Derek Selinger at TEDxCapeMay [Oct 15]

From the September 18th Facebook post by TEDxCapeMay:

Derek Selinger joins this year's TEDxCapeMay event to talk about "Why we need to dream like children".

We have been told time and time again, to “Dream big”. But this is usually not about encouraging our dreams at all … in essence, it is to just “wish”.   In this performance, we will to discover how to dream again. Observing children at play gives us a window into what we have forgotten. Dreaming is an essential part of our growth, and from this foundation, we can take action and make our dreams come true!
Derek Selinger is, first and foremost, a dreamer. His dreams have taken him to many places. 

Derek is an award-winning filmmaker and created a number of short films that were screened at Film Festivals throughout North America. His original work on the music video honoring veterans, “Never Been to War”, won him multiple awards including “Best Music Video”. He is a passionate entrepreneur and is involved in a number of community causes.

Derek is also an award-winning illusionist, winning such honors as the 1st Prize at the Canadian Magic Championships and “The People’s Choice Award” at the world championships. He has performed worldwide, from Las Vegas to Malaysia and on television, including his most recent performance on the CW Network’s hit show “Penn and Teller: Fool Us”.  

Read more.

 

 

 

An update from The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop

From the September 14th Facebook post by The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop:

Hi All Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop Customers,

It has come to a point where I needed to address that we will not be opening a Brick and Mortar magic Shop but will remain as an online shop. I will be retiring soon and there is really no use in signing a two or three year lease especially when most landlords these days want a 5-10 year lease in Calgary. The magic community in Calgary is older and not interested in buying anything new as all the shelves are full but getting rid of their old stuff which doesnt keep a magic shop open. If you know of anyone looking to buy my remaining inventory Lets work out a deal !! Shipping from Canada  

I closed my doors 3 months into covid, because my lease ran out, I waited until covid was over and tried to think outside the box by going to all the hobby stores in Calgary and asking them if they wanted to lease to me 6 feet in their store. Thats's 1 - 6 foot showcase, which I still own, and they all declined, which I still today do not understand. YES I even went and talked to Scott and Charlie at Don's Hobby shop to see if they wanted to put a magic shop back into their store and that was declined as well. 

So I do not have much inventory left because of my incredible prices online but what I do have left will be slowy discounted even more and let go, then I will sell off my personal collection or vintage magic props, books, autographs and magic posters and my wife and I will head back to Barbados to visit friends until we get tired of it 

I grew up in the best time in magic with Micky Hades, John Kaplan, Murray Hatfield, Scott Imler, Paul Alberstat, Shawn Farquhar and The Magic Palace with Dale Harney being filmed in Calgary where all the TOP Magicians came through to the local TV station, and the Micky Hades Fun and Film Festivals which I attended only a couple. I was one of the founding members of the IBM Ring 66 in Calgary by signing the original charter and enjoyed those meetings every month as it was all about friendship and sharing.  

How did I get interested in magic?? Send me an email at vanishingrabbit@shaw.ca and if your right I will send you a 30% off discount card for the items I have instock  

I dont see where magic is headed other than the now cookie cutter .....tattoos, beards, hats and playing cards. Have we not learned yet to be yourself in magic and not copy other people like Chris Ramsey sheeeeesh. I asked Micky Hades one day where he thought magic was headed and he said that in time it will all swing around again from what it is now to what it was. I hope it does, as magic when I grew up was the best ! 

For now I remain performing magic in a few restaurants and doing shows for families, friends and public and remain humble about the fantastic opportuinites magic has given me.
Later
Brent

 

 

David Acer at the Cornwall Comedy Festival [Oct 14]

From the September 13th Facebook post by David Acer:

Excited to be joining all these funny people for a live demonstration of stand-up comedy presented by the Cornwall Comedy Festival at the Aultsville Theatre on October 14th, which scientists tell us will be a Saturday.

 

 

 

 

Thornhill: Mini-Browser's Den of Magic now open!

From the September 22nd post at the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

We are very happy to announce that we have a brand new second location, 'Mini Browser's Den of Magic'!

The location is inside the recently opened: HWY 404 & STEELES MARKET (2900 Steeles Avenue East , Thornhill, On. L3T 4X1)

IMPORTANT: HOURS OF OPERATION FOR Mini Browser's Den ARE Only: Saturdays & Sundays from 10am to 5pm

Old Jeff will be at the new location on almost all Saturdays and Sundays unless there is a special event at our main location.

We are also very pleased to announce that we will have help from both John Cardella and Jon Sy at our main location on weekends to assist Young Jeff.

John Cardella worked here full time for over six years and is one of the few people in Canada qualified to be behind a magic counter.  His customer service skills are unmatched.  John will be helping out both at our main location and our new Mini Browser's Den.

The new Mini Browser's Den is only a one minute drive from the 404 & Steeles Avenue.  So if you live around that area or not...Do not hesitate to visit Old Jeff on Saturdays or Sundays.

Please note: Our hours at Browser's Den (Dufferin Street) remain the same.

Yours truly- The Jeff's, John Cardella, Jon Sy & Lisa Close

 

 

 

 

 

Dan McLean Jr interviewed by Jenna Melanson at Canadian Beats

From the October 5th article "DAN MCLEAN JR UNVEILS NEW SINGLE, “KISS ME ONCE” (INTERVIEW)" by Jenna Melanson at Canadian Beats:

I’ve been a musician for … wow … 45 years. I started out singing the hard rock that I loved from when I was a kid in the mid-70s. At some point, I started being drawn to great singers inside and outside of rock, and those singers still motivate me. Gino Vannelli, Daryl Hall, Mavis Staples, Paul Rogers, Sammy Hagar. There’s something transcendent about the sound of their voices and their emotional impact.

Fast-forwarding, I’d stopped singing for 15 years when suddenly I decided to start playing acoustic shows around Toronto. I just wanted to sing. I didn’t want to start another band or write songs. I just wanted to sing. After playing Soul covers in Toronto cafés and small clubs, mostly in Kensington & Parkdale, I decided to film a show to use as promotional material and booked a theatre. A day or two later, I called my old writing partner Dave Dunlop, and asked if we could try writing again. “Oh, by the way, Dave, I have a show in eight weeks and I need enough songs to fill the show”.

Over the next couple of years, we wrote a bunch of songs and I put together “Dan McLean Jr & Some Honey” with three really great backup singers. During lockdowns, we wrote a bunch more songs together online, and we drew on those two groups of songs for the album.

Read more. 

 Listen to Dan's single "Kiss Me Once" at Dan's YouTube channel: