Julie Eng talks Johnny Thompson

From the September 24th post "Johnny and Me" by Julie Eng at Magicana:

She squeals and The Great Tomsoni’s face says it all. He’s found the wad of bubble gum his beautiful assistant, “& Co.”, has just stashed—her improvised solution after being scolded—inside his top hat. My sister and I look at each other with total delight. We proceed to mimic The Great Tomsoni, move for move, stretching the sticky ball between his fingers. We collapse into hysterics in our backstage hiding spot when he reveals that this is hardly the first time he’s had to deal with his assistant’s antics. With an exasperated sigh and eyes rolling to the rafters, The Great Tomsoni peels back his tuxedo lapel and displays the other dozen pink, gooey masses already squashed on to his jacket. This visual punch line never fails to crack us up.

It’s the late Seventies. I am about six years old, and my little sister, Sandra, and I are tucked away in our “secret spot” backstage at a variety show in British Columbia. Our father, Tony Eng, had been hired to perform his act, Mysteries of the Orient, with our mother, Ann, on a program with several other acts. On the bill was a big headliner from LA, Johnny and Pam Thompson, a.k.a. The Great Tomsoni & Co.

Read more.

Help Neil McNally fund “Doug Henning’s Magical World”

From the September 24th post, '“Doug Henning’s Magical World” Indiegogo Funding Begins Today!' at The Doug Henning Project:

Hello Everyone, 

It’s been a long road, but here we are!

The funding for my documentary “Doug Henning’s Magical World” begins today on Indiegogo and I hope you all will consider donating.

As I mentioned, this will be the first feature length documentary regarding Doug’s life and work and features many of Doug’s close friends and collaborators. Please share the links with anyone you may know. Doug deserves a project of this scale, and I’d love for you to contribute to its creation.

The links are:

Official Doug Henning Indiegogo Page

Official Movie Website

With Magic and Wonder, 

Neil McNally

Read more and donate.

 From the YouTube channel of Doug Henning's Magical World:

Toronto: Eric Hanson at The Browser's Den of Magic

Updated at 7am to add:

• This event has been cancelled due to a death in Eric's family.  Our thoughts are with Eric at this difficult time.

From the Browser's Den of Magic newsletter:

ERIC HANSEN STORE VISIT- Sunday, September 30 from 12noon to 5pm: Master wood craftsmen Eric Hansen will be stocking the back room FULL of his wonderful and unique creations for sale. Chops Cups, Wands, Money Makers and many new items that you have never seen before. Some of you have met Eric at his booth at the 'Bash'. We hope you will come and chat magic with Eric and take a look at the world of his new magic wonders.

Sheldon Casavant in East Texas Matters

The East Texas State Fair runs from September 21st through Sunday, September 30th.


From the September 19th article "New magic show to be first performance in historic Mayfair building in decades" by Daniel Pierce in East Texas Matters:

TYLER, Texas (KETK) - The East Texas State Fair is opening the historic Mayfair Building for the first time in decades to host an all-new magic show. After more than twenty years without a performance, fairgoers are being welcomed once again to the 100-year-old building for a show promising entertainment of epic proportions.

Internationally recognized magician Sheldon Casavant will headline the East Texas State Fair this year offering a nightly show beginning at 8:00 pm every day during the fair.

Read more.

Congratulations to Shin Lim!

From the September 19th article "Magician Shin Lim Crowned Season 13 Champion of America's Got Talent" by Karen Mizoguchi in People:

“When you told me at 16 that an awkward, shy kid would one day be performing at the Dolby Theatre performing on America’s Got Talent, I wouldn’t have believed them. To compete on AGT, it means the world to me,” said Lim, who opened up about his carpal tunnel syndrome due to a career-ending injury to his thumb tendons.

The 26-year-old self-taught magician, who was born in Canada and currently lives in Acton, Massachusetts, wowed audiences through sleight of hand magic and close-up tricks. For his final trick, Lim performed a card trick with host Tyra Banks and American Ninja Warrior co-hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.

Read more.

Watch the announcement from the America's Got Talent YouTube channel:




Watch his final performance on the America's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Vancouver: Shawn Farquhar, resident artist at Bacio Rosso

Catch Shawn Farquhar from the middle of October until the middle of January!

From Bacio Rosso:

Canada’s first Gourmet Cabaret Cirque.

Moulin Rouge meets Cabaret meets Burlesque!

Bacio Rosso is an intimate, fully immersive evening of Cirque, Comedy and Cuisine.

Guests are seated in the heat of the action with jugglers, contortionists, trapeze artists, magicians, singers and clowns weaving together an unforgettable evening of magic, love and laughter. All combined with a delicious 4-course gourmet menu designed by local award winning chef Adam Pegg of La Quercia.

Read more and buy tickets.

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

Sweden: The Close Up Show

The 32nd Magic Weekend runs from October 5th to the 7th.  Catch Michael Close in the "Close Up Show."


From the Magic Weekend:

The Close Up Show is performed six times for six different groups. Early registrants will se the show under 'Close Up Conditions'

Read more and register.