Congratulations to Shawn Farquhar who's show Hidden Wonders is featured in the May 2020 edition of The Linking Ring!
You can read Simone Marron's article "The Wonder of Hidden Wonders" starting on page 24.
05 May 2020
04 May 2020
Matt DiSero on the cover of The Linking Ring
Congratulations to Matt DiSero who is featured on the cover of the May 2020 edition of The Linking Ring!
You can read David Peck's article "Matthew DiSero: Celebrating Thirty Years in Showbiz" starting on page 16.
You can read David Peck's article "Matthew DiSero: Celebrating Thirty Years in Showbiz" starting on page 16.
01 May 2020
New video project for Canadian magicians
From Brent and Sarah Nicholls:
I hope you’re doing well despite everything that’s going on.
I’m working on an idea to make a music video that is a compilation of Canadian magicians. It would be something like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GElP4YdrBE ,
but instead of having you sing I would simply need you to perform a magic effect for the camera.
WHY?
My intention is simply to create a fun video that showcases Canadian magicians during this strange time where we can’t showcase ourselves properly. I may also add a Facebook tip jar that has all proceeds going to something like Canadian Food Bank.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE INCLUDED:
1. You must be a Canadian
2. You need to be a “working pro” (full time magician)
3. You must submit the clip before May 8th at noon
4. The clip must be no longer than 5 seconds (unfortunately longer videos will not be included)
5. You must include your stage name and city where you live in the body of your email
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO:
All you would need to do is upload the clip to your YouTube channel (you can make it “Unlisted" if you don’t want anyone else to see it) and then email me the link at magic@brentandsarah.com before the deadline.
VIDEO TIPS
The better your clip looks (lighting etc) the more likely it will feature prominently in the video (if you don’t have great lighting in your home consider shooting outside in natural light). Please know that music will be played over the video so audio is not necessary. The magic you perform can be serious, funny, kid-friendly etc.. or if you’d rather just smile and wave that’s fine too. Please ensure your clip is shot in HD.
NOT INTERESTED?
That’s OK, but please feel free to pass this along to any magicians you know who might be. My magician database isn’t the biggest so I would appreciate you sharing since I don’t want to leave anyone out!
I hope you’re staying safe and sane during this crazy time 🙂
Sincerely,
Brent Nicholls
(Brent and Sarah)
30 April 2020
Top 5 posts in April 2020
There were 20+ posts at Canada's Magic last month. Here are the 5 most viewed posts in the past 30 days:
and the most viewed post this month ...
5. International Stars of Magic show livestream April 15 - The first in a series. Keep an eye on the Greg Frewin Theatre YouTube channel for more great shows!
4. [Guest post] "What can I do?" - A great list of things to keep you occupied!
3. The Browser's Den of Magic online magic competition - Deadline for entry is fast approaching.
2. Julie Eng interviewed by Richard Crouse - Richard's first interview from "Isolation Studios."
and the most viewed post this month ...
1. Darcy Oake in The Sunday Post - Darcy's eagerly awaiting his UK tour dates!
29 April 2020
A peek behind the curtain with Piff the Magic Dragon
I was delighted to receive an invitation to interview Piff the Magic Dragon!
You can watch Piff, Jade, and Mr. Piffles on PiffTV, where Piff has magicians and comedians on as guests, does some magic, and has little video features. Episodes are uploaded M-F at 10am and 5pm PST.
You can watch Piff, Jade, and Mr. Piffles on PiffTV, where Piff has magicians and comedians on as guests, does some magic, and has little video features. Episodes are uploaded M-F at 10am and 5pm PST.
Who inspires you magically?
Penn & Teller. The greatest of all the great.
Penn & Teller. The greatest of all the great.
What magical effect would you have shown me had I been there to interview you in person?
None. Save it for the stage is my golden rule.
What is your first memory of magic?
I think I was around 8 or 10 and I helped someone do the linking rings. I was pretty convinced I had magical powers. So when I bought a set years later I was disappointed to find they were broken. One had a hole in, one was already linked. Very upsetting.
Who inspires you that is not a magician?
Jerry Seinfeld.
Jerry Seinfeld.
Had you not shown up at a fancy dress party in your sister’s dragon costume, what type of magic show do you think you’d be performing now?
Something really not worth watching.
Have you experienced anything specific about performing for Canadian audiences in particular?
You have the optimism of the Americans and the sarcasm of the British. A great combination.
Piff’s connection to Canadian magic?
Rick Bronson, who runs the Comic Strip in Edmonton, was the first to book us out there. We sold out 12 shows in a week. A record! I love Rick Bronson!
Rick Bronson, who runs the Comic Strip in Edmonton, was the first to book us out there. We sold out 12 shows in a week. A record! I love Rick Bronson!
The dog once defecated all over Jade live on stage, to our mutual horror. By mutual I am referring to Jade and I. The dog felt only relief. I was so appalled I gave a play by play commentary over the whole event as Jade left the stage dripping. Offstage she shed and burnt a few hundred dollars of feathers and returned looking thoroughly nauseated and depressed. After the show the meet and greet line was longer than ever before with people petting, holding and even kissing the dog. Turns out the audience thought it was just a hilarious bit. None of them took it seriously at all. That was until round two started...
If you could be endowed with the talent to take on any Broadway role past or present, who would you pick and why?
The narrator from Shockheaded Peter. My favourite show.
So as to not scare off any aspiring performers, please share with us your favourite thing about touring.The narrator from Shockheaded Peter. My favourite show.
Doing the show. That's the only part of this whole enterprise that makes it worthwhile, and I love it to pieces. If you don't like the show part, then quit immediately and start making some real money.
Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
I try and do nothing ritualised so that I don't have to do it every night. Once I had a lucky t-shirt. I lost it and the next gig went very badly. I swore off talismans after that.
Do you have any tips for keeping up one's mental health during quarantine?
Quarantine is tough on everyone. Be kind to each other. And make sure you eat well.
Quarantine is tough on everyone. Be kind to each other. And make sure you eat well.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about you or Mr. Piffles with our readers?
A dog is a great business partner. Just find someone else to clean up after him.
Thank you Mr. Magic Dragon for making the time to answer our questions!
You can watch Piff, Jade, and Mr. Piffles on PiffTV, where Piff has magicians and comedians on as guests, does some magic, and has little video features. Episodes are uploaded M-F at 10am and 5pm PST.
You can watch Piff, Jade, and Mr. Piffles on PiffTV, where Piff has magicians and comedians on as guests, does some magic, and has little video features. Episodes are uploaded M-F at 10am and 5pm PST.
28 April 2020
Welcoming a new Friend: Eric Bedard
Based out of North Bay (after making Victoria his home for many years), Eric's career has seen him working on cruises and he is often referred to as a "Magician to the Stars."
You may have enjoyed Eric's lecture "Secrets to Getting Booked To Entertain Celebrities" at the 2017 Magic Masters Summit.
In 2015, Eric was presented with an IBM Presidential Citation:
You can learn more about Eric at his websites EricBedard.ca and CoolMagicDude.com or through his Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Thank you Eric, for becoming an official Friend of Canada's Magic!
27 April 2020
International Stars of Magic show livestream April 29
Keep your eyes on the Greg Frewin Theatre's YouTube channel. There's a
very good chance this won't be the last spectacular livestream lineup!
April 29 includes:
April 29 includes:
- Ed Alonzo
- Shin Lim
- Max Maven
- Blake Vogt
- Juliana Chen
- Trevor and Lorenna Watters
- Jorge Blass
- Chris Funk, and
- Greg Frewin
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