Fundraiser: Stop the Sucking

From Ring 17:

The Mosquitoes Suck Project, organized by SoChange, has released an instructional download including tricks from:

• Bill Abbott
• James Alan
• Joshua Jay
• Anthony Lindan
• Bobby Motta
• David Peck
• Brian Roberts
• Jay Sankey

For $10, you get a 106-minute, 3gb download of original magic. The download is available from dontbiteme.ca. $10 is the cost of an insecticide treated bed net, including delivery, which protects a family for up to ten years. These nets are distributed in Africa by Spread The Net. So download your copy today!

Read more and buy a download to Stop the Sucking.

A second season of Breaking Magic

From The Futon Critic:

(Silver Spring, MD)-Discovery Networks International (DNI) today announced the return of original series BREAKING MAGIC. Behind every trick is science, and this 14x30 series from Objective Productions brings back its international cast of magicians,  Ben Hanlin, Billy Kidd, Wayne Houchin, along with newcomer, Nate Staniforth, for even more mesmerizing stunts and street magic. BREAKING MAGIC will premiere on Discovery Channel in 224 countries across Europe, Middle-East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America beginning February 2014. 

Read more.

Review: Bobby Motta lecture

From the Browser's Den blog:

Such is his energy and enthusiasm and natural ability to entertain that the two hours flashed by in an instant. Trying to recapture Bobby's performance in print is no easy task - it is so relaxed and he is so genuinely funny that it would be easy to mistake it all for an impromptu session. But that it looks so effortless and natural is because of the years of hard work and dedication to his art that Bobby has undertaken. He admits to close to 3000 professional performances in his 13 year pro career. It shows. Interestingly, he actually started out as a hobbyist at the Den (at its old location on Eglinton).

Read more.

A different kind of magic: Eric Leclerc makes a stranger's day

Not magic, per se, but magical!

Watch Eric Leclerc make a stranger's day on YouTube:

Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2013

• Mike and Jen Segal are totally awesome and inspiring people!
• It is tremendous that organizations such as Ellusionist support Sorcerers Safari. (Kids, did you remember to send a quick "thank you" e-mail to them for the generous gift you received?  Do it now!  -- Mom)
• Justin Flom is a super nice and super talented young man. (Read about his Toronto lecture at the Browser's Den blog)
• I learned of a disconcerting, non-standard use for Mod Podge.
• When asked to think of a famous painting, a LOT of people think of "Starry Night"
• There's more humidity in Haliburton than in Vegas.
• "Overnight successes" take a lot of work and planning.
• Lee Asher is such a great teacher even _I_ learned how to produce minor card miracles. #BeginnerCardClass
• Sometimes you get lucky and are the ONLY one in an elective. #PrivateClassesAreAwesome
• Steven Kline is the guy you want in the booth during your show!
• You never know when you might meet a fiction author! 
• The health and safety of the children is clearly a priority.
• Being levitated takes strong neck muscles.
• Non-magicians aren't always the best choice for volunteers during a show.
• Some Australians have incredible peripheral vision!
• Spotted in 24 hours: Mike and Jen Segal, Dan Weibe, Keith Brown, Eric Leclerc, Aaron Fisher, Dave Mitchell, Shawn Farquhar, Carey Lauder, Chad Juros, Lee Asher, Dick Joiner, Justin Flom, Steven Kline, Lisa and Michael Close, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Bobby Motta ... I'm sure there were more!
• Carey Lauder is an incredible photographer.  (See samples of his magic camp from two years back in Vanish magazine.)
• Chris Mayhew shot some fabulous footage – I can't wait to see this year's camp video!
• Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp gets better every year!
• Mike Segal and Mike Toal should be very proud of what they started together over 17 years ago.
• Sorcerers Safari is full of genuinely nice, caring, talented individuals!

Is it too soon to say 'I can't wait for next year!' ? #PostCampBlues #WeMissYou
— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) September 10, 2013

Not at all.  I can't wait until the next time I'm there!