Browser's Bash: Getting to know Jeff Hinchliffe

  

The 2024 Browser's Bash is on Saturday, July 13, 2024!

We are pleased to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of this year's performers.  Next in the series is Jeff Hinchliffe!

 
 

You may already know that Jeff:

• Was the inaugural recipient of the Len Cooper Memorial Award in 2003, 
• Was featured in the film A Series of Unfortunate Effects (Mayhew & Train), 
• Was a counsellor and also staff at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp,
  
• Works at the Browser's Den of Magic where he is sometimes referred to by the moniker "Young Jeff," and
• Was the subject of the very first post at this blog!
  

We're delighted that Jeff made time to answer our questions ahead of this year's Bash!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
I find inspiration more in ideas than in people. So I'll read philosophy, science, art, history and look for inspiration there.

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

My first memory of magic is my dad dressing up as a magician for my 5th or 6th birthday party, and trying to perform a bunch of tricks from a magic set. I distinctly remember one kid heckling my dad quite well.
 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

Honestly, not one person in particular. But when I see young magicians starting to really develop their magic, and when I see younger guys that are making a go of it, performing public shows, it helps rekindle that early passion and love.
 

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

I bought a Svengali deck from the booth that Browser's used to operate at Wonderland in 1996. I got my wooden nickel for a free trick from the shop at Bathurst & Eglinton. I took in my nickel, got my free trick, and my life was changed forever.

'Young' Jeff

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
I didn't just get discouraged, I did quit magic for 5 years. I came back in 2017. What encouraged me to come back was living in the real world for 5 years lol.

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

I personally do not have any pre-show rituals.

 

 

What are you most looking forward to about participating in the 2024 Browser's Bash?
 

Being on the stage and performing again (my last performance on the Bash stage was at the 1st Browser's Bash).

 

  Do you have a favourite Browser's Bash memory?  

My favourite memory is when Michael Ammar and Eugene Burger told us that the Bash was unlike any other convention they had attended. They could feel the difference in the room.  

 

 

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

Get ready, the next few weeks are gonna fly by!

 

 

Thank you Jeff for making the time to answer our questions!  We look forward to seeing you at this year's Bash!

Follow Jeff Hinchliffe on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Visit the Browser's Den of Magic website to buy your ticket and learn more about this year's Bash!  See you on Saturday, July 13, 2024!

 

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Top 5 posts in May 2024

There were 28 posts at Canada's Magic this month.  Here are the five most viewed posts in the past 30 days:   

5. Montreal: Bao Hoang at the Time Out Market [May 24] - Did you go?  It looked like great fun on Bao's socials!

4. Chris Ramsay's short film "The Paradox of Plenty" - So true.  Well done Chris!

3. Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Lewis - Just who is Mark Lewis?  Inquiring minds want to know!

2. Random thoughts about "Alex McAleer - Mind Reader" - Always an absolute treat to watch Alex in action!

 

 

 

and the most viewed posts this month  ...

1.  Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Clearview - Congratulations Mark, on your top 4 finish!

 

 

 

 

Edmonton: Magic Mania! [Jun 21]

From the May 27th Facebook post by Jordan Sabo:

Edmonton Magic Club presents:
MAGIC MANIA!

Watch Edmonton’s BEST magicians perform their favourite tricks.

Spend an evening with the Edmonton Magic Club’s esteemed members, armed with their latest illusions. These performers present their one-of-a-kind personalities to provide a family-friendly night of entertainment.

Open to all curiosity-seekers, four times a year at the Grindstone Theatre.

Grindstone Theatre, 10019 81 Ave NW
June 21st, 2024

This edition of Magic Mania features the talents of:

• Gary Charm – Mystical manipulations to fill your mind with awe
• Nathanael Berg – A comedy and magic wunderkind, hold on to your sides!
• Rob Dante – Sideshow and Mentalist, sure to grip you to the edge of your seat

Hosted by Jordan Sabo, local actor and acting Treasurer to your magic club.

The countdown has begun. So stay tuned!

Online ticket information will be available soon at www.GrindstoneTheatre.ca

 

 

 

 

 

Browser's Bash: Getting to know Peter Mennie

  

On March 9th we let you know that tickets went on sale for the 2024 Browser's Bash!

We are pleased to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of this year's performers.  Kicking off the series is Peter Mennie!
 

You may already know that Peter:

• Is an active member of the London Magician's Guild (IBM Ring 265) and he is on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of Magicians.
  

We're delighted that Peter made time to answer our questions ahead of this year's Bash!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
My high school drama teacher.

 

What is your first memory of magic? 

I was 6 or 7 and I saw a magician perform at my Cub Scout Father & Son evening.
 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

Anyone who has been able to achieve their definition of success in this business of show.
 

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

I started getting serious about magic at the same time as Doug Henning became famous. After seeing The Magic Show on Broadway, my fate was solidified. Of course, Browser's and Morrissey's did a lot to inspire me as well.

Peter Mennie -- That Magic Guy

Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
There is always another audience. There is always another opportunity. So no, not enough to quit.

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

Not really, although I’m so OCD that the show is set up in my case before I leave for the gig and I have back-ups for my back-ups. My portion of the Bash show has been setup. ready to go since April.

