Toronto Threads with David Peck [Saturdays]

Listen to Toronto Threads (including David's interview with Julie Eng) at the Toronto Threads website. 

 

From the October 13th Instagram post by Face 2 Face Live:

Exciting News! David Peck is back with a brand new venture: "Toronto Threads!" Tune in to 640 Toronto every Saturday at 10pm for an incredible radio experience that delves into the fascinating people that make up Toronto's diverse and vibrant culture.

 

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A post shared by David Peck (@face2facelive)

 

 

 

 

Orillia and Sarnia: OUTERBRIDGE – Mysteries of the Keyhole House [Oct 27 and 29]

Tickets at Orillia Opera House and Sarnia's Imperial Theatre.

 

From the October 10th Instagram post by Outerbridge Magic:

Looking forward to playing the Orillia Opera House on Friday, October 27!

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From the October 11th Instagram post by Outerbridge Magic:

Outerbridge magic is back at the Imperial Theatre in Sarnia! Many thanks to Paul Morden for this piece in the Sarnia Observer. Don’t miss OUTERBRIDGE – Mysteries of the Keyhole House in Sarnia on Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 pm. 

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AB and BC: Reveen [Oct 19 - 28]

From Reveen's website:

• Oct 19th - Melissas Missteak, Banff, AB
• Oct 21st - Century Casino, Edmonton, AB
• Oct 22nd - The King's Head, Calgary, AB
• Oct 25th - Co-op Mercer Hall, Dawson Creek, BC
• Oct 26th - Vanier Hall, Prince George, BC
• Oct 28 - River Rock Casino, Richmond, BC

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

Checking in with Ben Train and The Art of Magic [Oct 21]

This morning we let you know about the upcoming The Art of Magic show presented by The Toronto Magic Company.  

If you've never been to one of these shows, they're a very unique experience.  Ben Train was kind enough to answer some questions we had about The Toronto Magic Company, and The Art of Magic.

 

Ben Train

What is the Toronto Magic Company (TMC)?

In 2016 I partnered up with my best friend Jonah Babins to produce magic shows across the GTA. Specifically, we wanted to produce GOOD magic shows - the kind of shows we’d be excited to see.

Since then we’ve produced more than 200 shows a year, worked with hundreds of amazing magicians from around the world, and entertained thousands of people.

 

Who are the players in TMC?

There’s myself, Ben Train, and my good buddy Jonah Babins. We’re the two co-founders. We also have an amazing team working behind the scenes; video editors and photographers, our incredible magicians and volunteers, and of course - our audiences!

Ben and Jonah Babins on an adventure.

 

 

What is The Art of Magic?

Magicians have been talking about magic being an art form for hundreds of years. So in 2018 Jonah and I had an idea. What if we produced an event that wasn’t just a show, but rather a “gallery” of magic art?

And that’s what we did! We filled a gallery with magic-themed art (posters, props, and interactive exhibits), invited some of our favourite close-up magicians to walk around the space performing, and finished the whole experience off with a stage magic show filled with mind-reading and illusions.

 

Admiring the art at
The Art of Magic

 

How does The Art of Magic differ from the Toronto Magic Company's other offerings? 

All of our shows have different concepts, because we want to appeal to different audiences and we want to explore different ways of presenting magic.

What most of our shows have in common though is that they follow a pretty traditional show format: you arrive at the venue, sit in your seat, watch a show, and then go home. (I promise the shows are waaay more fun than that description makes them sound!)

What makes The Art of Magic different is that it’s not just a show, but rather an interactive exhibit that lets you explore magic in different ways (including actively being part of the experience in ways you simply couldn’t do with a typical show).

Oh… and on top of all that you ALSO get an amazing show!

 

Jonah entertaining at The Art of Magic

 

 

How was the recent September show (the 30th Art of Magic show) different from the very first The Art of Magic show?

The first Art of Magic, back in 2018, was very different. We were in a different location, which meant different limitations (and advantages), we didn’t have access to enough magic-themed art, and we were relying more on out-of-town talent.

When the pandemic temporarily shut us down we used our time to retool everything.

