From Keith's Twitter feed:
so apparently part of my @LondonFringe show made it onto @CTVLondon starts at 9:00 minute mark. crazy. http://t.co/YwKvUSyU3k
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) June 17, 2013
20 June 2013
Keith Brown on CTV News
The clip of Keith was on the CTV London/Windsor: News at 6, June 16.
From Keith's Twitter feed:
From Keith's Twitter feed:
Broken Wand: William Anderson
Recently we were notified by Dennis Schick, the editor of the Broken Wand in the International Brotherhood of Magician's magazine, The Linking Ring, of the passing of William Anderson. Dennis is graciously allowing me to pass this on to you.
Dennis also pointed out that the more ALL of us share news and information about magic with the REST of us, the better off the entire magic community will be.
I take this opportunity to ask you to not just ASSUME that we already know about some magic news that YOU hear about. Please tell us about it. We would always rather hear some news SEVERAL times rather than not at all!
WILLIAM J. ANDERSON
The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that William J. (Bill) Anderson, 83, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, died July 29, 2012 of cancer. His member number was 63254, and he had been a member since 2002. He became interested in magic as a teenager, and it became a life-long hobby. He was literally a jack of all trades, from a master plumber and welder, to a carpenter and furniture and antique restorer, He and his wife lived and traveled throughout Canada and the United States over their almost sixty-four years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; children Richard, Heather (Alex) Chiong, and Judith (Mike) Meyer; and grandchildren, Nora, Mark and Tina.
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WILLIAM J. ANDERSON
The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that William J. (Bill) Anderson, 83, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, died July 29, 2012 of cancer. His member number was 63254, and he had been a member since 2002. He became interested in magic as a teenager, and it became a life-long hobby. He was literally a jack of all trades, from a master plumber and welder, to a carpenter and furniture and antique restorer, He and his wife lived and traveled throughout Canada and the United States over their almost sixty-four years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; children Richard, Heather (Alex) Chiong, and Judith (Mike) Meyer; and grandchildren, Nora, Mark and Tina.
19 June 2013
[Guest post] Steve Cohen Performs at Luminato
The following is a guest post from Ian Crawford.
--
For years I have wondered what it would be like to attend one of Robert-Houdins' Soirée Fantastic. Steve Cohen brought the essence of Robert-Houdin to life last night at his Luminato performance in historic George Brown House in Toronto. First you must understand the setting. George Brown House is a national historic site, the home of a father of confederation and founder of the Globe newspaper. The Edwardian house has been perfectly restored to its former glory and is the ideal setting for a performance that celebrates parlour magic. And Steve Cohen is one of the few magicians with the presence, experience and passion to bring the parlour magic experience to near perfection.
Steve performed a mix of classic magic and mentalism that honoured past masters while acknowledging a twenty first century sensibility. A lifetime of study, 16 years of performances combined with an engaging intelligence and perfect diction makes Cohens' performances ideal for the Luminato audience. He expected an intelligent audience, and the tickets even suggested that suitable dress was "cocktail attire". In return Cohen performed 90 minutes of witty, engaging magic. He was also suitably attired in a modern morning suit with yellow waistcoat and aqua tie.
Cohen's magic was direct, simple, elegant and completely fried many of the magicians and all of the rest of the audience of more than 60. Beginning with a multiple card selection, he immediately engaged his audience. He invited the back rows to stand and others to come and surround him while he performed some coin vanishes culminating in a solid, real brick appearing under his hat. Appropriately, it was a reclaimed brick. He performed a classic linking finger rings with style and grace and engaged the audience with some predictions about the inscriptions inside the rings.
One of Cohen's trademark tricks is based on Hoffman's Think a Drink. While performed part way through the show, this could have easily been the closer. Five different drinks were predicted, poured and enjoyed by audience members, the last being poured by a volunteer. Cohen went out of his way to acknowledge and thank the volunteer for dressing appropriately, nice touch. His message was clear that an evening out should be an experience for all, in keeping with the setting.
Cohen finished his set with a map prediction and then went into some mentalism using billets and an unusually large journal. The mix of magic and mentalism was clearly a salute to Robert-Houdin, and Cohan engaged his audience constantly.
