Luc Langevin in "le fil"

From the article "These teachers who change lives" by Matthieu Dessureault in le fil, the newspaper of Laval university, translated by Google:

On stage as on television, Luc Langevin knows how to amaze his audience with breathtaking magic numbers. Before being the talented illusionist we know, he completed a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics and a Master's degree in Optics, as well as a PhD in Biophotonics. If he left school to devote himself to his job, this passage to the University will not be vain, far from it.

Already at the time, he knew he was going towards magic. Thanks to Professor Michel Piché, he learned to master a technology that would prove very useful to invent his tricks: that of lasers. "I was very surprised that Mr. Piché agrees to frame me in my graduate studies. When I asked him, he already had about twenty students under his responsibility. I gave him my CV, where it was indicated that I wanted to become a magician. It seems that it piqued his curiosity! "Recalls laughing Luc Langevin.

A scientist who wants to become a magician, the professor admits that it is not commonplace. Nevertheless, he did not hesitate a second to take him under his wing. "I was looking for a good student for my work and Luc Langevin was clearly one. Magic requires technical skill and a good understanding of optics since the illusion comes from manipulating brain mechanisms with images. He was a good candidate to help me develop new approaches in my field of research, "says the one who has been teaching at the University since 1984.

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Happy seventh blogiversary to me!

Seven years ago today, this blog was born!

Thanks to you wonderful people who have supported this project!

For free, we've published over 3,225 posts, and served well over 113,018 page loads (over 613,955 by Blogger's count).  Two hundred and twenty-one of you have given us your thumbs-up on Facebook, more than 1186 of you are following along on Twitter (20,225 tweets and counting!), and approximately 60 of you have subscribed to this site's RSS feed.  The bulk of you are Canadian, and I'm delighted to see visitors from United States, the United Kingdom, India, France, and the list goes on.

There are so many of you doing such a fabulous job of making magic a priority in this great country!

A special thanks to:

• All of my early supporters.  Special shout outs to Ariel, Doug, James, and John for your continued encouragement.
• All of you readers, Likers, RTers, submitters, guest posters, contest prize providers and all other manner of promoters of this site.
• All of my sponsors, past and present.  That means you: Magic Information Canada, Ryan Pilling, Clive Court, Perfect Magic, The Browser's Den of Magic, The Amazing Corbin, and Michael Close!
• All of the blog's official friends, past and present.  That's you:  John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, Ted & Marion Outerbridge, and Ian Crawford.
• My family for their support of this bloggy experiment.

My continued thanks to all of you!

Five minutes with Shawn Farquhar (at Magi-Fest)

Not to be confused with my series of "Thirty seconds with ..." interviews.


From Magi-Fest:

Magi-Fest: You have performed at virtually every major convention around the world. We’re HONORED to have you at Magi-Fest. You have also organized dozens of conventions yourself. What, in your mind, is the secret ingredient to a great convention?

Shawn: I love magic conventions! I think it is the one place, other than the stage, where I truly feel at home.  No two conventions are ever the same, and what sets them apart is the vision of the organizers.  Some convention have become stale as they stick to “working formulas” while others try new things that sometimes fail.  I’d rathe be at one that tries new things and fails as they are far more exciting and fresh. The one thing all great conventions have in common is talent that is approachable.  I don’t go to a convention to see the act do their signature routine, since I can watch that on YouTube or their DVD. I go to the convention to experience them as performers.  On and off stage.  The chance to rub shoulders, ask questions and hang out is what makes a convention special for me.  I have seldom left a convention without feeling inspired and motivated.

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The OUTERBRIDGE - Touring Secrets lecture tour of Europe 2018

From the Outerbridge Magic Facebook page:

The OUTERBRIDGE - Touring Secrets lecture tour of Europe kicks off in Bonn, Germany on January 15th. The tour continues through Europe and concludes in Copenhagen, Denmark on Feburuary 2nd. More information on the way soon. 

 January 15 - Bonn, Germany
 January 19 - Hamburg, Germany
 January 21 - Chemnitz, Germany
 January 22 - Antwerp, Belgium
 January 25 - Zurich, Switzerland
 January 26 – Munich, Germany
 February 1 - Horsens, Denmark
 February 2 – Copenhagen, Denmark

"Pick a Card, Any Card - The Art and History of Magic in Winnipeg"

If you missed seeing "Pick a Card, Any Card - The Art and History of Magic in Winnipeg" when it aired in 2012, you can view it now on the Sugar Cube Entertainment YouTube channel.

From the MediaCircus.TV Facebook page:

Here is the long synopisis for "Pick a Card, Any Card", coming soon to MTS Winnipeg on Demand.

- The City of Winnipeg has a rich history in the art of Magic. From the founding of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) in 1922, , to modern day successes like Dean Gunnarson and Sean Fields; Winnipeg and the world of magic have grown together to form a charming relationship.

Over a light dinner and wine, Winnipeg magicians Anders, Greg Wood, Gord Gilbey, Ray Starr, Chris Funk and Sean Fields tell stories of Winnipeg magic; how Harry Houdini played a part in the founding of the I.B.M., how Philips Magical Paradise was founded out of tragedy, which Winnipegger worked on Criss Angels "Mindfreak", and other fascinating tales.

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From the Sugar Cube Entertainment YouTube channel:
 

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.