Randi in the NY Times

A reminder that Randi is scheduled to appear at the Calgary Undergraound Film Festival later this month.

From the New York Times:

The Unbelievable Skepticism of the Amazing Randi 

A few minutes before 8 o’clock one Sunday evening last July, around 600 people crowded into the main conference hall of the South Point casino in Las Vegas. After taking their seats on red-velvet upholstered chairs, they chattered noisily as they awaited the start of the Million Dollar Challenge. When Fei Wang, a 32-year-old Chinese salesman, stepped onto the stage, they fell silent. Wang had a shaved head and steel-framed glasses. He wore a polo shirt, denim shorts and socks. He claimed to have a peculiar talent: from his right hand, he could transmit a mysterious force a distance of three feet, unhindered by wood, metal, plastic or cardboard. The energy, he said, could be felt by others as heat, pressure, magnetism or simply “an indescribable change.” Tonight, if he could demonstrate the existence of his ability under scientific test conditions, he stood to win $1 million.

Read more.

A Q&A with Erin Thomas

Author Erin Thomas kindly agreed to a brief Q&A about her latest book for the 11-14 set, "Forcing the Ace."  Read what Erin has to say about The Den, Magic Mike, Justin Flom, Sorcerers Safari and more!


1. Your book portrays magic very authentically.  How much time did you spend researching the magic community? 


First of all, thank you for the compliment! Of all the books I’ve written, this is probably the one I enjoyed researching the most. That’s lucky, because I had originally pitched a few different ideas to Sarah Harvey, the editor of the Limelights series at Orca. Most of them were for areas of the performing arts where I had at least a little bit of knowledge or experience. And then there was the magic idea. When that one turned out to be her favourite, I knew I was going to be doing a lot of research.

I spent months learning about magic. Many months. I initially met with a friend’s son, who happens to be a magician. He sent me to Browser’s Den magic shop in Toronto, and suggested that I get in touch with “Magic” Mike Segal, who runs a week-long summer camp for young magicians. Both of those turned out to be incredible leads.

I read instructional books about magic and watched a ton of videos and television specials, including those “magic’s secrets revealed” types of shows. I learned how a lot of magic effects are created, but I don’t kid myself that it’s the same thing as being able to actually create the effects—that would take hours upon hours upon hours of practice. I did fumble around with cards a little bit… enough to gain a healthy respect for how hard it is. I also attended a workshop that Justin Flom presented at Browser’s Den and met some of the magicians there.

The best research opportunity was the visit to camp when you and I met, Nicole. It was incredible to have the opportunity to speak to so many young magicians in person and learn what they feel is most important about the art. That was relatively late in my writing timeline, and I remember wishing I could re-imagine the whole book after that. I made some adjustments to the storyline I had, and decided that I’m probably not done writing about magicians—there are so many more stories to tell.

2. How does the performance art of magic differ from any of the other performance arts that you know about?  How is it the same?


I think one thing that makes magic special is that it rewards a certain kind of suspension of disbelief. When you see a play or a ballet, you know that you are watching a show unfold… you’re conscious of the artifice. With magic, that’s still the case—we all know that chairs can’t float and cards don’t change colour—but I think there’s a tiny voice inside saying, “Maybe.” The magician and the viewer agree together to pretend that the laws of physics can be suspended, just for a little while. At least, that’s how I prefer to watch magic performed.

Another thing that makes magic special is that it can be enjoyed on so many levels. There’s the element of wonder and the feeling that the world might have possibilities in it beyond the everyday—that’s the first level. On the second level, it’s a puzzle to be solved, if you enjoy that sort of thing. I don’t think I’d want to try too hard to solve it, but sometimes that can be fun. And even when you know how an effect is performed, the third level of enjoyment kicks in, which is just the pure pleasure of watching someone do something well.

Of course, all the performance arts have some things in common. What strikes me most is the extreme amount of dedication and focus required. Even a short performance requires countless hours of learning and practice, whether you’re playing the piano or making one disappear.

3. What were the three biggest surprises to you, about the magic community?


I was most surprised by how welcoming and forthcoming everyone was. There were magicians I reached out to via email, and some I met in person. Nearly without fail, they were all warm, polite, supportive and extremely helpful. Seriously, falling-over-backwards helpful. I wasn’t kidding about wanting to write more about magicians; there just wasn’t room in one small book to use all the story possibilities that people opened up for me, or to do credit to the amount of help they offered. Maybe because of the secrecy associated with the craft, I had expected to meet with more resistance, but that wasn’t the case at all.