For his finalé, Cohen asked the audience to come closer and gather round to watch as he performed what I can only describe as a a two deck Triumph.
If you missed Cohen, you can always catch him in New York at the Waldorf Astoria in Chamber Magic.
Toronto is blessed to have a magic benefactor in the Slaight family who sponsored the evening. And David Ben and Julie Eng of Magicana should be thanked for bringing some of the best magic to Luminato year after year. Together they have elevated magic to a respectable place. Robert-Houdin would have been proud.
Ian Crawford
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Thank you Ian for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
--
For years I have wondered what it would be like to attend one of Robert-Houdins' Soirée Fantastic. Steve Cohen brought the essence of Robert-Houdin to life last night at his Luminato performance in historic George Brown House in Toronto. First you must understand the setting. George Brown House is a national historic site, the home of a father of confederation and founder of the Globe newspaper. The Edwardian house has been perfectly restored to its former glory and is the ideal setting for a performance that celebrates parlour magic. And Steve Cohen is one of the few magicians with the presence, experience and passion to bring the parlour magic experience to near perfection.
Steve performed a mix of classic magic and mentalism that honoured past masters while acknowledging a twenty first century sensibility. A lifetime of study, 16 years of performances combined with an engaging intelligence and perfect diction makes Cohens' performances ideal for the Luminato audience. He expected an intelligent audience, and the tickets even suggested that suitable dress was "cocktail attire". In return Cohen performed 90 minutes of witty, engaging magic. He was also suitably attired in a modern morning suit with yellow waistcoat and aqua tie.
Cohen's magic was direct, simple, elegant and completely fried many of the magicians and all of the rest of the audience of more than 60. Beginning with a multiple card selection, he immediately engaged his audience. He invited the back rows to stand and others to come and surround him while he performed some coin vanishes culminating in a solid, real brick appearing under his hat. Appropriately, it was a reclaimed brick. He performed a classic linking finger rings with style and grace and engaged the audience with some predictions about the inscriptions inside the rings.
One of Cohen's trademark tricks is based on Hoffman's Think a Drink. While performed part way through the show, this could have easily been the closer. Five different drinks were predicted, poured and enjoyed by audience members, the last being poured by a volunteer. Cohen went out of his way to acknowledge and thank the volunteer for dressing appropriately, nice touch. His message was clear that an evening out should be an experience for all, in keeping with the setting.
Cohen finished his set with a map prediction and then went into some mentalism using billets and an unusually large journal. The mix of magic and mentalism was clearly a salute to Robert-Houdin, and Cohan engaged his audience constantly.
For his finalé, Cohen asked the audience to come closer and gather round to watch as he performed what I can only describe as a a two deck Triumph.
If you missed Cohen, you can always catch him in New York at the Waldorf Astoria in Chamber Magic.
Toronto is blessed to have a magic benefactor in the Slaight family who sponsored the evening. And David Ben and Julie Eng of Magicana should be thanked for bringing some of the best magic to Luminato year after year. Together they have elevated magic to a respectable place. Robert-Houdin would have been proud.
Ian Crawford
--
Thank you Ian for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
Toronto: Buster Canfield and His Amazing Fleas
Playing various dates in July and August.
From Brown Paper Tickets:
From Brown Paper Tickets:
Ladies & Gentlemen Boys and Girls of all ages!
Step right up and behold the most miraculous manifestation of mite-sized marvelosity ever to appear on any stage!
Buster Canfield's Circus of Industrious Fleas!
Come one, come all!
Be stunned!
Be astounded!
Scratch your skin with delight at our microscopic, entomic entertainment!
"Little creatures can do Marvelous Things."
Buster Canfield & His Industrious Fleas is a TYA play for solo actor, puppets, masks, parlour magic, and the Greatest Humbug Flea Circus ever seen on any stage!
Buster is a small boy, growing up in Port Hope, Ontario in the late 1800s. He is small for his age, shy, bullied, and feels overwhelmed by the world around him. His life changes when meets a mysterious old man from Europe by the name of Louis Bertolotto.
Read more and purchase tickets.
18 June 2013
Welcoming a new patron: Perfect Magic!
Welcome to our newest sponsor, Evelyn and Phil Matlin from Perfect Magic!
