Pointe Clare: Family Fair Day

From Montreal Families:

July 11

Inflatable games, Euro Bungy, live music, BBQ, animated games and activities, magician, petting zoo and more.

Read more.

[via Perfect Magic]

Win tickets to see DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY in Toronto

Updated July 5th:  The winners have been announced!

I have been offered five pairs of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend "DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY" at the 9 PM screening on Friday, July 5, 2013 in Toronto, Canada.  (I understand that there's a Q&A with the directors after this screening.)

I will be holding a random draw for each pair of general admission tickets.  (There will be five winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets.)  The draw results will be posted on Friday July the 5th.


To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favourite Ricky Jay memory (from a personal encounter, an interview, a performance etc).  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.)(Your favourite memory could be entering this contest!)
2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle etc.) so that I can notify you if you win.
3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

The fine print:

• To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
• One entry per person.
• This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)
• This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
• If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
• You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
• Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema box office prior to the show on your way into the screening.
• The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
• Contest closes on Thursday July 4th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.

With thanks to Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for generously making these tickets available to you!

Toronto: Let's get Mysterion to Japan!

From Mysterion's Japan Fundraiser Facebook page:

Today! 

Let's get Mysterion to Japan!

Mysterion has been asked to participate as a judge in "C'est Magnifique," a Japanese burlesque talent festival, and he needs your help to get there.

Read more.

[via James Alan]

Houdini diary entry from Toronto

From Wild About Houdini:

There's a lot to love about this. First is the glimpse into the politics of showbiz that a newspaper won't write stories about an act unless the theater buys advertising. Houdini's shorthand "O.D. Stunt" appears to be his catch-all for "outdoor stunts" (bridge jumps, overboard box, suspended straitjacket). Finally, Houdini's expression of hurt at not being thanked feels very genuine. Doesn't matter if you're the world's greatest mystifier; everyone likes to be thanked.

Read the quote.

Toronto: Juston Flom lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Sorcerers Safari & Browser's Den of Magic present the Justin Flom Lecture in Toronto - Sunday August 25th, 2013

Fresh from his recent appearance on the ever-popular Ellen Degeneres show, Justin Flom visits Toronto to spend time with you before heading up to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. In his acclaimed lecture, Justin shares strong versions of his best-selling routine Card Artistry including several new clever touches not included in the original write-up.

Justin also plans to share unreleased routines as seen in his popular YouTube video series. Come to this lecture & learn great magic using objects like: Dollar Bills, Post-it Notes, 6th Fingers, Playing Cards, Silver Coins, Invisible Thread Loops, Photographs, and even something including Donald Trump. (You must see it, to believe it!)

Read more and buy tickets.

[via Magic Information Canada]

Toronto - Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay

Various dates in early July.

From Bloor Cinema:

Touted as one of the greats in the world of magic, Jay is dedicated to researching, teaching, performing and perfecting his craft. Magicians would normally be reluctant to let their secrets out, let alone allow a documentary crew to peek behind their velvet curtain, but in Deceptive Practices Jay allows the directors behind the curtain. Shot over ten years, the film examines Jay’s life, career and profession while providing a rare glimpse into the world of magic itself. Robin Smith, Hot Docs

Directors Molly Bernstein and Alan Edelstein will participate in Q&As on Friday, July 5, at 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 6, at 9:00 p.m.

Read more and buy tickets.

[via Sharing Wonder]

Toronto: Learn the art of magic

From Joylister:

July 20

Learn the Art of Magic with Chad Zhou

Learn the basic principles and theories behind simple, close-up magic tricks, including:

• Sleight of hand
• Making items vanish
• Reading people's minds
• Manipulating cards, coins, and other daily objects
• Techniques for a great performance

Absolutely NO experience is required - just be sure to bring a pen, notebook, your curiosity and passion to learn! In this interactive setting, you'll have the opportunity to test out your craft in front of your peers and gain valuable feedback to further improve your performance. 

Read more and register.

Montreal: Fredo, complètement fou

From Montreal Families:

July 5

Fredo is a magician with a unique style. Incapable of remaining in one place, he has a wild imagination that constantly invents new tricks with the help of everyday objects.

Read more.

