Canada's Magic

29 January 2019

Toronto: Greg Wilson lecture - "Things I carry and use..."

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Please Pay at the Door $20 (Standing Room Only)

From the man who brought us such gems as Pointless, Bandwidth, Revolution, Cold Case, Unleashed, Hundy 500 and so much more, Greg Wilson is bringing his brand-new lecture to the Browser's Den! He's a two-time FISM winner, he had an entire chapter dedicated to his magic in Paul Harris' ART OF ASTONISHMENT books, and now he's coming to share his decades of knowledge with you!

Just like the title, Greg's lecture will use things that fit in his pockets and things found around him, teaching you to be ever-ready for performing spur-of-the-moment astonishments.

Building on his best-selling videos “Off the Cuff” and “On the Spot”, Greg teaches you how to convert everyday objects into devastating weapons of deception. The emphasis here is on ENTERTAINMENT. From close-up to stand-up, there’s something for everyone.

Now just because it’s called a lecture doesn’t mean it has to be dry and academic. You will experience a rip-roaring, laugh-out-loud, audience-involving show! Greg will not only fool you, he'll have you laughing and clapping along the way!

This is one lecture you DO NOT WANT TO MISS!

Please Pay at the Door $20 (Standing Room Only)

Thank you for your kind support - The Jeff's & The Browser's Den Team

Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: Ryan Murray lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic newsletter:

Sunday, February 10

Ryan Murray's new book 'Curious Weaving' has been completed (proofread by Jeff Hinchliffe). It is a book on one of the most talked about of all shuffles in 'magic' the Faro Shuffle.

The Faro Shuffle is a technique used by most of the top professional card handlers in the world. However, it is a technique that requires study and effort. For those who enjoy memorized deck work the Faro shuffle is a valuable weapon.

Ryan will be covering different methods so that there is something of value for all skill levels including: IN-HANDS FARO (Technique & Fixing Mistakes); PROPERTIES (Cycling Order, Straddle Faro; Controlling a Card to Any Position); TABLED FARO (Breakdown of Techniques, Checking for Mistakes, Controlling In or Out, Combining with Riffle Shuffle); DOUBLE FARO.

And he will be performing some effects from his new book.

Read more and buy tickets.

Toronto: Talent announced for the 2019 Browser's Bash

BROWSER'S BASH 2019
Saturday, April 13, 2019

Here's a summary of the awesome talent announced for this year's Bash!

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

CHRIS CAPEHART - LEGENDARY STREET PERFORMER
Chris Capehart is a master magician and a regular headliner at Monday Night Magic in New York City. Come see why he is held in such high esteem by magicians around the world.

PAUL RICHARDS - CREATIVE CONJUROR
Founder of Elmwood Magic. Mr. Richards has been around the globe sharing his wonderful brand of magic. Eye Popping magic combined with good fun. One of the true gentlemen of the world of magic.

THE OUTERBRIDGES - INTERNATIONAL ILLUSIONISTS
International Illusionists Ted & Marion Outerbridge will cast a magic spell over the audience at this year's Bash. And share some secrets too!

DICK JOINER - EMCEE
Due to popular demand...Joining us again in 2019! He will share his infectious hysterical laugh, fun-loving zany manner and high paced interactive comedy magic. Dick Joiner plans to delight and astound us all day long.

RYAN BROWN - RISING STAR
Ryan will be sharing with us his love of the classics. Card Manipulation, Rings and Magic that will have your eyes popping out! One of the young stars of the Canadian Magic Scene.

GARRETT THOMAS - MASTER MAGICIAN
Due to your huge amount of requests Mr. Thomas will be returning to the Bash stage in 2019. He truly blew us all away in 2018 and that was only half his lecture. Wait to you see part two! Thanks Garrett!

JAMES HARRISON - PICKPOCKET
Finally on the Bash stage! Pickpocket Act and one of Canada's premier close up magicians. Be ready to clap. And be ready to hold onto your wallets & watches!

JACQUE SWAN - COIN MAGICIENNE
Canadian new talent, Ms. Swan will be sharing some of her coin magic with us that will make your magic eyes pop out! Don't blink as coins vanish and reappear at a mystifying speed.

ROBERT AND SCOTT PRESSWOOD - THE BUMBLING BERTS
Two of the busiest children's performers in the GTA. Combined they give more then 600 shows annually. Sit it and learn on their tips for making your family show reach it's potential. (at lunch break)

ANDREW WOO
Sit in and learn from over 35 years of experience performing and creating magic. Simple Methods with Strong Audience Impact!

JENNY PARSONS - HIDDEN CANADIAN GEM
Is she a comedian? Is she a magician? Is she a sorceress? You'll decide. Ms. Parsons will be sharing her unique world of fun and chaos! A hidden gem of the Canadian entertainment scene

CHRIS BRUCE - CARDICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE
FREE Lunchtime Table Class on False Shuffles, Classic Force & Top Change

Read more and register!

Toronto: Free magic club

This Saturday, February 2nd is The Browser's Den of Magic's next (Free) Magic Club meeting. All are welcome.

The club meets from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

28 January 2019

Magicana accepting nominations for the 2018 Allan Slaight awards

Still no sign of a category for "Best Blog Focused on Canadian Magicians Run by a Member of IBM Ring 17."

From Magicana:

Nominations are currently being accepted for work completed in 2018. The deadline for nominations is March 29, 2019. Nominations received after the deadline will be kept on file and considered for the following year.

Thank you for considering nominating someone for the Allan Slaight Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in the pursuit of the impossible. The nomination process consists of four steps:

Your information

Information about your nominee

Supporting documentation

Reviewing your information and submitting

In addition to basic information about you and your nominee, you will also have the opportunity to provide:

A biography (up to 750 words)

A description of the work and why you are nominating this person (up to 300 words)

Read more and submit your nominations!

Submissions for the Allan Slaight Awards are open! Nominate someone for extraordinary contributions in the pursuit of the impossible before March 29, 2019. https://t.co/OpHuCf80aN pic.twitter.com/yArMxp1slq
— Magicana (@sharingwonder) January 24, 2019

27 January 2019

Remembering Dicky Dean

With thanks to André Rancourt for sending me to Deans of Magic. From Deans of Magic:

When Dicky Dean was ten years old he received a small book on magic, by magician and writer Walter B. Gibson. It was a present from his aunt and uncle that was about to change his life. He never had heard of magic before, but as he started learning the secrets of magic, he knew he wanted to become a magician.
At age twelve he entered the entertainment section of the London Hobby Fair and won first prize. It was also very fortunate for him that London’s foremost magician Everette Mires and his wife, Sue, were present in the audience to see his show and meet him. Later, he learned numerous tricks from Everette as well as how to properly present them. Even with their large differences in age they became best friends.

Read more.

Dicky and Marg were one of the first magic acts I saw as a child. They truly inspired me. I was honoured 20 years later to see them in the audience at one of my own shows and to speak with them afterwards. He was a great magician and a very gracious person. RIP to the Dean. https://t.co/5VNRItECkG
— Aaron Paterson (@AaronPMagic) January 25, 2019