[Guest post] Patrik Kuffs in Toronto

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

--
PATRIK KUFFS IN TORONTO
Review by The Magic Demon

Montreal-based magician, mentalist and comedian Patrik Kuffs appeared in Toronto at the Browser's Den Saturday night (November 19th).

Throughout the evening, Patrik easily charmed everyone with his wry wit and quirky humour as well as impressing them with his insightful advice on real world performances. Playing to an packed room his two hours-plus lecture enlightened, informed and entertained.

Moving quickly from one effect to another he demonstrated and then explained a wide range of surefire audience pleasers including a close up design duplication worthy of Annemann; numerous compelling card effects (his card stab/knife routine was especially well-received); a novel handling of a classic book test; intriguing possibilities utilizing shiners; an innovative stage design duplication concept; a clever routine with a unique and inexpensive homemade version of a mentalist's most invaluable prop; and some classic spoon and fork bending.

Also particularly memorable was his TT gag... if you were there, you certainly remember the huge laugh it received! (I'm sorry - I know I've left out a lot but I was enjoying myself so much I repeatedly forgot to take notes.)

As he explained every effect there were frequently small gasps of appreciation throughout the room at the simplicity but ingeniousness of his methods.

Perhaps best known for his excellent DVD on metal bending, Patrik surprised the crowd by revealing it actually only played a very small part in his professional career of over 20 years.

As a bonus he gave away two special gifts to everyone in the audience - including the secret for a seemingly impenetrable impromptu blindfold made with materials readily available in any home.

Patrik at one point modestly referred to his lecture notes package, on sale and a real bargain, which were scooped up by many in attendance. He went on to apologize that he wasn't actually very good at selling. Not true! When it comes to his magic and winning over an audience, Patrik Kuffs really knows exactly how to sell himself... and does so brilliantly.

If you ever get a chance to see him lecture you will come away with several practical workers in your notebook ready to put into your act right away. Thank you Patrik for an extremely fun and rewarding evening.

Additional thanks to Jeff Pinsky, the Browser's Den's most gracious host, for presenting Patrik in Toronto.




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

Philip Murad in the Financial Post

From the Financial Post article "Op-Ed – Google’s Patrick Pichette: Canada needs a bolder innovation agenda":

This is perhaps the ultimate wonder and opportunity of the Internet age – a world without borders. For example, take Philip Murad, who went from being a very popular magician and ventriloquist in Montreal to managing a network of magicians across North America.
Read more.

Ottawa: Éric Leclerc - Mystéric et la Mathémagie

From Shenkman Arts:

This two-time Canadian magic champion from Orléans presents an interactive, educational and hilarious show, skilfully combining magic and math. Mystéric has not always liked math, but has fortunately discovered Mathemagic.

Buy tickets or read more.

Dai Vernon at the Magic Castle?

Watch the Magic Castle videos from LAGhostPatrol over at the The Magic Newswire:

Greg Frewin: Launch of the Lights

Greg Frewin peformed at Launch of the Lights in Niagara Falls yesterday.  Read about it at 610cktb or NiagaraFallsReview.

Morrissey Magic: new store hours

From Morrissey Magic:

Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday noon - 4pm
Monday - closed
Tuesday and Wednesday - 11am - 6pm
Thursday and Friday - 11am - 7pm

Confirm hours directly with Morrissey Magic.

Nova Scotia: Patrick Drake

Nov. 6: Inaugural Squash CF Pumpkin Launch fundraiser

From Nova News Now:

Canada’s sleight of hand champion and magician Patrick Drake has donated his time to entertain at the event. The pumpkin launch begins at 2 p.m. and ends when all the pumpkins have been flung and squashed. All event proceeds benefit Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Read more.

