Broken wand: Joseph Ward

From Legacy:

Joseph Andrew Ward April 4, 1932 - January 9, 2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Andrew Ward aka "Santa Joe". Joe was predeceased by his wife Oma, daughters Donna Lacey and Joanne Ward. He is survived by son Brent Ward (Nancy), daughter Bev Ward Young (Randy) and grandchildren Miles and Clint Lacey, Tara and Jaz Young and Hayley and Sami Ward. Joe was a Jack of all Trades, inventor and adventurer. At an early age he moved to Churchhill Manitoba where he became a fisherman and the proud owner of a dog sled team. Joe was a man of many talents; machinist, volunteer fireman, square dance caller, carpenter, prospector, magician and Santa to name a few.

Read more.

Top 5 posts in January 2015

It's been another busy month for news close to 50 posts! Here are the most viewed posts at Canada's Magic this month:

5. Thirty seconds with Eric Leclerc - Eric's a fun interview! 

4. Erin Thomas writes about a Performance Critique Workshop - It's always interesting learn an "outsider's" point of view. 

3. Breaking news! Toronto: Browser's Den Bash! - SOLD OUT in 8 days!  Amazing!  (You can still put yourself on the waiting list.) 

2. Who's Where January 2015 - Does anybody out there find these valuable?

and the most viewed post this month  ...

1. Chris Westfall published in Genii - Congratulations again Chris!

David Merry in the Toronto Star

From the Toronto Star:

To that end, Foster has recruited what he says is an A-list team of about a dozen equally mature headliners to form his squadron of aces: peers whom he shared stages with in Toronto during those comedy boom days of the mid-’80s.

“When we started we were still kind of building it,” explains Foster recruit David Merry, about that era when seemingly overnight the country was dotted with comedy clubs and one-nighters. 

Merry, who blends deft magic and clever props with an original, international, well-crafted standup routine, is also one the most universally beloved amongst his brethren — no small feat in an industry that’s fraught with oversized egos and infighting.

Read more.

Ron Guttman at "Magic Tonight"

From the Abracadabaret Facebook page:

Post by Abracadabaret.

James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"

Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.





From the Abracadabaret Facebook page:

Unfortunately, we're having serious problems with our online ticketing for the show. If you're having any issues at all, just reach out to us by email (reservations@abracadabaret.com) or by phone (416.995.1736) and we'll look after your reservation personally.

--
* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic. 

James Jordan: GigMasters' Best of 2014

Congratulations James!

From James Jordan's Twitter feed:

I won GigMasters' Best of 2014 http://t.co/1tx4ujW9rp #blessed #gigmasters #yyc #magic #comedy #entertainers
— James Jordan (@JJordanmagic) January 15, 2015

Browser's Bash special guest: Nathan Kranzo!

  

Only 22 spots remaining!

From the Browser's Den of Magic newsletter:

It's time to announce the 1st mystery guest of the Browser's Magic Bash.

All the way from Flint, Michigan...

Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the King of Koins, NATHAN KRANZO!

We're excited to have him sharing his magic and partying with us, all day long.

Once again, if 10+ magicians, a close up show, a stage show, lectures, mini-sessions, 12 hours of magic overload, free lunch & dinner, and surprises that will make your jaw drop sounds like your kind of fun, the Browser's Magic Bash is for you. Register now before it's too late.

Read more.

Check it out ... I've been Coope'd!

From The Browser's Den Twitter feed:

Hey @canadasmagic, you've been Coope'd in celebration of the #BrowsersBash2015! pic.twitter.com/uDRgkuTawa
— The Browser's Den (@theBrowsersDen) January 28, 2015

To get Coope'd, have a look at this Tweet from The Browser's Den of Magic:

Want to be Coope'd? Tweet a photo over to @TheBrowsersDen right now! #BrowsersBash2015 #GotCooped
— The Browser's Den (@theBrowsersDen) January 28, 2015

WowFest is back!

Ryan Pilling is bringing WowFest back on February 21st and February 28th.

From WowFest:

WowFest Magic Arts Festival first appeared in Calgary in February of 2013 with a day full of amazing fun magic shows set in the community of Westgate. The festival was launched with the support of the “Cultural Capital of Canada” arts funding from the Calgary 2012 program.

With a successful, sold-out day full of shows, and positive audience feedback, the festival was set to become a recurring event. 

Read more and buy tickets.