Jay Sankey in Europe

Just booked for a magic convention in Germany! Been too long since I shook hands with my awesome German fans. http://t.co/DxxZ87UYsp
— Jay Sankey (@jay_sankey) August 15, 2013

From Magic-Convention:

Some of the best magicians from around the world have made the long trip to Lübeck to present to you their expertise. During the 4th Lübeck Magic-Days, which will be held 27th-28th September 2013, they will be teaching aprox. 250 magicians from all over the world.

You would like to attend our exclusive convention “Nordisch Nobel” as well as all the lectures? You’ve come to right place. Register as soon as possible as the number of participants is limited to 250! (register here)

Read more.

I was also just booked to perform + lecture at this FUN event in the Netherlands. Gonna be a fun trip! http://t.co/ln1xa1OQVj
— Jay Sankey (@jay_sankey) August 15, 2013

From Dynamite Day:

October 5

What can you expect on this day?

Lectures;
National and international magicians which we specially books have their favorite effects for you, and better yet, then they teach you every detail so that you yourself can learn these tricks

Competition;
A limited number of participants may participate in this stage and close-upwedstrijd which will be judged by a jury of professional magicians and "lay" or simply public. Thus we find that a fair idea can be given of how a magician really comes across public and we do not attach any value to techniques used. However, the combination of the two provides the highest possible performance!

Gala;
The gala which will take place in the evening you can see a selection of international artists / magicians that special one-time offer this complete show for you. This should not be missed!

Read more.

Vancouver: Paul Romhany's Murder by Magic

October 14th and 15th

My one man show is coming to town - if you live in Vancouver check out this poster with details: October 14th... http://t.co/HeygPK3Obn
— Paul Romhany (@paulromhany) August 19, 2013

Discovery channel: You Couldn’t Do This

From Canada.com:

You can retire from TV, but you can never get away from science — especially if you inculcated a lifelong interest in how things work from a young age. Jay Ingram, one of the original hosts of Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet newsmagazine, gets in touch with his inner child with his return-to-TV special You Couldn’t Do This.

Ingram explores the science behind magicians’ death-defying acts, showing how the most dangerous stunts can’t be explained away by illusion, misdirection and sleight-of-hand. Sometimes, what magicians do is real, aided and abetted by the old-fashioned laws of physics. Understanding science can make it possible for a human being to be fired from a cannonball or contort oneself into innumerable different positions and poses, all of them painful. Seeing is believing, they say, but one of the first laws of science is that you can’t always trust your eyesight alone to tell you what’s going on.

True, by taking a hard, science-based look at the world of illusion, Ingram risks playing the part of party-pooper. Ingram is more science nerd than spoilsport, though, and You Couldn’t Do This is worlds removed from Breaking the Magician’s Code.

Read more.

Lee Asher on The Magic Way

Will you be seeing Lee Asher at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp next week?  If so, be sure to congratulate him for his recent cover on The Magic Way!

Made the cover of the Chinese magic magazine THE MAGIC WAY! pic.twitter.com/akMffGXg8L
— Lee Asher (@LeeAsherMagic) August 18, 2013

Read the article they published last summer about his 2012 tour through China.  (Read in English via Google Translate.)

Festival de magie de Québec 2013

August 30th to September 2nd.

Performers include:

• Mathieu Bich
• Stéphane Bourgoin
• Simon Pérusse
• Bob Arseneau
• Simon Bernard
• Billy et Manu
• Jean Deshaies
• Ekaterina Dobrokhotova
• Jean-Pierre Dussault
• Fredo
• Nicolas Gignac
• Michel Huot
• Jack maître magicien
• Le magicien Jules
• Yannick Lacroix
• Sébastien Louis-XVI
• Martin le magicien
• Carl Pellerin
• Jacques Pétard
• Carol Rondeau
• Richard Tremblay
• Marc Trudel
• Général Patente

And from Doug at Magic Information Canada:

J'ai ajouté le conférence Mathieu Bich au Québec en Septembre à http://t.co/Q7MlBSmksb (with apologies for my shaky French).
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) August 18, 2013

Visit Festival de Magie de Québec for more information or to buy tickets.


