Toronto: Dan McLean Jr as "Trashy Claus"

From Facebook:

Friday December 20th

This Friday night is the Trash Palace's Christmas party, and they've asked me to be their "Trashy Claus": A drunken, grumpy Saint Nick.

I'll be just a small part of the evening's fesivities, singing an unsavoury version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", and reading a few pages from "Santa's Diary" (more unsavouriness, from my 1992 essay).

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Keith Brown Fringing

Congratulations Keith!

Current cities I will be fringing in: Orlando, London, Winnipeg and Edmonton (BYOV)!!
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) December 18, 2013

World-renowned Playing Card Expert Buys Largest Internet Playing Card Forum - Match Made in Heaven

For Immediate Release:

Toronto, Ontario. - December 17th, 2013 - In a surprise announcement, world-renowned playing card expert Tom Dawson stated that he has purchased "the Discourse at playingcardforum.com," the world's largest playing card Internet forum from previous owner and playing card designer, Alexander Yusupov.

The inspiration for selling The Discourse recalled twenty-two year old Alexander Yusupov, original founder of the forum "Tom and Judy Dawson are THE experts," Yusupov said. "It was time to pass the forum along to people that could take my work into unprecedented territory."

As the author, with Judy, his wife, of the definitive work "The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards," as well the current president of the 52 Plus Joker Club, the preeminent North American card collecting organization, Mr. Dawson has lots to offer the large and growing roster of playing card collectors online.

Don Boyer, administrator of the Discourse and 52 Plus Joker member, agrees.  "I knew that Alex Yusupov had for some time been considering a sale of the forum, but the right opportunity hadn't presented itself.  When Tom Dawson and Lee Asher approached me recently to discuss future plans for 52 Plus Joker, it seems like a natural fit to unite these two organizations in some way, creating a synergy between them that makes them greater together than they are individually.  I suggested the idea to both parties and this is the happy result."

The idea of hunting for vintage pasteboards has always intrigued Mr. Dawson since he began his obsession almost forty years ago. The kind of passion that drove him back then to seek out the beauty and history those decks of cards possess still leads him today to help other fellow collectors, no matter their age or experience. After updating the 52 Plus Joker's Constitution and Mission Statement to expand the membership to include more modern custom playing card collectors and designers, Mr. Dawson saw the purchase of a sizable forum with over ten thousand members worldwide as a rare opportunity, one he couldn't pass up.

"When the United States Playing Card Company needs their collection evaluated, they call Tom and Judy Dawson. Imagine the kind of rich history and fascinating information they are going to share with anyone interested," said 52 Plus Joker's Director of Publicity, Lee Asher.

Asher adds, "It looks like 2014 is going to be pretty spectacular for card enthusiasts. I can't remember a time when everyone was so excited about playing card culture!"

According to Discourse statistics, the forum's membership is already growing exponentially with a high rate of regular visitors and posters. With luck, and if Tom Dawson 'plays his cards right,' he will end up achieving his ultimate goal of inspiring a new generation of playing card aficionados.

Interested in collecting playing cards? You aren't alone! Membership in the Discourse is free of charge to the public. Visit Tom Dawson's Discourse now, and get started today.

http://playingcardforum.com

For more information, go to the official announcement by Tom at The Discourse.

Clowns vs Magicians

From CBC:

When it comes to kids parties, who makes the better entertainer? A clown or a magician? Pat Thornton champions the clown and Dave Acer endorses the magician.

Read more and listen to a clip.

Toronto: James Alan at Reasons Greetings

From Reality Based Magic:

This Friday, I’ll be performing at the Centre for Inquiry’s Winter Solstice Party.

Friday, December 20, 2013
Tota Lounge – 592 Queen Street West
 

CFI  works to combat the harm of superstition, pseudoscience and religion by advancing the values of reason, science and secularism through education, activism and community. So join us for a special secular soiree and help us celebrate reason this season. 

Read more and buy tickets.

Calgary: Jay Noblezada lecture

From the Vanishing Magic Facebook page:

MONDAY DECEMBER 16th at come see JAY NOBLEZADA lecture.

Read more.

12/2013 update to the Johnny Giordmaine tribute site

From the curator of the Johnny Giordmaine tribute site:

John Giordmaine Dot Com, the online tribute to Canada's most beloved children's magician Johnny Giordmaine (1898-1974) wishes everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday season with its latest update: A selection of one of a kind vintage photos taken over the years at Ring 17 (reposted with kind permission of Ring 17); a special personal remembrance by Robert H. Rastorp; and a celebration of Johnny winning the prestigious IBM Star of Magic Award fifty years ago. These latest features bring to 15 the number of new pages added during this past year.

If you remember Johnny at all or would like to be inspired by one of Canada's most memorable magical entertainers, please visit. And if you have any memories or photos to share, please get in touch. Contact information is on the site which is:

http://www.johngiordmaine.com