SparkGig's Top 15 Magicians in Toronto

SparkGig recently posted their list of the Top 15 Magicians in Toronto.  There's some overlap with the previously published Top Five Magicians in Toronto from blogTO.

Do you agree?  Or is this just another group of magicians under a lamppost?

Greg Frewin on the Aug 10 Today Show

From the Greg Frewin Theatre Facebook page:

Greg is spreading the #MastersofIlusion magic Monday on the Today Show don't miss it! Stay tuned to follow Greg on his New York adventure.http://hubs.ly/H012MN80
Posted by Greg Frewin Theatre on Thursday, 6 August 2015

Jay Sankey on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us"

Updated at 6:45pm to add:

• It's also on BITE TV - Rogers 106 in some areas.

According to Jay, he'll be on the August 10th episode of Penn and Teller's "Fool Us."

A little bird told me that we can get CW in Canada with Rogers 570 (PIX-TV) or with Bell (WPIX).  Thanks for the tip Peter!


From Jay Sankey's Twitter feed:

Can anyone record next Monday night's Penn + Teller episode on CW and send me a high quality file? I'd def be in your debt. Thx gang.

— Jay Sankey (@jay_sankey) August 7, 2015

Chris Funk on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us"

From Chris Funk's Twitter feed:

It's official! Watch me Aug 17 on #FoolUs on @CWPennandTeller @CW_network with @pennjillette & @MrTeller I can't wait! #redefiningwonder

— Chris Funk (@chrisfunkmagic) August 2, 2015

From a press release:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 4, 2015- Winnipeg-based magician Chris Funk The Wonderist, will be appearing in the CW network’s upcoming series “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us” season 2. Chris, will perform his signature routine involving his violin playing skills, with the hopes to fool Penn & Teller for the chance to open for one of their shows in Las Vegas.

“When the associate producer e-mailed me, I had to have my wife read it to me to make sure I fully understood. It seemed like a dream! I couldn’t believe I had a personal invitation to perform on that show! ...It was the hardest thing I’ve had to do, and the best thing I’ve ever had the chance to do.” “This is a huge deal to me, as I just spent the last several months recovering from an Achilles Rupture… which happened in a live show!”

Season 2 of “Fool Us,” which will air July 6,2015, will showcase the best and the brightest that the World magic scene has to offer. Chris's episode is set to air August 17th.

Chris, who’s style has been described as “a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Conan O’Brien with a dash of James Bond”, was hand-picked to showcase on the show by the Executive Producers. He's had the privilege of performing for Penn & Teller in the past on the television show Wizard Wars. Both Penn & Teller described his performance as, "Irresistible!"

Canada's best illusionists

Greg Frewin Theatre recently posted a selection of Canada's Best Illusionists.  Do you agree with this list?  Are there more celebrity magicians that you would add?  Or would you add what Larry Hass refers to as  "unsung heros" in magic?

Who would you add to the list?


From the Greg Frewin Theatre Facebook page:

Get to know Canada's best illusionists! Did you know Canada is the birthplace to some of the world's most regarded magical innovators? http://hubs.ly/y0WcZQ0
Posted by Greg Frewin Theatre on Saturday, 20 June 2015

Toronto: Matt DiSero and David Peck at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Matt DiSero and David Peck









James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



--
* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

Jay Sankey at the 2015 Midwest Magic Jubilee

From the 2015 Midwest Magic Jubilee website:

The 2015 Midwest Magic Jubilee
Aug 13 -15, 2015
New Reduced Price for 2015!!! 

Jay Sankey is a true magician’s magician and is widely considered to be one of the most original thinkers and finest magic teachers alive today. He is also one of the most prolific magic creators on the planet.

Read more and register.

Shawn Farquhar in "Superstars of Magic Malaysia 4"

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

Many of you have been asking where Shawn Farquhar is . =) Due to Shawn's crazy schedule , Shawn will only be joining...
Posted by David Lai on Monday, 3 August 2015

Review: Michael Close reviews "The Experts"

Read Michael Close's thoughts on "The Experts" from the July issue of MUM Magazine.

From Sharing Wonder:

Mark Twain said a classic is a book that people praise and don’t read, a definition that certainly applies to The Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase. Dai Vernon was the primary champion of the book; his approach to card handling, shaped by Erdnase’s philosophy and techniques, astonished everyone. Vernon shared his insights to the members of the New York inner circle, and years later even offered personal lessons on the techniques (a project abandoned because of too few interested parties). Charlie Miller and Ross Bertram (in Canada) were also exponents of Erdnase.

