Fraser Valley: Carisa Hendrix lecture

From the Fraser Valley Magic Circle Facebook page:

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Toronto: Andrew Eland lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Is it a show? Is it a lecture? We are really not sure. What we are certain about is that you do not want to miss the EXPERIENCE of a magic evening with South Africa's Andrew Eland.

An Internationally traveled street and stage performer, Andrew is one of the most experienced magicians in South Africa.

His performance specialty is interactive, mind-boggling sleight of hand spiced with comedy. He has performed in top nightspots across Europe, Japan and South Korea. He is the only magician to have headlined at every casino and comedy club in South Africa. Andrew's show and lecture will consist of a wide variety of magic and bits of business. Cards tricks, card manipulation, coin tricks, coin manipulation, and so much more that is difficult to describe on paper.

Our founder the late Len Cooper encouraged customers to improve their magic and skill. But truth be told Len rarely praised many. Well, about 20 years ago Andrew was visiting Browser's Den on a day when both Len and I (Old Jeff) were at the shop. When Andrew left the shop Len turned to me and said "He's a very good magician." Len was a man of few words so believe me when I say that those few words of praise about Andrew was a rare event.


Read more and buy tickets.

Ottawa: Eric Leclerc family magic show

Updated at 7:50am to add:

• The event has been cancelled.

From evensi:

Saturday 16 December

Eric Leclerc who has appeared in countless TV Shows FINALLY does an incredible show for his fans in Ottawa. Come See One Of Canada's Top Performer And Magician Live!


Read more and buy tickets.

Quebec: Festival de magie de Québec May 3-6, 2018

From the Festival de magie de Québec newsletter:

We are really excited ton inform you that the Festival de magie de Québec will be back for the 8th Edition, in May, 2018. Please visit Web site: www.festivaldemagie.ca

In 2018,  many new concepts will be offered like the "Strange Gala" on Friday night, the "Kids Gala" Saturday afternoon and of course our "International Gala" Saturday night with 7 renowned artists.  You will have the chance to see during that gala: Bill Abbott, Juliana Chen, Éric Leclerc, Max Maven, Xavier Mortimer, Xavier Tapias and Daniel Coutu as Emcee.

Since the Festival also organises the CAMarederie in 2018, the magicians will have the chance to see 9 lectures from Bill Abbott, Stéphane Bourgoin, Juliana Chen, Max Maven, Xavier Mortimer, Xavier Tapias, Christopher Taylor, Marc Trudel and R.Paul Wilson.

You can already buy your magician's package at 300 $ + tx (value of $400 + tx) on our Web site. We also offer a show only package at 75 $ + tx. (Value of $95 + tx)

Prices will raise on January 1st, 2018.

You can also register for the Magic School that will offer different levels during the week-end.  You can also join the Club de Magie du Québec. Its mission is to support magicians who want to compete at high levels of competitions.  You can also register to our 6th Edition of the Concours International de magie "Michel Cailloux" with $4000 in prizes for the winners.

Read more and buy tickets.

The 2017 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award

 

Updated December 1st to add:

• The nomination period is over.  Please check back regularly to see when voting starts!

Updated November 28th to add the following nominee:

• Neil Croswell - "I have watched Neil devote his life to magic from a young age and he has stuck to his vision from day one. His determination and work ethic over the years make him an inspiration as well as his countless awards and international TV appearances (Fool Us, etc.). In 2017, he appeared on "Masters of Illusion" , completed 250+ shows on a cruise in the Bahamas, and performed internationally across Asia which helped raise money for charitable causes in Sri Lanka. To accomplish what he has at his age, I believe, is an inspiration to Canadian magicians with goals of a professional career."

Updated November 27th to add the following nominee:

•  Ryan Brown - "Ryan started performing magic very early in school. While he was in my class, he would bargain his work completion in order to go to the kindergarten class and perform his latest trick. He continued to perform and cam back several years to perform free at our school's fun fair. True school and community spirit. Ryan has inspired many of the students to believe in their dream and to work hard to achieve it. He continues to seek advancement in his craft by seeking peer help and taking classes taught by more experienced magicians."
  
  "Performed at Screemers at Exhibition Place Toronto in October. Great show Ryan!!
  Increased his knowledge of magic by taking classes in Las Vegas with the master of masks and magical knowledge, Jeff McBride earlier this year."

Updated November 24 to add the following nominee:

• Benzi Train "because of his tireless work over the years to promote the performance of live magic in Toronto and his efforts at the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club and bringing in of top quality lecturers to our community. His (and partner Jonah Babbins) show Newest Trick in the Book gives any magician a venue/opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. He has inspired many magicians to challenge themselves creatively or to even perform live."

