Canada's Magic

31 March 2015

Thirty seconds with Chris Mayhew

This is the eleventh in a series of "Thirty seconds with ..." interviews, so called because I approached the interviewees at Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp last summer with the idea that I would interview them for 30 seconds. It didn't always work that way.

Professional magician Chris Mayhew, originally from Calgary but now living in Toronto thinks that Canada is a friendly place to be. He first came to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp in 2013 with the task of creating the official camp video. He did such a great job, that he was back in 2014 as official camp videographer.

FUN FACT:
Chris prefers Oreos to store-bought chocolate chip cookies, but would take homemade chocolate chip cookies over Oreos any day!

DID YOU KNOW?
Chris considers himself to be shy.

Chris' first memory of magic is as a young teenager of 13, seeing the sign at the Vanishing Rabbit Magic shop in Calgary. It's not surprising that when he thinks about Sorcerers Safari, he thinks of magic! Chris encourages performers to take the time to make routines their own, and wishes that there weren't so many people out there spreading bad magic. His advice to aspiring magicians: "Learn what you can and make it work for you. Be sure to add yourself."

When not thinking about magic, Chris is likely thinking about videography.

Chris contributes to Five Academy Magic, has a solo lecture / show "MAYhew, MAYhem" and is also part of a comedy duo show "Sketchy Magic" with Chris Westfall. You can catch Sketchy Magic every Tuesday in April.

From Chris Westfall's Facebook page:

The best way to love is to laugh together. It's not a magic show, it's a #sketchymagic experience. Save a date. April 7,14,21 or 28! An amazing deal from feb 1st-14th. Stay posted for info #saveadate
Posted by Chris Westfall on Thursday, 29 January 2015

Visit Chris' website at: ChrisMayhewMagic.com .

From the Fireside Productions Facebook page:

© Rebecca C. Wells 2014
Posted by Fireside Productions on Wednesday, 3 September 2014

Previously published "Thirty seconds with ..." interviews:

From the Sorcerers Safari Twitter feed:

Guarantee your spot at #MagicCamp Aug.15-19 2015. Tell your parents registration is on your wish list - it's now open at sorcererssafari.ca
— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) December 22, 2014

30 March 2015

Rounding the Western rings in April 2015

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- Shoot Ogawa lecture
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Shoot Ogawa lecture
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- Shoot Ogawa lecture
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring )	- Third Monday Magic - Shoot Ogawa lecture
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- N/A
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95 (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- N/A
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Shoot Ogawa lecture

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Central rings in April 2015

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- Assistants, auditions and rehearsal. - Stage workers.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- TBA
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Prop and pocket management.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Magic auction.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Show and tell. - Executive Nominations. - Martin Cox and Will Gray lecture.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- TBA
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Ben Train lecture

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Eastern rings in April 2015

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- TBA - Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- TBA

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

29 March 2015

Broken wand: Eric Lenz

From Legacy:

LENZ, Eric
August 11, 1935 - March 6, 2015
On March 6, 2015 Eric Lenz passed away with his family by his side at his home, Rosewood Manor. Eric was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Albrecht and Cecelia Lenz. His three siblings, sister Joan and brothers Norman and Albrecht (Chub), predeceased him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Donna; his sons Michael (Trish) and Graham (Aya); grandsons Zachary and Spencer; nieces Heather, Adele, Laura, Joanne and nephew Albert as well as many good friends. Eric resided in Richmond in the South Arm area for over 40 years. Long-time neighbours benefited from his great sense of humour and the value that he placed on their friendship. On his regular walks through South Arm Park, he was always happy to stop for a friendly chat with anyone he met. Eric worked as a salesman in the housewares/china industry to support his loving family. Second to them, his passion was magic and he was never happier than when on stage performing. He was awarded the Order of Merlin from the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a Life-Time Membership in the Vancouver Magic Circle. For more than a decade he entertained thousands across the country with the Magic of Cooking show. As a magic teacher, he taught at the Vancouver Technical night school program for 28 years. Many of his students went on to join the Vancouver Magic Circle, making it the largest magic club in North America.

Read more.

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

Sorry to learn of the passing of another dear friend. Eric Lenz was an amazing man who did it all and loved every...
Posted by Shawn Farquhar on Saturday, 28 March 2015

Broken wand: Alexander Chervin

From Legacy:

CHERVIN, Alexander
Peacefully at home in his 101st year, on Sunday, March 22, 2015, surrounded by his family. Devoted husband of the late Edith Weinreb. Loving father and father-in-law of Ann and Justin Edwards, Michael Chervin, Nancy Chervin, Tamara (Tammy) and Steve Humphreys. Beloved "Papa" of Jasper, and Ian Edwards; Samantha, and Evan Fruchthandler; Jonah, and Samuel Humphreys. Dearest brother of the late Hyman Chervin; and brother-in-law of the late Betty and the late Jack Berman, the late Sadie and the late Sam Cramer, the late Sally and the late Ben Shenker.

Read more.

Read some of Phil Matlin's memories of Alex from the Perfect Magic Facebook page:

The first magic store I visited, somewhere around 1948, was Cramer's Magic Shop located on Bleury Street in downtown...
Posted by Perfect Magic on Tuesday, 24 March 2015

With thanks to Phil for letting me know.