congratulations Owen!

Wishing you continued success!

From Nena LaMarre's Facebook page:
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.

Heartfelt congratulations to student Owen Wong, who was the recipient of the 2015 Young Entrepreneurs Award for Artisan,...
Posted by Nena LaMarre on Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Toronto: Open Sesame: Trick or Treat

From the Open Sesame Facebook event:

4 November

"I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!" - White Rabbit

Open Sesame is back with Trick or Treat! We're gonna miss Halloween by a few days but you are still encourage to BYOC (Bring Your Own Costume). Mahdi Gilbert will be hosting in full costume. The best costume wins a prize!

The show is free but if you'd like you can also donate some money which will be used to feed the starving magicians in Toronto.

More details and line-up to come soon!

Show starts at 8pm.

Also for the magicians in the audience - There will be a card jam immediately after the show featuring some of the best card workers in Toronto performing and discussing Triumph in detail. Covered will be many versions of Triumph, the history of the effect, construction, technique, the different phases (exposition, revelation, multiple climax, etc), presentation.

Thank you to our November 2015 Friends!

Thank you to John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn and Joan Caesar 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 November 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 and
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic

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.

Montreal: Twice-As-Nice Tour Featuring Ben Train and Steve Reynolds

From the Montreal Magic Jam:

Tuesday Nov 10 

The 2015 Twice-As-Nice Tour Featuring Ben Train and Steve Reynolds

TWO incredible performers. TWO incredible lectures. ONE incredible night! 

Ben Train and Steve Reynolds love card tricks. But not just any card tricks. Steve and Ben love GREAT card tricks. The kind that create lasting memories and leave audiences speechless. The kind that looks like REAL MAGIC. The kind you’ll learn at this double-lecture event!

Without having to palm or do any difficult moves you’ll learn to make cards vanish and reappear in the box, in different pockets, and even in a SPECTATOR’S hand. You’ll learn to predict the future, read minds over the phone, and a delicious trick you can eat when you finish. And on top of the tricks, you’ll also learn new techniques for creating your own magic and subtleties that will make the magic you’re already doing stronger. It’s one night, two lectures, and all kinds of fun.

Read more and buy tickets.

Rounding the Western rings in November 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)	- Junior club meeting - Gregory Wilson lecture
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Gregory Wilson lecture
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- first annual, Magic Club of Winnipeg Close-Up Competition - Gregory Wilson lecture
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- 4th Annual Christmas Banquet and Show - Gregory Wilson lecture
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Stage Magic competitions - Christmas Dinner
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- N/A
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Gregory Wilson lecture

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

Rounding the Central rings in November 2015

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

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- Anton James lecture - Open House - Inter-Ring Event
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- TBA
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- TBA
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Magic Movie Night  “bring your favourite DVD” - Christmas Dinner at Concordia Club
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- TBA
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- magic flea market
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Richard Osterlind lecture and workshop

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

Rounding the Eastern rings in November 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.

Welcoming a new Friend: Joan Caesar

Welcoming our newest Friend, Joan Caesar!

I first met Joan at a Morrissey Magic anniversary party in 1997.  (Looking back, it seems like I spent a lot of time at that shop.)  Joan was looking for members for a new organization called The Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM), created so that Canadian magicians could compete at FISM under the Canadian flag rather than that of another country. Not only did she keep CAM running smoothly, Joan went on to become president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians 2008-2009.

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