Toronto: Asi Wind lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

From the same people who brought you Michael Ammar, Daniel Garcia, The Buck Twins, Eric Jones and many others -- Sorcerers Safari presents the Asi Wind Lecture in Toronto - Wednesday August 20th.

WHAT: The Asi Wind Lecture WHERE: Browser's Den // 3220 Dufferin Street #19, Toronto, ON M6A 2T3. WHEN: Wednesday August 20th, 2014 

Asi Wind comes to Toronto! With the help of Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp, the Browser's Den is proud to offer you the opportunity to spend an evening with Asi Wind - World renowned mentalist.

Spontaneous and unpredictable, Asi's magic lectures are a roller-coaster for the brain. Combining his free-spirited playfulness and uniquely creative mind, Asi treats each audience to a truly unforgettable experience. At one moment Asi might reveal the name of your past love and another he might read someones mind over the phone. The only thing you can expect is the unexpected.

Read more and buy tickets.

Shawn Farquhar, president of the I.B.M.

Updated on July 16 to add:

Dennis Schick from the IBM has kindly provided me with a PDF copy of the (previously mentioned) cover story about Shawn Farquhar in this month's issue of The Linking Ring to share with the readers of Canada's Magic.

Thank you very much Dennis! 

From Dennis:

If you are an I.B.M. member, you have already seen and read the cover story on Canada's own Shawn Farquahar in the July issue of The Linking Ring. If you are not an I.B.M. member, here it is, with a reminder that this is a good example of what you are missing by not being a member. Why not join and support Shawn and his year as president? Go to www.magician.org.

Updated at 3pm to add:

• Dennis Schick has a wonderful interview with Shawn on page 22 in this month's issue of the Linking Ring (v94, 7) July 2014.

As many of you already know, Shawn Farquhar recently became president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Dennis Schick wrote up some interesting parallels between Shawn and Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, incoming president of the Society of American Magicians.  

From the IBM blog:

The combined convention this year of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians will establish a number of firsts, as well as other interesting and historic events. Until someone actually researches the archives, some of these are more assumptions than facts. They are interesting to speculate about anyway. Besides, astute magic historians likely will come forward to set the record straight whatever we say. But until then, here are a half-dozen observations and tidbits about the two new presidents of the largest (I.B.M.) and the oldest (S.A.M.) magic organizations in the world.

Read more.

Post by IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians.

How well do you know me?

When I started this site back in 2010, I did so pseudo-anonymously.  In part because I'm a private person, and partly because I didn't want who I am to influence this bloggy experiment.

As the site gained traction, I've been fascinated learning who you some of you think I am.  Typically the guesses have been very flattering, but wrong!  There are still a number of you out there who don't know me, that think you have an idea of who I am.  Let's see how right you are.

For fun, fill out the poll below.  People who know my (not so) secret identity are welcome to participate.  The poll will close in 13 days.  (For a score and bragging rights, e-mail me your answers or post them in the comments.)

The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic:

• is shorter than the average of the heights of Richard Forget, Ryan Pilling, James Alan and David Acer
• is / has been on the executive of CAM
• is / has been on the executive of IBM
• was born in Western Canada
• was born in Central Canada
• was born in Eastern Canada
• performs / performed magic professionally
• performs / performed magic semi-professionally
• performs / performed with live animals
• box jumps / jumped
• has recently (within the past 5 years) published a book
• has created and marketed at least one original magic effect
• has been involved in the magic community for more than 10 years
• has been involved in the magic community for more than 20 years
• has been involved in the magic community for more than 30 years
• has at least two X chromosomes (making them either female or a male with Klinefelter's syndrome)

If you're feeling confident, leave the name of who you think I am in the comments.  (Unless you really do know.)

Let the games begin!

Clive Court, Life Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society

Congratulations Clive!