Rounding the Western rings in November

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- Jay Sankey lecture
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Jay Sankey lecture
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- N/A
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Jay Sankey lecture
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Jay Sankey lecture

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Ontario rings in November

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- magic diagnostic clinic - Greg Frewin trip
London, ON	London Magician's Guild	- Marsha Bergeron lecture
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Phil Cox , Wilber, and John from KW Magic
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Richard Sanders lecture - CHEO charity children's show
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Michael Weber workshop and lecture
Woodstock, ON	CAM 1 (Friendly City Mystics)	- N/A

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Eastern rings in November

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Halifax, NS

Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)

- TBA

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Toronto: Patrik Kuffs lecture

From The Browser's Den:

PATRIK KUFFS MAGIC, COMEDY & MENTALISM LECTURE
Date: Saturday, November 19
Location: Browser’s Den of Magic
Ticket Price-FREE…THAT’S RIGHT…FREE!!

Read more.

Toronto: Louie Lebetjis Exposing the Cheats Workshop

From Morrissey Magic:

Exposing the Cheats Workshop with Louie Lebetjis Saturday November 12 2011 3PM

Buy tickets or read more.

Visit Morrissey Magic to watch Luiz Castro interview Louie Lebetjis.

Shrine Fantasy Show

It's the time of year for the Shrine Fantasy Show!  From their website:

Proceeds from this show benefit many Shrine activities. For your support you are provided with a great evening of entertainment (and therefore it is not eligible as a charitable donation deduction.) Thanks for helping the children!

Participating talent includes:  Dick Joiner, Trevor Watters and Lorena, Matt Baker, Aristov and Company, Craig Douglas, Richard Forget, Nathaniel Rankin, Magic Mike Segal, Patrice Meunier, Ian Quick, Majinx, and Fantasy Circus (performers vary by province).

Schedule and ticket information at the Shrine Fantasy Show website.

Mike D'Urzo in Tandem

From Tandem:

When you think about the different career paths to choose from, being a magician is probably not on most people’s list. Enter Mike D’Urzo, Member of the Canadian Association of Magicians and International Brotherhood of Magicians. Mike’s passion for magic started at a young age. Like many other kids growing up, he had a magic kit. While most would toss it aside once bored, for Mike it sparked his initial interest.

Read more.

Alex Kazam: The truth behind the lies

Watch Alex Kazam's October 27th lecture at York University.
 

Toronto: Third helping of "A Slice of Magic"

On November 28th, enjoy a night of magic and  food at "A 3rd Slice of Magic" at Boston Pizza (40 Eglinton Ave. E, (Yonge & Eglinton) Toronto).
From their Facebook page:

Performers include:

• CHRIS WESTFALL- comedy magic
• JAMES ALAN- Is known in the city for perfecting the classics of magic
• JASON PALTER (headliner) HILARIOUS AND AMAZING!

Please visit PickAnyCard.com for more details about this event.

Mike D'Urzo: Notable Young Professional

Toronto's  Mike D'Urzo has been nominated for a Notable.ca Young Professional award.  To vote for Mike, or to find out more about this award, visit Notable.ca.

National Magic Week: October 25 to October 31

What are you doing for National Magic Week?

From MagicSam:

"NATIONAL MAGIC WEEK" PROCLAIMED
BY SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS
October 25 to 31

New York- September 15, 2011 - Vinny Grosso, National President of the Society of American Magicians, proclaimed the week of October 25 to October 31 as National Magic Week throughout the United States and Canada. For more than forty years the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special "week" of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year.

Read more.

[h/t: Ryan Joyce]

Greg Frewin: The trick to a good magic show

From the Ottawa Citizen:

Magic show preview: The trick to a good magic show
Master magician Greg Frewin says it’s all about theatre, illusion and good old-fashioned entertainment

Greg Frewin got his first magic kit when he was seven years old. It was nothing fancy, just a bunch of simple magic tricks, a magic hat and other paraphernalia to instruct budding magicians about the art of magic. His parents ordered the kit after he saw it advertised on television. Frewin spent hours entertaining his friends in his hometown of Hamilton.

But it wasn’t until he was 12 and his grandfather took him to Toronto to see Canadian magician Doug Henning that Frewin truly became spellbound.

Read more.

Changes to RSS feed

It was brought to our attention that a website is taking the content of Canada's Magic, via our RSS feed, and republishing everything under their umbrella.  They neglected to ask for permission to do so.

Until a better solution becomes apparent, the feed for this blog will only show a snippet of the post. Those reading the feed will have to click through to read the rest.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.