Gregory Bracco reports from Korea

Read Gregory Bracco's latest report from Korea at the Canadian Association of Magicians website:

Here in Korea the Lunar New Year celebrations have just passed and so has one of my favorite events in magic. During the first week in February the Magic Union Korea (M.U.K.) held a three day magic seminar in the southern city of Busan. This was the fifth year for this annual seminar and although the attendance was down this year from previous years, about 50 participants, it still was bustling with energy and excitement. The following are some of the highlights of the event.

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Broken wand: Lucien "Stephano" Boucher

From Le Survol de la Rive-Nord:

À Saint-Eustache, le 24 novembre 2012 à l’âge de 89 ans, est décédé Lucien Boucher, époux d’Huguette Beaudoin. Outre son épouse, il laisse dans le deuil ses fils Pierre et Stéphane (Diane); ses petits-enfants : Alyssa, Aaron, Frankie et Missy; de nombreux frères et sœurs ainsi que plusieurs autres parents et amis.

Lucien Boucher a fait sa marque, sous le nom de Stéphano, dans le milieu des variétés en tant que magicien, humoriste et photographe.

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Read in english via Google Translate.


[With thanks to Phil Matlin.]

In which Mark Lewis reads my mind

Well, he did a pretty good job of reading my mind.  Though the question was not quite as general in my head as what he asked, and I may have had a few different words in mind to express the thought.

I'm back to othe question I asked earlier this week, Does Magician of the year mean the same thing as Perfomer of the year? (The comments to the post have started to sway my orginal stance.  I am also astonished that 93% of you that voted in the poll so far, have voted that amateurs should be eligible for the award -- I was sure there would be hundreds of "no" votes by now!)

But back to Mark Lewis.

On the Canadian Association of Magicians website post, Nominations for Magician of the Year, Mark asked:

The “proficient magician” part of things may cut possible nominees down quite drastically. Is it possible to nominate someone who is utterly useless as a performer (as most are) but has contributed in some other way ?

Go to the CAM post to read Shawn's answer.

And an update from Shawn in his latest e-mail to remind CAM members that time is running out to nominate someone for the award:

We have over 40 nominees and there is a clear first place and three very close contenders for the final spots on the actual ballot.

So there you go.  I can't wait to see who makes it to the voting round!

Dorval: Blair Marshall

From Montreal Families:

Feb 24, 2013
Magical Purim Party

Featuring Dorval's Master Illusionist Blair Marshall with the fastest hands in the West!
    Megillah reading at 3:30
    Hamantashen & Tempting Purim Spread
    Balloon Sculptures & Pinata
    Photo Booth
    Come dressed in Costume
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[via Perfect Magic]

Toronto: Roy Kueppers' Day at The Den

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

When: Sunday, March 10th
Where: The Browser's Den of Magic, 3220 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON
Cost to attend day: FREE!

Mr. Roy Kueppers, the man who personally manufactures all of the specially gimmicked canadian coins will be here at the shop for a full day of activities. Roy also makes non-canadian trick coins.  Plus a host of other gorgeous props including 'okito boxes', 'hand-crafted magic wands' and more!

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From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

ALSO APPEARING: MICHAEL FRANCIS CURRENT GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER OF:
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls in one minute - 2 hands = 92 (previous record was 78)
Most Multiple Coin Rolls in one minute - 1 hand = 29
(previous record was 26)
Most Coin Rolls in one minute - 1 hand = 49
(previous record was 45)
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls (no time limit) - 1 hand = 986
(previous record was 72)
Most Consecutive Coin Rolls (no time limit) - 2 hands = 211
(previous record was 102)

Read more.