CAM Awards

With thanks to Doug Cuff from MagicInfo.ca for live tweeting the awards presentation at the convention!  (And for live tweeting the rest of the convetion too!)

Bill Abbott is Canadian magician of the year! #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

This year, the lifetime achievement award (not always given out) was given to Micky Hades. He couldn't be present, alas. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

The Sid Lorraine award went to the very deserving Nick Sacco. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

Michael Dardant won the close-up and stage competitions! Only other person to win both (in separate years) is @LeclericShow. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

Sherwood Park: Magic wands for local kids

From Sherwood Park News:

Salto Gymnastics Club is going to be using the wave of a magic wand to make people disappear with the hope of seeing some money appear in return.

The Sherwood Park gymnastics club, along with Ellerslie School, will be hosting two magic shows on Saturday to raise funds to support the organization and the school. AbracaDazzle! is performed by Richmond, B.C.-based magician John Kaplan, who has been helped community groups across Canada raise money for various projects through his magic shows for more than 25 years.

Read more.

Edmonton: Abra-Kid-Abra!

From Tix on the Square:

May 5, 2012 - 1 p.m.

Presented by Edmonton Magic Club

MAGICALLY CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW! This is what Abra-Kid-Abra is all about. From full time professionals to magic enthusiasts, the members of the Edmonton Magic Club come together each year to produce a magic extravaganza, specifically designed to raise thousands of dollars for local charities and family-based organizations.

This year, the Edmonton Magic Club is privileged to support the Youth Emergency Shelter Society. Since the 1980’s, YESS has worked with more than 20,000 kids and thousands of families. The shelter is a home where kids who have nowhere else to go can seek caring assistance in working through difficult times.

Read more and buy tickets.

Mike D’Urzo: Turning teen obsession into magical career

From York Region:

Sometimes, Mike D’Urzo wonders where he’d be if he hadn’t gone to Canada’s Wonderland that day back in 1998 as a 15-year-old kid looking for fun on a summer afternoon.

What if he hadn’t happened upon that booth where they sold magic kits?

Read more.

Baltimore: Bill Abbott lecture and workshop

From Denny & Lee Magic Studio newsletter:

June 8:
The Pack Smart Play Anywhere Lecture - by Bill Abbott

"I am completely obsessive when it comes to the Pack Smart Play Anywhere lifestyle. The basic philosophy is rooted in the idea that it's better to fill a stage with personality and entertainment rather than large props and paraphernalia. I will show you, with practical examples, how to stretch and pull every ounce of entertainment out your props, your script and interaction to deliver a show that is high on impact and low on luggage. This lecture could change your opinions, your show and possibly your life."
BILL ABBOTT

June 9:
The Thing Workshop Intensive - by Bill Abbott

"The Thing is one of my favorite tricks of the past decade.
It's not a floating ball effect, it's a discovery of invisible life.
Well made, and a beautiful astonishing effect.”
David Regal
MAGIC Magazine

Read more.

Toronto: Magic at The Annex Live

From Abracadabaret:

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Venue: The Annex Live | 296 Brunswick Ave

Our performers are:

• James Alan – Magician, and generally curious character
• Baldini – the resident magician at the Ontario Science Centre
• Bobby Motta – star of the one mans shows Non Fiction and Headgames
• and
• James Harrison – Ontario’s foremost theatrical pickpocket. 

Read more and buy tickets.

Vancouver: Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre

From the Langley Times:

“Until a few months ago, the only salmon I cared about was the one I put on my barbecue,” confesses magician Wes Barker.


“Does that make me a bad person?”


On Saturday, May 5, the Langley native is going to try to atone for his sins by performing in an evening of Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver in order to raise money for TENUK (www.tenuk.org) a non-profit organization dedicated to saving salmon in B.C. waters.

Read more.

Calgary: Ryan Pilling’s Suitcase of Wonders

From Wonder Show:

Next show: Friday May 18th, 2012

Featuring a 2000 year old trick alongside never-before-seen magical innovations, Ryan will present a variety of entertainments to delight and bedazzle*. He’ll defy impossible odds, show you curious mysteries, and you’ll laugh a whole lot along the way.

Read more and buy tickets.

Murray SawChuck's motivator

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

It was William Hung who convinced him.

"I had performed all my life at this point," says the magician billed singularly as Murray. "I'm sitting there watching this guy who can't sing," he recalls of Hung, whose 15 minutes of fame came in 2004, after an atrocious rendition of "She Bangs" on "American Idol."
"He's got 40 million people who know him now, and he's getting $30,000 for a corporate show. Here's a guy who came out of nowhere, with no talent, and he's more famous than I'll ever be at this moment."

And so was the start of Murray's realization that he needed to be a brand as well as a magician. And he needed reality TV to help him.

Read more.

[h/t: iTricks:]

Rounding the Western rings in May

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)	- N/A
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- N/A
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- N/A
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- close-up magic with competitions for both adults and juniors
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Mirth and Magic: Family oriented evening show featuring the Victoria Magic Circle’s most talented magicians.

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

Rounding the Ontario rings in May

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

Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- joint Auction with other clubs at Kitchener
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- business meeting - initiation shows - open night of magic
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- lecture by Ben Train and Chris Mayhew
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Will Houstoun 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 May

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

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- N/A
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- N/A

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

Oakville: Hey! Look Us Over!

From Inside Halton:

That’s the theme of the musical extravaganza that The Entertainers will put on stage on May 5 at the Holy Trinity School in Oakville. This annual Spring Show will feature guest performances by the 70-voice ‘Circle of Harmony’ championship ladies chorus and a rising young magician, Mark Baluk, who will also emcee the program.

Read more.

Kingston: Bright Night, Big Dreams

From Kingston This Week:

Bright Night, Big Dreams is taking place Friday, May 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Renaissance Event Venue.

The event is in support of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a non-profit organization that grants dreams for children with severe physical disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. Dreams can include a chance to meet a hero, a trip or an item like a new bicycle.

“It breaks your heart and makes you happy at the same time,” said Elaine Turner, president of the Kingston branch of the Sunshine Foundation. “It breaks your heart that the child is ill, but it gives you such an uplift to know that one more child has had their dream fulfilled.”

The colourful cocktail reception will feature live entertainment by magician and illusionist Ray Chance and 3D chalk artist Guy Wales.

Read more.

Eric Leclerc: Day 364 1/2

Watch Eric Leclerc talk about what he's been up to for the past few months and about things he's got in the hopper:

Magic Mike: On the cover of MUM

Congratulations to Magic Mike Segal who is featured on the cover of the May edition of MUM magazine!

Click through to see the cover.

Shawn Farquhar: Penguin Magic lecture

Did you miss Shawn Farquhar's live online lecture at Penguin Magic on Tuesday? Have no fear, you can download it (for a fee) from Penguin Magic.

Toronto: Morrissey moving weekend

From the Morrissay Magic Facebook page:

Special Hours this Weekend
Moving this Weekend
This Saturday April 28 2012 we will close early at 2PM.
We will also be closed this Sunday April 29 2012 All Day.

Our Current Location will close forever this Saturday at 2 PM.

Read more.

Baldini: Interview with Gordon Precious

Watch Baldini interview Canadian War Veteran & Magician, Gordon Precious:

Tim Vallillee is making Great Strides

From The Yarmouth County Vanguard:

Now, at the age of 44, Tim’s organizing a Great Strides walk in support of cystic fibrosis in Kingston on Sunday, May 27.

also

He now has his own entertainment business, performing as The Great TimBeanie magician and Stripes the Clown, in addition to singing in a classic rock band - Joker's Right.

Read more.