We found a better venue (two floors which allowed us to have different experiences happening at the same time), we got WAAAY more magic-related art pieces (Several dozen and counting), and watched as the talent in Toronto developed to a point where we no longer needed to bring in outside help (though we still bring in performers from all over the world - because we love featuring the best magicians on the planet!).

The concept is ALWAYS something we’re tweaking with, because we’re always trying to make it better. Speaking of which, if anyone reading this has been to one of our shows and has ideas for how we can improve… please message me! ( ben at TorontoMagicCompany dot com)

Ben entertaining at The Art of Magic

 

What have you learned from producing 30 of these shows?

That there are waaaaay easier ways to make money lol.

Also, I’ve learnt that sometimes the things that excite ME (or passionate magic lovers like me) aren't necessarily what excites the general public. So as we test and try new things we pay special attention to which exhibits resonate with people and WHY, so we can make all our future events better.

 

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers about The Art of Magic?

Yah. Buy some tickets and come on out!

If you’re a magic fan, this is a must-attend. I truly believe that.

And if you’re not yet a magic fan but you are a fan of fun nights… come on out and we’ll convert you. ;)

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

 

 

You have two chances to catch The Art of Magic on Saturday October 21st.  The show features:  Jeff Hinchliffe, Harry Zimmerman, Jonah Babins, and James Alan.  (Ben Train will be appearing in the second show.)   Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

Learn more about The Toronto Magic Company and follow them on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

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Toronto: The Art of Magic [Oct 21]

From Eventbrite:

Toronto has spoken! After more than 30 straight sold out shows,The Art of Magic is BACK! This time with full night of magic plus an interactive EXHIBIT

The Art of Magic is way more than just a show. It’s an entire evening filled with beautiful magic inspired art, and interactive magical exhibit and most importantly a secret magic show that you have to see to believe!

The Gallery
The fun begins at 6pm OR 8pm -  inside the Super Wonder Gallery. Enjoy delicious drinks while you interact with our magical art.

We don't want to give away all our secrets but you'll get to enjoy:

100+ year old magic props, world famous magic posters, and paintings and physical illusions that you get to BE IN! (You read that right!)

The Close-up Magic
During the gallery, while you're drinking, relaxing and enjoying the night - our magicians are working! 5 Magicians will be wandering around the event doing close-up magic that happens IN YOUR HANDS!

This is a chance for you to not only experience magic, but to experience a lot of it, right at your finger tips!

The Secret Show
At one magical moment during the night you are whisked away to a private SECRET show . This is a private show, for a small selection of the audience where you get to interact up close and personal with the magic. It's intimate, impossible, and this is magic of the highest level the way it was meant to be experienced: up close and personal. Seating for this secret experience is extremely limited and is included with your ticket to the Art of Magic show!

In order to ensure every seat in the house is a good one, only 50 tickets are available each show for this intimate theatre experience. Make sure you order yours before they disappear forever!

Oh! And did we mention that each ticket comes with a drink 🍸 😘

Read more and buy tickets.

 

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San Diego: Shawn Farquhar at PCAM [Nov 9 -12]

From the August 31st Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

Hey magicians, I am performing and lecturing at three magic events in the coming months. The TRIC's convention is SOLD OUT and the Retreat to Egypt is SOLD OUT.
This means if you haven't registered to either of those, and want to come hang out with me at a magic convention, where I am performing and teaching, you need to register for the PCAM in San Diego.  www.PCAMMAGIC.com

PCAM is my absolute favourite magic gathering. In 1995, when I produced the convention in Reno, Nevada I named it "The Biggest Little Convention", and it still holds true today.

 

The sold out Egypt retreat:

 

 

Chicago: Shawn Farquhar lecture [Nov 6]

From the September 29th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

CHICAGO friends...
CHANGE OF PLANS DUE TO HIGH DEMAND

The local SAM Assembly #3 has graciously agreed to host my lecture at Magic Inc.  This means the price of admission is significantly less and more people can attend. 

You must RSVP in advance and that can be done by visiting this link:
https://www.magicalchicago.com/news