20 May 2021

[Guest post] I challenge you!

Support your brick and mortar magic shops! 

   

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

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"I CHALLENGE YOU!"

AN OPEN LETTER
TO ALL MEMBERS OF CANADIAN IBM RINGS  
& TO MEMBERS OF CAM
& TO CANADIAN MEMBERS OF SAM:

from The Magic Demon

Exclusive to Canada's Magic

I've always considered you among the elite of magic enthusiasts, hobbyists, amateurs and professionals.

You love the art of magic enough to have joined an organization dedicated to preserving its history, encouraging its present and striving for an even more illustrious future.

I bet most of you have had a positive experience visiting a brick & mortar magic shop once upon a time when you were young. That awesome visit - the first of many, no doubt - cemented what has become a lifelong joy and passion.

And many of you are waiting for the end of our current pandemic before you take a short subway trip - or a long long car ride - or short airplane ride - to your nearest brick and mortar magic shop to once again bask in its unique joys and pleasures.

Doubtless some of you will want to take along your friends or family members and double or triple your fun by sharing the magical experience with them.

But what happens if there are no more brick & mortar magic shops left to visit after the pandemic?

Oh sure, you'll always be able to order from some really great online outlets. But it's never going to be the same experience as standing in person drooling over a display case full of the latest effects, or sharing tips and stories with fellow visiting magic enthusiasts, or enjoying the truly memorable fun created by the proprietors of a real dedicated brick & mortar magic shop.

As you have read on this site, we in Canada are now down to just two dedicated brick & mortar shops. Two to serve a country of almost 38 million! Toronto alone until recently used to have two - and had even more in its distant past.

Unless we act now to safeguard our remaining precious brick & mortar shops there is every chance they may not survive to serve us again when better and more normal days return.


That would make Canada truly less of a magical place.

And so, therefore, I CHALLENGE YOU, to show your love and support for the art of magic and its well-being in this country - as personified in its remaining brick & mortar shops, by making a purchase right now - and later again this year - from either the Browser's Den of Magic in Toronto and/or Clownin' Around on Granville Island in Vancouver BC, whichever is your closest brick & mortar shop.


I am not asking you to do anything I have not already done myself. I have recently purchased a couple books from Clownin' Around, AND a gift certificate from the Browser's Den.

There's still no guarantee that what we all can do will be enough - but at least if we try there's always a good chance. And a good chance is better than no chance at all.

So...

Are you magician-enough to magic-up and accept this challenge?


The future landscape of magic in Canada may well depend upon your actions today.

LATEST STATUS UPDATE: As of this date, the Browser's Den in Ontario is currently only open via phone, email and their website for in-person curbside pick up or snailmail service. Clownin' Around in BC is currently open for a limited number of local-health-authority-region-only in-person mask-wearing customers observing social distance, as well as via phone, email and their website for snailmail service. Check their websites for any further updates and developments.

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Full Disclosure: The Magic Demon does not work for, nor own any part of, any remaining brick & mortar magic shop - but has spent many happy hours in both and wishes that they may survive the pandemic along with the rest of us. 


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Thank you The Magic Demon for championing brick and mortar magic shops and for guest posting at Canada's Magic! 

 

 

 

19 May 2021

Ring 66 hosts an UnConventional lecture with Jonah and Ben [May 20]

From the Facebook event Calgary Club Meeting and UNConventional Lecture:

Description: In 2020 magic went through a radical change - moving predominantly online for the first time in existence.

During that time Ben Train and his partner Jonah Babins performed more than 300 virtual shows for audiences all over the world - and of all ages and sizes. They also produced the world’s first 8-bit virtual magic convention (Unconventional.fun), transformed their magic company so it could operate entirely online, and worked with countless magicians helping them with their virtual shows.
 
Now Ben and Jonah wants to share what he learnt and answer any questions you might have. They’ve got advice on marketing your online shows, tips on how to maximize virtual audience engagement, and insight into what you can do to make 2021 your most magical year yet.

This is NOT a lecture - so don’t come expecting to learn any tricks - but it will be a fun night all about the world of virtual magic; filled with learning, laughs, and bottomless drinks*

*Provided you have a lot of drinks at home. 

Read more.



18 May 2021

Welcoming a new sponsor: Ryan Pilling's "Tips & Tricks for Magicians"

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Ryan Pilling's "Tips & Tricks for Magicians"!

You may know Ryan Pilling as the author of "Finding the Funny," the creator of the best ever Candy Cane Puzzle, or the host of IBM's monthly series "Inside the Ring" (new episode of "Inside the Ring" tonight).

But did you know that Ryan publishes a weekly newsletter?

Ryan's Tips & Tricks for Magicians weekly newsletter is a grab-bag of magical delights. Every Tuesday you'll receive the latest thoughts and ideas, with tips on improving the magic you perform, and video lessons sharing everything from old forgotten gems, to brand new works-in-progress.

Subscribe for free at www.MagicTipsAndTricks.com.

Thank you Ryan, for your sponsorship of Canada's Magic!

17 May 2021

Luc Langevin: Interconnectés, Interconnected, and Global News

May 22nd marks the 100th presentation of Luc Langevin's virtual show "Interconnectés."

In June, Luc launches his first show in English, "Interconnected."

Watch Kim Sullivan interview Luc on May 12th for Global News.







16 May 2021

Edmonton Magic Club presents: John Kaplan's lecture "Selling the Impossible" [May 18]

From the May 12th post on the Edmonton Magic Club Facebook page:

BIG NEWS! John Kaplan will be presenting his "Selling the Impossible" lecture at our next meeting-Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 PM. John is one of Canada's most successful magicians and his lecture details how he has made his living travelling across the country as an Illusionist. This is another FREE event hosted by the Edmonton Magic Club. Don't miss it!

Read more.

 

 

 

 


 

 

14 May 2021

Canadian Artists and Content Creators Economic Survey

From the Canadian Heritage section of the Government of Canada:

The Department of Canadian Heritage is inviting all artists and content creators to participate in the Canadian Artists and Content Creators Economic Survey. The purpose of this survey is to help create an updated portrait of the artistic and creative community in Canada. This data gathering is important to help ensure policies and programs continue to be responsive to the sector’s reality.

Share your story!

The survey will help develop a better understanding of the realities and experiences of artists and content creators in Canada prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to participate?
The survey is available online from May 10 to June 18 and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Who should participate?
Anyone in Canada aged 16 or older who does creative or artistic work as an important component of their professional identity, whether on their own time, freelance or with organizations — either full-time or alongside other jobs, at any point in their career stage.

The survey is open, but not limited to:

  • writers such as fiction and non-fiction book authors, playwrights, poets, screenwriters, technical writers
  • visual artists such as painters, craft artisans, designers, illustrators, installation artists, video game designers, concept artists, photographers, printmakers
  • performing artists such as actors, choreographers, circus artists, comedians, dancers, mimes, puppeteers, spoken word artists, storytellers
  • musical artists such as composers, musicians, singers, songwriters
  • audiovisual directors working in film, television, video games or other digital media productions, including on social media

Read more and take survey.