Watch this year's interactive advertising for the event on YouTube:

Edmonton: Ryan Pilling and Gwyn Auger

When you go to see these two lecture, be sure to thank them from me, for being wonderful sponsors of this blog!


From Facebook:

Sunday, 25 August 2013 

Don't miss this double-feature lecture.

Gwyn Auger - The Magic Assistant - Columnist for VANISH magazine, and veteran of promotion and live marketing. In her role as social media coordinator she was instrumental in the success and sold out shows of WowFest Magic Festival in Calgary earlier this year. She will be sharing her tips and techniques on personal branding and promotional marketing that will get you recognized and booked. Make sense of your online marketing strategy and get the results you want!

Ryan Pilling - Comedy Magician and Improvisor - Author of "Finding The Funny", a guidebook for getting amazing reactions with your audience interaction. Ryan is going to break down the magic he does in his show. Not only share and teach real-world routines, but dive in to to work of creating, writing, and developing those acts. Tips for making the magic more powerful through connecting with your audience, and developing your own creative muscle.

Read more.

Nine years of My Magic Hands

Congratulations Julie, on the continued success of this fabulous project!

From Sharing Wonder:

It is hard to believe that My Magic Hands was originally launched nearly a decade ago.

Magicana applied for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation(OTF) to develop a pilot program version of  ”Magic Hands”.  In 2004, the program was designed and tested during the year in four different at-risk communities around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Canada’s top children’s rehabilitation hospital, now known as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The response to the pilot program was excellent and Trillium agreed. Magicana was then awarded a multi-year grant to expand  My Magic Hands program (and, to simultaneously develop Senior Sorcery – a program designed specifically for the senior population). My Magic Hands continued to evolved and developed through funding from private foundations and donors. Today, this program is funded solely by the Slaight Family Foundation.

Read more.

Toronto: Jason Palter

From Pubaret:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
MAGICIAN JASON PALTER

Could it be time for another first at The Pubaret?  Yes it could cuz we've never had a magic show until now:  Magician Jason Palter.

Palter. Say the name PAUL, add a TER, and that’s how you pronounce Jason’s last name.

Like many magicians, the love of magic was born at an early age; Jason was just 9 years old when he received his first magic set. After that, it was only natural that his tendency to be class clown and overall goofball would one day merge with his love of magic. A comic magician was born!

Read more and buy tickets.

Goodbye to Murray’s Trick and Joke Shop -- the end of an era in Victoria

A reminder to us all to support our local brick and mortar magic shops while we still can.

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area?  Consider supporting one through their online shops.   (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and
 The Browser's Den of Magic!)

Read the comments on Murray's Facebook page.


From the Times Colonist:

There will be no large puff of smoke or silk curtain drawn as house lights fade to black. Instead, with the simple closing of a door and turning of a key, three decades of illusion and whimsy will end as Murray’s Trick and Joke Shop closes for the final time Aug. 25.

The store — the go-to destination for gear, tricks and effects for amateur and professional magicians, as well as a year-round costume source and a gold mine for would-be office pranksters and kids of all ages — is about to pull its own disappearing act.

“It’s sad because of the long history of this place, and my wife and I were thrilled to have been a part of that,” said current owner Murray Hatfield, who along with wife Teresa Midbo bought the store seven years ago from Tony and Ann Eng.

Read more.

Guelph: Laughing Matters

From River Run:

As Canada’s Premiere Comedian, Derek Edwards creates enchanting tales based on everyday subjects and delivers them with polished style and impeccable timing. With Jim McNally and Matt Disero warming up the crowd you are guaranteed to be left doubled over with laughter wanting more!

Laughing Matters is an event to raise awareness about poverty and support local at-risk communities. Proceeds from this event are going directly back into the community through Speroway’s work procuring and distributing food in Guelph.      

Read more and buy tickets.

Magic Information Canada has added features!

Earlier this summer, Doug Cuff over at Magic Information Canada, added some nifty new functionality to his awesome site!

In his own words:

Added "muggle events" check box to http://t.co/Q7MlBSmksb -- which allows magicians to include performances in their agenda of lectures etc.
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) June 2, 2013

I admit it: I added the "muggle" check box because I was irked that my site didn't offer an easy way to view all the @McBrideMagic events.
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) June 2, 2013

Added "closed" check box to http://t.co/aNhDze6sVE -- which allows you to include business that have closed and save time chasing dead ends.
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) June 2, 2013

If you haven't already, click over and visit this great resource.