Updated on November 21 to add the following nominee:

• Murray and Teresa Hatfield - "The Magic Demon nominates Murray and Teresa Hatfield for starring in and producing their second ever extraordinary magic and illusions-filled phantasmagoria "Unbelievable" at this summer's PNE in Vancouver. For the second year in a row, it was again one of the the most inspiring and entertaining stadium-scale magical events Vancouver has ever seen."  In addition, Murray and Teresa amazed on season 4 of Penn and Teller Fool Us this year where Penn said of their performance "I haven't seen a better version of Metamorphosis ever.".  Murray is the president of the Canadian Association of Magicians.

Updated at 4pm to add the following nominee:

• Julie Eng - Along with running programs such as "Senior Sorcery" and "My Magic Hands," this year Julie (with Jonathan Levit) interviewed David Williamson at Magic Live! in addition to being the official photographer for "The Magic of Johnny Thompson."  Julie is also one of the guides in an upcoming hour-long documentary for CBC's The Nature of Things that will be looking at the the intersection of science and magic cross paths.  Julie is the Executive Director at Magicana.

Updated at 1:30pm to add:

• First nomination is for 11 year old Caiden Finch!
  "He has performed on stage for paying audience and I might say he was great. His magic was excellent. He was dressed for the occasion. He had a themed routine and what I really liked was that came in [to Perfect Magic] about week before the show and asked for some advice. I talked, he listened and implemented 95% of it in his show."
  (I had the pleasure of meeting Caiden at Sorcerers Safari in 2016.  He's a fine choice for inspirational nomination!)

The Canada's Magic "Readers' Choice 2017 Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award nominations are now open.

You may nominate living Canadian Magician(s) of your choosing by leaving their name along with a short note about how they inspired you in 2017, in the comments below.  (Or you may email me your nomination.)

Nominations will be accepted up until 11:59PM on Thursday November the 30th.  I will contact the nominees via email and give them one week to accept or decline their nomination.  The full list of nominations will be published and voting will commence in December.  (Canada's Magic is not eligible for the award, nor will it be participating in the nomination or voting process.) 

This is a "bragging rights" only contest.  There is no cash value for this award.

Here are some ideas for potential nominees (individuals and groups can be nominated):

• The Canadian magicians appearing on US television shows this year, including but not limited to: Richard Forget, Yan Markson, Patrik Kuffs, Murray Hatfield, Sheldon Casavant, Neil Croswell, Shawn Farquhar, and Billy Kidd.
• The owners of Canada's brick and mortar magic shops.
• Brent Kloeble and his team for establishing a magic festival for Regina.

The list of worthy entrants goes on and on ...

I look forward to seeing your nominations!

In the spirit of celebrating all Canadian magicians, last year's winners of the Readers' Choice award (Steven Lafond) or Editor's Choice award (Mahdi Gilbert) are not eligible for nomination in 2017.

Kickstart Leon Playing Cards

From the Leon Playing Cards Kickstarter page:

My name is Chris Mayhew. I am a magician living in Toronto Canada, and I love playing cards. For me, my interest in magic was inevitable. I grew up in Calgary Alberta, close to a magic shop that opened a few blocks down the street from my house.

As soon as I walked into that shop I was hooked. I would spend every chance I could hanging out at the magic shop, absorbing as much as I could from the local magicians that frequented it. I found the Dr. Leon Playing Cards at the magic shop, and fell in love with the look and feel of the cards instantly.

Read more and back project.

From Chris Mayhew's Twitter feed:

For the last year I have been working on this project to bring it to fruition. There have been so many obstacles,... https://t.co/CRsmYGVdNx

— Chris Mayhew (@SurrealMayhew) November 6, 2017

Random thoughts from the Browser's Den of Magic 42nd anniversary party

I had the pleasure of spending some time at the Browser's Den of Magic 42nd anniversary party on Sunday.  A great time appeared to be had by all!  Here are a few random thoughts:

• I missed the auction, but heard it was absolutely packed, with a lot of great deals to be had.
• There are lots of a amazing finds and deals in the Back Room.
• It was still pretty busy in the afternoon.
  

  It was a packed house at @theBrowsersDen 42nd anniversary party! pic.twitter.com/cghsXjvP61

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• The trivia segment was great fun, as always.  Jeff has a lot of very knowledgeable patrons!
  

  The patrons @theBrowsersDen anniversary party were in fine form for the trivia challenge. pic.twitter.com/deXvFOLVa3

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• Trivia question answers included: Jeff Hinchliffe, Jeff Pinsky, and 1995.
• Bernice was looking well.  It was great to see her.
• It's not an anniversary party without an award ceremony...
  
  
  
• Happy to see Sorcerers Safari alumnus RJ Steele win the Len Cooper Memorial Award this year.
  

  Lovely to see Bernice come out to the party!
  
  Congratulations to RJ for winning the Len Cooper Memorial Award @theBrowsersDen ! pic.twitter.com/1s47mglbzA

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• Congratulations on another great anniversary event, Jeff et al!