Random thoughts about "An Evening of Magic Shop Memories"

Last Saturday, Jeff Pinsky hosted "An Evening of Magic Shop Memories" at The Browser's Den of Magic.

It was a lovely way to spend an evening!

We heard stories from: 

• Mike Segal
• Greg Hobor
• Richard Lyn
• Nicole Lee
  
• Dick Joiner
• Mike King
  
• David Sutherland
• Gordon Precious -- who, as an added bonus performed 2 effects for us!
• Colin Geddes
• David Peck
• Jeff Hinchliffe,
• Sammy Jakubowicz, and
• our host Jeff Pinsky
  

Stories told included Magic Masters, Daytona Magic, Macy's, The Arcade, The Den (on Bloor across from Varsity Arena, above Yuk Yuk's, Bathurst and Eglinton, and now!), Morrissey's (Montreal and Toronto) and even Marie & Jack Hughes living room in London, England!  They also included names like Sophie Smith, Len & Bernice Cooper, Herb & Dan Morrissey, Henry Gordon, Jay Sankey, Gary Kurtz, David Ben, Mark Lewis, David Mitchell, Danny Tsukalis, Steve Martin, Jim Carey, Keanu Reeves, and more!

 

Did you know that:

• Bernice Cooper often baby sat a Toronto magician's son at the store?
• Dick Joiner first saw Mark Lewis in England?
• David Copperfield once ended his grand illusion show in Toronto with "What's Next?" 
• Keanu Reeves used to hang out at The Browser's Den of Magic?
• There used to be a Canadian 25 cent bill!
  

 

Thank you older Jeff, for conceiving and hosting this wonderful evening of sharing!

From the January 14th Facebook post by Greg Hobor at The Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short survey to help transform the Canadian Association of Magicians

We've heard from the CAM board that they also want to hear from Canadian magicians who aren't currently CAM members.  (Of course, they want to hear from CAM members too.)

Take the survey here:  https://www.cammagic.org/post/cam-survery-2024

 

From the January 13th Facebook post by Ryan Joyce:

 

 

 

 

Toronto: David Merry and Alan Frew [Feb 17]

Ticket at Ticketmaster. 

From the December 28th Facebook post by David Merry:

Looking forward to sharing the stage with my pal Alan Frew Saturday Feb 17th at the Opera House. One of the best voices ever and legendary lead singer from Glass Tiger and recent addition to Canada's Walk of Fame.

 

 

 

 

ICYMI: Magic Ben sur La France A Un Incroyable Talent

In addition to Eric Leclerc and the Montreal Trio (Marc Trudel, Yannick Lacroix, and Michel Hout), Magic Ben also spent some time on France's Got Talent last season!  

  

Watch his audition on the November 15th upload "♠️ Magic Ben Brings Magic On Stage, Young but Bold he does an amazing performance 🃏" at the France's Got Talent YouTube channel:

 

 

 

 

Watch his quarter final perfomrance on the December 6th upload "Magic is in the Air with Magic Ben - The public go crazy in France's Got Talent - Quarter Finals" at the France's Got Talent YouTube channel:

 

 

 

 

Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto: SMOKUS POCUS with Eric Leclerc

Tickets at SmokusPocus.ca.

 

From the January 5th Instagram post by Eric Leclerc:

And we’re BACK after a year of sold out shows! Let’s replicate this again for 2024 babyyyy! If you’re in one of these cities and haven’t seen the show yet, I’m about to take it personal! See y’all on stage!

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eric Leclerc (@magic4yourbrain)

 

 

 

 

 

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! 

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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.