Died peacefully at home with his wife of 60 years by his side in Montreal on the 19th of November. Born in Sidcup, Kent, England in 1917, he graduated from the Stowe School, after which matriculated at Queen's College at the University of Cambridge where he earned his BMS and MA and qualified as an MD.
....
He was additionally an accomplished amateur photographer, birdwatcher and magician, the last of these avocations having been interpreted on stage while he was a university student.
Read the complete obituary.
26 November 2011
Broken wand: Peter Howard Nash
From the Globe and Mail on Wednesday November 23rd.
25 November 2011
Greg Frewin on the Wendy Williams show
From Niagara This Week:
Watch Greg's performance on YouTube:
When producers of the Wendy Williams Show came calling, Frewin was quick to pack his magic bag of tricks and head to the Big Apple for a a spot the show calls “A Shameless Surprise.”
Read more.
Watch Greg's performance on YouTube:
24 November 2011
Sheldon Casavant: Photographs of a magician
From Edmonton Portrait Photography:
This year I had the opportunity to photograph several of the outstanding young Edmontonians nominated for the award and I’ll be featuring a few of them here on my blog over the next couple of weeks.
One of the individuals who was nominated is Sheldon Casavant – a magician and author from Edmonton. We met up in one of Edmonton’s back alleys for an urban-inspired photo shoot and Sheldon brought along several magic props to incorporate into the shoot.
Read more and see some of the photos from the shoot.
23 November 2011
The Magical Arts Hour: Baldini, Gordon Precious, Alex Kazam
Watch on YouTube as Baldini welcomes Gordon Precious and Alex Kazam to the studio at ThatChannel.com for this episode of "The Magical Arts Hour."
22 November 2011
Gazzo interviewed by Joe Culpepper
From The Magic Broadcast:
“Streets is a lifestyle,” says Gazzo. And he should know.
Garry Osborne has been busking as a magician in Britain, North America, and all over the world since he was fifteen. Join me, Joe Culpepper, in episode two of the Culpepper Cast as I catch up with him at Toronto’s recent Buskerfest (August 2011).
Read more and listen to the interview.
20 November 2011
[Guest post] Patrik Kuffs in Toronto
The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.
--
PATRIK KUFFS IN TORONTO
Review by The Magic Demon
Montreal-based magician, mentalist and comedian Patrik Kuffs appeared in Toronto at the Browser's Den Saturday night (November 19th).
Throughout the evening, Patrik easily charmed everyone with his wry wit and quirky humour as well as impressing them with his insightful advice on real world performances. Playing to an packed room his two hours-plus lecture enlightened, informed and entertained.
Moving quickly from one effect to another he demonstrated and then explained a wide range of surefire audience pleasers including a close up design duplication worthy of Annemann; numerous compelling card effects (his card stab/knife routine was especially well-received); a novel handling of a classic book test; intriguing possibilities utilizing shiners; an innovative stage design duplication concept; a clever routine with a unique and inexpensive homemade version of a mentalist's most invaluable prop; and some classic spoon and fork bending.
Also particularly memorable was his TT gag... if you were there, you certainly remember the huge laugh it received! (I'm sorry - I know I've left out a lot but I was enjoying myself so much I repeatedly forgot to take notes.)
As he explained every effect there were frequently small gasps of appreciation throughout the room at the simplicity but ingeniousness of his methods.
Perhaps best known for his excellent DVD on metal bending, Patrik surprised the crowd by revealing it actually only played a very small part in his professional career of over 20 years.
As a bonus he gave away two special gifts to everyone in the audience - including the secret for a seemingly impenetrable impromptu blindfold made with materials readily available in any home.
Patrik at one point modestly referred to his lecture notes package, on sale and a real bargain, which were scooped up by many in attendance. He went on to apologize that he wasn't actually very good at selling. Not true! When it comes to his magic and winning over an audience, Patrik Kuffs really knows exactly how to sell himself... and does so brilliantly.
If you ever get a chance to see him lecture you will come away with several practical workers in your notebook ready to put into your act right away. Thank you Patrik for an extremely fun and rewarding evening.
Additional thanks to Jeff Pinsky, the Browser's Den's most gracious host, for presenting Patrik in Toronto.
Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
--
PATRIK KUFFS IN TORONTO
Review by The Magic Demon
Montreal-based magician, mentalist and comedian Patrik Kuffs appeared in Toronto at the Browser's Den Saturday night (November 19th).
Throughout the evening, Patrik easily charmed everyone with his wry wit and quirky humour as well as impressing them with his insightful advice on real world performances. Playing to an packed room his two hours-plus lecture enlightened, informed and entertained.
Moving quickly from one effect to another he demonstrated and then explained a wide range of surefire audience pleasers including a close up design duplication worthy of Annemann; numerous compelling card effects (his card stab/knife routine was especially well-received); a novel handling of a classic book test; intriguing possibilities utilizing shiners; an innovative stage design duplication concept; a clever routine with a unique and inexpensive homemade version of a mentalist's most invaluable prop; and some classic spoon and fork bending.
Also particularly memorable was his TT gag... if you were there, you certainly remember the huge laugh it received! (I'm sorry - I know I've left out a lot but I was enjoying myself so much I repeatedly forgot to take notes.)
As he explained every effect there were frequently small gasps of appreciation throughout the room at the simplicity but ingeniousness of his methods.
Perhaps best known for his excellent DVD on metal bending, Patrik surprised the crowd by revealing it actually only played a very small part in his professional career of over 20 years.
As a bonus he gave away two special gifts to everyone in the audience - including the secret for a seemingly impenetrable impromptu blindfold made with materials readily available in any home.
Patrik at one point modestly referred to his lecture notes package, on sale and a real bargain, which were scooped up by many in attendance. He went on to apologize that he wasn't actually very good at selling. Not true! When it comes to his magic and winning over an audience, Patrik Kuffs really knows exactly how to sell himself... and does so brilliantly.
If you ever get a chance to see him lecture you will come away with several practical workers in your notebook ready to put into your act right away. Thank you Patrik for an extremely fun and rewarding evening.
Additional thanks to Jeff Pinsky, the Browser's Den's most gracious host, for presenting Patrik in Toronto.
Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
19 November 2011
Philip Murad in the Financial Post
From the Financial Post article "Op-Ed – Google’s Patrick Pichette: Canada needs a bolder innovation agenda":
This is perhaps the ultimate wonder and opportunity of the Internet age – a world without borders. For example, take Philip Murad, who went from being a very popular magician and ventriloquist in Montreal to managing a network of magicians across North America.
Read more.
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