Shawn Farquhar presents Thursday Night Magic at Second Storey Theatre with Steve Dickson, Shawn Farquhar, Tony Chris, Henry Tom and Jason Verners.
For more information, see page 9 of the Ring 92 February report.
04 March 2014
03 March 2014
[Guest post] An open letter from the president of Ring 17
The following is a guest post from the president of the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club
.
Dear Canada's Magic readers,
It is my responsibility as the president of the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club IBM Ring 17 in Toronto, to clarify a point of some controversy based on my comments in the "President's Message" of the March 2014 newsletter.
By way of background, the club hosted a special lecture on Thursday, February 6, 2014 which featured the cast of the Mosquitoes Suck Project an instructional magic download designed to raise money to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and featuring such notable magicians as Bill Abbott, Jay Sankey, Joshua Jay, Bobby Motta, David Peck, Anthony Lindan, Brian Roberts and James Alan*. In attempt at humour in stark violation of John Cleese's Three rules of comedy** we dubbed the event, "The Lecture That Sucks."
In our March 2004 newsletter, I reported that the lecture was a complete success, citing well known member and terror of the Internets, The Great Mark Lewis who posted on the Facebook that the lecture sucked:
In point of fact, his full commentary (divided into two posts before and after the event) was:
While Mr. Lewis feels that his views were misrepresented in the newsletter, I believe my remarks were faithful to his original sentiment. Of course it is now up to the reader to decided whether this is, in fact, so.
What's really at issue here is the applicability of the term "sucks" in an environment with an abundance of puns and a deficit of a well defined sense of humour in people with (clearly) too much time on their hands. Does the act of sucking blood automatically imply "sucks" in the pejorative schoolyard sense? Does it work the other way as well?
The Ring 17 Philosopher in Residence and Professor Emeritus of Ring Reportage of the P. Howard Lyons Ring, Dr. Sammy Jakubowicz suggested, when reached for comment, "We might consult the writings of Lewis Carroll here. He may have been right when he wrote, 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.' On the other hand, he may have been wrong. It is difficult to say with certainty. Why are you bothering me with this anyway? I was out of the country and nowhere near the lecture."
It's also clear that the actual quality of the lecture plays no part forming Mr. Lewis' opinions and can safely be set aside for the purpose of this discussion.
If you feel the need to weigh in on the matter, please feel free to contact the Ring 17 Goodwill Ambassador, Matt DiSero with your thoughts.
Thank you very much for your kind attention as we attempt to resolve this misunderstanding. We look forward to seeing our members at the next meeting, Thursday, March 6, 2014.
*Present on the DVD but absent from the lecture were Joshua Jay, who was reportedly in the United States working on his six-pack and Brian Roberts who was alphabetizing his sock drawer. Matthew DiSero did turn up, somewhat against his will.
**No puns, no puns and no puns.
--
Thank you, I think, for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
--
Dear Canada's Magic readers,
It is my responsibility as the president of the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club IBM Ring 17 in Toronto, to clarify a point of some controversy based on my comments in the "President's Message" of the March 2014 newsletter.
By way of background, the club hosted a special lecture on Thursday, February 6, 2014 which featured the cast of the Mosquitoes Suck Project an instructional magic download designed to raise money to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and featuring such notable magicians as Bill Abbott, Jay Sankey, Joshua Jay, Bobby Motta, David Peck, Anthony Lindan, Brian Roberts and James Alan*. In attempt at humour in stark violation of John Cleese's Three rules of comedy** we dubbed the event, "The Lecture That Sucks."
In our March 2004 newsletter, I reported that the lecture was a complete success, citing well known member and terror of the Internets, The Great Mark Lewis who posted on the Facebook that the lecture sucked:
According to Mark Lewis' posting on Facebook, the the lecture sucked so it was, in principle, a complete success. And more importantly, through the evening, we raised $400 for the Mosquitoes Suck Tour, which translates to 40 bed-nets, which will protect up to 200 people for up to five years. So we are extremely grateful for your support.
In point of fact, his full commentary (divided into two posts before and after the event) was:
I am in great dread that it may not just be the mosquitos that suck.
Only half of it sucked. Naturally I am far too tactful to say which half.
While Mr. Lewis feels that his views were misrepresented in the newsletter, I believe my remarks were faithful to his original sentiment. Of course it is now up to the reader to decided whether this is, in fact, so.
What's really at issue here is the applicability of the term "sucks" in an environment with an abundance of puns and a deficit of a well defined sense of humour in people with (clearly) too much time on their hands. Does the act of sucking blood automatically imply "sucks" in the pejorative schoolyard sense? Does it work the other way as well?