From the Canadian Public Relations Society:

Clive Court began his PR career in London’s Fleet Street as assistant to the Publicity manager of a major daily newspaper. He was responsible for the promotion of the Children’s I-SPY Book series which was recently revived in the UK. In the late 50s, he also launched the famous Michelin Travel Guides into the UK market. He soon moved to television and was responsible for the launching promotion of Get Ahead which eventually became known as Dragon’s Den (or Shark Tank in the US). Before leaving the UK in 1962, Clive worked for Granada Television on the promotion of Coronation Street during its first year of production.

Read more.

Steffen Banta wins Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp scholarship

Congratulations Steffen on winning a scholarship to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp!

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

From the IBM Facebook page:

Post by IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians.

And rumour has it that

I've just been informed that North American FISM champs, and world's cutest couple, are coming to @SorcerersSafari this summer!
— Ben Train (@ErdnaseinTO) July 8, 2014

Congratulations Mike D'Urzo!

Congratulations Mike D'Urzo on your Wedding Industry Experts Award for 2014!

From Mike's Twitter feed:

Top 10 Magicians Worldwide by the 2014 Wedding Industry Experts Awards! pic.twitter.com/Qn4Yz1yrRj
— Mike D'Urzo (@MikeDurzo) July 1, 2014

Escaping Parkinson's now underway

Best wishes Mark!

Watch his Day One video on YouTube:




From Global News:

Toronto teen Mark Correia got strapped into a straitjacket Tuesday morning — a straitjacket in which he plans to spend the next two weeks.

The 18-year-old magician and actor hopes to raise $25,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research by living in the straitjacket until July 22.

“This is real,” he said, as Liza Fromer of Global’s The Morning Show helped buckle him in. “No breaks. No freedom. No escape until the last minute.”

Read more and watch video.

From Inside Halton:

Escaping from a straitjacket has become a mainstay trick for many magicians. Illusionist Harry Houdini made it a staple of his own act while hanging upside down from a crane.

Now, Mark Correia is putting his own twist on the age-old magic trick by spending two weeks — as of today (Tuesday) strapped into one in support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.                              

Read more.

Family Fun Day with Greg Frewin

This is a great idea for families.  A nice early show for the kiddies and a rare chance at a Q&A with Greg himself!  (As you know, I think the experience is wonderful even without the Q&A.)  Don't just take my word for it, Yashy Murphy wrote about her experience too.  Read Murphy's post Greg Frewin's Imagine Magic Show!


From Greg Frewin Theatre's Facebook page:

Post by Greg Frewin Theatre.

Review: Rosemary Reid

From Mooney on Theatre:

Rosemary Reid is one of the buskers at this years Fringe Club. If she comes over to your table and asks if she can sit down and do some magic, say yes. We did and all five of us thought she was terrific.
She impressed us with her card tricks, always a good thing, but what really dazzled us was her wit and personality. She was at ease before she even sat down; funny, fast, and delightful.

Read more.

Canadians at the World Championships of Magic

Updated July 10 to add this article from The Now Newspaper:

NORTH DELTA — A North Delta couple was crowned “North American Champions of Stage Magic” after traveling to St. Louis last week for the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians and North American F.I.S.M. Championships Combined Convention.

Trevor and Lorena Watters met while studying at Douglas College, and now the couple, who reside in North Delta, perform comedy magic routines together, competing at an international level.  

Read more.

Congratulations to Shin Lim and Lorena & Trevor Watters on their successes at the IBM/SAM competitions!  Wishing you all the best at the FISM World Championships next July.  (Visit the IBM website to read the full list of contest winners.)

From The Province:

Trevor Watters has a magic touch with women.

On one of his first dates with an 18-year-old named Lorena, Watters invited her back to his parents’ house in Delta.

Some men might have chatted a bit before quickly moving to hanky-panky. Not Watters.
He had placed a large illusionist’s box in the living room. He invited Lorena to climb into it so he could stick 12 swords into her.

Read more.

From the Edmonton Journal and CTV News:

Three Canadians from the Vancouver-area will represent North America at the World Championships of Magic in Italy next summer.

