Are magicians trustworthy?

From Twitter:

Someone came to Browser's Den & stole a card signed by Dai Vernon! The worst part is that they damaged it in the theft. Unbelievable!
— Mahdi Gilbert (@mahdigilbert) July 8, 2012

This is right on the heals of this announcement from the MCA blog:

We regret to report that Mario Carrandi, one of the most respected dealers of rare and antiquarian magic, reports the loss of his collection of The Great Raymond lapel stick pins, last seen on display at his dealer booth last week at our 43rd Magic Collectors Weekend in Chicago.  

What makes this particularly upsetting is not only that it took place at a conference of peers and in a room in where the security and access were controlled, but also that these objects were of great sentimental value to Mr. Carrandi.

Read more.

If anyone has any information with respect to these missing items, please contact the appropriate organization as soon as possible.

An interview with Ben Train

From The Daily Deception a Q and Eh with Ben Train:

Chris Williams - Scotland, UK asks our first question for Q and Eh with Ben Train: What makes magic special to you?

Ben Train:When I was much younger I really struggled just trying to get through life. I had serious trouble making friends, was doing terribly in school, and since I didn’t have an outlet to deal with the frustration I was feeling, I acted out. It was a pretty crappy time for me.Then I found magic.  

Read more.

Review: Banachek’s The Alpha Project

From The Toronto Review of Books:

Do certain individuals have the ability to see the future, to read the thoughts of others, or to communicate with the spirit world? Whatever your answers to these questions might be, in his show The Alpha Project an extraordinary performer named Banachek invites spectators into a universe where such superhuman feats are possible. At least, this is true for the first half of his one-man performance, which recently finished its world premiere.

Read more.

A question of insurance

James Jordan is looking for an insurance carrier that covers magicians. 

WTF pal insurance exclusively forbids insuring magicians! Perhaps because of our Arcane nature? Any suggestions? @canadasmagic
— James Jordan (@GVS_varietyshow) July 5, 2012

Does anyone out there have some advice for James?

Halifax: End-of-year show

From the Conjurers Court:

The End-of-Year Show will be on Sunday, July 8 at the Company House on Gottingen Street. Time to be announced.

The inimitable Bill Wood hosts a comedy/variety act there on Sundays, and he’s been kind enough to offer us the venue for that night. An extra benefit for us is that there will be “strangers” in the audience coming to see Bill and getting us as well.

So club performers will have the opportunity to perform in front of friends and enemies … I mean, friends we haven’t met yet. Such glee.

If you’d like to perform (And why wouldn’t you?) put together a routine or act running up to 12 to 15 minutes. You can, of course, do less if you’d like.

I would need to know in advance what effect(s) you want to perform so that we don’t have duplicate effects. One Professor’s Nightmare is enough....

Read more

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Meta: What brought you here?

Some of the search terms, for people passing through here:

• "morrissey magic vs browserden" - I didn't realise they were getting divorced.
• "st.catharines chinese one night stand" - How do Chinese one night stands differ from non-Chinese ones?
   
• "images of ariel frailich" - Why would they land on this site for that?
   
• "RING MAGIC TORONTO CHAPTER" - Add ASSEMBLY to that query and we'd have the trifecta.
   
• "canadian woman magician" - There can be only one!
• "magic show toronto 2011" - There was only one!
 
• ""mark lewis" magician legend" - Nothing I can add to that.

• "volodymyr martyniuk" - I have no current information on how Volodymyr Martyniuk (aka Vladimir the Great) is recovering following treatment for a brain aneurysm.  The most recent post on the CGT website suggested that 42 days ago, he was doing well and in rehab.  Does anyone have an update on how he's doing?

Toronto: Summer Soirée

From SummerWorks eventbrite listing:

The meal will be served with wine, music, and an assortment of short performances and happenings from SummerWorks artists including Bob Wiseman, the Brick Lane Advice Booth and magic from James Alan, whose new one man show, Lies Damn Lies & Magic Tricks, will be featured in the Festival this year.

Read more.

London: AbraKIDabra

From Peter Mennie's Facebook event:

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Come and be in the audience of AbraKIDabra! and be part of a LIVE taping of a new fall series on RogersTV.

Tickets $5 at the Palace Theatre Box Office www.palacetheatre.ca or 519-432-1029

Read more.

Toronto: Magicana casting call

From Sharing Wonder:

Magicana is looking for experienced entertainers, specializing in magic, dance and music for a variety of community programs to be conducted in the Greater Toronto Area. If interested, please contact us along with your theatre and entertainment experience.

Read more.

