Without Perfect Magic, there may not have been a JP Parent to fool Penn and Teller!

How many brick and mortar magic store staff are responsible for stories like this one from JP Parent ...

From the October 10th article "A Note from Montreal Magician Jean-Pierre Parent Who Fooled Penn and Teller" by Evelyn Matlin at Perfect Magic:

One goes about ones business everyday, doing what they do, but once in a while something happens to lift your spirits. JP Parent  who fooled Penn and Teller https://youtu.be/_-P4wjAROok took the time to write to me and with his permission I am sharing it with you. This is what he wrote.

“I love your articles you post !

The last one about being in heaven when you walked in the shop was my favorite. Ms Evelyn, you prob would not remember this if I told you ,but you where the first person to perform a magic trick for me in a magic shop.

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Broken wand: Trevor Hamilton

Trevor Hamilton was the Past President of IBM Ring 17 in 1986-87.


From November 10th edition of  The Toronto Star:

KENNETH TREVOR HAMILTON (September 17th, 1930 - October 20th, 2018)

Trevor passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at the age of 88. Predeceased by his parents Iris Mary and Kenneth Francis Hamilton. Devoted husband of Myrle, proud father of Cynthia (Tim), Kenneth (Kara) and Douglas; and cherished grandfather to Connor, Ariel, Taylor, Madison, Hawkeye and Dana. Trevor, a retired Bell Canada employee was a military buff, especially loving the pipes and drums. A former member of The Irish Regiment of Canada, he also loved magic, bird watching, and genealogy. His compassionate and generous spirit touched many and will be greatly missed. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of His Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344, 1395 Lake Shore Blvd West Toronto, on Saturday, November 24, 2018, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please remember the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation K Wing, or any children's charity.

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"FOOL US" Experience Webinar

From Michael Close:

On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 9 p.m. EST, I will host an hour-long webinar to discuss Penn & Teller: Fool Us. This webinar will be of particular interest to those of you who are considering auditioning for season six (which will tape the last week of February and the first week of March).

Webinar only $5.00 USD

What we’ll cover...
I will give you some background on the show, explain what has to be accomplished during your time in Vegas (an amazing amount has to get done during a brief period of time), analyze some of the restrictions imposed by the medium of television and the venue, and discuss strategies to maximize your chance of being selected.   

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions. I will get to as many of these as time allows. The information you will receive at this webinar will save you time and money, and it will provide you with helpful advice and will clarify for you exactly what the Fool Us experience is all about.

Read more and register.

Toronto: Mahdi Gilbert workshop

DM Mahdi to learn more.

From the Twitter feed of Mahdi The Magician:
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.

TORONTO WORKSHOP! Evening of Wednesday, November 14th.
$100 (materials included)
DM to RVSP ;)

— Mahdi The Magician (@mahdibuchinger) November 1, 2018

Bacio Rosso media roundup

From the November 6th article "VETERAN CANADIAN PERFORMERS STAR IN THE FIRST BELGIUM-INSPIRED CIRCUS" by asingh in the Asian Pacific Post:

Cirque du Soleil performer Colin Heath and magician and illusionist Shawn Farquar will be part of Canada’s first European-inspired circuses coming to town, Bacio Rosso Spiegeltent.

Heath has performed in Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach, the Arts Club, Axis Theatre, Leaky Heavy Circus. The award-winning performer is also a veteran of Cirque du Soleil, including Cirque Reinvente, Kooza and Volta. Farquhar has taken stages at the Riveria, Las Vegas, the Opera House, Blackpool and the Orpheum in Vancouver. He also has performed for Queen Elizabeth II while she visited Charlottetown, PEI.

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From the October 9th article "A DAZZLING GOURMET CABARET CIRQUE IN VANCOUVER" by Katie Nanton in Nuvo Magazine:

The talent roster is a range of eclectic performers from around the globe; together as a cast, they represent a grouping of professionals rarely seen under one roof. There is Lady Rizo, for example, a New York–based cabaret star with a wickedly funny streak; Jimmy Gonzales, a juggler and dancer just coming off a run of Cirque du Soleil; Shawn Farquhar, a multi-award-winning magician from Maple Ridge, B.C.; and Erica Nguyen, an aerial cirque performer from Moncton, N.B. Audience members will get to know them all throughout the eve while sipping fine wines and dining on Italian fare by La Quercia’s executive chef, Adam Pegg (think slow-roasted beef with carrots and jus, or sautéed wild mushrooms served over creamy polenta).

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From the November 7th article "Bacio Rosso brings cabaret, magic, acrobatics, and more to Queen Elizabeth Park" by Gail Johnson in The Georgia Straight:

Bacio Rosso is unlike anything Vancouver has ever seen. Where else do you see a room full of strangers break out into an impromptu dance party while a powerhouse cabaret singer encourages the limbo in an evening where plates fly, a magician reads minds, and a pair of muscular trapeze artists strip down to their sparkling skivvies, all within a few feet of your dinner table?

Read more.

Toronto: Five world records in one day?

Why not?


Sunday December 2nd at the Browser's Den of Magic:

On this day, Michael Francis will be attempting to break the following records:

• Most Consecutive Coin Rolls (2 hands)
• Most Coin Rolls in One Minute (2 hands)
• Most Multiple Coin Rolls (1 hand)
• Most Multiple Coin Rolls (2 hands)
• Most Yo-Yo's Spun Simultaneously

If you've wanted to see and meet a Guinness World Record Holder, then this is your chance! Please join us in supporting Michael as he takes on 5 World Records.

Thank you for your kind support
- The Jeff's, John Cardella, Luiz Castro, Cam Dix & The Browser's Den Team

Atlas Obscura's list of Enchanting Local Magic Shops

Back in October, Atlas Obscura asked for our favourite local magic shops.  This week, they published a round up of the responses...


From the November 6th article "33 of the World’s Most Enchanting Local Magic Shops" by Eric Grundhauser at Atlas Obscura:

Browser’s Den of Magic
Toronto, Ontario

“As a woman in a male-dominated field, the Den has provided me with a space to learn and share magic without feeling like an outsider. The people who run the store are always willing to help, demonstrate tricks, and recommend additional resources for hobbyists and pros alike. I’ve never experienced another store quite like the Browser’s Den.” — Jacqueline Swan, Toronto, Ontario

“Jeff and the staff provide excellent service to magicians at all stages of development, and they go out of their way to be welcoming and encouraging. They are there to help, not just to make a sale. Conventions, special events, auctions, lectures, and club meetings at the shop all contribute to making Browser’s Den a very special place for Canadian magicians.” — Robin Dawes, Kingston, Ontario

“The store does so much more then sell magic. It strives to build a community. Brings in top magicians for lectures. Hosts a magic club, helps magicians sell magic tricks they no longer need. Any questions answered. Jeff Pinsky loves magic and it shows.” — Jim Byrns, Toronto, Ontario

Read more.