The Ring 17 Philosopher in Residence and Professor Emeritus of Ring Reportage of the P. Howard Lyons Ring, Dr. Sammy Jakubowicz suggested, when reached for comment, "We might consult the writings of Lewis Carroll here. He may have been right when he wrote, 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.' On the other hand, he may have been wrong. It is difficult to say with certainty. Why are you bothering me with this anyway? I was out of the country and nowhere near the lecture."
It's also clear that the actual quality of the lecture plays no part forming Mr. Lewis' opinions and can safely be set aside for the purpose of this discussion.
If you feel the need to weigh in on the matter, please feel free to contact the Ring 17 Goodwill Ambassador, Matt DiSero with your thoughts.
Thank you very much for your kind attention as we attempt to resolve this misunderstanding. We look forward to seeing our members at the next meeting, Thursday, March 6, 2014.
*Present on the DVD but absent from the lecture were Joshua Jay, who was reportedly in the United States working on his six-pack and Brian Roberts who was alphabetizing his sock drawer. Matthew DiSero did turn up, somewhat against his will.
**No puns, no puns and no puns.
--
Thank you, I think, for guest posting at Canada's Magic!
Rounding the Western rings in March
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
| City | Club | Event(s) |
| Calgary, AB | Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) | - Michael Ammar lecture. |
| Edmonton, AB | Edmonton Magic Club | - n/a |
| Winnipeg, MB | The Magic Club of Winnipeg | - Michael Ammar lecture. |
| Fraser Valley, BC | IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle) | - General Meeting we'll be hosting special guest lecturer Michael Ammar! - Third Monday Magic |
| Vancouver, BC | Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) | - Comedy competitions. |
| Vancouver, BC | SAM 95 (Carl Hemeon Assembly) | - n/a |
| Victoria, BC | Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) | - Michael Ammar lecture. |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Rounding the Ontario rings in March
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
| Hamilton, ON | Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) | - n/a |
| London, ON | Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) | - Dollar store magic. |
| Kitchener, ON | Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle) | - Possible exchange night with Hamilton & London Clubs. |
| Ottawa, ON | Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) | - Stand-up Magic |
| Ottawa, ON | Ottawa / Gatineau magicians | - n/a |
| Toronto, ON | Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) | - Members' night. |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Rounding the Eastern rings in March
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
| Halifax, NS | Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court) | - check out their great new website! |
| St. John, NB | Magic Circle of St. John | - n/a |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
02 March 2014
Manitoba museum an honour to son
Updated at 2:50pm to add:
- Justin Fraser has shared the news that Philip's father, Gordon, recently passed on February 22nd of this year. Gordon Hornan's obituary can be read at the Winnipeg Free Press or at the Birchwood Funeral Chapel.
Philip's Magical Paradise
"Preserving Canada's Magical Heritage with treasures donated by magicians from around the world."
From the Winnipeg Sun:
It's been operating for 22 years in the RM of Ste. Anne and believed to be the only museum of its kind in Western Canada, but most Manitobans have never heard of it.The article goes on to discuss how "performers who provided items were Gunnarson, Lance Burton, Doug Henning and Peter Reveen." In addition they mention a piece on display which includes something once owned by Houdini himself!
"We're a hidden treasure out here," Marilyn Hornan said Wednesday morning.
Philip's Magical Paradise is a magic museum that opened south of Winnipeg in the village of Giroux in 1991. It's a tribute to Marilyn and Gordon Hornan's youngest son, Philip Hornan.
Philip had been a magician since he was a youngster and his love for magic only grew as he got older.
"Unfortunately, cancer took him at the age of 15," Gordon said. "His request was to create a room for everyone to enjoy, to keep the magic in life."
Read more.
[via Owen Anderson]
01 March 2014
Christopher Hart, Lee Asher et al at the Atlanta Harvest of Magic
From Lee Asher:
This year's Atlanta Harvest of Magic runs from September 11-13, 2014.
Also scheduled to appear are friends of Sorcerers Safari: Nathan Kranzo and Steven Kline!
#Fun Will you join me, @Kranzo, @cardjon, Harry Anderson, and many others for one of the best kept secrets in magic? http://t.co/ai1l2qjj3K
— Lee Asher (@LeeAsherMagic) February 20, 2014
This year's Atlanta Harvest of Magic runs from September 11-13, 2014.
Also scheduled to appear are friends of Sorcerers Safari: Nathan Kranzo and Steven Kline!
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