Thank you to our January 2024 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 Joyce's "Magician Masterclass" and the "OWOW Magic Festival,"
• Toronto's IBM Ring 17, the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, and
• The Hermit Magazine by Scott Baird!
  

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

 

Magician Masterclass

OWOW Magic Festival 

 

 

 

Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club 

 

 

 

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.

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Lee Asher asks: Who was the first magician in Canada?

Lee shares his fascinating findings after exhaustively researching the question:  "Who was the first magician in Canada?"

 

From the article "Who was the first magician in Canada?" at Lee Asher's blog: 

It’s important to note that exploring this inquiry took me on an unexpected historical journey, revealing a crucial and overlooked detail. The magical practices of Indigenous shamans and medicine people, the original enchanters on Canadian soil, deserve credit and acknowledgement as the first magicians. A dedicated exploration of this topic in a future article is warranted. Yet, in this article's context, I emphasize the archetype of a Western-style conjuror, as initially envisioned.

Acknowledging that present-day Canada likely did not exist during this specific period, our focus adjusts to what was known as Upper and Lower Canada in the era of British North America.

Please allow me to introduce you to a handful of colonial conjurers without further ado.

Read more.

 

 

 

 

Penn and Teller Fool Us is casting for for Season 11

From the January 6th Facebook post by Lincoln Hiatt via Michael Close:

Big Announcement! Fool Us Season 11 casting kickoff in London January 12-14 at The Session! The Session is a top tier  convention run by Vanishing Inc. Or if you like, send your tricks to fooluscasting@gmail.com! You can also come see us at Magifest at the end of January in Ohio!

 

 

 

Rounding the Western rings in January 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- N/A.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- N/A.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)	- N/A.
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Jeffrey Wang online lecture.
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- Jeffrey Wang online lecture.
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Annual dinner awards show.

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in January 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

 

Also of note:

• Rico Weeland lecture in Montreal
  - details at https://montrealmagicjam.com/events/weeland/
  
  
• An Evening of Magic Shop Memories
  - at The Browser's Den of Magic
  

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- N/A.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- N/A.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON	Hamilton Burlington Magic Society	- N/A.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Classics.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (KW Magic Society)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- N/A.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- N/A
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Social meet-up with Mikey V. - Gerry Frenette lecture.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in January 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A.

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Broken wand: John McLachlan

We were just informed of the recent passing of former Reverend, psychologist, and magician, John McLachlan.

We will update this post as more information becomes available. 

Our sincere condolences to John's family and friends at this difficult time. 

 

From the January 6th Facebook post by Matt DiSero:

Heartbroken to hear we lost John McLachlan. I haven’t seen him since I lived in the annex area of Toronto, when I’d often go over to his condo for his magic meetings and drinks. So kind and generous. When I was in grade 9 doing magic I didn’t really hang with any magicians save for Dennis Rosso here in Brampton. I’d managed to get a gig at Ruben and Wongs and John came in one night and seemed to take an interest in what I was doing with the magic. He’d often invite me to Brampton hospital where he worked as a psychologist and he’d show me old magic effects and tell me stories of the 4F magic convention, where the best magicians gathered, all tbat in his cool office in the hospital. He regularly lent me books and props and he was a real influence early on. Always supportive and seemed especially happy when I decided to do magic full time. John was one of the good guys, the best of the older crew that always liked to help out, and help me.   

Man, I greatly lament not seeing him more often of recent times. A failing on my part. A reminder that we all should stay in touch with people, especially as they get older.
RIP John, and thank you for all the help and encouragement along the way, early on, when it was needed most.