Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Clearview

On March 10th we shared with you that this season of Canada's Got Talent boasts nine Canadian magic acts. 

We are delighted to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of the acts.  Kicking off the series is Mark Clearview!
 

You may already know that Mark:

• Set a world record  
  [Longest Amount of Time Wearing a Straitjacket, World Record - 2014],
• Moved to New York City and has has own monthly show Magic, Unlocked, 
• Has performed all over the world,
• Cruise Ship Magician on Virgin Voyages,
• Appeared on Penn and Teller: Fool Us  
• Wrote a book about his world record, Two Weeks Strait - How to Succeed When Your Hands are Tied,
• Is a regular performer at The Magic Castle,
• Has headlined 3 times at The Chicago Magic Lounge, and
• His show DEATH · MAGIC · CHAOS: The Theater Show has a limited run at the House of Yes starting later this month.
  

We're delighted that Mark made time to answer our questions ahead of his appearance tomorrow on the premiere of the 2024 season of Canada's Got Talent!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Andy Kaufman. Most car salesmen. It's gotta be hard to sell cars.

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

I had the Wacky Wizard at my third birthday party. I don't remember it but I'm sure he was great. 4th birthday I had Mr. Oh (Owen Anderson) and I remember that a bit more. I've been doing magic since three, so longer than I can recall to memory. But many trips to Browser's Den Magic shop are cemented in my mind! Thanks Jeffs!
 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

At large? Penn & Teller, Mac King, Tom Mullica, The Amazing Jonathan. In my immediate community? Scott Hammell, Nick Wallace, Paige Thompson, my dad.
 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Oh plenty! The book "Magic and Showmanship" changed some things for me. Derren Brown's "Notes from a Fellow Traveler" did a lot for my onstage persona. The aforementioned Browser's Den. Sorcerers Safari Magic camp. Couldn't of done anything without my mentor Scott Hammell. My father built my props. My mother supported me. She still does! She's actually typing this out for me. No don't write that. Stop it.

📸 : CGT

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
One time in 2020 the world ended for two long years. Before that I was a kid who was cranky and tired of it. Why didn't I quit? I can't. I've tried! This is an affliction and part of my chemical makeup. It's impossible to stop. Magic is all I know.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 

I eat an entire bag of Funions.

 

Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 

Because I wasn't on last season.

 

 

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

If you give up, or stop following your dreams, I will find you and I will make you suffer.

 

 

Thank you Mark for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!

Learn more about Mark at his website MarkClearview.com and follow him on Instagram and YouTube.

 

 

Canada's Got Talent premieres March 19th on CityTV.

 

Watch a sneak peek here:  

 

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London: OEV Palace of Wonders [Mar 22 & Apr 19]

From the Palace Theatre website:

Presented by the Old East Village BIA, Palace Theatre Arts Commons and The London Magicians’ Guild
OEV PALACE OF WONDERS!
The London Magicians’ Guild 2024 Spring Cabaret Series

Experience three mesmerizing shows of adult-contemporary magic at our OEV PALACE OF WONDERS events! Each salon will feature a different lineup of talented local performers from the London Magicians’ Guild, resulting in a captivating blend of unique styles and mind-bending illusions. No two shows will be alike!


Prepare to be astounded as both professional magicians, and highly-skilled magic enthusiasts, showcase their awe-inspiring tricks and illusions, taking you on a wondrous journey into the realm of sophisticated, adult-contemporary magic.

Three evenings of wonder and enchantment that will leave you spellbound! Our first two performance dates will be close-up and personal, in the intimate surroundings of Procunier Hall, with our larger finale, “Le Grand Spectacle”, taking place on the Palace Main Stage, wrapped in the nostalgic surroundings of our period 1923 movie house.

Don't miss out on the extraordinary, OEV PALACE OF WONDERS! 

Presented by the Old East Village BIA, The Palace Theatre Arts Commons, and The London Magicians’ Guild.
 
Feb 16, 2024
FEATURING: STEVE OZ, ANDREW OLMSTEAD, LEONARDO MARTINS, KEITH O’BRIEN

Mar 22, 2024
FEATURING: ANDREW OLMSTEAD, MARK THE REMARKABLE, CAPTAIN CORBIN, RYAN JOYCE, PETER MENNIE: THAT MAGIC GUY

April 19, 2024
FEATURING: AMAZING CORBIN, SCOTT THE MAGICAL GUY, DAD MAGIC, MARK STRANGE, BYRON BERRY

Read more and buy tickets.

From the January 24th Facebook post by Scott Hood:

Looking forward to performing on this bill with such talented magicians.

 

 

 

 

 

Nanaimo: Jason Verners and Chris Yuill at the Port Theatre [Apr 12]

Tickets at Port Theatre.

 

From the January 23rd Facebook post by Chris Yuill:

Hey Vancouver Island friends, this event is coming to the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on April 12th.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our personal sponsors for March 2024!

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, Loran, Peter Mennie, George Blott, Noah Nogueira, Aaron Matthews, Colin Geddes, Cam Dix, Ian Batterbury, and Eric Bedard 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

 

 

 

Ben Proudfoot wins Oscar for Best Short Documentary

Congratulations Ben!

 

From the March 11th article "Canadian Ben Proudfoot wins Oscar for best short doc" in CBC News:

Halifax's Ben Proudfoot won his second career Academy Award on Sunday for co-directing the documentary short The Last Repair Shop, about volunteers who fix school-issued instruments in L.A. He hopes the win will 'help the millions of young people ... who just want to play music.'

Read more and watch video.

 

From the March 10th Instagram post by Ben Proudfoot:

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Niagara Falls: Mike D'Urzo's Mega Magic [Mar 9 - 16]

From the February 25th Instagram post by Mike D'Urzo:

A different perspective of Niagara Falls from the US side. I'm excited to announce that Mega Magic makes its return to the Falls from March 9-16 with 2 shows nightly at 6:30 & 9:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel! 

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A post shared by Mike Durzo (@mikedurzo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Browser's Bash 2024: tickets on sale now!

Browser's Bash 2024 tickets on sale now!  

Register at the Browser's Den of Magic

 

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