Ridgeway: Magic for Autism!

Last month, Anthony Lindan organized an event called "Magic for Autism" in Ridgeway, Ontario in support of the Niagara Chapter of Autism Ontario.  Anthony, along with Shaun Fergus, Alex Kazam and Bill Abbott peformed table magic for the patrons at Ridgeway’s restaurant.

Watch Anthony talk about the event in this YouTube video:



View the TV Cogeco Ontario coverage of the event on YouTube:




Read about the initiative on Inside Magic.

To lend your support Anthony's cause, visit the Autism Ontario Niagara Region website and volunteer or donate.


[h/t: @wittymagic]

RBO: Sorcerers Safari magic camp

[Last edited Sept 4 to include Lecleric Show episode for Sept 4, The Magic Broadcast for Sept 3.]

Random bullets of my 24 hours at Sorcerers Safari magic camp:

• fabulous location, beautiful scenery
• newbies (campers and guests alike) are quickly brought into the fold and made to feel at home
• the magic camp instructors and counsellors and organizers are all genuinely nice, helpful and down to earth
• an environment is created that is super kid and family friendly
• the campers are a bunch of great kids
• magic, magic, magic, magic, magic, magic, magic
• caught a fabulous stage show with Magic Mike, Eric Jones, Greg Frewin, Craig Douglas, closed by Trevor and Lorena
• Greg Frewin had me select a card and then he pulled it out of Wayne Houchin's mouth!  Cool! 
     (And a little bit ewwww.)
• special thanks to the girls' cabin and cabins 2 and 3 for letting me interrogate them during their meals
• the food is yummy
• Dick Joiner, Eric Leclerc, Jeff Hinchliffe, Steven Kline, Lee Asher, Janice Biehn, Marc Chalmers, Mike D’Urzo, Lori Farquhar, Shawn Farquhar, Fran Houchin, Chad Juros, Carey Lauder, Chris Pilsworth, Ben Train, Dan Wiebe, David Mitchell, Carey Lauder, Stephanie Botamer, Christina Galonska and especially Jennifer Segal (apologies in advance if I've omitted you!)
• did I mention the magic?
• Jennifer and Mike are wonderful hosts
• I wish I didn't have to leave
• I hope I will have an opportunity to return to Sorcerers Safari

Want to get your own taste of Sorcerers Safari but can't wait until next year?  Have a listen at TheMagicBroadcast.com:

• Aug 20: We chat with Lee Asher about Sorcerer’s Safari
• Aug 31: Live broadcast from Sorcerers Safari
• Sept 1: Live from Sorcerers Safari with Asher and Houchin
• Sept 2: Lee Asher live from camp, Day Three!
• Sept 3: Day Four from Sorcerers Safari with Lee Asher

Or you could also watch Lecleric Show episodes filmed on location:

• Aug 31: Cabin # 2 Magic! - Day 243 of 365
• Sept 1: Bubble Rehab - Day 244 of 365
• Sept 2: Eric Jones' Silver Coins - Day 245 of 365
• Sept 3: Burning the @#$% out of your hand
• Sept 4: Lee Asher's ''Continental Divide''

Magicians in moustaches

And now for something completely different ....

Have you ever wanted to see Greg Frewin, Shawn Farquhar or Juliana Chen in a moustache?  Get yourself over to MagiciansInMoustaches.com.

From the Magicians in moustaches website:

Welcome to Magicians In Moustaches, a collection of photographs featuring prestidigitators in facial furniture.

THE WHERE - These pictures were taken at the Blackpool Magic Convention (along with some from other magical gatherings) by erstwhile stage manager Russ Brown, with help from Tony Stevens, Juan Tirado and others too numerous to mention.

Read more.

If you want direct links to the Canadians with facial hair, here you go:  Greg, Shawn and Juliana.

CAM membership challenge

Shawn Farquhar, current president of the Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM), has asked for the help of Canadian magicians everywhere.  He has a goal of increasing the membership by 100 members over the next three years.

For those of you uninitiated,  CAM was founded on March 15, 1997 by Joan Caesar.  The creation of CAM as our national magic representative allowed us to apply for membership to FISM.  In the year 2000, CAM was accepted as a FISM member and Canadian magicians could, for the first time compete under the Canadian banner at FISM's World Championship of Magic.

CAM also hosts CAMaraderie, a now yearly national magic convention.  The next convention will take place in Hamilton, Ontario in early May.

Visit CAMmagic.org to learn more about the association or for information about membership rates.

Toronto: Browser's Den auction and grand opening party

From the Browser's Den website:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
To celebrate this new chapter in our 36 year history, we invite you and your friends to our Grand Opening Party.

There will be discounts, specials, food, beverages and one of our famous MAGIC AUCTIONS…Where you will be offered fantastic bargains.

Read more.

James Randi: Vancouver date

The CAM website has posted the venue and ticket information for the Vancouver stop of the James Randi Canadian tour.

Toronto: Asi Wind Workshop

From Abracadabaret:

Presented in partnership with the Browser’s Den of Magic.

Asi Wind Workshop - Monday, September 26, 2011 @ 7:00 PM

This hands-on workshop is strictly limited to fifteen participants. It features special treatment on magic with the memorized deck, including “Mnemonicosis” and “The Trick that Cannot Be Explained” and other material from his professional working repertoire, and from his published material, Time Is Money, Chapter One and Switcher.

Read more or purchase tickets.