Murray the Magician: Itz Gone, Live From Las Vegas

Watch Murray the Magician: Itz Gone, Live From Las Vegas on Tubi.

 

From the December 9th Instagram post by Murray SawChuck:

You can stream my 1-hour comedy special on Tubi right now! Hope you have a few laughs!

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Murray SawChuck (@murraysawchuck)

 

 

 

Congratulations to Colin Geddes, executive producer on Mad God!

MAD GOD is Academy Awards eligible!!! 

 

From the December 7th Facebook post at Canada's Magic:

Congratulations Colin Geddes executive producer on Mad God!

Colin is also 1st VP at the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club in addition to being the founder and producer at Ultra 8 Pictures.

 

 

 

 

Vote now for the 2022 Readers' Choice Award

 

In the spirit of the awards,

recognizing those that help and inspire others within the magic community,

we encourage you to read about all of the nominees.

Nominations are closed and voting is now open for the seventh annual 2022 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!

Take a moment to acknowledge that this has been another extraordinary year.  No matter your situation, give yourself a pat on the back.  You've made it this far.  To paraphrase Tom Brady, you didn't come this far to only come this far.  You've got this!
(Also, stay home if you're feeling sick.  -- Mom)


Congratulations to everyone for inspiring someone enough for them to submit your name!  (I'm always tempted at this point, to declare all of the nominees as winners and not bother with the voting part. However, a vote was promised and a vote there shall be.)

Voting will close on Friday, December the 23rd at 11:59pm EST.  Votes submitted after this time will not be counted.  One vote per person. 

To vote, scroll down to the bottom of this post and participate in the poll. (Click through the Google Forms link if the poll does not appear in your browser.)

Let's have a look at the nominees (listed in alphabetical order by surname):

Scott Baird

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For his success with The Hermit Magic Magazine."

 
Website:  HermitMagic.com

Dave Curran

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"I hate voting against myself… but I’m going with Dave Curran! Jokers is an incredible new addition to the Canadian magic scene!"


Website:  Jokers.ca, DaveCurranLive.com

Ryan Edwards

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For changing the way people see mentalism in Canada. Putting on a variety of shows rather than one standard and really showcasing magic in a great light."


Website:  Mentalism.ca

Shawn Farquhar
Nominated by by Anonymous who wrote:
"There is no finer example of Canada’s most inspirational magician than our very own Canadian legend Shawn Farquhar.

"This two-time world champion continues to be one of North America’s most dedicated and generous magicians today, singlehandedly responsible for countless new magicians every year through his work as Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, "Shawn has been instrumental in creating entire new Rings and magic clubs around the world - inspired by his radiant love of magic and genuine desire to help others achieve greatness.

"Furthermore, through the Covid pandemic Shawn built his hit show “Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience” creating employment opportunities and support for his young magician hosts, and bringing world class magic to the community when families were ready to remember what live entertainment could and should really be. Now in its 2nd year at its hidden speakeasy location, these sold out shows having generated a buzz throughout the Vancouver area, bringing it to the top 10% of TripAdvisor experiences and among the most distinguished tourism activities in the province. When magic succeeds, so do we all.

"To all those who know him, Shawn is an ever-burning light of inspiration. Our magic communities, artistic achievements, and mental health are elevated by Shawn’s inspiring creativity and philanthropy. If you have ever had the joy of talking magic with Shawn, it is likely he already has your vote. It is impossible to miss his trademark energy and passion for the magical life that makes him one of the finest ambassadors of magic Canada could hope for."


Website:  MagiChampion.com, HiddenWonders.show

 
Colin Geddes
Nominated by L7W who wrote:
"To have the ability to inspire others is an incredible gift. I nominate Colin Geddes as the inspirational magician of the year. Magic shows others that the impossible can be real; the challenge can be overcome.

"Magic is meant to be inspirational, unlock challenges and make the problematic disappear. It's rare to find a magician willing to zoom out, remove their ego and give themselves to others out of passion and dedication."

"Colin is a magician who embraces those in the spotlight, educates the willing and uplifts the magicians who might have lost their way. As an observer of the Canadian magic industry, you cannot find a more authentic and passionate magician than Colin."


Websites:  Ultra8.ca, learn more about Colin in his brief bio at Canada's Magic.

Chris Gowen

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For his monthly public shows at the Rec Room."


Website:  ChrisGowen.ca

Ryan Michael

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"Because he kicked some major butt at PCAM - stage magician AND mentalist of the year!"

 
Websites:  RyanMichaelMagic.com

 

Kelvin Ng
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote.
"For his incredible dedication and openness to learn, progress and drive himself every day. Great magician, even better friend."


Website:  KelModernMagic.com

 

 

Ryan Pilling

Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For continuously creating quality magic and tricks. Giving out more golden magic tips and asking nothing in return."


Websites:  MagicTipsAndTricks.com, WowRyan.com, learn more about Ryan in his brief bio at Canada's Magic.

Jason Verners
Nominated by by Anonymous who wrote:
"For his monthly appearances on local news and his sold out run of shows with Ecologist."


Website:  JasonVerners.com

 

Trevor and Lorena Watters
Nominated by Anonymous who wrote:
"For their sense of humuor, but seriousness in the art and making the best of every situation. True performers."


Website:  TrevorAndLorenaShow.com

 

 

Vote now!

In an effort to combat bots and spam, you are required to sign into a Google account before voting.  Your vote will not be shared.  Your email address will not be used for marketing.
 
