Canada's Magic

28 February 2022

27 February 2022

Kickstarter: Shawn Farquhar's Hidden Wonders Playing Cards

From the Shawn Farquhar Hidden Wonders Playing Cards Kickstarter:

When I was young I discovered Stud playing cards that were made by Walgreens. They quickly became my favourite, but sadly they have changed. In my quest to find a perfect deck of cards I have collected more than 3000! I was looking for a classic look to the back, a deep elegant rich colors for the court cards as I feel the bright yellow and blues makes the cards look better suited for a Carnival than an elegant lounge. I didn't want to change the classic art of the court cards, as the common person recognizes them and accepts them easily, but I did want to add some class.

Since I was unable to find a deck I loved, I've decided to make my own!

This is where you come in and hopefully agree. If you are looking for a classic deck of cards with thin crushed stock that is traditionally cut to make doing a Faro shuffle with the cards face down easy... then this is the deck for you! The deck will be fifty-four cards in an awesome tuck box, with individually numbered seals.

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26 February 2022

Quebec City: Jonathan Allen's Magic Banknotes

From Manif d’art:

A hundred “magicians’ bills” are displayed on shelves in a wall showcase in the small Œil de Poisson gallery. These records, now esoteric but once abundant in the pockets of prestidigitators of old, played a double role as magic trick accessories and tools of self-promotion. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the golden age of theatrical illusionism, magicians seeking fame and fortune produced these types of notes adorned with their own images. On one excellent example from 1885, magician Signor Alfred Bosco emblazoned his bills with the grandiose inscription, “Bank of the Great Wizard of the World.”
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From the February 22nd Facebook post by Connie Boyd:

The final list of new contributors for The Ancient Order of Illusion comprised of Jeanette Andrews, Marisa Carnesky, Billy Kidd, Anchal Kumawat, Laura London, Inés la Maga, Ursula Martinez, Shreeyash Palshikar, Fay Presto, Carolyn Sadowska and Sylvia Sceptre, Connie Boyd, Arturo Brachetti, Jeff McBride, Mary Ann Campbell, The Centre for Tactical Magic, Ian Saville, and Troy Von Scheibner.

25 February 2022

Etobicoke: Jeff Hinchliffe, Charles McBurney and Jim Byrnes [Mar 9]

From the February 16th Facebook post by Jeff Hinchliffe:

I will be giving my first public live performance in almost two years! Along with my good friends and colleagues Charles McBurney and Jim Byrnes, it will be an evening of fun, food, and lots of fooling!

Won't you join us?

24 February 2022

Remembering The Amazing Jonathan

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Johnathan Szeles (Amazing Johnathan) on February 22nd. Our sincere condolences to Jonathan's family and friends. Sending love and light to Anastasia Synn.

February 23rd Facebook post by Matt Disero:

February 23rd Facebook post by James Harrison:

February 23rd Facebook post by Ben Train:

February 23rd Instagram post by Murray SawChuck:

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A post shared by Murray SawChuck (@murraysawchuck)

February 23rd Facebook post by Eric Leclerc:

23 February 2022

Doug Henning in the Toronto Star

From the February 20th article "Remembering Doug Henning, superstar illusionist turned politician" by ey Tong in the Toronto Star:

Seven “Doug Henning’s World of Magic” TV specials aired throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, helping to make Henning a household name. He also made guest appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and “The Muppet Show.”

Despite his enormous success in the US, Henning always considered Canada his home and was proud to tell people that he was Canadian, Nancy says. He returned often to visit family and to do the occasional performance. “He was always pleasantly surprised by the reception,” Nancy says. When their mother was diagnosed with cancer, he spent several months caring for her in Toronto.
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