The world of magic: Looking for a new rabbit

That's the headline of this Toronto Star article which quotes Jay Sankey, Dan Trommater, Shawn Farquhar, David Acer and Murray Hatfield discussing the decline and relevance of contemporary magic.

What do you think?  Is Jay the only one who thinks that magic as we know it is doomed?


[h/t: Shawn Farquhar]

Eric Leclerc's Project 365

Eric Leclerc, a young professional magician from Ottawa, has started "Project 365" where he plans to post a magic video on YouTube every single day for an entire year.  (Calen Morelli from the US is almost a third of the way through a similar project titled "365 Days of Magic.")

We should be in for a treat as this project unfolds.  You may remember that Eric is currently the only magician to win both the stage (2003) and close-up (2007) competitions at CAM conventions!  To follow along, subscribe to his YouTube channel, LeclericShow.

Here's day one to get you started:



In addition, Eric and his team will be giving away just over $3000 in prizes throughout the year. Prizes include a Canon digital camera, an iPod Touch, a Sony E-book reader, a portable DVD player even a Playstation 3! You'll need to watch the videos for contest details.

Support  Eric by subscribing to his channel and commenting on the videos.

Rounding the rings in January

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle)	- n/a
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Clown Alley Lecture
London, ON	London Magician's Guild	- lecture: Performance tips by Peter Mennie
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- n/a
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- business - something "new"
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- auction
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- annual general meeting - initiation ceremony
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Unopened deck competition - Teach a Trick: Justin Louie - dinner and dance - Martin Lewis lecture (dates of other Canadian lectures this year)

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

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a year filled with awe and wonder!

Here's a beautifully choreographed card routine to start your year. "Shapes" by Shawn Farquhar.

Keith Brown confirmed for Windsor International Fringe Festival

Keith Brown from London, Ontario has been confirmed for this year's Windsor International Fringe Festival, July 15-24, 2011.

Please visit the festival's website to confirm the dates and details of this event.

Sorcerers' Safari 2011 Magic Sumer Camp: dates confirmed

According to SorcerersSafari.ca this summer's camp dates are Tuesday August 30th, 2011 through Sunday September 4th, 2011.

What is Sorcerers' Safari?  From their website:

From ages 8 to 20. Disappear for a week and immerse yourself in the rich art of magic, make friends and life-long memories, all while enjoying the great outdoors. Try your hand at palming cards, master the art of illusion, learn to juggle, and perfect your stage presence. Plus daily swimming, canoeing, bon-fires, and so much more await you at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.

Read last year's daily schedule to find out what goes on at Magic Camp.  Browse the myriad of electives offered.  Stay tuned to their blog to learn who will be the special guest in 2011. 

Previous years' special guests:  (1997) Johnny Ace Palmer, (1998) Jay Sankey and David Acer, (1999) Josh Jay, (2000) Dan Harlan and Steve Kline, (2001) Lee Asher, (2002) Oscar Munoz, (2003) Aaron Fisher and Nathan Kranzo, (2004) Oscar Munoz, (2005) Gregory Wilson, (2006) Joe Givans and Eric Buss, (2007) Wayne Houchin, (2008) Michael Ammar, (2009) Daniel Garcia and (2010) Dan and Dave Buck.

Visit SorcerersSafari.ca to register for the summer session 2011 or to read more about magic camp.

Sale, sale, sale!

Looking for the bargains?

Check out Browser's Den of Magic's boxing week sale (it started today)!

Also, The Vanishing Rabbit will be having a New Year's sale on Friday January the 7th, 2011.

Please visit each store's website to confirm the details of their sales.