Tickets at TicketMaster.
11 November 2023
10 November 2023
A peek behind the curtain with Michelle Mazzarella
This is the fourth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:
- Toronto, Ticketmaster [Dec 27 - 31] ** extended to Dec 31 **
- Lethbridge, Enmax Centre [Mar 16]
- Regina, Conexus Arts Centre [Mar 17]
-
Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall [Mar 18]
- Saskatoon, TCU Place [Mar 19]
- Lloydminster, Vic Juba Theatre [Mar 20] ** recently added **
- Edmonton, Festival Place [Mar 22 - Apr 6]
- Prince George, CN Centre [Apr 7]
- Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8] ** recently added **
Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS! Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.
We're delighted to interview aerialist, and serial big box illusion victim, Michelle Mazzarella ahead of her Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!
What is your first memory of magic?
Growing up, my father was a Magician Member at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, so we would occasionally head there for Sunday brunch and a show. While I was really young at the time, I still remember details like the secret bookcase entrance, the portraits whose eyes would follow you, the iconic owls, the red velvet showroom curtain, and of course, all the stairs.
What surprised you most about touring with magicians?
This one’s hard for me! Alex, Young, and Strange did a really great job of managing my expectations before I joined the tour. I knew that every day was going to be so wildly different from the next, and I really appreciated their transparency. It helped me figure out that I really wanted the job, and it has been quite an adventure!
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Michelle on the Silks |
What is the most annoying thing about touring with magicians?
I would call it more fascinating than annoying, but everyone talks about magic… a lot. Coming from a non-magic background, I often have no clue what they’re talking about, but I’ve been enjoying piecing things together over the months, and I’m learning a ton.
Have you learned how to do any magic since you joined Champions of Magic?
Ha, yes, but only the basics… I actually have a silly secret goal of learning at least one trick per tour leg, and all my friends at home are enjoying the results.
How do you keep your skills fresh and performance ready?
In every new city, if time allows, I make an effort to connect with the local circus community. Sometimes they have open gyms, or I’ll even teach workshops. When we’re in hotels, I try to take advantage of their Fitness Rooms, or I’ll do a little workout on a yoga mat in my dressing room. Unfortunately, it’s hard to train Silks without actually being on a Silk, so the skills do ebb and flow a little bit, but they always come back.
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Michelle preparing to descend |
Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
I actually went to boarding school in British Columbia, and I really miss some of the old snacks I had, like poutine, Aero Bars, Sour Jubes, and Beaver Tails. I try to grab some whenever I can, but really any delicious food will do it for me.
I actually went to boarding school in British Columbia, and I really miss some of the old snacks I had, like poutine, Aero Bars, Sour Jubes, and Beaver Tails. I try to grab some whenever I can, but really any delicious food will do it for me.
One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home
for a lengthy tour. Do you bring a special something from home with
you?
I actually had a friend attend one of my first shows with Champions of Magic. She asked me the night before what my favorite colors were, and she crocheted me a little jellyfish! I named him Squort and he has stayed in my crate ever since, often hanging on my dressing room lights or sitting nearby.
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Michelle and Squort |
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s
Magic?
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at a show!
Thank you Michelle, for making the time to answer our questions!
Learn more about Michelle at MichelleMazzarella.com and follow her
on
Facebook, and
Instagram.
09 November 2023
Calgary: Lucy Darling at the High Performance Rodeo [Jan 15 - Feb 4, 2024]
From the October 4th Instagram post by Lucy Darling:
High Performance Rodeo Announcement: I the effortless Lucy Darling will be joining the rodeo in Calgary in 2024!!!!
08 November 2023
Toronto: Jonah Babins and Ben Train in Hocus Jokus [Nov 19]
From the November 2nd Instagram post by the Toronto Magic Company:
Toronto’s most MIND-BLOWING COMEDY SHOW is back November 19th at @yukyukstoronto.
Starring Ben Train (as seen on “Penn and Teller’s Fool Us”), Jonah Babins (2021 Allan Slaight Rising Star of Canadian Magic Award winner), and all the way from the UK illusionist Steve Jones.
Now all we need is people who want to laugh their faces off. People like YOU.
Click the link in our bio to get your tickets!
07 November 2023
Thank you to our personal sponsors for November 2023!
A quick reminder of our earlier Mail as Medicine request for Katie Hunt. If you have the time, Katie and Doug would both benefit from hearing from their friends!
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Thank you to John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, Ian Crawford, Matt DiSero, Doug Hunt, John Smithman, Robin Dawes, Loran, Peter Mennie, Gwyn Auger, George Blott, Noah Nogueira, Ryan Edwards, Aaron Matthews, Colin Geddes, and Cam Dix for being Friends of Canada's Magic!
It's good to have friends like you.
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