Buffalo: Matt DiSero

Matt Deserio DiSero will be at Rob's Comedy Playhouse in Buffalo Williamsville, New York on June 23rd.  Here's your chance to see him peform on dry land!

Garbage @ The Phoenix

From Open 'Til Midnight:

In a stroke of brilliance that makes me wish other artists would think of it, the night opened with magician James Alan, who took the crowd on a raucous spree of snark and sly card tricks, rocking the finale where a procured twenty dollar bill from an audience member disappeared, only to reappear in a cantaloupe cut open on stage. Hope the bartenders enjoyed the scented cash! As much as I love discovering new artists, major labels frequently pair artists with openers that make no logical sense for the audience at hand, meaning it’s a true 50-50 shot for enjoying them. An awesome magician though? Always welcome!

Read more.

Southern Ontario: Moving magicians for TV show

From James Alan:

The show is based around a family-run moving company that's been in business for the last 15 years.  Each episode will focus on their family dynamic as they move one or two homes or businesses. 

Right now we're looking for people throughout Southern Ontario with a unique or interesting move in the next 3 weeks -- and what's more unique than a magician??

As a thank you for being a part of the show, we'll cover the cost of the move -- one less thing to think about on moving day!

Contact James Alan if you are interested in this opportunity.

Almonte: Puppets Up!

From Ottawa Start:

This year, It’s Magic! is the theme as the Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival celebrates its 8th season. On August 11 and 12, Puppets Up! will once again present a two-day festival of wonder and amazement as ten professional puppet troupes perform in our family-friendly tented theatres.

and

In addition to the festival’s world-class puppeteers, Magician Elliott Smith will headline an outstanding line-up of magicians and street entertainers who will mystify and enthrall you! (Elliott is the real deal – he’s received the Order of Merlin Shield, a very prestigious award given by the International Society of Magicians [sic].) He’ll be joined by festival favourites the Balcony Puppeteers (think Sesame Street’s Statler and Waldorf) and other artists like musician and children’s entertainer, Jake Differ, and Matt Ficner, whose fantastic animatronic robot puppets are often seen zooming up Mill Street.

Read more.

The Grappler up for auction

Were you at the Harry Anderson lecture, "Tipping the Hat" last month?  Do you remember the story he told about purchasing the Holdout, which was featured in his Grappler routine?  Do remember what his career trajectory looked like after that purchase?  Ever wanted to own one?

Potter and Potter has one up for auction.  Lot 126.

I couldn't afford it at the price he originally paid.  I wonder what it will go for on June 23rd?


[h/t: iTricks]

Hypnosis not recommended for children under 14 years old

Updated June 19 at noon to add:

I am prepared to throw a BOMBSHELL into the story of the "hypnotized students" who were stuck in a "trance".
—The Amazing Kreskin (@Kreskin) June 19, 2012

From Global Post:

A Canadian hypnotist might have been too attractive for his young, female audience to resist.

Sacred Heart College, a private all-girls school in Sherbrooke, Que., hired Maxime Nadeau last week to perform a special year-end show for a class of 12- and 13-year-old girls.

Read more.

From The CBC:

A show at a private girls' high school in Sherbooke, Que., went strangely awry when a young hypnotist left several students in "mass hypnosis" limbo and he had to call in his mentor to snap them out of it.

Read more.

CBC: Magic world standoff over tricks of the trade

Should magic secrets be kept secret?

From the CBC:

Professional magicians dazzle audiences, but in the age of Google and instant answers, might tell-all books and video explainers forever expose what's up performers' sleeves?

According to Alex Stone, author of Fooling Houdini and a practising magician who has competed in The Magic Olympics, it's high time to reveal the magic world's secrets to the public.

Read more.

Watch the video (including comments by David Ben and Julie Eng):

[h/t: Sharing Wonder]