Calgary: A Brush With Death is back!

"Now with 10% more blood, and 15% higher insurance premiums!"

From the Brush With Death website:

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2013
You never know what to expect with A Brush With Death, Calgary’s most bizarre illusion show! Dangerous stunts and creepy effects… perhaps a pint of blood or two?

Hosted by mentalist and shock magician, Yeats Wong, this weird and funny show explores the darker side of magic: contacting the dead, exploring your fears & phobias, and having fun with all things morbid.

Every Brush With Death is a fresh show with new macabre illusions and freaky guest stars, mixed with classic audience favourites.

Read more.

Toronto: Chris Westfall lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

CHRIS WESTFALL - The Real Deal Worker - MAGIC LECTURE!

Chris Westfall’s magic has been published in ‘MAGIC’, ‘M-U-M’ and ‘Genii’ magazines as well as some card books.

He is a true student of magic The reason you should consider attending his lecture is because he truly is the REAL DEAL WORKER.  What does that mean? It means that his sole source of income is from performing and inventing magic. And truth told Chris earns a decent living from magic.

In his lecture he will be performing and teaching nine tricks. The tricks will be presented in groups of three just as he performs them in the real world for real people paying real dollars.

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Ottawa: Mac King

From Ottawa Theatres:

Friday, February 28, 2014

Mac King!

Read more and buy tickets.
 

[via: Magic Information Canada]

Ryan Joyce AMA: How to become a professional magician in just 495 easy steps :)

From Reddit:

Great question! Here are some to ponder:

• Invest in your visual sales medium --- have awesome photos and videos. Doesn't mean you have to spend thousands, but get a promotional photo done that makes you unique. Get video of you in action. This isn't vanishing anytime soon, its a long term investment. I modelled my promotional material after seeing a Ritz Carleton ad on a flight to the middle east.
• Learn to pick up the telephone --- the idea here is that shows aren't going to always come to you... you've gotta work for them. This part sucks because we are artists not marketers. It's a tough pill for many to swallow.
• Be personable --- there is no room for ego in this business.
• A good sales job and a bad show will get you booked only once. They need to be in harmony
• Over deliver --- do something that will make them remember that you thought more of them than just a "client." One of my "clients" shared with me that he and his wife loved indian food, when we rolled into town I brought with me a chutney from home and an extra souvenir I had bought in India. Means virtually nothing to anyone else, it cost me virtually nothing... but I gained a client for life.
• The bottom line if you can add value to someone's life you can be rewarded greatly.

Read more.
 

[via Owen Anderson]

Bill Abbott in the Magic Cafe's Creator's Spotlight

From Bill Abbott's Twitter feed:

Delighted to be the part of the Magic Cafe's Creator's Spotlight June 25-June 27 Thx to @stevejbrooks& @murphysmagic for making it happen!
— Bill Abbott (@billabbottmagic) May 17, 2013

Eden Cheung: street artist

From the CBC:

Eden Cheung is a Vancouver street magician who incorporates music, comedy and balancing acts into his performance.

Cheung has recently become a prominent voice against controversial new regulations and a revamped audition process buskers now need to go through in order to get a chance to play at the coveted Granville Island outdoor market adjacent to downtown Vancouver.

Read more.

Calgary: The Garden Variety Show

From The Garden Variety Show press release:

May 30th, 2013 - 7:30 pm

Press Release:

The Garden Variety Show is a once a month gathering of some of the best local and international performers, for a one of a kind entertainment extravaganza. Magic, Juggling, Side Show, Comedy, Music and more; this show captures the true spirit of Vaudeville Variety shows of the past.

Read more.