In Montreal in 1976, Perfect Magic was founded as a mail-order company run out of a basement, selling their own original products. In short time, they grew out of their basement and into a retail property of their own. They expanded their catalogue with more original products. In 1979, they collaborated wtih C.W. Vermeys to launch the very first Magie Montréal convention! Magie Montréal ran annually until 1998.
In the words of David Acer, "Today, Perfect Magic continues to be a highly respected manufacturer, distributor and retail outlet, supplying tricks and accessories to magicians around the world."
If you haven't already, check out their blog, Perfect Magic Then and Now, where Evelyn shares wonderful stories from her 30+ years of experience in the magic business. If you keep tabs on their Facebook page or Twitter feed, you will be notified when new blog posts are up.
Did you know that Phil is also a professional ragtime piano player? Browse through his YouTube channel! I enjoy both of his CD's, Ragtime Daze and Ragtime Magic.
I had the pleasure of meeting both Evelyn and Phil at this year's Spring CAM-JAM. They are warm, and wonderful people!
Thank you Evelyn and Phil, for your constant support of the Canadian magic scene and your sponsorship of this website!
In Montreal in 1976, Perfect Magic was founded as a mail-order company run out of a basement, selling their own original products. In short time, they grew out of their basement and into a retail property of their own. They expanded their catalogue with more original products. In 1979, they collaborated wtih C.W. Vermeys to launch the very first Magie Montréal convention! Magie Montréal ran annually until 1998.
In the words of David Acer, "Today, Perfect Magic continues to be a highly respected manufacturer, distributor and retail outlet, supplying tricks and accessories to magicians around the world."
If you haven't already, check out their blog, Perfect Magic Then and Now, where Evelyn shares wonderful stories from her 30+ years of experience in the magic business. If you keep tabs on their Facebook page or Twitter feed, you will be notified when new blog posts are up.
Did you know that Phil is also a professional ragtime piano player? Browse through his YouTube channel! I enjoy both of his CD's, Ragtime Daze and Ragtime Magic.
I had the pleasure of meeting both Evelyn and Phil at this year's Spring CAM-JAM. They are warm, and wonderful people!
Thank you Evelyn and Phil, for your constant support of the Canadian magic scene and your sponsorship of this website!
17 June 2013
Toronto: Mark Lewis Hypnosis Show
From Ticketwise:
Date: Saturday - July 6, 2013
Location: The LOT - Toronto - Cabaret
Mark Lewis in his new show displays the incredible hypnotic powers of the mind in ways often hilarious... sometimes spine-chilling...but always fascinating.
The show consists of volunteers being hypnotized on stage and participating in various comedy situations.
Read more and buy tickets.
16 June 2013
Reviews: Luminato 2013
From Musical Toronto:
From Torontoist:
From The Star:
[via Sharing Wonder]
Luminato failed to show its hand with the first of its magic-themed shows, which opened at Mazzoleni Hall on Friday night. The title is Concerto for Piano and Pasteboards. It’s a fine show. But it has almost nothing to do with pianos and everything to do with card tricks.
It’s a short, sweet magic show where the assistant doesn’t mutely stand at the magician’s side in a sequined suit but plays a grand piano instead.
Read more.
From Torontoist:
When Miguel Puga first spoke after performing a couple of introductory card tricks, it was in part to apologize for his broken English. The Spaniard, known also as MagoMigue (yes, that’s pretty much Spanish for Magic Mike), may not have the greatest command of the language, but he then proceeded to prove his assertion, as trite as it may sound, that magic possesses a universal power that can transcend ordinary communication. Blessed with a naturally funny presence and an undeniable gift for showmanship, Puga’s expert card manipulations were every bit as impressive as the apparent telepathic abilities he put to good effect on more than one occasion.
Read more.
From The Star:
By Miguel Puga & Miguel Aparicio. Presented by Luminato. To June 16. Mazzoleni Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-368-4849 (luminatofestival.com)
The piano gets equal billing in Miguel Puga and Miguel Aparicio’s show Concerto for Piano & Pasteboards, being presented in the opening days of Luminato. But this is really all about 90 minutes of Puga’s magic tricks, not the art of the keyboard.
Read more.
[via Sharing Wonder]
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