A peek behind the curtain with Fernando Velasco [2022]

 

This is the second of a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour shows in Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1], Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and Peterborough [Dec 9].   

Canadian tour to start April 2023! 

 

Read our 2021 interview where Fernando shares:
 
- how he dealt with The Great Pause
- how COVID impacted his set
- his comfort binge
- about touring in Mexico during a pandemic
- his go-to Karaoke song

 

What is your favourite thing about going on tour with Champions of Magic?

Two things, the first; Being able to perform with such high  production value  like the one Champions of Magic offers.  I love the pyrotechnics at times is like a war zone on stage.
And the second is riding birdies (Electric scooters)  across the world with my friend Young, they are the best way to see each city and we both love them, brings joy to our days.

 

Fernando Velasco in danger.
Photo credit: William Balfour, Spectra Experiences. Oshawa 2019.

 

 

 

What is your most important self-care practice while on tour?
 

Finding the time to decompress on my own. It allows me to then bring the best of me for people.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about performing in Canada?
 
I think about how cold it can get, and I hope not to freeze.

I know this sounds like an  exaggeration  but I’m Mexican and I live in LA, I don’t do well with the cold.

[Editor's note:  No worries.  We're not fans of the cold either, and we were born here!]

What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to perform?

 
My favorite part to perform  is when all 5 of us are on stage together sharing the stories of how we got into magic. It allows me to get really personal with the audience and share a beautiful piece of magic.    

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fernando V (@fvmagic)

 

 

 

 

What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to watch?  

 

My favorite part to watch is the finale of the show when my friends Young & Strange go to town with their spectacular Vegas montage. It is a real WOW, full of energy and pyro, also  I just love to scream “VEGAS!!” From the wing.

 

 

 

 

What about the 2022 show would "2012 you" find unbelievable to imagine as your current reality?

 

The collaborative pieces we do together on the show, and the best part is.. they are only getting better and better, also bigger. 

 

 

   

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fernando V (@fvmagic)

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 

Can’t wait to be back in Canada, if you’ve seen us in Canada before the show has changed a lot, it will feel like a brand new show.  I'm sure you guys will really enjoy it.

 

Thank you Fernando, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

 

Catch Champions of Magic in:

• Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1]
• Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and 
• Peterborough [Dec 9]. 
  
  Champions of Magic Canadian tour to start April 2023!

 

A peek behind the curtain with Richard Young [2022]

 

This is the first of a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour shows in Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1], Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and Peterborough [Dec 9].    

Canadian tour to start April 2023! 

 

 

Read our 2019 interview where Richard shares:
 
- touring advice
- his interests outside of magic
- he keep performances fresh
- and his Broadway role of choice!

What is your favourite thing about going on tour with Champions of Magic?

Other than the never ending supply of Bird scooters across North America, it has to be seeing the relentless progress the show makes. It’s never finished and we all keep working and working and working at making it better and better. I think people across Canada will be surprised how much it has changed since we were last there in early 2020.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Young & Strange (@youngandstrange)

 

Richard enjoying a ride on a Bird scooter

 

 

What is your most important self-care practice while on tour?
 

I think we all struggle with this in different ways to be honest. It’s really hard to take care of yourself on the road, although our tour buses and hotels are pretty swanky these days I think we all suffer from sleep deprivation to an extent. The crew which has grown significantly since we were last in Canada work extremely hard making this huge show work every night. We are up to 3 trucks now, last time we were in Canada I think we only had one. 

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about performing in Canada?
 
Poutine!! You still have that right? They didn’t get rid of that during COVID or anything!?

[Editor's note:  Not to fear, poutine's still here!]

What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to perform?

 

I won’t spoil anything too much but since we were last in Canada there’s a new sequence in the show where Young & Strange perform an illusion with Fernando Velasco. We are such great friends off stage and now we are starting to be able to relax with the routine (after many disasters with it in the early days) I think you’ll be able to tell we really enjoy sharing the stage with him for those few moments. 

 

  

 

 

Fernando on stage with Young and Strange

 

 

 

What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to watch?  

