Toronto: Roy Kueppers' Day at The Den

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

When: Sunday, March 10th
Where: The Browser's Den of Magic, 3220 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON
Cost to attend day: FREE!

Mr. Roy Kueppers, the man who personally manufactures all of the specially gimmicked canadian coins will be here at the shop for a full day of activities. Roy also makes non-canadian trick coins.  Plus a host of other gorgeous props including 'okito boxes', 'hand-crafted magic wands' and more!

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From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

ALSO APPEARING: MICHAEL FRANCIS CURRENT GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER OF:
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls in one minute - 2 hands = 92 (previous record was 78)
Most Multiple Coin Rolls in one minute - 1 hand = 29
(previous record was 26)
Most Coin Rolls in one minute - 1 hand = 49
(previous record was 45)
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls (no time limit) - 1 hand = 986
(previous record was 72)
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls (no time limit) - 2 hands = 211
(previous record was 102)

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Ryan Pilling on Breakfast Television Calgary

Watch Ryan Pilling's appearance on Breakfast Television Calgary, promoting WowFest - Calgary's First Magic Festival, happening this Saturday, February the 23rd.


The appearance is also on YouTube:

Toronto: Music, Magic, Muggles...and some other M word.

Updated March 25th: 
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

From the Music, Magic, Muggles...and some other M word Facebook page:

Where: C'est What, Toronto.
When: Sunday March 31

Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp has been opening up the world of magic and performance to talented and creative youths aged 8-18 for more than 15 years! We combine the fun and exciting experience of summer camp (swimming, bonfires, canoeing) with instruction on the history and practice of magic (street, stage, parlour, etc.) and help kids learn how to get up in front of a crowd and perform. Fun-loving counselors and professional magicians come together with the campers to build friendships, make connections, and create a memorable experience that campers will hold on to for a lifetime. This fundraiser is designed to help keep this program going...and growing! 

Performers:

• Rosemary Reid
• Dan McLean Jr.

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Michael Francis: World record holder!

From Mississauga.com:

Since 2005, the Guinness World Record for most one-handed coin rolls in a minute has been 45, until Sunday (Feb. 10) when Clarkson resident Michael Francis passed a U.S. half dollar  between his fingers 49 times in one minute.

"It means a lot," said Francis. "In the magic of field, most coin rolls a minute has been the most highly regarded one … all of the biggest magicians have tried for it."

Well, move over Houdini because the 28-year-old broke an additional four coin rolling records Sunday: most consecutive coin rolls in one minute with two hands, 92 (previous record 78); most multiple coin rolls in a minute with one hand, 29 (previous record 26); most one-handed coin rolls with no time limit, 986 (previous record 72) and most consecutive coin rolls with two hands, no time limit, 211 (previous record 102).

Read more.
 

The article goes on to say that Michael is going to attempt to break an additional 25 Guinness World Records this year!  Good luck Michael!

By my count, that puts the total of Canadian Guinness World Record holding magicians to four! 

• Doug The Great:  Heaviest Stilts Mastered.
• Scott Hammell:  Highest Suspension Straight Jacket Escape.
• Lucas Wilson:  Fastest Suspension Straight Jacket Escape.

Murray Hatfield: US lectures

Murray Hatfield will be lecturing in the United States in March and April.  Visit his Facebook page for an up to date listing of dates and cities.

The list below is current as of February 14:

Mar. 5 Tulsa, OH
Mar. 6 Kansas City, MO
Mar. 7 Pigeon Forge, TN
Mar. 8 Pigeon Forge, TN
Mar. 9 Pigeon Forge, TN
Mar. 10 Huntsville, AL
Mar. 12 Jacksonville, FL
Mar. 13 Memphis, TN
Mar. 14 Murfreesboro, TN
Mar. 16 New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18 St. Louis, MO
Mar. 19 Peoria, IL
Mar. 20 Chicago, IL - Midwest Magic
Mar. 21 Chicago, IL - Tinley Park
Mar. 24 Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Mar. 25 Lake Charles, LA
Mar. 26 Houston, TX
Mar. 27 San Antonio, TX
Mar. 28 McAllen, TX
Mar. 30 Albuquerque, NM
Apr. 1 Tucson, AZ
Apr. 3 Las Vegas, NV

Broken wand: Leonard Miedzianowski

From the Montreal Gazette:

1951-2013 Leonard Miedzianowski, aka Nemo Turner son of the late Peter Miedzianowski and Wanda Lorek, survived by his brother John and sister Regina, and numerous friends. Leonard was a well known Montreal magician.

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[via Perfect Magic]


From "Remebering Nemo" over at the Rotary Club of Montreal.

Nemo Turner, born Leonard Miedzianowski, age 61, died early Friday morning, February 8, 2013.

Nemo (the name he took when he began to perform magic) was a well known Montrealer having frequently appeared in the media.
After attending Concordia University (Loyola campus) and receiving a Bachelor’s degree in psychology he carried on with his career as a magician and llusionist, his loyal assistant, Melvin Rabbit at his side. A sense of whimsy and an ability to generate publicity on Nemo’s part led to Melvin, a small white rabbit, gaining his own measure of fame, resulting in a lifestyle that included his own bank account and dining at the Mount Stephen Club. Nemo went on to blend his entertainment skills with education and also was involved in real estate ventures.

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John Cox writes about Houdini Never Died

Over at Wild About Harry, John Cox writes about Houdini Never Died:

Here is the entire 1979 documentary Houdini Never Died. This was produced by John Watson and Pen Densham who later wrote and directed TNTs Houdini. It intercuts Houdini's story with footage of contemporary magicians including Doug Henning. It also has nice footage of James Randi performing a suspended straitjacket escape over Niagara Falls and the 50th Anniversary Official Houdini seance held at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame. Definitely a product of its time, but that's what makes this great.

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