Use it or lose it

Two Canadian magic institutions shuttered their stores on the very same weekend. It sends shivers down my spine.

Again I urge you to support our local brick and mortar magic shops. It's the first place many kids get bitten by the magic bug. It's a place they can go for encouragement and coaching, by people in the know. A nurturing community is formed in a local shop, which can't be duplicated through the internet.

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area? Consider supporting one through their online shops. (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and
The Browser's Den of Magic!)

If you don't use it, you'll lose it.

Goodbye to Morrissey Magic -- the end of an era in Toronto

On Saturday August 24th, after 54 years in the industry, Morrissey Magic closed its doors for the very last time.

Founded by Herb Morrissey in 1959, Morrissey Magic's niche product was his "Morrissey Cups."  His retail shop opened in 1964 with a second shop opening in Toronto in 1978.  Some time later, the entire operation settled in Toronto.

Morrissey Magic was the first real magic shop I'd ever experienced.  I can't tell you how many hours I've spent there.  Or how many pay cheques.  (The numbers are likely higher than I'd care to admit.)  Being in their store always felt like home to me -- no matter the location.  Their anniversary parties were the perfect combination of celebration, community and entertainment!  (I will never forget the impromptu performance by Richard Lyn a few years back!)  I feel fortunate that I was able to share my love of the store, and the people who ran it, with my family.

Thank you to Dan, Phoebe, Mike, Luiz, Richard and of course Herb, for the wonderful contributions you've made to my life.  Dan and Phoebe, I wish you all the very best as you begin a new chapter in yours!

Daniel Steep interviewed by Sean McGaughy

I interviewed @danielsteep after his #agrimagic show at #cne2013 @LetsGoToTheEX https://t.co/K1aiEuUdxY
— Sean McGaughey (@Sean_McGaughey) August 26, 2013

Toronto: Jay Scott Berry lecture

From the Browser's Den:

BONUS LECTURE - JAY SCOTT BERRY!
Date: Sunday, September 29

Dear Magic Friends,

We have arranged to squeeze in one more lecture for this September.  We agreed because JAY SCOTT BERRY is an exceptional magician from Australia that will be touring North America during this time. A true smooth as silk pro!

It has been ten years since he gave a lecture in Toronto.

Read more and buy ticktes.

Jay Sankey in Europe

Just booked for a magic convention in Germany! Been too long since I shook hands with my awesome German fans. http://t.co/DxxZ87UYsp
— Jay Sankey (@jay_sankey) August 15, 2013

From Magic-Convention:

Some of the best magicians from around the world have made the long trip to Lübeck to present to you their expertise. During the 4th Lübeck Magic-Days, which will be held 27th-28th September 2013, they will be teaching aprox. 250 magicians from all over the world.

You would like to attend our exclusive convention “Nordisch Nobel” as well as all the lectures? You’ve come to right place. Register as soon as possible as the number of participants is limited to 250! (register here)

Read more.

I was also just booked to perform + lecture at this FUN event in the Netherlands. Gonna be a fun trip! http://t.co/ln1xa1OQVj
— Jay Sankey (@jay_sankey) August 15, 2013

From Dynamite Day:

October 5

What can you expect on this day?

Lectures;
National and international magicians which we specially books have their favorite effects for you, and better yet, then they teach you every detail so that you yourself can learn these tricks

Competition;
A limited number of participants may participate in this stage and close-upwedstrijd which will be judged by a jury of professional magicians and "lay" or simply public. Thus we find that a fair idea can be given of how a magician really comes across public and we do not attach any value to techniques used. However, the combination of the two provides the highest possible performance!

Gala;
The gala which will take place in the evening you can see a selection of international artists / magicians that special one-time offer this complete show for you. This should not be missed!

Read more.

Vancouver: Paul Romhany's Murder by Magic

October 14th and 15th

My one man show is coming to town - if you live in Vancouver check out this poster with details: October 14th... http://t.co/HeygPK3Obn
— Paul Romhany (@paulromhany) August 19, 2013

Discovery channel: You Couldn’t Do This

From Canada.com:

You can retire from TV, but you can never get away from science — especially if you inculcated a lifelong interest in how things work from a young age. Jay Ingram, one of the original hosts of Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet newsmagazine, gets in touch with his inner child with his return-to-TV special You Couldn’t Do This.

Ingram explores the science behind magicians’ death-defying acts, showing how the most dangerous stunts can’t be explained away by illusion, misdirection and sleight-of-hand. Sometimes, what magicians do is real, aided and abetted by the old-fashioned laws of physics. Understanding science can make it possible for a human being to be fired from a cannonball or contort oneself into innumerable different positions and poses, all of them painful. Seeing is believing, they say, but one of the first laws of science is that you can’t always trust your eyesight alone to tell you what’s going on.

True, by taking a hard, science-based look at the world of illusion, Ingram risks playing the part of party-pooper. Ingram is more science nerd than spoilsport, though, and You Couldn’t Do This is worlds removed from Breaking the Magician’s Code.

Read more.