One thing I found interesting was the overlap between magic and other crafts. I hadn’t thought of it, but a magician needs to master stagecraft the way an actor does—voice projection, bearing, even character creation. It’s funny, but I never thought about a magician putting on a “persona” for an act. To me as an audience member, they simply were the way they were. It’s silly in retrospect. And then, of course, there’s the storytelling aspect—a performance can be like a short story, in a lot of ways. Some of the best short stories show a character in a moment of change, and create that change for the reader. A magician creates that change moment in the audience. That takes planning, and a rigorous editing process. I got a glimpse at that editing process when I sat in on a performance workshop at the Sorcerers Safari camp.

The third surprise reveals more about my ignorance going into this, I think. I really had no idea that some of the people I met were “big deals” in the magic community until after the fact. They didn’t act like it—they were just these lovely, friendly, down-to-earth people, happy to talk about magic. It was kind of like meeting Margaret Atwood in a bookstore and asking her for reading recommendations without having any idea who she is. I hope I didn’t annoy anybody too much.

4. How did you learn about magic being used for physical rehabilitation?  Did you know there's a Toronto based organization, Magicana, that runs a program like that at a children's rehabilitation hospital?


Oh, yikes. I don’t remember who told me about that initially, and I don’t see it in my project notebook right now. I do remember that as soon as I heard about magic being used this way, I loved the idea, and wanted to include it in the book somehow—I thought it was absolutely the perfect thing for someone struggling to re-learn motor skills. I’ve known some people involved in terrible accidents, and so I know how long the road back can be. This just struck me as a wonderful, positive aspect of the magic community, and I wanted to make it part of the story.

I didn’t know about Magicana, but I researched other organizations that run similar programs. It’s wonderful that there’s one right in Toronto.

5. Currently, magic is strongly male dominated.  I was surprised to see so many magical females represented in your book.  Was that a conscious decision?  If so, why?

It was a conscious decision. I wanted to admit in the book that magic is male dominated, but still present some female magicians as characters, to show that to readers as a possibility. I didn’t have room for a huge cast, so the balance probably comes out more female because of that. Partly, it was in response to the fact that Zoe’s backstory, the way she comes to magic, is a bit tragic and atypical. Because of that, I didn’t want hers to be the only ‘female’ story in the book. I gave Donna a more conventional magic backstory—her father was a magician. “Magic families” were something else I learned about by talking to magicians, and I love the idea of the craft being something shared between a parent and a child. Jack and Donna end up on rocky ground later in life, but magic remains their connection point.

6. Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know?  (About you, your research, your books, the limelight series, as examples.)

Mostly just that I enjoyed learning more about the magical community, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped, especially the Sorcerers Safari group. Magicians are a fascinating bunch.

Overall, I think the Limelights books do a great job of providing a behind-the-scenes look at the different arts, so I’d recommend them to anyone who’s curious about what goes on backstage. 

Thank you Erin for your candid insight into the writing process!



A reminder to enter today to win your copy of Forcing the Ace!

Greg Frewin went Over the Edge!

From Niagara This Week:

Two Niagara-based organizations are taking fundraising to new heights with the upcoming Over the Edge event.

Set to take place Oct. 17, prominent community members — including Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati, former Olympian Mike Strange and CKTB host Kevin Jack — will rappel 23 storeys down the side of the Marriott Gateway on the Falls.                        

Read more.

From Greg Frewin's Facebook page:

Post by Greg Frewin Theatre.

An Honest Liar at CUFF

From the Calgary Undergraound Film Festival:

November 21

A biopic of renowned magician James “The Amazing” Randi, AN HONEST LIAR chronicles the magician’s 50-year career, from performing jaw-dropping feats to exposing the simple tricks that have been co-opted by con artists. Featuring interviews with Penn Jillette, Bill Nye, Allice Cooper, “Mythbuster” Adam Savage and more, AN HONEST LIAR reveals Randi’s classic debunkings and explores his rivalry with Uri Geller, famed spoon-bender and psychic.

James “The Amazing” Randi in attendance!

Read more and buy tickets.

[via Gwyn Auger] 

[Guest post] Report on Forcing the Ace

I previously mentioned that I enjoyed Erin Thomas new novel, "Forcing the Ace," from the Orca Limelights series.  However, I'm not the target audience (the book is intended for children ages 11 to 14).  With that in mind, I found a young reader who agreed to read and give me their feedback on the book.

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as Kidlet.

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My thoughts on  "Forcing the Ace" by Erin Thomas:

• It was a really good book!
• The synopsis at the back of the book really makes you want to read the book.
• I wish it was longer.
• Some chapters made me want to stop reading and practise magic or learn card tricks.