[via Perfect Magic]

Gwyn Auger in Calgary is Awesome

From Calgary is Awesome:

Everyone comes to see the Magician on the stage.  He or she is the Illusionist that take our attention, grabs hold of our imagination and suspends our belief. With a twist of the wrist and a fortuitous puff of smoke, the unbelievable becomes reality.

But that’s just part of the story. It often takes 2 (3 if you include the rabbit) to make the event an act with panache as opposed to a clumsy fumbling of playing cards and rumpled sleeves. After all, the Magician needs his assistant to set the mood, follow the invisible cues and distract the crowd. It takes a special person who can be trusted with all that on stage, PLUS protect the secrets of the ages, float in the air, cheat death and do it all with a smile.  So without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages from 1 to 100, introducing Gwyn Auger, Calgary’s Magic Assistant.

Read more.

Check out Gwyn's company, Sparkle Events Services, which promotes magicians and performers of all ages and of all sorts for public and private events. 

Help solve the mystery of the Ring 49 photo

Jeph Stahl, CAM webmaster and webmaster from Ring 49, is helping Herb Cullen's granddaughter identify the names of the people in a photograph from the Ring 49 charter year.

Read Jeph's post and help him if you can!

Toronto: The HUNT -- Magic edition

From Mayhew Productions:

Join the entire magic community as we traverse around Toronto scavenging quirky items, solving magic-related clues, and crisscrossing the TTC tracks taking photos of random awesomeness — for points.

At the end of this game, the team with the most points wins a bag of cash! Sound like something you want to be a part of? Register below, and reserve your spot right now.

Read more and register.

Sounds like fun!  Who's in?

Toronto: James Alan lecture POSTPONED

The James Alan lecture originally scheduled for Sunday July 7 at the Browser's Den has been postponed.  I'll publish the new date when it becomes available.

Calgary: The last Garden Variety Show

From James Jordan's Twitter feed:

The Last Garden Variety Show. Don't miss our epic finale! June 27. $10 tix online #calgary #sceneyyc http://t.co/8xwCLgcEPJ
— James Jordan (@GVS_varietyshow) June 19, 2013

@canadasmagic Buy Tickets to the next GVS online (even if you can't go) all online sales go to local flood relief.
— James Jordan (@GVS_varietyshow) June 24, 2013

Please help flooded Calgary magicians!

Updated June 25th to add Ryan Pilling's fundraising efforts at BC's Magic Festival.
Updated at 13:06 to add additional method of fundraising through Garden Variety Show ticket sales.

The Calgary Magic Circle has a PayPal link up that you can use to contribute money to help Calgary based magicians who have suffered losses due to the recent flooding.  If you live in the area, you may also donate books, tricks, DVDs and gift cards by contacting Gwyn Auger.

Other ways to reach out to those impacted:

@canadasmagic Buy Tickets to the next GVS online (even if you can't go) all online sales go to local flood relief.
— James Jordan (@GVS_varietyshow) June 24, 2013

While I'm performing at the Magic Festival in BC this week, I've pledged to donate 25% of ticket sales to @innfromthecold #yycflood
— Ryan Pilling (@WowRyan) June 24, 2013

RT @anndouglas: Show your support to people affected by Alberta floods by donating to @redcrosscanada: http://t.co/bp01SHDKnR #abflood
— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) June 21, 2013

MT @OrangeYYC: ING DIRECT is matching donations up to $25K for the @redcrosscanada to help those in AB. Log-in to your account for details.
— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) June 23, 2013

Thank you Gwyn for letting me know.

Stay safe Calgary.  I hope the recovery is swift.

Dave Attwood interviews Julie Eng

On June 12th, Dave Attwood interviewed Julie Eng.  Julie "talks about growing up in magic and living the life in Toronto."

Listen to the interview at Dave Attwood's site.

Bill and Chico on cover of Rubber Chicken

From Bill Abbott's Twitter feed:

Chico and I are honoured to be on the cover of the UK's Rubber Chicken magazine! Nice read. pic.twitter.com/djsjmYhRdT
— Bill Abbott (@billabbottmagic) June 15, 2013

Port Coquitlam’s mayor to saw a Farquhar in half

From the Tri-City News:

Don’t be fooled when you see Port Coquitlam’s mayor at the first annual Magic Festival on Sunday.

Greg Moore will not only cut the ribbon for the inaugural event at Leigh Square Community Arts Village, he’ll also saw a woman in half.

