Thank you all for participating in the spirit in which the awards were
intended:
a fun way to
recognize and celebrate all of the wonderful things being done by the
fabulous talent in our country.
Over 500 votes were cast in this "bragging rights" only contest. You
all have a lot of devoted fans!
Here are the results of our fourth annual "Readers' Choice Inspirational
Canadian Magician of the Year" award!
Beacons of Inspiration (in alphabetical order by surname)
Gwyn Auger (aka The Magic Assistant)
Nominated
by Aaron.
"I would like to nominate Gwyn Auger the Magic Assistant. Gwyn’s endless
enthusiasm and passion for magic and the magic community is an inspiration,
whether it is helping support young local magicians in Calgary, promoting
the value of the assistant in the industry and her eagerness to help others
at conventions or shows at the drop of a hat. Gwyn is one of the most
professional, kindest, freelance magician assistants in the business who
also recently branched out to perform her own act as part of the Celebrities
of Magic in Bakersfield, CA. This year Gwyn was also the first assistant to
perform at the new Magic Castle Cabaret in Santa Barbara, CA with Lance
Burton."
"Gwyn is truly an amazing ambassador for the business!"
Website:
Gwyn
Auger
Comments from Gwyn's fans include:
- Gwyn totally deserves this she has been instrumental in the Calgary magic community as well as many larger circles globally.
- Talented and skilled people, one and all, but only Gwyn has the magic presence that makes those around her shine.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Loesser / Hoagy Carmichael, Queen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
James Harrison (aka Pickpocket James)
Nominated by Unknown,
Amy
Thibodeau, Missa
Deadlove, Rex
P., Mike
Weiland, Anonymouos,
and Unknown.
The quote below is from Unknown.
"James Harrison. He's the pickpocketing MASTER, he's got a YouTube
video that is going viral like crazy right now with 2 million views and
counting and he works like crazy, at home and internationally. So all of
that is amazing, but here's why I think James REALLY deserves a nomination:
He's the kindest, most giving magician I've met in years. When he's not on
stage, he's off stage sharing his knowledge to apply what he's learned in
the trenches to help others. So in short, I think James is inspirational
because he covers both bases. He's one hell of a performer with incredible
original creations and he's one hell of a good person to go with it."
Editor's note:
Website:
PickpocketMagic.com
Comments from James' fans include:
- Stole my watch while I 'watched' and I still missed it...AMAZING.
- I've seen him perform multiple times and can't tell you how great he is! Charismatic, talented and just a decent guy. Good for any event.
Voters' musical tastes include: Bach, Peter Gabriel, and Green Day.
Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling)
Nominated
by Lukas Stark.
"I would like to nominate Carisa Hendrix not only is her public work
charming and incredible, her success in a primarily male dominated industry
(and world), and her humble Canadian beginnings, but her penguin lecture is
the best 5 hours I've spent thinking about my magic for years and the best
work I've ever heard about bringing character to your magic."
Editor's note:
Website:
CarisaHendrix
Comments from Carisa's fans include:
- Phenomenal entertainer and lecturer. Goes out of her way to give of herself to anyone who asks.
Voters' musical tastes include: Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Elton John.
Ryan Joyce
Nominated
by Anonymous.
"Ryan Joyce for creating Canada's most unique magic festival. The OWOW Magic
Festival brought more than a dozen of the top magicians to the most magical
place in Canada - Fergus, ON to perform for the public this past Halloween.
For magicians, Ryan has created a fun-space where they can gather and
further their own careers - Wondertown - which includes Magicians
Masterclass and the new podcast Magicians Talking Magic. We should all be so
dedicated in furthering the art and the perception of our art."
Editor's note:
Website:
RyanJoyce.com
Comments from Ryan's fans include:
- His work and efforts speak volumes and he is all about bringing the magic community together.
Voters' musical tastes include: The Beatles, Pitbull, and Ed Sheeran.
Ken McCreedy
Nominated
by Jason Maiuri.
"Ken McCreedy for his vast knowledge of Canadian magic as well as being a
mentor to so many great acts."
Editor's note:
- Ken has an extensive knowledge of Canadian magic history and is very
generous with sharing his knowledge!
Website:
KenMcCreedy.com
Comments from Ken's fans include:
- Always entertaining and full of surprises. He is a kind and patient teacher. It is an Honour to be his assistant.
Musical tastes include: Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, and Deep Purple.
The Sentimentalists (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay)
Nominated
by Ross.
"I always felt the Toronto fixtures known as "The Sentimentalists" would
shine on a bigger international stage. Their numerous TV appearances this
year solidified this. They are an inspiration as a fellow Toronto based
Canadian performer. Especially Steffi being the first woman Mentalist to
fool Penn and Teller."
Editor's note:
- After being eliminated from America's Got Talent Season 14 during
the Judge Cuts, they returned as the wildcard in the quarterfinals!
Website:
TheSentimentalistsMagic.com
Comments from The Sentimentalists' fans include:
- These two are AMAAAAAAAAAZING. Been in the business nearly half a century, at this point, and I've never seen a live mentalism act to top theirs. Just a stunning act. Stunning.
Voters' musical tastes include: Steve Miller, Queen, and Harry S. Miller.
Anastasia Synn (aka Sia Synn)
Nominated by Krystal
Lawrence.
"She's a freakin cyborg pioneering a new brand of magic! It's been getting
worldwide attention, she's been on international news with her crazy
implants."
Edtitor's note:
Website:
Synnister.com
Anastasia's fans were people of few words.
Musical tastes include: Radiohead, Crystal Eyes, and Rag'n'Bone Man.
Editor's Choice
Ted and Marion Outerbridge
Nominated
by Unknown.
"I would like to nominate Ted & Marion Outerbridge as being truly
inspirational entertainers in the world of magic. What you see on the stage
is exactly what you get off the stage. They are soft spoken, humble and
sincere - but extremely passionate and talented in everything they do. From
costuming to scripting, choreography and illusion, they do it all!"
Editor's note:
Website:
TedOuterbridge.com
The Outerbridge's fans were also people of few words.
Voters' musical tastes include: Smash Mouth, Brockhampton, and Frank Sinatra.
Readers' Choice
Mike Norden
Nominated
by Anonymous.
Congratulations to Mike for winning the 2019 "Readers' Choice Inspirational
Canadian Magician of the Year" award!
Keep up the great work!
Website:
MagicShows.ca
Mike's fans were most likely to not follow instructions, and also most likely to get the date wrong.
Musical tastes include: A wide assortment of Christmas music.
