Eric Leclerc on BrainGames

From Eric Leclerc's Facebook page:

Post by Eric Leclerc.

Winnipeg: Keith Brown's Exchange

From Keith Brown's Twitter feed:

Exchange coming to @winnipegfringe July 16-27th, 2014 "Magic done right" - Erika Faust, Theatre in… http://t.co/Xqo7FPfKBw
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) June 27, 2014

Montreal: Gaston lecture

From Montreal Magic Jam:

When: July 10
Where: Espace La Risée
1258 Bélanger Est, Montréal

Two-time FISM Champion, Gaston, is a key member of the famed Flicking Fingers and one of magic’s most creative performers. 

Gaston: an actor, comedian, and master magician all rolled up into one. Born in Munich Germany, Gaston started performing magic at an early age of seven. He trained at the school of magic in Munich where he later became a teacher. In 1988 he started working on adding skills with intensive classes of pantomime, ballet, jazz, acting, and attended the Drama School Schauspiel Munich. He’s written and starred in two solo shows that have played in Germany; both shows revolving around 10 characters from literature.

Read more.

[via Magic Information Canada]

Who's where July 2014

Leave a comment on this post to let us know where you're going to be this month!

Listings from the comments section:

From Captain Corbin:

Yarr,
I'll be performing pirate themed magic shows every Friday in July and August at London Ontario's Storybook Gardens! and Every Sunday in July and August at Gravenhurst Ontario's Wharf aboard the steamship Wenonah I'll be hosting a 2 hour pirate cruise on Lake Muskoka!

This Sunday at 7:00 on Magic@theCage: @james_alan performs his entire one-man show, Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks http://t.co/mUy57ZIeP1

— Abracadabaret (@Abracadabaret) July 24, 2014

“@WowFestMagic: #yyc Jr. Magic Club has their #stampede performance today at 1:30 PM Window on the West Stage, BMO Centre, Hall D #yycmagic”
— Gwyn Auger (@magicassistant) July 9, 2014

Come see a show this summer. If you're looking for me you shouldn't have to look to far because I'm everywhere! http://t.co/k8vOwv5Zso
— IncrediBrent (@IncrediBrent) June 18, 2014

What a great first day of #agrimagic shows at the @calgarystampede steps! Shows daily at 12:20 and 2:20
— Daniel Steep (@danielsteep) July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July and remember the 2 Canadians, @UnrealTyWilson &@chrismayhew1 will be lecturing next Thursday 7pm. $30 per person
— The Magic Apple (@The_Magic_Apple) July 5, 2014

Every Saturday @HorseshoeResort A day of fun, adventure and MAGIC! @Att ractionsOnt pic.twitter.com/3xIFZT9gBT
— Peter Mennie (@petermennie) July 4, 2014

Post by Greg Frewin Theatre.

I'm back doing my thing at Krowd Keepers: Magic Theatre this Saturday in Bath Spa. Few tickets left. Come my hizzos.
— Billy Kidd (@Billykiddshow) July 2, 2014

I am going to be performing at Illumination Music & Arts Festival July 12th! It's a funk and electronica, folk... http://t.co/xIjuV7CsxM
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) June 18, 2014

Exchange coming to @winnipegfringe July 16-27th, 2014 "Magic done right" - Erika Faust, Theatre in… http://t.co/Xqo7FPfKBw
— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) June 27, 2014

Fine print:

• Must be a Canadian associated with the magic community or a magic performance in Canada.
• No more than one comment per event.
• Submissions will be subject to editing and / or deletion.

Winnipeg: Society of Young Magicians

From the Magic Club of Winnipeg:

Society of Young Magicians meeting on July 6th. 

Read more.

Who's where on Canada Day

Leave a comment on this post to let us know where you're going to be on Canada Day!