“It’ll be my wife,” Maple Ridge resident and festival organizer Shawn Farquhar said. “It’s all in good fun.”

Moore will take to the stage at 2 p.m. on June 23 and will be followed by a free family magic show by the Vancouver Magic Circle, Canada’s largest magic group headed up by PoCo’s Alex Seaman.

Read more.

Chad Juros honored for cancer fundraising efforts

Chad Juros is a counsellor at Sorcerers Safari magic camp.  Congratulations Chad and keep up the great work!

From Shore News Today:

Egg Harbor Township resident Chad Juros was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991 at age 3. Four years later, he relapsed and spent 17 months in the cancer ward, during which time his father, Dr. Donald Juros, kept his spirits up by teaching him magic tricks.

Sadly, soon after he was released from the hospital, his beloved father was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and passed away in 2000. In January 2003, Chad was once again confronted with grave illness, and when he recovered, he decided it was time to make his father’s dying wish his own living wish.

He founded the nonprofit Spread the Magic Foundation to fulfill his father’s hope that he would “continue to spread the magic around the world.” Today, Juros is an accomplished magician and inspirational speaker whose performances raise money for pediatric cancer care.

Read more.

[via Wayne Kawamoto]

More Luminato 2013 reviews

From The Globe and Mail:

Monday evening: George Brown House, an Ontario heritage building situated just south of the University of Toronto, is named, of course, after the distinguished Father of Confederation and founder of The Globe, the newspaper that became the newspaper you are reading. Normally off-limits to the great unwashed, Brown’s stately home was the venue chosen by Luminato’s go-to magic man, David Ben, to showcase the extraordinary legerdemain of American magician Steve Cohen.

The setting proved an apt backdrop for Cohen’s act, which owes a considerable debt to Johann Hofzinser, the 19th-century Austrian known as the father of card magic. At New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Cohen’s unofficial home, he typically entertains audiences of no more than 50. For the Toronto cohort, only slightly larger, the diminutive Cohen – nattily attired in morning coat, waistcoat and striped trousers – deftly stick-handled his way through a series of jaw-dropping tricks, each seemingly more difficult than the last.

Read more.

From Mooney on Theatre:

I straightened my bowtie and tucked in my pocket square this evening to see Steve Cohen perform his show Chamber Magic at George Brown House for Luminato, where the dress code is as fancy as the attendees (let’s just say that for this evening anyhow, his sobriquet The Millionaires’ Magician was well deserved). The show, a classic parlour magic display designed for close audiences, sent me running home to the interwebs to try to figure out how some of his tricks had been performed. I’ll say only this: even online, magicians are pretty tight-lipped.

The pleasure of a magic show is in allowing yourself to be amazed – and it’s nice to be able to stay amazed. Cohen’s skills are really a pleasure to watch as he performs of variety of tricks that are indeed bewildering and delightful. You understand that, on some level, something must be happening somewhere you can’t see it, but that feels beside the point for a moment (except to the gentleman sitting a bit in front of me, who murmured his guesses to his companion frequently). When the card is turned or the glass fills with the correct colour of liquid, we in the audience both expect it and cannot fathom it.

Read more.

From Opus One Review:

We enjoyed being fooled. We pay good money to people who can trick us. We long for the impossible, and what Miguel Puga does is impossible, but there it is.

To help us catch him in his onstage trickery while we are seated in an auditorium, Sr. Puga shows some of his illusions live on a big screen, so we can scrutinize his hands. For openers,  he mixes a deck of cards, draws the Ace of Hearts out of the deck, mixes again and draws again, until he has ‘randomly’ drawn out all the hearts in sequence from deuce to King. While his assistant at the piano, Ms. Paz Sabater, plays Manuel de Fallas’ El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician), Puga turns the cards face down and their backs spell out EL AMOR BRUJO. Impossible! How did he do it? I’ve no idea, but I want to see him do more ‘magic’. And he does.

Read more.

Toronto: Mentalist Mark Fletcher – Live

From Mark's website:

Mark it down on your calendar folks! On Friday July 12th, 2013 An Evening with Mentalist Mark Fletcher will be taking the stage at the Al Green Theatre in Toronto for One Night Only! Tickets are on sale now.  There are a limited number of seats available for this performance so be sure to get yours early.

Read more.

[via: Deborah Fallick]