Thanks for your continued hard work Doug!

Toronto: Buskerfest!

The 2013 Scotiabank BuskerFest in support of Epilepsy Toronto will be held from August 22nd to August 25th.  Magical performers include:

• Charlie Caper (Sweden)
• Chris Capehart (USA)
• Diogo Alvares (Brazil)
• Max T. Oz (Canada) and
• Nathaniel Rankin (Canada)

Toronto: There's magic at the Ex!

There's magic at the CNE again this year!

At The Farm, Daniel Steep is back with Agri-Magic, an interactive magic show that educates audiences about Canadian Farming.

Only a few days until #CNE2013 ! Catch the #agrimagic show 4 times daily in the #cnefarm ! @LetsGoToTheEX
— Daniel Steep (@danielsteep) August 13, 2013

Majinx is back at Kids' World with Professor Wick's School of Magic and Illusion.

And Mike D'Urzo is at the Variety Stage, located on Princes' Boulevard at Ontario Drive, south of BMO Field.

Excited to announce I will be performing at the EX from Aug.16- Sept.2 daily at 12:30 & 3:00 pm on the Variety Stage! http://t.co/VnsjxVCEKI
— Mike D'Urzo (@MikeDurzo) August 14, 2013

This year the Ex runs from August 16th to September 2nd, 2013.  Please check the CNE's website for dates and showtimes.

Toronto: Mysterion in Twisted Thoughts

From Facebook:

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Ever wonder dreams really can come true? How about Nightmares?

Enter the impossible. Mysterion, Canada's celebrated mentalist returns to the stage for ONE NIGHT ONLY to bring you a selection of effects that dive into the twisted and bizarre.

This isn't a birthday magic show, its a sixty minute selection of his most terrifying and psychologically frightening effects from a carnal catalog of magic. Your way of thinking will never be the same.

With a screening after the show of Tod Browning's classic FREAKS included with admission.

Read more.

Toronto: Bobby Motta lecture - Thirteen

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Sunday, September 22

Just a few months ago at our shop Bobby Motta gave a free Dealer Show that was a HUGE hit with all in attendance!

Well, Bobby contacted us and told us that he has a lecture that contains material that 99% of which was not shown or discussed in the free dealer show a few months ago.

Here are the details…

Read more.

The Can-eh-diana deck

Have a look at the Facebook page for the Can-eh-diana deck!  It's a deck of cards "celebrating all things Canadian."  Naturally, it includes magicians!  So far, it's been revealed that Julie Eng, Jason Palter, Bill Abbott and Philip DaCosta are face cards.

Can't wait to get a look at the whole deck!

(If you haven't already, "like" their Facebook page. Tell them Canada's Magic sent you!)

Ottawa: Steve Reynolds lecture

From Magic Information Canada:

Tuesday, September 17

Steve Reynolds. Magic lecture. Royal Oak Laurier.

Read more.

Toronto: Ring 17 upcoming season

From the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club:

The 2013-2014 Calendar includes:

• Michael Close
• Tyler Wilson
• Dani DaOrtiz
• The Great Unknown
• Kenton Knepper
• Vincent Hedan
• the Gordon Precious 90th birthday bash featuring Bobby Motta

It looks like a great season ahead!

Gwyn Auger inteviews Lorena Watters

 Gwyn Auger interviews Lorena Watters in the 9th edition (Aug / Sept 2013) of Vanish International Magic Magazine.  The article starts at page 172. 

From Vanish Magizane:

What got you started in magic?

Well I always knew i was going to do some sort of entertainment. My parents enrolled me in dance classes at a young age and i was in all the plays and musicals in school. But Trevor got me started in Magic! We went to the same college, I was in the Theatre program and he was in the Stage craft program. During productions and rehearsals, our classes would work together a lot. Trevor and I started talking and hanging out more, then one day he asked if I could fit into a box and stick 12 swords in it and the rest is history!

Read more.

Rob Testa on Zoink'd

Watch Toronto magician  Rob Testa, on  YTV's show Zoink'd.