Toronto: James Randi at An Honest Liar

From Event Brite:

CFI Canada is pleased to present James Randi, who will be in Toronto this week to promote the Hot Docs Canadian premiere of An Honest Liar, a documentary of Randi’s life.

http://vimeo.com/91847894 

CFI is hosting an exclusive, once in a life time, special event where CFI members will meet James "The Amazing" Randi, an 85-year-old magician and escape artist who’s been enchanted with illusions from a young age. Dedicating his life to learning the tricks of the trade, Randi became a sensation who toured the world, always honest about being a “liar, cheat and charlatan.”

Please join CFI at beautiful and trendy Screen Lounge at 20 College Street (Second Floor) this Friday, May 2, 2014. Time is short, and space is limited, so purchase your tickets now.
Filmmakers of An Honest Liar will also be joining us for the conversation. 

Read more and buy tickets.

[via James Alan] 

Top 5 posts in April 2014

 5. Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2014 - Winner to be posted soon!

4. Toronto: A Series of Unfortunate Effects - Who is going to send me a review to post?

3. Road Trip to see Jay Scott Berry

2.  Grateful for our April sponsors (It's true.  I really, really am.)

and the most viewed post in April is ...

1. Toronto: The Ghost Experience with Jamie Stam

Toronto: Magic Class with Al Grose

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

This SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 MAGICIAN AL GROSE will be coming to Browser's Den to give a FREE CLASS at our MONTHLY MAGIC CLUB!

Al will be performing and teaching (time permitting) two classic effects from Guy Hollingworth's book 'Drawing Room Deceptions', REFORMATION AND WAVING THE ACES. These two supremely magical effects are quite demanding to learn.  

We hope that many of you will come to the shop to learn how to perform these effects and spend some time with Al who wants to share his love of the art of magic with other serious hobbyists or professionals.

Read more.

Aaron Fisher interviews Chris Mayhew: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

A reminder that this film has it's Toronto premiere tomorrow night!

From Aaron Fisher Magic:

We're just a week from the launch & premiere of the most fun to watch, entertaining magic DVD I've ever seen. It's a fascinating, laugh out loud story of two Toronto magicians who go to extraordinary lengths to uncover the secrets of magic. In the process, both they and you (the audience!) discover a lot of great tricks – and some serious laughter.

Last week I did an in-depth video interview with Chris [Mayhew] about his own journey in magic, how he made his new movie and what we can all discover about magic from Chris's story. I learned a great deal talking with Chris – I suspect you will too.

Read more and download / watch the interview.

Toronto: Transgressive Magic at Luminato 2014

From Magicana:

Transgressive Magic: Magic that violates a law, command or moral code. Card Table Artifice and Bullet Catch do just that.

Card Table Artifice – puts the con into concert, combining techniques employed by professional card cheats with a sumptuous musical score. It is a window into the world of advantage players, and the machinations they employ when they place their livelihood, and sometimes their life, into their own hands.

Bullet Catch blurs the lines between conventional plays and magic shows, addressing an act that violates both civil and moral codes – the asking of a member of the audience to point a gun and pull the trigger that sends a bullet towards a performer quite confident he can defy death, all under the guise of entertainment.

Both productions challenge form and function, and place magic and the audience outside the traditionalist’s comfort zone of top hats, bunny rabbits and family-friendly fare.

Read more and buy tickets.

Card Table Artifice and Rob Zabrecky’s  TURN ON THE DARK!
WORLD PREMIERE: June 13 and June 14

Bullet Catch
CANADIAN PREMIERE: June 14 and June 15

Fort Erie Times: IncrediBrent and Super Sarah

From the Fort Erie Times:

Behind the laughter and the magic tricks, Brent and Sarah Nicholls had an important message for Stevensville Public School students last Thursday morning.

“We teach students about the four secrets of magic: anything is possible, believe in yourself, you’re not alone and find your magic,” Brent Nicholls said.

The Fort Erie native, known to children as IncrediBrent, travels to schools across Ontario with his wife, Sarah, to entertain children and teach them about the effects of bullying.

“As much as the show is about anti-bullying, it’s about confidence,” Nicholls explained.

“Confidence and bullying go hand-in-hand. Kids who are self confident are less likely to be bullied and they are less likely to bully.”

Nichols said there is a difference between calling someone a name or hurting their feelings and bullying.

“Bullying is when it's repeated. The real issue is when someone is being repeatedly picked on. We make sure to define what bullying is, and not just anything is bullying,” he said.

The show is meant to empower students and give them the tools to deal with bullying.

Read more.

Kitchener: Michael Dardant lecture

I had the pleasure of seeing Michael perform last Spring.  It's sure to be a great lecture!


From the Doug Henning Magic Wand Club:

Mark your calendars for next Wed. April 30th. No, it’s not Tax Filing Deadline (CRA  gave a 5 day extension).  It’s the Tri-City Lecture (London,Kitchener & Hamilton Clubs) hosted by Kitchener IBM Ring#235 at 7pm. at

St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,54 Queen St.North @ Weber Street, Kitchener N2H 2H2.

Originally our 3 clubs were having Mickael Chatelaine from France lecture, after his appearance at the 4F convention (this weekend in Batavia NY.) Unfortunately, Mickael broke his elbow a few weeks ago and will not be attending the 4F convention.  Our thanks to member Joan Caesar for arranging a substitute lecturer/performer/entertainer & multi award winner Michael Dardant, who coincidently was born in France, but calls his home in the “Big Easy” New Orlean

Read more.