Trevor and Lorena Watters, a North Delta couple, beat six other finalists to win the North American Stage Magic Championship in St. Louis this weekend.

Vancouver-born Shin Lim will represent North America under the category of magic acts performed to a small audience without a stage.

Read more.

Montreal: Lab Magique

From Perfect Magic:

There is a magicians’ association in Montreal called REGROUPEMENT DES MAGICIENS QUÉBÉCOIS. Its purpose is to promote the art of magic in Quebec and is open to professionals and amateurs to exchange ideas, techniques, etc. Phil and I were invited to a show they were presenting in an intimate cabaret like theatre  in a room upstairs of Le Fripon, a restaurant in Old Montreal, on Jacques Cartier Square. Go know! It’s a “LABATOIRE EXPÉRIMENTAL POUR MAGICIENS ET ARTISTES  DE VARIETÉ”. I say its a great idea because its a place that seats about 65 people and it was full, and it’s presented like a real show, which it is, with an M.C. who was Eric Electrik that night, with several magicians performing. This is a place for them to try out their stuff.

Read more.

Also from the article:

• Patrick Reymond September 24, 2014, 
• Loran - October 22, 2014 and 
• Patrick Kuffs – November 19. 

Congratulations to Luc Langevin!

Luc Langevin has received two nominations from The Prix Gémeaux (Gémeaux Awards) which honour French Canadian achievements in Canadian television.

• "Maître de l'illusion" for best documentary about arts
• "Aux limites de l'illusion 3" for best variety show

Congratulations Luc and we'll be rooting for you at the awards presentation in September!

FREE Summer Reading Program

From I Saw That! Exclusive Magic's Facebook page:

Post by I Saw That! Exclusive Magic.

IncrediBrent's summer schedule

From IncrediBrent's Twitter feed:

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

Escaping Parkinsons stunt to start Tuesday July 8th

From Mark Correia's Twitter feed:

#escapingparkinsons THIS TUESDAY. 8:10AM. LIVE on Global! Be there!
— Mark Correia (@Mark_Correia) July 4, 2014

Linking Ring (v94, 6) June 2014

There's a nice write-up of Murray Hatfield's lecture for Ring 352 in State College, Pennsylvania on page 54.

Elizabeth Warlock reviews International Magic Convention

From The Stage:

When magicians from around the world meet up there is sure to be eye popping magic to be seen both on stage and at the close table. Once again it was the latter which dominated, and if there were too many tricks with cards nobody seemed to mind, especially when it came from Dani DaOrtiz, Miguel Gea and Christian Engblom performing as the Fat Brothers. Working together as a trio, chosen cards were revealed at a number given by a spectator, the Aces jumped from the deck and immediately changed to Kings, the deck would change colour and the pips disappear only to return with the flick of a finger.

But perhaps the most incredible card performer was Mahdi who with no hands wowed everyone with some amazing effects including fancy shuffles.        

Read more.

Breaking news from IBM/SAM

Updated July 5th to add the official announcement from Trevor and congratulations from the Vanishing Rabbit and Clive Court:

Post by Trevor Watters.

Post by Clive Court.

Happy to announce that Lorena and Trevor Watters are the North American F.I.S.M. Stage Champions! Congrats you guys you totally deserve it

— Vanishing Rabbit (@VanishingRabbit) July 5, 2014

From Murray Hatfield's Twitter feed:

So happy for our friends Trevor and Lorena Watters. Congratulations on winning first at the IBM/SAM and showing the world how great you are!
— Murray Hatfield (@MurrayHatfield) July 4, 2014

Congratulations  Lorena and Trevor!!!

IBM/SAM Competition Finals update

Thanks for the update Jen!  Way to go Lorena and Trevor!

From Jen Segal's Facebook page:

Post by Jen Segal.

Grateful for our July sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.  This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

• Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
• Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic and
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic!

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.