[Guest post] Michael Weber Zombie Workshop

Updated July 11 to add:  The unabridged version of the "Michael Weber Zombie Workshop" post is now available with photographic illustrations over at Reality Based Magic.


The following is a report from Ring 99.

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Michael Weber Zombie Workshop
June 30, 2013

While we may occasionally pretend to be men (and even women) of our word, our illustrious membership has less collective willpower than Augustus Gloop in a room full of Wonka Bars.

Earlier this year, as a result of a rather vague controversy, we vowed to send our beloved Ring to the grave and ne'er speak of it again. We thought we had succeeded. But when Michael Weber sent word that he would be in town (for reasons we are unable to relate here as they are so secret we have yet to determine them) and was interested in doing a workshop, we rose like zombies and gathered to feast on the contents of his magnificent and delicious brain.

This was no small order as the weekend he has selected was not only the long weekend celebrating our country's founding (uncreatively named Canada Day - Max Maven and Allan Slaight could have done better), but also the glorious orgasmic climax to Pride Week, which is always enjoyed most enthusiastically in Toronto. Nevertheless, we forewent the excessive indulgence in alcohol, fireworks and public nudity and assembled at the usual place. We were not disappointed for our efforts.

The ex-president (James Alan) accompanied by another James (James Harrison), and Keith Brown (recently named Toronto's Best Magician in a silly little contest held outside of Toronto to save on parking and avoid both traffic and credibility) rushed over from their fabulous performance at the gay pride installment of Abracadabaret (Canada's only variety show dedicated to magic, mystery and to-die-for shoes) on the other side of town to not miss any of the mind-blowingness. Two underaged attendees even managed to secure fake IDs to gain entry to our secret speakeasy-cum-clubhouse for the event.

Mr. Weber did not disappoint. He offered a marvelous assortment of practical, commercial and diabolically clever card magic, money magic, mentalism, and personal grooming accessories. We cannot divulge the contents of this super-secret workshop as we have all been sworn to secrecy. The penalty for violating this solemn oath is being forced to watch certain unnamed members of the city's other ring perform all of Ben Train's unpublished material. Twice. They would also be made to judge next year's Chasing Dovetails Bingo tournament. We are not permitted to  explain that he shared the stories  behind two of the long uncredited Vernon and Miller items from Kaplan and Expert Card Technique. We can say he taught his own mischievous and devious twists on three items hidden in the pages of the recent Graham-Diaconis book on math and magic. Weber closed out the night by demonstrating a small non-card treasure he unearthed in a letter written by Charles Jordan. Suffice it to say that we were all thoroughly delighted and will be keeping our yaps shut.

The special meeting room also features a VIP viewing gallery at the back to which the ex-president, Chicago's David Solomon and Aspen's Eric Mead were banished to prevent them from causing too much trouble. To keep the peanut gallery quiet, a second, younger more vertically-challenged Mr. Weber held court. Due to a strategically timed nap (and apparently a better fake ID than any of us had ever seen), young Master Weber was able to share the real work on several captivating iPad apps well past the point any sensible person would consider bedtime. The legumes on the periphery did manage to poke their heads up occasionally as Weber the senior got around to what we might call "the good bits" which happened what we may call "often".

Following the official programming there were additional things which cannot be explained and an informal session with Eric Mead which deteriorated rapidly into philosophical discussions of gastronomy, techniques for setting things on fire and looking at baby pictures.

So having had our fix, we put yet another silver bullet in the chamber and return the illustrious Ring 99 to oblivion... until the next guy comes through town.

To read more about the adventures of Ring 99, see Ninety Nine Fabrications Volume 1 and Volume 2.

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Thank you to the Zombies of Ring 99 for guest posting at Canada' s Magic!

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

The contest to win tickets to see "DECEPTIVE PRACTICE: THE MYSTERIES AND MENTORS OF RICKY JAY in Toronto" on July 5th closed last night at midnight.  Here's the list of entrants:

1. Dan McLean Jr
2. Phil DC
3. Magic Mike Segal
4. Derek D
5. Keith Browne (not to be confused with magician Keith H. Brown)

Given that there are five pairs of tickets to be won and five entrants, I will save the suspense and the random drawing for another point in time.

Congratulations Dan, Phil, Mike, Derek and Keith!  I'll be sending you an e-mail with the name of the contact person.  Enjoy the show tonight!

Thank you all for playing! A special thanks to Patrycja from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for generously making these tickets available!

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]