 

I’m really enjoying watching our new co-star Hollie England finding her way. She had a really tough job coming into the show when the other 3 acts have been here for so many years and have such established ‘Champions’ suiting acts. She gets better and better every night. 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Young & Strange (@youngandstrange)

 

 

What about the 2022 show would "2012 you" find unbelievable to imagine as your current reality?

 

I think the frequency with which we are able to perform now. The pandemic obviously set us back but we are now by far the worlds busiest ‘touring’ magic show from a schedule on the road perspective with the most dates coming up. When we started it was so hard to get stage time which is the only way you get good, now we are able to tweak and play almost every day.

   

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 

We have some really loyal friends in Canada who come back to see Champions time and time again, we can’t wait to get back there in December and show you all the new things! See you there!

 

Thank you Richard, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

Catch Champions of Magic in:

• Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1]
• Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and 
• Peterborough [Dec 9]. 
  
  Champions of Magic Canadian tour to start April 2023!
  

 

Fredericton: Laugh for Care -- A Night of Magic and Comedy [Nov 18]

From All Events In:

On Friday, November 18th, join us for Laugh for Care: A Night of Magic and Comedy in support of York Care Centre. The event is taking place at the Fredericton Inn. The reception starts at 6pm, with a prime rib dinner served at 7pm. Entertainment will feature magician Bill Peterson and comedian Jimmy MacKinly! Cash bar available.

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

Dundas: Magic Show with Ryan Brown [Nov 12]

From Buncrana:

Magic Show with Ryan Brown
November 12th, 7:30pm start

O.M.G. A magic show??? Yes, please.

Ryan Brown will be performing his magic and illusions show at Buncrana and we couldn’t be more excited! Please join us for a night of magic, followed by KARAOKE FUN!!!

Please come early to grab food and drinks and settle in, as we won’t be serving food during the show (out of respect to our artist).

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

 

Thank you to our November 2022 sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.

This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

• Clive Court - Life Member, Canadian Public Relations Society,
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic,
• Michael Close, author of the new Paradigm Shift ebooks, the Workers series and others,
• Ryan Pilling's "Tips & Tricks for Magicians" newsletter, and
• the "Magicians Talking Magic" podcast!
  

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

 

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Magicians Talking Magic

 

 

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Mission: Barrel "O" Laughs Comedy Show [Nov 10]

From the October 30th Facebook post by Gord Boyes:

Hello friends, comedy fans, magicians and Fraser Valley residents!

HUGE news - a star packed comedy show is coming to Mission on Thursday Nov 10th at 7pm at the Best Western Plus Mission City Lodge!

It stars Wes Barker -  stunt Magician and YouTube sensation, Trevor & Lorena - Comedy Magic Show, and Comedians Gavin Clarkson and Simon King!

ONLY $35 for adults and $15 for kids!

But wait, talk to me about bulk ticket sales. Do you have a group, maybe a business who wants to treat their employees? Get five tickets for $100 if you contact me directly.

Otherwise, tickets can be bought at Abstract Auto & Window Glass Ltd. in Mission or online at:
www.ComedyShowTickets.ca

Please support local live entertainment and come have some fun! ❤️🤪

 

 

 

Top 5 posts in October 2022

There were 25 posts at Canada's Magic this month.  Here are the 5 most viewed posts in the past 30 days: 

5. Thank you to our October 2022 sponsors! - Very grateful for those who choose to support this blog!  Today's the last day to take advantage of 40% off yearly sponsorships!

4. TEN [Oct 29 & 30] - Did you participate?  Was it as awesome as it looked?

3. 2022 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Dawson Award: Lee Asher! - Congratulations Lee!  Thank you for all that you do!

2. Random thoughts about "Mr. Valentine Blows Your Mind!" - TLDR:  MIND BLOWN! Hope to see again!

and the most viewed post this month  ...

1. Fergus: Ontario Week of Wonder (OWOW) Magic Festival [Oct 15 & 22] - A great way to celebrate a spooky month!