From the March 14th Instagram post by Nick Wallace:
My friend @markclearview has been doing some really fun virtual shows. And now he’s inviting friends to join him. This month that friend is me. So you can join both of us on March 27th and 28th form the comfort of your own home. Best part of all - it’s Pay What You Can. Magic. Comedy. You. Me. Mark. Try This At Home. Head on over to @markclearview for all the ticket info. [www.markclearview.com/trythisathome]
Updated March 29th to add:
Updated at 9:35am EST to add some thoughts about Romaine from Jeff McBride (bottom of post).
Our sincere condolences to Romaine's family and friends.
You can read a little about Romaine in our post from last December, "A lifetime of achievement: Romaine (Roman Szydlowski)."
From the March 21st Facebook post by Phil Matlin at Perfect Magic:
It's with a heavy heart I am informing you of the passing of Romaine Saturday March 20th. A long time friend for over 40 years and an unbroken 35 years of of spending Christmas and New Years with him and Joan. Originally in Montreal and it continued after they moved to Kitchener. Not only a close friend, but he was also my mentor in magic. His knowledge and willingness to share it with me was exceptional. Known world wide as Monarch of Manipulators, and wherever he went he got 5 star reviews. Romaine will be remembered and missed in the magic community. RIP my friend.
From the March 21st Facebook post by Phil Matlin at Perfect Magic:
To all those who have asked or will be asking, at this moment there are no additional details such funeral home, dates etc. As soon as I get any additional information, it will be posted here on the Perfect Magic [Facebook] site.
The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.
--
HEADS UP - CANADIAN MENTALISTS!
(And magicians seriously interested in mentalism)
An exclusive preview for Canada's Magic
by The Magic Demon
Doug Dyment, longtime resident of Gibsons on the "Sunshine Coast" in beautiful British Columbia, has penned a magnificent new 398 page hardcover book containing 40 awesome routines that (in the words of Richard Webster) "will become a classic and will be read and studied by future generations of magicians and mentalists".
Entitled "Calculated Thoughts" and published by Vanishing Inc. (and retailing for $60 US) this is an impressive publication consisting of original material and material reworked from his legendary self-published manuscripts (some of which have had their original editions go out of print). Mr. Dyment has long been considered one of the foremost highly-regarded "underground" thinkers in the world of mentalism, and is a past president and lifetime member of the Psychic Entertainers Association (PEA).
Written in an erudite, precise, and clear prose style I don't believe this is a book for the casual beginner. Motivated beginners and more experienced performers will gain much, however, from its original effects and (in the words of Ken Weber) "Doug's dazzling insight[s] into some of mentalism's classic plots".
I won't waste any more space on its unanimously glowing reviews but by all means check them out for yourself on-line at (for example) The Magic Cafe or Genii forum as well as on Doug's own unique and informative website, www.deceptionary.com. (It's well worth a visit even if you aren't yet planning to buy the book.) Doug's site also has a password protected section of corrections and supplements for "Calculated Thoughts".
I'm calling this a "preview" because I don't feel I can properly review "Calculated Thoughts" yet. It offers too much to contemplate too quickly and I've only just very recently bought it - but I can tell you how happy I am that I did and why.
Not so very long ago I was more than willing to pay $50 CDN for one of Doug's acclaimed "underground" booklets, the one dealing with his ingenious solution to one of the "core tools of mentalism", the billet tear (which he called R2D2). I was disappointed to discover the original edition had gone out of print. How pleased and excited I was to discover that for only about 50% more (Browser's Den of Magic is currently selling "Calculated Thoughts" at a very reasonable $74 CDN) I would not only get a thorough and detailed chapter full of Doug's updated and revised best billet tear explanation - but also nine other thoughtful, innovative and powerful chapters with enough new ideas, musings and variations on numerous effects to keep me reading and busy for months and months... and months. Such a deal! Was I happy? Very.
Very very, in fact.
So if you're "into" mentalism, may I humbly suggest this could be your best purchase of 2021. I already have a good feeling that it is going to be mine.
Thank you Mr. Dyment for presenting us with such an inspiring collection of your finest work. It is very much appreciated.
-----
Alternatively to obtaining your copy from the Browser's Den of Magic (where it is currently in stock and listed on their website), this site's other sponsors might also be able to special order it for you. They may even already have it in stock since I last looked.
Full Disclosure: The Magic Demon paid retail for their copy from Clownin' Around (Canada's only brick and mortar magic shop west of the Great Lakes) on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC and has received no compensation for writing these words.
Julie's been busy! Not only did she participate in the Asian panel (ep 78) of Shezam, she was also interviewed by Connie Boyd and appeared on the cover of Vanish Magazine!
Watch the March 3rd episode of Magical Women with Connie Boyd, "Julie Eng #1 | Helping others through Magicana: My Magic Hands & Senior Sorcery | Magical Women #36":
From the March 1st Facebook post by Paul Romhany:
From the March 15th Instagram post by the Toronto Magic Company:
We're throwing out a challenge to all the magicians out there!
The Tarbell Course in Magic is widely considered one of the most important collections of magic secrets ever published. Most magicians have copies on their shelf, but few have actually gone THROUGH them. Time to change that.
For the next 8 months Jonah and Ben will be going through the Tarbell course, one book per month, competing to see who can find the coolest trick. The winner each month gets fame and fortune. The loser? A horrible punishment.
Here's how YOU can participate! First, grab book one of the Tarbell course (available from any good magic dealer as well as online as a free resource). Then, read the book. Find a cool trick.
Next, send us a video of your performance (either by emailing it to us or posting it online and tagging us). EVERYONE gets a shout out when our video comes out... but if our judges like your trick better than either of Ben's or Jonah's, YOU win the prize and the boys get punished!
Get in on the fun. Take the Tarbell challenge today!
Talent includes: Carisa Hendrix, Jason Suran, Steve Thompson, Dani DaOrtiz, Mark James, Will Houstoun, Harry De Cruz, David Parr, Matt Szat, Matthew Gilmore, @Royalpainisme, Joshua Jay, and Andi Gladwin.
From Vanishing Inc Magic:
"Connected: Live" is an all-day online magic convention dedicated to virtual magic shows. Whether you’re a virtual magic veteran or just LOVE magic in general, this convention will provide a blueprint for developing the best possible show and exploring all the opportunities virtual magic can provide. You’ll enjoy virtual performances, lectures, panel discussions, and interactions with top luminaries in the industry.
From the March 17th Facebook post by Carisa Hendrix:
From the March 13th Facebook post by Vitaly Beckman:
On this day, one year ago I was performing in Vegas and in the evening decided to attend the taping of Penn and Teller: Fool Us and watch the show as an audience member... it was the last filming day of season 7 and I was surprised to see a few good friends Shawn Farquhar and Clinton W. Gray being taped that night! Little did I know that from that very day I won't perform live nor see another live show for a year.
Coincidentally, I also didn't know that one year later I will be invited to participate in the Fool Us show as a contestant again... virtually! And so, I'm excited to announce that I will be performing a brand new piece of magic this Friday at 9pm on The CW. Wish me luck!