• Scott Hammell at University of Waterloo

Canada Day magic shows #canadadayyyc #calgary http://t.co/bOZTC0rfip pic.twitter.com/q1mIr0WCCZ

— James Jordan (@GVS_varietyshow) July 1, 2014

Me and my duck #torontoribfest pic.twitter.com/yhQfzmtfRN

— Phil, The Magic Guy (@MagicInToronto) July 1, 2014

Albion Hills tomorrow! Best Canada celebrations! 2 wonderful magic shows. See you there!! http://t.co/yDZ9923rJh
— Presswood (@robertpresswood) July 1, 2014

C me @ Niagarafalls Canada Day festi @ 1pm and 3pm~ July 2 @ Niagara-on-the-lake library at 10am~ July 4 @ Storybook gardens 1&2pm shows
— Captain Corbin (@Captain_Corbin) June 27, 2014

Come celebrate Canada day with some Magic! The show is at 2:00 in Whitby.... http://t.co/EsvoUAye1w
— IncrediBrent (@IncrediBrent) June 27, 2014

One week from now I have some minor plans. pic.twitter.com/VmtKAiZoxo
— Peter Mennie (@petermennie) June 23, 2014

Top 5 posts in June 2014

It's been a busy month at Canada's Magic, with 40 posts and over page loads so far!  The most popular were:

5. Classifieds: Sale on Magic Props and Clown Supplies - I hope you sold most of your stuff Chris! 

4. Niagara Falls: Mindtrix the Show - Reviews anyone? 

3. Toronto: The Ghost Experience with Jamie Stam - Reviews anyone? 

2. James Alan on Beyond the Mundane 

and the most viewed post this month is a topic that's near and dear to my heart  ...

1. Grateful for our June sponsors! - Please let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

A timely reminder from Perfect Magic

Post by Perfect Magic.

Random thoughts about 90th birthday parties

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending two 90th birthday celebrations, both for Toronto's very own Gordon Precious.  Gordon is an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word.  I've known Gordon for close to 20 years and in that time he's been consistently positive, welcoming and encouraging.  He's younger at heart than many people of my generation.  Simply having Gordon in your life, makes you a better person.

First up was the Browser's event:

• The event was extremely well attended.  There were people in attendance that I didn't see that day -- it was that packed.
• It was fabulous showing of friendship from the magic community.  (Folks drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
• No one does the the Vanishing Birdcage like Gordon.
• David Merry did a set that kept everyone in stitches.
• Jeff always throws wonderful celebration parties!
• I am incapable of entering a magic shop without leaving with a purchase.
• Read more about it (and see pictures) at the Browser's Den blog.

And later in the week, a celebration by Ring 17 at their year end banquet:

• The banquet was also very well attended.  (Folks also drove in from Kitchener, Hamilton and Ottawa!)
• Gordon did a wonderful set, entertaining young and old alike!
• There was a Zig-Zag illusion that went off without a hitch.
• I had no idea Gordon could breathe fire.
• Paul Wildbaum and Bill Abbott were entertaining, as always. 
• See photos at the Ring 17 Facebook group.

Wonderful celebrations for a wonderful person!  Happy birthday Gordon!

Asi Wind Special Guest at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp

From Sorcerers Safari Facebook Group:

Toronto, Ontario. - June 27th, 2014 EST - Amidst rampant magic forum speculation, Sorcerers Safari Summer Magic Camp announced it is bringing in a world renowned mentalist as the special guest at Magic Camp this summer.

With several best selling DVDs & downloads, a one-man show 'Concert of the Mind' under his belt, and a ton of great unpublished ideas – Asi Wind has lots to offer the campers. Asi Wind is famous for his exceptional performances, he's also known for consulting on David Blaine's latest special, which has received international acclaim. Now imagine what it would be like to spend a camp session with him?!

Read more.

This year Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp runs from Friday August 15^th through to Wednesday August 20^th.  They are currently taking registrations at http://www.sorcererssafari.ca

Toronto: Big Sale at Browser's Den!

From Browser's Den of Magic:

SATURDAY JULY 19th BIG SALE OF MAGIC TRICKS/PROPS & BOOKS!AT: Browser's Den of Magic!
(Admission-Free)

Dear Magic Friends,

Over the past couple of weeks we have acquired some collections of used magic in very good condition. 