Favourite things:

• Everyone (boys and girls) can relate to the characters.
• Kids know what it's like to try and get their parents' permission to do things they want to do while trying to keep up with school.
• The accident wasn't as bad as it could have been.
• Injuries were common ground for the two main characters.
• The girl at the hospital with the shaved teddy bear.
• The boy and the girl have to figure out how to work together.
• The book teaches the reader how to deal with difficult people.
• How the main characters ended their routine.
• The line about the advantage of being a female magician.

What I learned:

• Magic can help with physiotherapy.
• Being in a hospital can be boring.
• When you're performing and you make a mistake, it may be hard but you can recover.
• Having fun and connecting with an audience (including things like stage presence and showmanship) can be just as important as technique.

In conclusion:

• It was a really good book!
• I want to read the rest of the Orca Limelights series!

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Enter today to win your copy of Forcing the Ace!


Thank you Kidlet for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

Win a copy of Forcing the Ace

The contest is now closed. The winner was announced at "Winner of Forcing the Ace."

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that a Canadian book had recently been published with a dedication that read, in part, "To the kids at magic camp".

You may remember that a little over a year ago, writer Erin Thomas visited Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp.  She was doing research for her recently published novel, "Forcing the Ace."

I was generously provided a copy of the book to read.  Read it I did -- all in one night!  Although the book is intended for children ages 11 to 14, I really enjoyed it.  (Say what you will about my smarts or reading ability!)

Here's the teaser from the back cover:

Sometimes the real magic happens offstage.
Alex wants to enter the Silver Stage magic competition, but he needs a sponsor. Jack, a veteran card wizard, is willing to take on the role, but only if Alex agrees to team up with Zoe, another young magician—and Alex’s rival. Working with Jack and sharing the spotlight with Zoe, Alex comes to see that there are other ways to be a magician besides competing—and that magic is about entertaining people, not fooling them. 

I am impressed with the ease with which Erin writes about the technical aspects of performing.  She mentions Tarbell and Erdnase.  There's a nicely placed Vernon quote.  References to Copperfield, Blaine and Neil Patrick Harris made me smile.  The idea that magic can be used to help with physical rehabilitation (much like Magicana's My Magic Hands program at Holland Bloorview), is a nice addition to the story.  Some adult magicians could stand to learn one of the performance lessons realized in the novel.

It's not all hard work and sleights for the characters either.  There's plenty of pre-teen and teenage drama to keep readers entertained.  The bits that are specific to magic, are fairly accurate.

My favourite line in the book is one in which I'm paraphrased.  Five hundred points* to the first person who can identify that line.

If there's a young reader in your life who likes magic, this would make a nice gift.  (Or perhaps a giveaway to audience members or birthday children.)

Pick-up a copy to see what magic shop influenced Erin, or to see the fictional novel helped along by so many Canadian magicians.  On the Acknowledgments page Erin mentions, among others:  Tom Ogden, Dana M, Jeff Pinsky, Jen and "Magic" Mike Segal, Lee Asher, Shawn Farquhar, Aaron Fisher, Justin Flom, Bobby Motta, Dan Wiebe, Ali Shelley, Alex Seaman, Chris Mayhew, Rosemary Reid, Quinton, Phil, C.J., Griffin, Charles, Ben, Tyler, Mike, Johnah and Phil H.


CONTEST:

I have been offered a copy of the book, "Forcing the Ace," from the Orca Limelights series (an ongoing series of performing arts novels),  to give away to my readers.  The winner will receive a hard copy or an e-version of the book (winner's choice).

I will be holding a random draw to determine the winner.  (There will be one winner.)  The draw results will be posted Wednesday, November the 19th, 2014.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, with a piece of advice you'd give to a a young person starting out in a performance art.  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)(Your piece of advice could simply be, "don't stop!")
    
2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle etc.) so that I can notify you if you win.
     
3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with Orca Book publishers.

The fine print:

1. To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
     
2. One entry per person.
     
3. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents.  (This contest adheres to the Quebec Sweepstakes Laws dated Nov-01-2014.)
     
4. This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
     
5. If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
     
6. You must be able to use the book as offered.  (No cash value will be offered.)
     
7. The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
     
8. Contest closes Tuesday, November the 18th at 11:59pm EST.

With thanks to Amy Collins from Orca Book Publishers for generously making this book available to you!


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*  To borrow a phrase from Drew Carey in "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", the points don't matter.

Ottawa: The Evasons

From uOttawa:

Tuesday, 25 November 2014 

Join world famous mentalist duo Jeff & Tessa Evason. The Evasons do what appears to be impossible: mind reading, levitation, prediction, and telekinesis.

Since 1983, this mind reading duo has performed in over 35 countries across the globe and made numerous TV appearances on major networks like NBC, FOX, and Discovery Channel.

Read more and buy tickets.