Welcoming a new Friend: Matt DiSero

Please join me in welcoming our newest Friend, Matt DiSero!

I first met Matt during the early days of the Magical Arts Festival in Toronto somewhere around the turn of the century.  I remember walking to a show at Big Daddy's Crab Shack And Oyster Bar from the parking lot near The Charlotte Room and having the good fortune to have as company Matt, Julie Eng, and David Peck.

I've been joyfully entertained by Matt (and Hartnell) at numerous "Magic Tonight" events and other such productions in and around the Toronto area.

You may have seen Matt on the 2016 season of Penn and Teller's Fool Us, or heard him interviewed by David Peck or the "Discourse in Magic" crew.  You can check out his blog at http://www.mattdisero.com/blog/

Catch Matt, along with Glenn Ottaway and James Alan in "Magic Tonight: The grumpy old men of magic" on September 15th. 

Thank you Matt, for befriending Canada's Magic!

Michael Close's September 2018 newsletter

Just finished reading the May newsletter from Michael Close.  You may be interested in:

• Michael's thoughts on ethics and the performing of someone else's work.
• "Plausible Props" by Mick Ayres.
• "Can I be Frank?" by Tom Frank.
• The U.S. Postal Service's new magic kit  (The Art of Magic Kit) and stamp set (The Art of Magic  Forever®  Stamps). 
• Entering the September Caption Contest!
• "One Last Yelp" by Norman Beck.
• A list of recommended podcasts.  (Can you guess which Canadian podcast is listed?)
• Product review of Juan Tamariz's "Magic from My Heart."
• "Must-have show apps for your iPad" by Bruce Kalver.
• And more!

Sign-up at MichaelClose.com to receive Michael's newsletters.

Louis Pezzani and Ben Price at the Vancouver Fringe

Updated at 7:00am to add:

• There's a nice article by Janet Smith titled "Magicians find fresh form at the Vancouver Fringe Festival" from September 5th in The Georgia Straight.  [Thank you The Magic Demon!]

Thank you to The Magic Demon for informing me that in addition to Keith Brown, both Louis Pezzani and Ben Price have shows at this year's Vancouver Fringe.

The Vancouver Fringe Festival runs from September 6th to the 16th


From Louis Pezznai's listing in the Vancouver Fringe:

Master mentalist and magician Louis Pezzani has been blowing audiences’ minds around the world for decades. This astounding show features mindreading, lightning calculation, and incredible mind-over-matter demonstrations where metal bends, twists, and melts! Astonishing, interactive, critically acclaimed, and very funny. Unforgettable theatre for all.

Read more and buy tickets.

From Ben Price's listing in the Vancouver Fringe:

Have you ever wanted to attend the ultimate magic show? Ben Price uses his abilities in sleight of hand, thought influence, and comedy to take you on a journey through the perfect magic show. This 60 minute, interactive show will have audiences laughing, gasping, and cheering as Ben performs all kinds of marvels from card tricks to mind reading.

Read more and buy tickets.

Niagara Falls: David DaVinci at the Greg Frewin Theatre SEP 28 - OCT 13

Word on the street is that David DaVinci will be back in Niagara Falls SEP 28 - OCT 13!


From the Greg Frewin Theatre:

Due to Greg Frewin’s international travel and television performance schedule* there will be times when throughout the calendar year, fellow magician David DaVinci will step into Greg’s shoes and perform our award-winning WILD Magic show.

David’s first dove illusion was taught to him intimately by Greg and the two have continued their love and passion creating awe-inspiring magic together. David has mentored under the professional guidance and leadership of Greg Frewin well over a period of twenty years; sharing both stage and audience as one.

When David is performing on the Greg Frewin Theatre stage, prepare to be mystified by mind boggling illusions and jaw dropping magic, seamlessly fused with exotic parrots that materialize from thin air. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, and your jaw will hit the floor, as David DaVinci presents his interpretation of the WILD Magic Show through the age-old art of magic and illusions, in “Thrillusionist!”

Read more and buy tickets.

Shin Lim smoking the semifinals of America's Got Talent 2018

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:
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From the America's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Toronto: Ben Train at Sick Kids' fundraiser

See Ben at the fundraiser this Sunday, September the 9th.


From Benzi Train's Facebook page:

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"A World of Magic" in the Georgia Straight

A World of Magic runs September 7th to the 9th.


From the August 27th article, "A World of Magic will bring Vegas-style illusionists to Vancouver Playhouse" by Charlie Smith in The Georgia Straight:

The opening event is on the Friday evening, followed by three family-friendly shows on each of the following two days. Presented by impresario James Liu, A World of Magic will feature world champion magicians Juliana Chen (also a presenter) and Aaron Crow.

...

That’s not all. Canada’s 2006 magicians of the year, Murray Hatfield & Teresa, will bring their award-winning illusions to the Vancouver Playhouse.

They’ll share the stage with other esteemed magicians, including Ed Alonzo, Claudius Specht, Kevin James, and Wayne Houchin. Alonzo, also a comic actor and vaudeville performer, is known to many TV viewers by his Groucho Marx eyebrows and Harold Lloyd glasses, not to mention his crazy vertical hairstyle.

Read more.