On the date above the collection of books, tricks, props will be available for sale as soon as our doors open.

Read more.

Halifax: Francis Menotti lecture

From Magic Information Canada's Twitter stream :

Added @FrancisJMenotti lecture in Halifax TONIGHT (Thursday Jun 26) to http://t.co/Q7MlBSEtGj @roddoiron
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) June 26, 2014

Review: The Uncertainty Project

From Mooney on Theatre:

James Alan’s stage magic leaves Toronto audiences stunned, at the Wychwood Theatre 

“How did he do that?” I asked myself this countless times during James Alan: The Uncertainty Project which is currently playing at the Wychwood Theatre. The show, written by Alan and directed by James Biss, is one full of magic and illusion that is both impressive and entertaining.

Read more.

Quebec: Luc Langevin

From Perfect Magic's Facebook page:

Post by Perfect Magic.

David Merry, Bob Cates nominated for Best Variety Act

Voting opens today.  Best of luck Dave and Bob!

From Canadian Comedy:

NOMINEES IN THE 2014 CANADIAN COMEDY AWARDS

Live / Best Variety Act

• Bob Cates

• David Merry [warning: sound]

• Morro and Jasp

• Shirley Gnome

• Wes Borg

Read more.

Toronto: Return of The Conjuror

From Soul Pepper Theatre:

December 30 

Embark on a voyage of imagination and wonder as David Ben brings his critically acclaimed The Conjuror to Soulpepper. Be transported back to the year 1909 and the legendary St. George's Hall in London where audiences came to be enchanted by paradox - the Golden Age of Magic!

Read more and buy tickets.

Greg Frewin on Breakfast Television

From the Greg Frewin Theatre Facebook page:

Post by Greg Frewin Theatre.

Review: Card Table Artifice

From The Star:

Ever wanted to be a card sharp or a Mississippi riverboat gambler? Then S.W. Erdnase’s The Expert at the Card Table is essential reading.

Known in magical circles simply as Erdnase, this much admired Bible of card manipulation was published in 1902 and, in detailed, polished and unemotional prose, exposes many tricks of the trade, including blind shuffles, bottom dealing, stocking and locating specific cards, palming and legerdemain.

The work inspired a string quartet with narration, written by composer Gavin Bryars and Spanish poet Juan, which premiered in 1997. And now Toronto magician David Ben has added yet another layer for the 2014 Luminato Festival.

Read more.

Random thoughts on The Uncertainty Project

Last night I had the pleasure of attending The Uncertainty Project by James Alan.  I had spent the day volunteering my time for the benefit of school age children and had already experienced more than my share of excitement and uncertainty.  (All's well that ends well, thankfully.)  I was a little apprehensive about filling my evening with more uncertainty.  I'm glad I did.

• There will never, ever be a show exactly like the show I saw.  (At least, it's highly improbable.)
• The audience is a wild card for which it is nearly impossible to be completely prepared.
• I find it hard to live tweet and watch a show at the same time.  (I really do know how to spell your name Mahdi.)
• As near as I can tell, no rabbits were harmed in the creation of the show.
• Any show with links to Heisenberg, Einstein, Fermat, Schrödinger, and Douglas Adams, is cool in my books.
• I'm not ashamed to admit that I was "one of the two people" who was bothered by claims made on the third piece of glass. I checked.  I'm not going to tell you what I discovered.
• Sometimes it's a good thing that magicians are tall.
• Arithmetic is important.
• Crowdsourcing seems to be a surprisingly effective way to get out of a jam.
• There were some very powerful moments.
• I was absolutely entertained.

The Uncertainty Project continues for two more nights.

Captain Corbin on Rogers TV

From Captain Corbin's Twitter feed:

More with Captain Corbin The Magical Pirate - London - Rogers TV http://t.co/rXrsdjCx5E
— Captain Corbin (@Captain_Corbin) June 3, 2014