 

What are you most looking forward to about participating in the 2024 Browser's Bash?
 

The opportunity to work alongside career-long friends.

 

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

There are lots of things I’d like to share with your readers, but they’ll have to ask. Just be prepared that you might not like the answer!

 

 

Thank you Peter for making the time to answer our questions!  We look forward to seeing you at this year's Bash!

Learn more about Peter at his website PeterMennie.ca and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Visit the Browser's Den of Magic website to buy your ticket and learn more about this year's Bash!  See you on Saturday, July 13, 2024!

 

 

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Dean Gunnarson's film "Escape" nominated for Best Short film at CBFF2024 Awards Gala

From the May 20th Facebook post by Dean Gunnarson:

I'm truly grateful. Our film Escape has been nominated for Best Short film at CBFF2024 Awards Gala in Wales! Over 800 films were submitted. It is an honor just to get admitted, yet alone Nominated. WOW.

Congratulations to director Michelle Boulet, DOP Sarah Constible, producer Lisa Nelson Fries, all the cast and crew extraordinaire. And screenwriter  Carolyn Gray for believing in this magical adventure over a decade ago when I first shared it with you over many many coffee tales. Thank you  #cinematoba program with thanks to #nsi and #thewinnipegfoundation #CBFF2024

My Grandma Chivers was born and raised from very humble beginnings, just a few miles from where Escape will be shown. She was always my biggest supporter. I hope I make her proud ❤️

My friend Phil continues to wave his Magic Wand.... ❤️

 

 

 

Quebec: Marc Trudel at the Quebec Summer Festival [Jul 6]

From the May 15th Facebook post by the Festival d'été de Québec:

La programmation gratuite de la Série Jeunesse présentée par La Famille du lait est maintenant dévoilée, pour le plus grand bonheur de toute la famille! 🤭
Lors des deux week-ends du FEQ, voyez sur la Scène Hydro-Québec à place de l’Assemblée-Nationale :
☀️ 6 juillet: Marc Trudel
☀️ 7 juillet: Bill Bestiole
☀️ 13 juillet: Kalimba
☀️ 14 juillet : Le Livre Magique
Animation sur place dès 10h.  
Pour tous les détails 👉  https://bit.ly/SerieJeunesse

[Guest post] An Irregular Series of Original Patter - Dicey Dots

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--  

NEW SCRIPTS FOR DEALER ITEMS:
An Irregular Series of Original Patter

TODAY: DARYL’S DICEY DOTS
A SCRIPT FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART OF ALL AGES

BY THE MAGIC DEMON
Exclusive to Canada’s Magic


Daryl’s Dicey Dots is an entertaining close up trick but the concept of dice might seem more suitable for adults than children.

My scripting solves that dilemma! (It’s also a fun presentation for the young at heart of all ages.)

—————

“Once upon a time, there was an awesome Princess/Prince [name of young spectator here].

She loved collecting things. It was her passion.

One day when she was seven years old (in the distant past/in the not too distant future) she collected some dots.

She loved her dots.

But how could she ever keep them safe?

She asked her Grand Old Wizard for help. He conjured up a magical cube and placed her dots on it.

SHOW DIE

This is the origin of the die - which is what you call a single dice. Did you know that?

The Princess was so happy. Every morning and every night she counted her dots.

Can you count them too?

SHE DOES

That’s right. There are 21 in all. But let me show you a curious thing.

TAKE BACK DIE

If you look closely, you’ll see each pair of opposite numbers added together makes seven. Six plus one, two plus five, three plus four and so on, Isn’t that interesting? That’s because the Princess was seven when she collected her dots.

Now take them back and hold them [the die] ever so tight. Don’t let go until I say so. So the Princess loved her dots and when she wasn’t counting them always, always held them tight. One day, not so long afterwards, she wished she could see more than just the few dots on one side of the magic cube at a time. So she sent again for her Grand Old Wizard.

She asked, oh Grand Old Wizard, can you make it so I can see all my lovely dots at the same time?

The Grand Old Wizard pondered this request and then produced a tiny magic wand which was sparkling clean on both sides.

He said, I shall use this magic wand to grant you your wish. Do you know any magic words? [USE THEM OR UTTER YOUR OWN, THEN] And so saying the magic words, the wizard waved the tiny wand on her tightly closed hand, and the magic wand was suddenly covered in dots.

Can you count how many? Yes, exactly twenty one. They were indeed her beloved dots, she recognized them right away, magically transported to the wand so now she could look at all 21 at once!

Oh Grand Old Wizard, thank you, cried the Princess! I can now look at all these lovely dots at once. But whatever shall I do about all the old dots still on my magic cube?

Take a look, replied the wizard, and so she opened her hand and found all the old dots on her cube had vanished. They had indeed been magically transported to the tiny wand. So he let her have both the magic wand with her 21 favourite dots and the blank cube to examine for a very long time.

And that’s the story of the Princess and her beloved dots and how dice came to have 21 on each. Believe it or not!

The End!”

———————

Daryl’s Dicey Dots has been recently re-re-released and the props are easy to handle. Available now from your favourite dealer such as  The Browser’s Den of Magic, Toronto.

DISCLAIMER: The author received no compensation for writing this whimsical nonsense and paid retail for the aforementioned, highly recommended trick.

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!