Review: David Acer, John Carney, Michel Huot and Rafael DiCaprio at the Comedy Nest.

From Perfect Magic:

As I wrote on the Perfect Magic Facebook, too bad for you if you didn’t go to the Comedy Nest in Montreal last Sunday night. For us, Phil and I, it was like old home week and brought back warm and pleasant memories of Magie Montréal. We had tried to phone Mephisto, aka Wym Vermeys, who was our partner in that venture but couldn’t reach him. He called the day after the show and said he was in Florida. He was heartbroken that he missed it.

David was terrific as the MC. He did many funny bits, which I know all who were there will use, magicians or not! He didn’t do any magic but some good comic mind reading stuff.

Read more.

Winnipeg: A Family Day of Magic

From the Magic Club of Winnipeg's Facebook page:

The Magic Club of Winnipeg presents, "A Family Day of Magic".
Sunday, April 27, 2014 

Two shows in support of M.T.Y.P. ( Manitoba Theatre For Young People

Read more.

Magically benevolent Canadians

In this month's issue of the Linking Ring (Vol 94, #2, February 2014, pages 30-34), five Canadians were featured in the article "Still Giving:  The Benevolence of Magic Continues, part 3."  They are:

• Marien Hopman and "Busking for Hunger"
• Mike D'Urzo fundraising for "Dental Volunteers for Israel" and volunteering at functions for children with developmental challenges
• Magic Mike Segal for benevolence born out of Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp

and last but not least

• Matt DiSero and David Peck in their effort to reduce the incidence of malaria via "Mosquitos Suck"

If you recall, Canada also had an entry in the article that started it all in The Linking Ring (v92, #12), Dennis Schick wrote "The Benevolence of Magic" (page 56) which had a lovely mention of Magicana for it's My Magic Hands, Senior Sorcery and Tony Eng Youth Fund initiatives.

Broken wand: W. Doug Hobbs

From The Star:

DOUG HOBBS Peacefully with his family by his side at the Hamilton General Hospital on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at the age of 68 years. Loving husband and best friend of Nannette (Bambi) for 47 years. Devoted father of Shari and her husband Ben Diamond of Winnipeg and Tammi and Tim Tyler of St. Catharines. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Laurie, Jessica, Megan, Ethan and Madison. He is survived by his sister Ginny Huebsch. He is predeceased by his daughter Laurie (1976). Doug was a broadcaster/sport director for many years for CKTB Radio, the voice of the Baby Blue Jays, Official Scorekeeper for the Toronto Blue Jays for many years, a lifetime member for the Order of Magicians, as well as an avid swimmer and a collector and lover of music.

Read more.

[via The Linking Ring, Vol 94, #2, February 2014]

Toronto: Brant Matthews lecture

From the Browser's Den:

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

Though BRANT MATTHEWS has been a customer of Browser’s Den for over twenty years he has spent much of that time traveling the world with his special brand of street performing (Fire, Juggling, Magic, Comedy).

He has seen all the right and wrong approaches to street performing and busking.  It was Brant’s idea to give this lecture. He truly wants to give back to the community some of what he has learned the hard way…through trail and error.

Read more.

FCM Video Q&A with Gwyn Auger

Go over to Full Circle Magic to watch Gwyn Auger's live video Q&A!

Broken wand: Jack Bateman

I'll post more details as they become available to me.

From the IBM Ring 17 Facebook page:

I am sorry to report the passing of an old ring 17 member. Mr. Jack Bateman, also known as the Wacky Wizard, passed away last Monday evening at Scarborough General Hospital. A good friend, a great mentor, and always inventing new ways to display his magic. R.I.P. Jack. You will be missed