The 2016 Browser's Magic Bash Food Drive

From the Browser's Den:

Our Annual Browser's Magic Bash Food Drive

Last year, in the spirit of true community, we raised over 150 kilos of non-perishable goods for the needy. For those of us who made the small effort to grab a few cans from the cupboard or made a quick stop at a grocery store, all in the name of charity, we were rewarded with the feeling of happiness knowing a positive difference was made. "I participated last year by bringing in a couple of bags of non-perishable food. I felt proud to be able to contribute to the Food Drive. We are very lucky to have the life that we do here in Ontario, Canada, and to be able to contribute via magic makes me feel exceptionally thrilled to be a hobbyist magician here. Our magic had gone beyond its already wonderful quality of bringing us together. Through our magic, we had extended ourselves to helping others in need." - Cam D. (2015 Bash Food Drive Participant) This is your opportunity to help those not so fortunate, and continue this wonderful tradition. We urge you, our magic family, to help out once again. Starting from the moment you read this, until the very end of the Bash on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016, you're kindly asked to donate canned food goods (non-perishable) to help fight hunger. Either bring it directly to the Browser's Den of Magic shop or carry it with you to the Browser's Magic Bash on the day of our event. The difference a can or two can make is amazing. And amazement is what us magicians do best! "It was always fun last year to see the pile of donations grow over time whenever I visited the shop. The real heart warming moment was on the day of the Bash itself, when we saw the generous nature of the magic community manifested in the huge pile of donations for those in need. I am humbled and proud to be part of such a generous effort." - John H. (2015 Bash Food Drive Participant) Feel free to come in and drop off donations during normal store hours (see homepage for store hours) Tuesday through Sunday. Once everything is collected after April 2nd, The Browser's Den will proudly donate all the goods on behalf of the entire Ontario magic community in celebration of the 2016 Browser's Magic Bash. Our combined efforts will make a difference ensuring the health & well-being of those who truly need our help. And maybe... just maybe, we will raise more than 150 kilos this year. Wouldn't that be fantastic? Could you imagine?!? That would truly be magical. As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support. 3 ... 2 ... 1 - Now let the Browser's Magic Bash Food Drive begin!

Jean-Luc Rivard in "Cobaye Humain"

From Event Brite:

La pièce sera présentée les jeudi 19 mai 2016 à 20h - vendredi 20 mai 2016 à 20h - samedi 21 mai 2016 à 20h et dimanche 22 mai 2016 À 14H dans la salle Desjardins du Centre communautaire Jean-Marie-Roy de Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures.

Une partie des profits sera remise aux organismes suivants :
- Présence Famille
- Société Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
- Fabrique de St-Augustin .

La troupe dynamique du " THÉÂTRE DE SAINT-AUGUSTIN " , composée de Jean-Philippe Delage , Bernard Guay , Brigitte Lepage , Line Nadeau et Jean-Luc Rivard sont fin prêts pour vous présenter leur nouvelle production 2016 intitulée « COBAYE HUMAIN » , une comédie de l’auteur BRUNO LACROIX .

Read more and buy tickets.

Mississauga: Mike D'Urzo at the Meadowvale Theatre

From Mike D'Urzo's Twitter feed:

Looking forward to performing at the #MeadowvaleTheatre in Mississauga on Jan. 16 with a special post show workshop! https://t.co/h41m48oDWS

— Mike D'Urzo (@MikeDurzo) January 4, 2016

Broken wand: Paul Bradshaw

From the Windsor Star:

BRADSHAW, Paul Tannahill

71 years. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Paul on April 26, 2015 with his family by his side. Beloved husband of Peggy Ann (nee MacInnes) for 45 years. Loving father to Lindsay Bradshaw and finace David Marchand, Kristin Bradshaw and Bob Hodge. Grampy to Thurston, Lauren and Scarlett. Dear brother to Blair and Gail Bradshaw and Peter and Linda Bradshaw. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Paul was fortunate to be a recipient of a Lung transplant and was an advocate for organ donation. He was a member of the Windsor Magic Circle and was known to many as Mr. Magic.

Read more.

With thanks to Dennis Schick from the IBM for sending this information along.

Quebec City Magic Festival ad "The Magician"

One of my favourite things about the Festival de magie de Québec is their creative, dynamic, and often interactive advertising campaigns.  In 2011 it was this magical billboard. In 2012, it was "la disparition."  In 2013, "pouvoirs magiques."   For 2014, "le balai magique."  This one, "le magicien" was released in August of 2015.  So much fun!

Have a look at "Quebec City Magic Festival - The Magician" on LG2's YouTube channel (with English subtitles):

Shawn Farquhar at the Magic Castle

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

For more than nearly thirty years I have quite regularly been invited to perform at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. At one time my manager was even the booking agent and I kept saying no thank you. It's not that I didn't dream of performing in this amazing venue, I just had this dream that was a little more. My dream was to perform in all three major showrooms in a single week. That's more than 63 shows in seven days in all disciplines of the art of magic. Not many would be able to do this with any level of success. I've always believed I was up to the challenge. I've resigned myself to the fact it's a dream and will not become a reality. So, I finally said yes. That's right, I've never performed at the Magic Castle... ever. If you have ever wanted to go to the Magic Castle and needed an excuse or guest pass, or you go often and want to join in the fun, it's time to make your reservations. I'll be coming to play March 14th to the 20th. I'll also have a special lecture on Saturday, March 19th in the Palace of Mystery. 

Read more.

Watch on YouTube, the Vanishing Bottle video Shawn recorded this past New Year's Eve:

Ottawa: David Acer recording "The Debaters"

From The Comedy Nest's Twitter feed:

Catch all these #Montreal pats & ex-pats recording @cbcdebaters in #Ottawa Feb. 9 & 10. Tix: https://t.co/ppOi14ECP9 pic.twitter.com/vpvZxmaB5H

— Comedy Nest Montreal (@comedynest) December 15, 2015