Magic and rehab help transform kids with disabilities

From The Star:

Presto! Change-o! Magic is all about transformation.

We are mesmerized by what we cannot explain, enthralled when hands deceive our eyes.

So it was on a recent afternoon in a compact auditorium that’s part of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and was filled with an audience of 50 facility staff, clients, friends and family of the small performers who individually sat in front of the proverbial magician’s table with black cloth and fringe.

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Toronto: Kenton Knepper workshops

Some of you already know that Kenton Knepper will be lecturing at Ring 17 in April.  What you may not know is that Kenton will also be offering an "Introduction to Mentalism" workshop and a "Mentalism Intensive." 

From Ring 17:

Introduction to Mentalism

Friday, April 4, 2013

The 3 Hour Workshop will contain strong yet easy mentalism material anyone can do. Most of the effects use very basic props, such as business cards, playing cards, candy and other easily found objects. You need not be a mentalist to attend this workshop. You will leave doing memorable, sure-fire mentalism, that you can perform close-up, stand-up and in intimate situations.

Mentalism Intensive

Saturday, April 5, 2014

You need not be a mentalist to attend this workshop. You should be prepared to leave as one.

• Learn how to use personality and symbolic readings to connect to your audience and potential clients.
• Learn how Kenton Mind Reads personalities in performance and gives mini-readings before engaging a spectator in an effect. Then practice with Kenton as he helps you do it too.
• Learn how to make standard magic and mentalism effects connect with audiences deeply by adding in short impressions. Even your equivoque routine will seem to be real Mind Reading.
• Learn Kenton’s color and symbol reading cues and applications.
• Learn an unusual book test effect and method, which also allows you to connect more deeply with an audience.
• Learn how Suggestion and Mentalism must work together to make for realistic presentations.
• Plenty of experiential time to practice the methods taught and get Kenton’s personal help in perfecting these and other routines and methods.

More will be revealed, but only to those who attend.

Workshops are each limited to 20 participants. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first served basis.

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Canada at Magi-Fest 2014

Canada will be well represented at Magi-Fest 2014!  Both Chris Pilsworth and Ben Train are listed as performers.  In addition, a crew from Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp will be there including: Magic Mike Segal, Jen Segal, Steven Kline (event production and late night lecturer), and Eric Leclerc.

I hope one of you will be sending me a trip report!

Happy 2014!

Wishing you and yours a year filled with awe and wonder!

In memoriam

Update February 19th, 2014 to include:

• Eliason, William (Bill) (1932- 2013) and
• Hobbs, Doug ( - 2013)

Updated at 9:16 to include:

• Crazy Frank's / Tony's / Murray's Trick and Joke shop (197x - 2013)
• Morrissey Magic (1959 - 2013)

• Barna, Robert ( - 2013)
• Black, Harold ( - 2013)
• Campbell, Floyd (1921 - 2013)
• Cheng, Luis ( - 2013)
• Eliason, William (Bill) (1932- 2013)
• Feldman, Stuart ( - 2013)
• Harper, Blain (1972-2013)
• Hobbs, Doug ( - 2013)
• Kerr, Danny (1943  - 2013)
• Kramer, Greg (1962 - 2013)
• MacKenzie, Munro (1923 - 2013)
• Massecar, Raymond (1925 - 2013)
• Miedzianowski, Leonard aka Nemo Turner (1951-2013)
• Parker, Raymond (1929 - 2013)
• Peterson, Charles ( - 2013)
• Philip, Andrew ( - 2013)
• Reveen, Peter James (1935-2013)
• Talbi, Mehdi ( - 2013)

It's all because of you!

Thank you to our readers, our fans, our followers, our wonderful guest posters (The Magic Demon, James Alan, Ian Crawford, Ring 99 and Killarney Sheffield), those who send news our way, and last but not least, thank you to all of this year's sponsors (be sure to support them!):

 

 

None of this would be possible without all of you!

Croswell and Forget on Le plus grand cabaret du monde

From Magic Stripped with Richard Forget's Facebook page:

What are ya doing New Years Eve? If you get channel TV5 in your area watch Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde. It will be a four hour extravaganza of the best variety acts from around the world. There's even a countdown. I know because we did it at the beginning of this month!! 

This was my third time on the show and definitely my most favorite. Check it out.
On the show I performed my classic act, An Urban Phantasy.  

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From Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde:

Visuels :
Neil Croswell : magicien colombes
Richard Forget : magie avec feu 

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