Keith Brown in the End of the World Project

Get yours now, before it's too late!

my friend Bizau put together a free ebook of magic. something of mine is in there: eotwproject.comIt's completely free!
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) December 19, 2012

Spellbinder: The Wonder-Filled Life of Doug Henning

John Cox has a nice review of "Spellbinder: The Wonder-Filled Life of Doug Henning".  From Wild About Houdini:

I really think this book is essential reading for anyone interested in magic history. In fact, I'd even go as far to say that it's as important as The Memories of Robert-Houdin in understanding how a single magician advanced the art of magic from one golden age to another. I also applaud Harrison for his amazing research and for telling the story of Henning, who I don't think always gets the credit he deserves. I put Henning right up there with Houdin, Herrmann, and Houdini as one of the seminal figures in magic history. I think that will become more apparent with time.

Read more.

Port Coquitlam: Share the magic

From Gotta Be Magic:

It’s that time again! Get ready for the 3rd Annual production of  “SHARE the Magic”, the ONLY full length family magic show with proceeds going directly to the SHARE Food Bank. With the huge success of  ”SHARE the Magic” 2011, we are more than excited for this year’s show. Last year the Terry Fox Theatre was SOLD OUT and we raised over one thousand dollars and boxes upon boxes of food for SHARE during their high-need Christmas season.

“SHARE the Magic” 2012 will feature the amazing talents of Award Winning magicians Bruce Meyers, Zany Zack and Wes Barker as seen on Canada’s Got Talent!

Read more and buy tickets.
 

The show will be hosted by Alex Seaman.


[via: Shawn Farquhar]

Canada at Magi-Fest 2013

Updated at 8:32am to add info about Magic Mike and Sorcerers Safari!

We've got some talented peformers at Magi-Fest 2013!

Representing the Great White North will be:

• Ben Train
• Chris Mayhew
• and last but not least, the newest addition to the line-up is non other than Len Cooper Memorial award winner, Mahdi Gilbert!

In addition, Magic Mike Segal from Sorcerers Safari will be at the convention for their 10th year doing the youth activities.

They'll be a part of the international cast which includes Justin Willman, Dani DaOrtiz, John Archer, John Guastaferro, Troy Hooser, Justin Flom, Peter Pitchford, Simon Aronson, Scott Robinson, Simon Lovell, Tony Chang, Eric Jones and Kainoa Harbottle.

What a terrific line-up!

Are you going?

Update to the Johnny Giordmaine tribute site

From the Johnny Giordmaine tribute site curator:

Just in time for happy holiday reading, John Giordmaine Dot Com (www.johngiordmaine.com) - the online tribute to Canada's most beloved children's magician (1898-1974) - has added new pages. Highlights include rare photos of Doug Henning accepting the first ever SCM John Giordmaine Award in 1980; a review of an insightful television profile of Johnny from the late 1960s; and - in time to commemorate Genii's 75th anniversary - an outstanding Genii cover featuring Johnny in 1964 along with a warm appreciation written by its then editor/publisher Bill Larsen, Jr. (Genii's current editor/publisher Richard Kaufman was kind enough to give his permission for the reproductions). Of course readers with recollections of Johnny are always welcome to share; contact information is on the site - which now consists of over 36 pages of photos and text dedicated to preserving the memory of one of this country's finest magicians.

James Randi with a Mayan calendar

A 2013 Mayan calendar.

View on imgur.com

United Kingdom: Bill Abbott's Pack Smart Play Anywhere lecture

We'd previously reported that Bill Abbott will be will be presenting at The Session, the UK's only close-up magic convention, in January 2013.  I've just learned he'll also be lecturing through the UK as well.

From Bill Abbott:

PACK SMART PLAY ANYWHERE LECTURE TOUR 2013!

 

The new Pack Smart Play Anywhere lecture is heading to the UK for the month of January.  This will inevitably be the first and likely the last time to see this lecture in the United Kingdom.  Here are the dates & locations.

• Sunday Jan. 6th Derbyshire, High Peak Magician's Society, Buckingham Hotel
• Monday Jan. 7th Portsmouth, Portsmouth 7 District Magic Circle, Buckland Community Centre
• Tuesday Jan. 8th Dorset, Wessex Magic Association, Bourne Valley Comm. Association
• Wednesday Jan. 9th West Midlands, Wolverhampton Magic Circle, West End Working Men's Club
• Thursday Jan.10th Leatherhead, Surrey Society of Magicians, Bookham Grange Hotel
• Saturday & Sunday Jan.12-13th the Session Convention, Thistle Hotel Gloucester Road
• Monday Jan.14th Manchester Circle of Magicians, Salford Masonic Hall
• Tuesday Jan. 15th Blackpool Magician's Club, Blackpool Magician's Theatre Club, North Shore
• Wednesday Jan. 16th Hull Magicians Circle, Sailmakers Arms
• Thursday Jan. 17th Nottingham Guild of Magicians, The Arts Centre, Ponds Hill Lane
• Sunday Jan. 20th Scottish Lecture Myreside Pavillion, 79 Myreside Road, Edinburgh contact Gary Dunn
• Tuesday Jan. 22nd British Magical Society, The Selly Oak Ex-Servicemen's Club, Birmingham
• Wednesday Jan. 23rd Leamington & Warwick Magic Society, Cubbington Sport & Social Club
• Thursday Jan. 24th Exonian Magic Society, Exeter CVS Centre

THE PACK SMART PLAY ANYWHERE LECTURE DETAILS

• 5 Complete Stand-Up Routines that feature General Magic, Geek Magic and Mentalism, are performed as a full show and then explained.
• The Theory of The Pack Smart Play Anywhere approach is discussed, examined and demonstrated during the performance.
• How to develop your own Pack Smart Play Anywhere Show to take with you on your next flight, throw into the glove box of your car or perform at your next paid function.
• The Pack Smart Play Anywhere material is exclusively a lecture experience. The products, routines and props that will be presented, demonstrated and for sale during the lecture are not and will not be available anywhere or anytime else.