(Click through the Google Forms link if the poll does not appear in your browser.)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our personal sponsors for December 2022!

A quick reminder of our earlier Mail as Medicine request for Katie Hunt.  If you have the time, Katie and Doug would both benefit from hearing from their friends!

 --

Thank you to John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, Ian Crawford, Matt DiSero, Doug Hunt, John Smithman, Robin Dawes, Eric Bedard, Loran, Peter Mennie, Graeme Reed, Gwyn Auger, Chris Gowen, Cam Dix, Jokers, George Blott, and Noah Nogueira for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.

You too can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.

or

 

 

Edmonton: Keith Brown and friends (such as Jay Flair!) [Dec 9]

From the November 29th Facebook post by Edmonton Fringe Theatre:

“Fringe provided a support system of other artists who mentored me. It was invaluable to me. I just want to pay it forward. I like to bring other artists with me because other artists brought me with them. That’s what I want to do with this show.”  - Keith Brown, Fringe Artist

Don’t wait til next summer. Get your fill of Fringe magic now! Snag your tickets to Keith Brown & Friends, December 9 at 8PM in The Backstage Theatre.

Hosted by magician Keith Brown, this variety show features an electric lineup of local talent: musician Jay Gilday, magician Jay Flair, theatre creator Dayna Hoffmann and Max Hanic.

Buy tickets now: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/event/601:4499/601:30097/
Photo by Avan Patel.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our December 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!

 

MagicTipsAndTricks.com

Magicians Talking Magic

 

 

For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.

or 

 

 

 

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 2022

Last chance to catch Champions of Magic in Canada this year is in Peterborough on December 9th.

 

On Saturday Kidlet, and I made the trek to Kitchener's Circle In The Square.  

• The last time I was at CITS was for one of the very first conventions hosted by the Canadian Association of Magicians.
• All of the theatre staff were super helpful, professional, and generally fabulous! 
• While not mandatory, a good number of the patrons and ushers were masked.
  
• The show is about an hour for the first half, with a 16 minute intermission, and about an hour in the second half.
• As always with this show I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.  The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it.

 

Champions of Magic, a family-friendly world-class magic show, is coming to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Dec. 9. https://t.co/ITeKqW0BKs

— Ptbo This Week (@PtboThisWeek) November 24, 2022

 

 

We teased a few years back about a Champions of Magic Concert Album.  The show has matured to the point where it has a wonderful toe tapping soundtrack!  Going back to the 1930s with "Sing, Sing, Sing," to the 1960s with "The Girl from Ipanema," to the 1970s with "Live and Let Die" and of course the 80's hits transporting you back to 1989  Las Vegas!

On with the show...

Note to parents of young children:  The music can be very loud at times throughout the show.  There's also a smoke machine involved.  Forewarned is forearmed.

There's a videographer on hand to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so everyone can see!

 

 

Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our summary of the show:

So. Much. Fun!

It's possible that between one half to two thirds of this show is new compared with their 2019 presentation.

• With every passing year, the cast are more authentic and the show feels more organic.  Which translates to a demonstrable increase in entertainment value!
  
  
• Hollie England, Alex McAleer, Fernando Velasco, Richard Young and Sam Strange all do what they do very well! 
  
  

If memory serves, there are no standard card tricks in the show!

• As Strange, Velasco, and Young all indicated in their interviews, this show is very different from the one presented in Oshawa in 2019, and significantly different than the one mounted in Toronto in 2018.
   
  
• There are more whole cast moments, making the show less of a patchwork piece and more of a thoughtfully woven production.
  
  
• There's LOTS audience participation with both children and adults!
  
  
• Visually stunning!
  
  

Whether you're new to magic or are a professional magician, there's something for everyone!

• McAleer's material has undergone a significant change and he's introduced two new very strong pieces.  The first, a very visual effect with a young mentalist in training.  And the second a beautifully constructed homage to Keller.
  
  
• England is net new to the show from it's 2019 iteration.  She showcases a strong skill set and talent that is intensely theatrical!  (I'll never look at a cup of tea the same way again.)
   
  
• For those who have seen the show already, not to worry!  The cornerstone crowd-pleasers are still in the show, tweaked and refined!
  
  
• Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella dazzled from above.
  
  
• Velasco succeeds in breathtaking, heart-stopping escapes and then some.  Even though I've seen him do many of these things before, everything he does makes me nervous!
  
  
• Young and Strange have carefully pruned their wonderful grand illusions and introduced some new things in their place.  Even after having seen them perform a similar set twice before, Young and Strange are remarkably entertaining to watch.  One can't help but get caught up in the fun they are having on stage!  They've introduced a collaborative piece with Velasco that has a very strong audience reaction.
  

While excellent magic is at the core of this experience, it's clear that the focus is providing a fabulously entertaining evening.

They definitely hit their mark!

• This was the third time seeing the show and we were thoroughly entertained!  There are so many moments of joyous laughter, and periods of being completely enthralled in the spectacle.
  
  
• It is clear that the acts and the scripts are a work in progress and continue to be thoughtfully curated, updated, and revised.  It gets better every time!
    

We highly recommend it!
(Even if you've seen it before.)

 

@ChampionsMagic are here Friday December 9. Grab your tickets now to witness the most breathtaking and unforgettable tricks you’ll see this year! https://t.co/dbF6Cn2Wek pic.twitter.com/KB5ynxstHr

— Peterborough Memorial Centre (@PtboMemCentre) November 30, 2022

 

 

Disclosure:  Kidlet and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.