Baltimore: Bill Abbott lecture and workshop

From Denny & Lee Magic Studio newsletter:

June 8:
The Pack Smart Play Anywhere Lecture - by Bill Abbott

"I am completely obsessive when it comes to the Pack Smart Play Anywhere lifestyle. The basic philosophy is rooted in the idea that it's better to fill a stage with personality and entertainment rather than large props and paraphernalia. I will show you, with practical examples, how to stretch and pull every ounce of entertainment out your props, your script and interaction to deliver a show that is high on impact and low on luggage. This lecture could change your opinions, your show and possibly your life."
BILL ABBOTT

June 9:
The Thing Workshop Intensive - by Bill Abbott

"The Thing is one of my favorite tricks of the past decade.
It's not a floating ball effect, it's a discovery of invisible life.
Well made, and a beautiful astonishing effect.”
David Regal
MAGIC Magazine

Read more.

Toronto: Magic at The Annex Live

From Abracadabaret:

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Venue: The Annex Live | 296 Brunswick Ave

Our performers are:

• James Alan – Magician, and generally curious character
• Baldini – the resident magician at the Ontario Science Centre
• Bobby Motta – star of the one mans shows Non Fiction and Headgames
• and
• James Harrison – Ontario’s foremost theatrical pickpocket. 

Read more and buy tickets.

Vancouver: Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre

From the Langley Times:

“Until a few months ago, the only salmon I cared about was the one I put on my barbecue,” confesses magician Wes Barker.


“Does that make me a bad person?”


On Saturday, May 5, the Langley native is going to try to atone for his sins by performing in an evening of Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver in order to raise money for TENUK (www.tenuk.org) a non-profit organization dedicated to saving salmon in B.C. waters.

Read more.

Calgary: Ryan Pilling’s Suitcase of Wonders

From Wonder Show:

Next show: Friday May 18th, 2012

Featuring a 2000 year old trick alongside never-before-seen magical innovations, Ryan will present a variety of entertainments to delight and bedazzle*. He’ll defy impossible odds, show you curious mysteries, and you’ll laugh a whole lot along the way.

Read more and buy tickets.

Murray SawChuck's motivator

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

It was William Hung who convinced him.

"I had performed all my life at this point," says the magician billed singularly as Murray. "I'm sitting there watching this guy who can't sing," he recalls of Hung, whose 15 minutes of fame came in 2004, after an atrocious rendition of "She Bangs" on "American Idol."
"He's got 40 million people who know him now, and he's getting $30,000 for a corporate show. Here's a guy who came out of nowhere, with no talent, and he's more famous than I'll ever be at this moment."

And so was the start of Murray's realization that he needed to be a brand as well as a magician. And he needed reality TV to help him.

Read more.

[h/t: iTricks:]

Rounding the Western rings in May

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

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- N/A
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- N/A
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- N/A
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- close-up magic with competitions for both adults and juniors
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Mirth and Magic: Family oriented evening show featuring the Victoria Magic Circle’s most talented magicians.

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

Rounding the Ontario rings in May

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

Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- business meeting - initiation shows - open night of magic
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- lecture by Ben Train and Chris Mayhew
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Will Houstoun lecture
Woodstock, ON	CAM 1 (Friendly City Mystics)	- N/A

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