15 October 2023

Random thoughts about "Young and Strange Delusionists" 2023

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Delusionists on their Canadian premiere! 

The last chance to catch Young and Strange Delusionists in Canada this year is in Windsor tonight, October 15th.

 

Young and Strange Delusionists poster

 

  Read our interview with Y & S where we learn:   
  • their origin story
  • their strengths
  • why the double act
  • similarities and differences with Champions of Magic
  • about back pain
  • who makes the soundtrack choices
  • their go-to karaoke songs
  • how they earned the sometimes used moniker, "the bickering illusionists"

 

On Friday Kidlet and I made the trek to Barrie's Georgian Theatre.

  • This was our first time in this cozy theatre.
  • The box office and theatre staff were super friendly and helpful.
  • As with the Champions of Magic show, I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.  The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it. 

 

 

 

On with the show...

Note to parents of young children:  The music can be very loud at times throughout the show.  There's also a smoke machine involved.  Forewarned is forearmed.

There's a videographer on hand to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so everyone can see!

 

Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our summary of the show:

So. Much. Fun!

 

  • The show includes a majority of their well polished, finely tuned pieces from Champions of Magic, performed with the same high energy and enthusiasm we've come to expect from the duo.
  • The full show format provides an opportunity for each performer to share their individual strengths and personality. 
  • It is a highly interactive show.  By our count at least 22 volunteers were selected from the audience.
  • Both Young and Strange have well-honed close-up skills.
  • Strange does beautiful card manipulation. He also did some very bold sleight of hand in the palm of a spectator.
  • Young made many new Canadian friends performing close-up magic in the audience.  On more than one occasion he elicited very visceral responses from the spectators (myself included).
  • A wide variety of magical effects were demonstrated that included:  citrus arts & crafts, smart phones, kidney beans, a smattering of mentalism, bills, watches, ribbon, coins, and of course, cards!
  • Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella dazzled.
  • It's always a treat to see Young and Strange perform Gerry Frenette's original illusion. 
    (As an added bonus, Gerry and Leonora were also in the audience and we were able to visit with them too!) 
  • The audience ATE. IT. ALL. UP.  They were very much engaged throughout the show.  Kids and adults.  Especially the finale!
  • After the final blackout at the curtain call, you could hear a chorus of audience members shouting for "one more!" for quite some time!  

 

It is very clear that while they take their magic seriously, Young and Strange don't take themselves too seriously.

This makes for a delightfully fun show!

 

 

 

If you're not able to catch Young and Strange Delusionists this year, you may be able to see them as part of the Champions of Magic ensemble touring in 2023 - 2024.  Check the Champions of Magic website for current tour information.  [At this time, Canadian dates include Toronto (Dec 27 - 29), Regina (Mar 17), and Edmonton (Mar 22 - Apr 6).]

 

 

 

Disclosure:  Kidlet and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

 

 

14 October 2023

Toronto: 48th anniversary party for The Browser's Den of Magic [Nov 19]

From The Browser's Den of Magic:

BROWSER’S DEN OF MAGIC 48TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023

BIG DISCOUNTS ON ALL MAGIC ALL DAY LONG * MINI MAGIC AUCTION * MAGIC TRIVIA QUIZ WITH BIG PRIZES * LEN COOPER MEMORIAL AWARD * BIRTHDAY CAKE

Auction Begins at 1:00pm

FREE MAGIC SHOW AT 4:00pm


You are invited to join us to celebrate our 48th year in business! Many of you have been with us since the beginning back in 1975.

This is also the day when we remember the shop's founders, Len and Bernice Cooper. Jeff Pinsky took over Browser's Den in November 1995.

Len Cooper passed away in 2003. Since then at each anniversary party we hand out in Len's memory a full set of the Tarbell Course in Magic books to a deserving magician under 25 years of age who has shown a dedication to the art of magic.

PLUS - In appreciation of your devotion to our shop this is the only day of the year where EVERYTHING in the shop is on sale all day long including magic in the Used Magic Room!

We hope you can join us - The Jeff's & The Browser's Den Team


From the October 4th Facebook post by The Browser's Den of Magic:

Hi Denizens,

Lovely news to tell you about.

At our 48th Store Anniversary Party (Sunday, November 19) both Sandy and Jack Cooper will be present to see and congratulate the winner of this years Len Cooper Memorial Award.

With Bernice Cooper not able to attend the party, we are very grateful that both Sandy and Jack will be representing the family to help us keep the memory of the founders of Browser's Den of Magic alive.

The award will be given out around 3/3:30pm.

You can find the full details of the party on the homepage of our website.

Thank you,
The Jeff's, John Cardella & Lisa Close.

 

 

 

13 October 2023

Niagara Falls: David DaVinci at the Greg Frewin Theatrical Centre [Nov 3 - 4]

From the September 9th Facebook post by the Greg Frewin Theatrical Centre:

🎩✨ Prepare to be spellbound! Join us at the theater for three unforgettable nights of mind-boggling illusions and jaw-dropping magic with the one and only David DaVinci in "Thrillusionist!" Don't miss this extraordinary experience from November 3rd and 4th, 2023! ✨🎩

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Rosa: Joe Culpepper's "Enchantments" [Feb 17, 2024]

Updated October 18th to add:

 

From the September 27th post by Joe Culpepper:

I'm so excited to be performing my Enchantments magic show on October 21st at 2PM and 8PM in Santa Rosa, California. Tickets are on sale now at the link at the bottom of this poster or by scanning its QR code.

 

 

 

 

12 October 2023

October sale 2023: 40% off yearly sponsorship rates!

Sponsor Canada's Magic 


Canada's Magic is offering for the rest of October, a 40% discount on the listed price of any one year advertising package.  Qualifying packages include the Platinum, Gold, and Silver annual rates. (This offer does not include Sponsored Posts or personal sponsorships (being our Friend).)

 

Join the company of patrons Clive Court (The Fun-da-Mentalist), Jeff Pinsky (owner of The Browser's Den of Magic), Michael Close (author of the Workers series and other ebooks), Ryan Joyce's "Magician Masterclass" and the "OWOW Magic Festival," and Toronto's IBM Ring 17, the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, and sponsor us (or be our friend) today!

Our patrons make this site possible. 

For more information, please visit the "Sponsor" tab, leave your question in a comment below or send an e-mail.

Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

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*  This offer does not include Sponsored Posts or personal sponsorships (being our Friend).