They are looking for instructors and instructor assistants for children's programming as well as entertainers for senior's programming.

I have had the privilege of participating with children in Magicana's My Magic Hands program.  They do great work!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy 145th birthday Canada! 

Whether you're performing at a celebration, or marking the day in your own special way, have a safe and happy Canada Day!

I feel very lucky to live in this wonderful country.

Reminder: CAM membership renewal

From the Canadian Association of Magicians:

Please check your membership card for your renewal date. Over 100 members will be required to renew this coming July 1st. To make it easier for everyone you can visit: MEMBERS RENEWAL where a handy renewal PayPal button has been constructed. Make sure to have your membership number handy to speed up the process.

Read more.

Micky Hades: Lifetime Achievement Award

From the Canadian Association of Magicians:

Canadian legend Micky Hades was honoured by the CAM at it’s annual convention in Hamilton Ontario with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to magic in Canada and around the world. Micky was unable to attend the convention so it fell to CAM Board of Director and owner of the Vanishing Rabbit Magic shop, Brent Smith, to arrange for a fitting evening in Micky’s home-town to celebrate and present the award.

Read more.

Toronto: Eugene Burger extravaganza!

Updated October 17th to add link to photos from SNAP.

See photos from The Presence of Magic show c/o SNAP North York.   

[h/t: Deborah Fallick]

This coming September, Eugene Burger will be in Toronto for:

• a Ring 17 lecture on Thursday September 13th
• The Presence of Magic show at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on Friday September 14th
• A Magic Minimalism workshop on Saturday September 15th [only 7 spots left!]
• A Magic Scripting workshop on Sunday September 16th [only 1 spot left!]

Only one spot left for Eugene Burger's Magic Scripting Workshop in Toronto bit.ly/M2j4WY
— Hat & Rabbit Club (@IBMring17) June 28, 2012

What are you waiting for?  Get your tickets now!

Alex Seaman: youngest IBM ring president

From The Vancouver Courier:

This year, Seaman added another notch to his magician’s belt, which, to his credit, is not diamond encrusted. In February, then only 19 years old, he became the president of the Vancouver Magic Circle and the youngest president in the history of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, which includes the Vancouver chapter.

Read more.

Obie O’Brien: French Cultural Influence gold medal winner

From the Watertown Daily Times:

Whether it be at the local supermarket or in Dunkirk, France, magician Ronald J. “Obie” O’Brien is always ready to entertain.

At his riverfront home just off Kring Point Road late last month, four days before turning 80, he reached into his back pocket for his wallet shortly after welcoming a guest. He revealed a card carrier, took out four cards and launched into a routine:

“A magician and a gambler were talking. ... ”


Read more.

Congratulations Obie!

How to audition for Canada's Got Talent 2012

You can't. 


From Canoe:

Canada’s Got Talent will not be back for a second season in 2012-13, Rogers Media and Citytv confirmed on Friday.

“After careful consideration of all factors, including the current economic climate, Citytv has refocused its programming strategy and will not be producing Canada’s Got Talent for the 2012-13 season,” said Rogers Media president of broadcast Scott Moore in a statement.

Read more.

[h/t: TV,eh?]

Toronto: Soma lecture

From the Browser's Den:

Soma: Current FISM World Champion’s Lecture in Toronto – Sunday August 26th, 2012.


FISM World Champion comes to Toronto! With the help of Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp, the Browser’s Den is proud to offer you the opportunity to spend an entire afternoon with Soma – World renowned manipulator and FISM champion.


Read more and buy your ticket!

Kade Mazury, The Great Kadeini of Hidden Valley

From the Calgary Herald:

While it remains to be seen what illusionist’s name will be famous when we look back at the current decade, there is at least a possibility that a Calgarian will make the list. Kade Mazury—a.k.a. The Great Kadeini of Hidden Valley—has the makings of a memorable magician.

Read more.

Outerbridge: The Celebration of ME

According to the Patty Obey newsletter, Marion Outerbridge is one of two winners of "The Celebration of ME" Dance Scholarship Fund who will attend the Jazz Dance World Congress in Pittsburgh, PA July 31-Aug 5!

Congratulations Marion!

St. Catharines: Alex Kazam's One Night Stand

From Alex Kazam's Facebook page:

Saturday, 21 July 2012

Witty Magic's Last show: "Don't Tell Mom!" was COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!
If you missed it, don't worry- It was a launch to a recurring series of show, now billed as:
"ALEX KAZAM'S ONE NIGHT STAND"
Don't miss your chance to see a fantastic show.

Read more and buy tickets.