Welcoming a new Friend: Chris Gowen

Welcoming our newest Friend, Chris Gowen!

Based in Edmonton, Chris is a former President (and former VP) of the Edmonton Magic Club.  His 2019 Fringe Show “I sold my soul for magic tricks and Adderall” received Fringe Favourite from the Edmonton Journal.  At one time, Chris worked in 12 different restaurants and bars!  (Could this be a record in Canada of most restaurants being worked at during the same period by a single Magician?)  Additionally, he was named "Children's Entertainer of The Year" by the Pacific Coasts Association of Magicians in 2017.

Eagle-eyed readers will know that this year Chris is nominated for a Readers' Choice Award!

You can learn more about Chris at his website, or follow him on Facebook   and Instagram.

Thank you Chris, for befriending Canada's Magic!

Toronto: Doc Wuthergloom's Dollhouse of Deadly Sins

Updated January 3, 2022 to add:  This event has been postponed until Februrary.

 

December 6th show was SOLD OUT! New dates added in January.

From the October 21st Instagram post by Eldritch Theatre:

Our December 6th show sold out in hours... we get the hint. You want more necromancers in a top hat doing magic and condemning evil ghosts to eternal punishment in a haunted dollhouse? We'll give you necromancers in a top hat doing magic condemning evil ghosts to eternal punishment in a haunted dollhouse! See you in January at @redsandcastletheatre

NEW DATES ADDED link in bio to get yours! Or go to eldritchtheatre.ca/tickets

 

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A post shared by Eldritch Theatre (@eldritchtheatre)

 

 

 

 

Anthony Lindan's ArriveCAN’T Quarantine Magic Extravaganza [Dec 15]

Get your free tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the December 10th article "Border app a case of ArriveCAN’T for Fort Erie magician" by Richard Hutton in Niagara This Week:

He has decided, however, to try and turn his predicament into something positive with a free show via Zoom on the final day of his quarantine on Dec. 14. [Editor's note: Eventibrite shows the date as Dec 15] Dubbed the ArriveCAN’T Quarantine Magic Extravaganza, the show has him teaming up with comic Glen (That Canadian Guy) Foster and Niagara escape artist Danny ZZZZ for a night of magic and comedy.

“It’s a loose thing,” he said. “I’ve been reading so many stories (Including one of a Fort Erie couple who were unaware of the app and were forced to quarantine). I’m trying to reach out to other people who have been through the same thing. Let’s get together and have a laugh.”

Read more. 

 

 

 

 

Michael Close consulted for 'Nightmare Alley'

From the December 7th article "'Nightmare Alley' star says Guillermo del Toro brought an actual magician on set to help teach the cast illusions" by Libby Torres in Insider:

During a recent press conference for the film, Strathairn revealed that del Toro went the extra mile to make sure cast members in the carnival portion of the film had everything they needed for their performances.

"We had a magician on set who would help us when we had sleight-of-hand things, card trick stuff," Strathairn said, though his own character "never employed any of those" kinds of illusions. 

Read more.

 

From the December 11 Facebook post by Michael Close:

 

Carisa Hendrix in the Greensboro News & Record and a Doug Henning Easter Egg

From the December 9th article "Meet Carisa Hendrix, host of 'A Magical Cirque Christmas' at Greensboro's Tanger Center" by Dawn Kane in  the Greensboro News & Record:

She won Stage Magician of the Year at the world-famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles.

She has been praised by famous magician David Copperfield as “... a true original — hilarious and delightful. An exceptional new talent in magic.”

...

Tell us about “A Magical Cirque Christmas.”

It is a brand new show ... It’s somewhere between a modern-day fairy tale and a jukebox musical. And then, just to make it a little bit more fun, we have thrown in a whole time travel, nostalgia-through-the-ages aspect. So it’s going to be a whirlwind of intense, beautiful visuals and wonderful music and great acts. And it’s designed to be great for families but really also good for a date night. It’s not a kid show; it’s a family show ... Kids of all ages will like it. But there are a couple double entendres that will go right over their heads.

All of the magic is narratively significant, and really stretched my abilities as a magician both creatively and in terms of sleight of hand. 

Read more and watch video.

 

 

From the December 9th Facebook post by Carisa Hendrix:

Little tired today, but all that went away when I saw this by my dressing room. This little Canadian magician is so grateful to set foot on a stage that once showcased Doug. Feeling very lucky, needed that boost.

 

 

 

 

Gordon Precious in The Globe and Mail

From the December 7th article "These seniors show why you’re never too old to learn to ski" by Dene Moore in The Globe and Mail:

Mr. Precious says he didn’t really set out for the record but just to enjoy something he has loved his entire life. He vowed years ago he would go heli-skiing every five years as long as he’s able.

His grandson Trevor Young was at his side and it was a beautiful bluebird day, he recalls.

“Trevor and I were up there on the top of the mountain and it’s the strangest feeling when you get out of the helicopter, and he raises maybe 20 feet up in the air and then just seems to drop off down the steep decline and disappears,” Mr. Precious says. “All of a sudden you realize there’s no way to go but down.” 

Read more.

Livestream: The Most WonderPhil Time of The Year! [Dec 27]

From the Magic Show Livestream: The Most WonderPhil Time of The Year! Facebook event:

WonderPhil is back with another free live-streaming family magic show for the holiday season!

Tell the kids to get ready for more magic, and more laughs.