Read more.

More magic tips for beginners

I recently posted  a link to Evelyn Matlin's post "A Few Tips For New Magicians."  Greg Frewin Theatre also has a similar post up "The Greg Frewin Theatre's magic hints and tips for your children."

From the Greg Frewin Theatre blog:

Magic is fascinating and can captivate audiences of all ages. We've discussed some of the most popular types of magic before, but where do you start when your child has started showing an interest in magic? Whether your child will be performing in front of you or just a few stuffed animals, they’ll need to know a few tips to help them get started.  

Read more.

Thank you to our August 2015 friends!

Thank you to John Smithman and John Harrison for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.

Thank you to our August 2015 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 
• Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic and 
• Michael Fisher, aka The Amazing Corbin, aka Captain Corbin The Magical Pirate!

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.

Top 5 posts in July 2015

It's been another busy month for news with 40 posts!  Here are the most viewed posts at Canada's Magic this month:

5. Wanted: Counselors in Training (CIT) for Sorcerers Safari -- I've heard it's going to be the "Best Year Ever!"

4. Who's where July 2015  -- It was a busy month for many of you.

3.  Win tickets to see Darcy Oake's show,"Edge of Reality," in Toronto  -- The contest is closed.  Congratulations again John!

2. Casting call: The Thrillusionists  -- Did you audition?  Tell us about it!

and the most viewed post this month  ...

1. Video: Shawn Farquhar Fool Us REVEALED  -- People really want to know how Shawn did it!

Toronto: Free magic club

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

This Saturday at Browser's Den, August 1 from 2:30pm until 5:30pm is our next (free) Magic Club. All welcome to attend.

Read more.

Toronto: Keith Brown at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Toronto (Sun):  Keith Brown









James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.



--
* Offer is subject to change without notice.  Canada's Magic earns a commission when you use the coupon code cmagic.

Murray SawChuck's "Extreme Escape"

Watch on YouTube, Murray SawChuck try to escape from hydrochloric acid (from "Extreme Escapes"):




[via iTricks]

Wanted: Counselors in Training (CIT) for Sorcerers Safari

Sorcerers Safari currently has openings for male Counselors in Training (CIT) for this upcoming session.  Being a CIT is a required stepping stone towards becoming a full Sorcerers Safari Counselor.  The best part is, once the cabin is settled, you get to jam with everyone else!

If you're 16 years of age or older and interested in learning more or applying for a CIT position, please contact Jen at info [at] sorcerers-safari [dot] com .

Review: Just for Laughs' Circus Awesomeus

From the Montreal Gazette:

Bill Brownstein — So they sent in the clowns, and if this wasn’t the Greatest Show on Earth, Circus Awesomeus sure beat the Oscars all to hell. After three weeks of standups, it was a blast to touch base with a clown channelling his inner Céline Dion, sword swallower, aerial acrobat, bawdy balladeering puppet, juggler and X-rated diva.

Denise Duguay — I went in to Monday night’s Circus Awesomeus gala expecting greatness and hoping for a nod to host Neil Patrick Harris’s evil woman-sawing turn in the TV series American Horror Story: Freak Show. I got all that plus a terrifying but endearing giant clown.

Monique Muise — Anyone purchasing tickets to a show dubbed “Circus Awesomeus” was likely hoping for a spectacle, and that’s exactly what we got from Neil Patrick Harris and company. From puppets to magicians to jugglers to singing clowns to (very funny) dwarves, this show had it all.

Read more.

Toronto: SOULO Theatre Festival

Friday, August 7, 2015 - Sunday, August 9, 2015

From James Alan's post in the Ring 17 Facebook page:

Slightly off-topic, but in a few weeks down on Queen Street, I'll be helping to produce a storytelling workshop for actors. He was here earlier this year headlining a theatre festival and he's a hilarious and engaging speaker. The shows will be fantastic if you want to go see, but I think the workshop would be really valuable for magicians. Information is up here if you want to go:   http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/soulo-theatre-presents-three-nights-of-james-judd-in-toronto-tickets-17748859316?aff=es2

Chris Funk's unexpected vanish

Wishing you a speedy recovery Chris!

From the Winnipeg Free Press:

MAGICIAN Chris Funk was there one minute, and then — abracadabra! — he disappeared from the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.

The Wonderist, as Funk is known, was scheduled to open his show Redefining Wonder July 15 but had to cancel the run because of an injury that took place at the Toronto Fringe Festival last week.

Read more.