Toronto: Transgressive Magic at Luminato 2014

From Magicana:

Transgressive Magic: Magic that violates a law, command or moral code. Card Table Artifice and Bullet Catch do just that.

Card Table Artifice – puts the con into concert, combining techniques employed by professional card cheats with a sumptuous musical score. It is a window into the world of advantage players, and the machinations they employ when they place their livelihood, and sometimes their life, into their own hands.

Bullet Catch blurs the lines between conventional plays and magic shows, addressing an act that violates both civil and moral codes – the asking of a member of the audience to point a gun and pull the trigger that sends a bullet towards a performer quite confident he can defy death, all under the guise of entertainment.

Both productions challenge form and function, and place magic and the audience outside the traditionalist’s comfort zone of top hats, bunny rabbits and family-friendly fare.

Read more and buy tickets.

Card Table Artifice and Rob Zabrecky’s  TURN ON THE DARK!
WORLD PREMIERE: June 13 and June 14

Bullet Catch
CANADIAN PREMIERE: June 14 and June 15

Fort Erie Times: IncrediBrent and Super Sarah

From the Fort Erie Times:

Behind the laughter and the magic tricks, Brent and Sarah Nicholls had an important message for Stevensville Public School students last Thursday morning.

“We teach students about the four secrets of magic: anything is possible, believe in yourself, you’re not alone and find your magic,” Brent Nicholls said.

The Fort Erie native, known to children as IncrediBrent, travels to schools across Ontario with his wife, Sarah, to entertain children and teach them about the effects of bullying.

“As much as the show is about anti-bullying, it’s about confidence,” Nicholls explained.

“Confidence and bullying go hand-in-hand. Kids who are self confident are less likely to be bullied and they are less likely to bully.”

Nichols said there is a difference between calling someone a name or hurting their feelings and bullying.

“Bullying is when it's repeated. The real issue is when someone is being repeatedly picked on. We make sure to define what bullying is, and not just anything is bullying,” he said.

The show is meant to empower students and give them the tools to deal with bullying.

Read more.

Kitchener: Michael Dardant lecture

I had the pleasure of seeing Michael perform last Spring.  It's sure to be a great lecture!


From the Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:

Mark your calendars for next Wed. April 30th. No, it’s not Tax Filing Deadline (CRA  gave a 5 day extension).  It’s the Tri-City Lecture (London,Kitchener & Hamilton Clubs) hosted by Kitchener IBM Ring#235 at 7pm. at

St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,54 Queen St.North @ Weber Street, Kitchener N2H 2H2.

Originally our 3 clubs were having Mickael Chatelaine from France lecture, after his appearance at the 4F convention (this weekend in Batavia NY.) Unfortunately, Mickael broke his elbow a few weeks ago and will not be attending the 4F convention.  Our thanks to member Joan Caesar for arranging a substitute lecturer/performer/entertainer & multi award winner Michael Dardant, who coincidently was born in France, but calls his home in the “Big Easy” New Orlean

Read more.

Happy (early) birthday Gordon!

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

You are invited to Gordon Precious' 90th Birthday Party!
Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Browser's Den

Dear Magic Friends,

You are invited to attend the party of one of the most special, unique and dear customers of our magic community. He has done so much to promote magic & has lived a magical life.

Gordon Precious will be turning 90 years YOUNG!!! That's right 90 years YOUNG!  Gordon has more energy than most people half of his age. In fact he just returned from a helicopter skiing trip!

On this day Gordon will be performing a few of his special effects including the Vanishing Birdcage...a tough trick to perform and one in which he does beautifully.

He will also be sharing some enchanting & unique stories of his magic travels and experiences.

You will be surprised by some of the special guests that will be attending...

Read more.

Kingston: David Acer

As foretold by Nostradamus in his 1555 book "Les Propheties," I'll be headlining @ComedyKingston April 23-26: http://t.co/3fdl7qpptf
— David Acer (@David_Acer) April 21, 2014

Linking Ring (v94, 4) round-up

For those of you who haven't flipped through the April Linking Ring, here's some of the Canadiana inside this issue:

• Cover and page 16, "Tony Econ An Icon in Card Magic" by Joan Caesar
• Page 58, report of Ben Train Lecture (Ring 211)
• Page 61, "Manitoba Magic Museum is Tribute to Young Magician" by Dennis Schick

Vincent Hedan in North America

Remember to catch him in Toronto at Abracadabaret, Ring 17 and at his workshop or in Montreal at The Comedy Nest or Théâtre Mainline.

Post by Vincent Hedan.