Gabriella Lester interviewed on The Magicians' Podcast Network about her role in Now You See Me LIVE opening in Sydney

Listen to Richard Young and Alan Hudson interview Gabriella Lester on the What's Going On? channel of the Magicians' Podcast Network (also available on Apple Podcasts (listen for free on a 3 day trial)).  

 

From the September 26th Instagram post by The Magicians' Podcast Network: 

OUT NOW! Joining Young & Hudson today is Canada’s Gabriella Lester, the insanely talented 21 year old already carving a path for herself on the highest level.

Topics Discussed:
- Gabriella talks about how she landed the job of associate producer on Fool Us.
- She also talks about her latest role in the upcoming Now You See Me Live show.
- And the hosts discuss Penn & Teller finally being allowed into the Magic Circle.
PLUS: Gabriella answers 20 Magic Questions.

 

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A post shared by The Magicians' Podcast Network (@themagicianspodcastnetwork)

  

 

Previously shared on Facebook August 25th. 

From the August 25th Instagram post by Gabriella Lester:

 

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A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

 

Magic Festivals and Conventions in Canada through the years

What are we missing?  Leave your knowledge in the comments!

 

Magic Festivals

• Magic and Film event, Calgary, 1970s?  [submitted by Ryan Pilling]
• Stouffville Magic Festival, Stouffville, 1982 - 1986  [submitted by Ken McCreedy]
• Magical Arts Festival, Toronto, ~2001 - 2002
• The Capital Magic Festival (Ottawa) August 2008  
  Talent included Harry Anderson, Jeff McBride, The Pendragons, Kreskin, James Biss, Mitch and Mike Hrycan, and Eric Buss.  [submitted by Adam Goldberg]
• The Magic Festival, Vancouver, ~2013 - ???
• WOWFest, Calgary, 2012 - 2019  (organized by Gywn Auger and Ryan Pilling)
• Festival de magie de Québec, Quebec City, 2011 - present
• ReginaCadabra, Regina, 2016
• Ontario Week of Wonder (OWOW) now Ontario Magic Festival, Fergus, 2019 - present
• Magic and Shenanigans, Waterloo, 2025 - present

 

Magic Conventions

• Passport to Magic, Inn on the Park Hotel, Toronto (organized by Norm Wyvern and Larry Silverman.  Attendees included Doug Henning and Dai Vernon.) [submitted by Chris Pilsworth and Ken McCreedy]
• Magie Montreal (organized by Phil and Evelyn Matlin)  [submitted by Chris Pilsworth] 
• Comedy Magic conference (organized by Anthony Lindan) [submitted by Chris Pilsworth]
• NYCAN  
• PCAM  
• CAMaradarie (organized by the Canadian Association of Magicians), 2021 - 2022)
• The Browser's Bash (organized by The Browser's Den of Magic, Jeff Pinsky, Jeff Hinchliffe, and John Talbot), 2015 - 2019, 2024)
• Montreal Magic Jams (organized by Marc Trudel and Derrick Chung)   [submitted by Chris Pilsworth] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winnipeg: Magician and the Muse Millennium Centre fundraiser [Oct 3]

Tickets at TheMillenniumCenter.ca 

 

From the September 24th Instagram post by Magician and the Muse:

✨In collaboration with @heritagewpg, we’re thrilled to present a special Magic Show Fundraiser in support of preserving one of Winnipeg’s most beautiful heritage treasures—the Millennium Centre! 

 

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A post shared by Magician & The Muse (@magicianandthemuse)

 

 

 

 

Kitchener & Waterloo: Jack Wise [Dec 10] and Magic & Shenanigans [May 29 - 31, 2026]

Save the dates folks!  Magic & Shenanigans is set to return return May 29-31, 2026.  (See our photos from the 2025 Magic and Shenanigans on Facebook.)

Tickets for Jack Wise at MagicAndShenanigans.com.

 

From the September 18th Instagram post by Magic and Shenanagins: 

We are happy to present Irish magician Jack Wise back for ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Only a limited number of tickets. Don't miss out.

 

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The Canadian Association of Magicians launches new deck!

This is possibly the first Canada-themed magic deck launch since Phil DaCosta's Can-eh-diana deck (which featured 9 Canadian magicians including Julie Eng, Jason Palter, and Bill Abbott) circa 2014.

 

From the Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM): 

A Design That Celebrates Canada

The back design, illustrated by CAM President Ryan Joyce, is packed with hidden nods to our home and native land. 

Look closely and you’ll spot tributes to iconic Canadian wildlife — the moose, goose, puffin, and polar bear — along with imagery that celebrates our vast landscapes and rich culture.

The faces and layout were created by Casey’s Playing Cards, ensuring every detail is perfectly balanced for performance, flourish, and collection. 

Read more to learn about the embedded "performance extras" and how to purchase the deck.

 

Recently CAM has been highlighting the benefits of becoming a member which include:

• a 20% discount on performers insurance,
• a 50% discount on a VANISH Magic Magazine subscription,  
• a 10% discount at The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop,  
• a subscription to Northern Peeks, and 
• virtual lectures, debuting with Ekaterina on October 19th.  

 

Visit CAMmagic.org to learn more about their new deck, the benefits of membership, and to join. 

 

From the September 11th Instagram post by the Canadian Association of Magicians: 

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A post shared by CAM 2.0 (@cammagicorg)

 

 

 

 

Alliston, Ajax, Richmond Hill, Lacombe: Chris Funk the Wonderist [Oct 16, 18, 19, & Nov 8]

Tickets and additional dates in Florida, California, Arizona, and Michigan at Chris Funk's website.

 

Canadian dates include:

• Oct 16 - The Gibson Cultural Centre - Honda Performance Hall
  Alliston 
• Oct 18 - St. Francis Centre, Ajax 
• Oct 19 - Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts,
  Richmond Hill 
• Nov 8 - Lacombe Performing Arts Centre - Shunda Theatre, 
  Lacombe 

 

From the September 10th Instagram post by the Richmond Hill Centre:

Chris Funk’s REDEFINING WONDER is an engaging multimedia experience that leaves audiences mind-blown. 🪄

 

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A post shared by Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (@rhcentre)

 

 

 

 

Aurora: Destination Unknown [Oct 4]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the September 17th Facebook post by Jordan Mindbender:

One of Houdini’s most famous and death-defying feats was the suspended straightjacket escape. Invented in the early 1920s, Houdini would be strapped into a reinforced straightjacket and hoisted high into the air, often upside down, sometimes 50 feet above the stage or street. He had only minutes to free himself before gravity and the constraints took their toll. This stunt wasn’t just about strength—it required precision, flexibility, and incredible timing. Houdini performed it in front of thousands, thrilling audiences worldwide, and it became one of his signature public feats.

On October 4th, I’ll be attempting this legendary escape live in Destination Unknown, hanging by my feet above the stage as I race against the clock to break free.