Tough break! Just as the TV opportunities around the world were beginning to build for Shin Lim, an injury to his hand...
Posted by Clive Court on Friday, 25 March 2016
27 March 2016
Get well soon Shin!
From Clive Court's Facebook page:
26 March 2016
Vancouver: Shawn Farquhar at Telus Science World
From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:
People often ask if I am performing locally, and this time I can say yes! It's a one time only performance at Telus...
Posted by Shawn Farquhar on Wednesday, 23 March 2016
25 March 2016
24 March 2016
Broken wand: Tom Dawson
Updated February 2, 2020 to add:
From the 52 Plus Joker Facebook page:
- Read the obituary at Dignity Memorial.
- Link to Lee Asher's Instagram tribute.
From the 52 Plus Joker Facebook page:
Rhonda Trichter Hawes to 52+Joker43 mins · Truro, MA, United States · I am devastated to pass along the news that...
Posted by 52 Plus Joker on Tuesday, 22 March 2016
23 March 2016
New offerings from Phil Matlin
As many of you know, Phil Matlin, owner of Montréal's magic shop Perfect Magic, is also a professional ragtime piano player. He's been known to tour now and again. Recently, he's added some new selections to his YouTube channel. They include: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, A-Razz-Ma-Tazz, After You've Gone,
Basin Street Blues, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Sentimental Journey, and Alexander's Ragtime Band.
Have a listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band:
Tracks from his CDs Ragtime Daze, or Ragtime Magic, have also been used to accompany some magic acts!
Have a listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band:
Tracks from his CDs Ragtime Daze, or Ragtime Magic, have also been used to accompany some magic acts!
22 March 2016
James Randi on W5 Extended
Last week W5 ran a show about Fortune tellers giving questionable advice. As part of their web extras, they have a bit with The Amazing Randi showing an example of mentalism to Sandie Rinaldo.
Watch the clip below:
Watch the part one of the show, part two of the show, and read more about it at the CTV website.
Watch the clip below:
Watch the part one of the show, part two of the show, and read more about it at the CTV website.
21 March 2016
Monday musings: What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?
I've seen a lot of strange and unexpected things happen at shows. I've seen stage platforms give way. I've seen entire sets fall over actors (thankfully no one was injured), I've seen audience volunteers walk off the stage. And there was that one time when a smoke machine caused a cape to catch fire...
I haven't performed often enough to experience anything like that. Best I can do is report a family member who zealously tried to make a fool out of grade-school-me (boy was he surprised when he opened his hands to find an entire family of sponge rabbits!), and the suggestion of "Abracadabra, hey presto!" as a magic "word" by a grade-school student.
I'm sure a number of you have some juicy tales to tell though, and I'd love to hear them!
I'll let James Alan start you off with this video from his Reality Based Magic post, "The weirdest thing to ever happen to me on stage."
And now, over to you. What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?
I haven't performed often enough to experience anything like that. Best I can do is report a family member who zealously tried to make a fool out of grade-school-me (boy was he surprised when he opened his hands to find an entire family of sponge rabbits!), and the suggestion of "Abracadabra, hey presto!" as a magic "word" by a grade-school student.
I'm sure a number of you have some juicy tales to tell though, and I'd love to hear them!
I'll let James Alan start you off with this video from his Reality Based Magic post, "The weirdest thing to ever happen to me on stage."
And now, over to you. What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?
20 March 2016
Eric Leclerc: 2016 entertainer of the year
Congratulations Eric!
From Eric Leclerc's Facebook page:
From Eric Leclerc's Facebook page:
HEY guys I won a thing!! #Facesmagazine named me their ''2016 Entertainer of the year''!!And for once I didn't have to pay my grandmother's crew at the retirement home to online power-vote for me for hours
Posted by Eric Leclerc on Monday, 29 February 2016
19 March 2016
Mike D'Urzo 2016 "Performer of the Year"
Congratulations Mike!
From Mike D'Urzo's Facebook page:
From Mike D'Urzo's Facebook page:
Winner of the 2016 "Performer of the Year" award by Festivals & Events Ontario! #FEO2016
Posted by Mega Magic on Friday, 4 March 2016
18 March 2016
Toronto: Browser's Bash Mystery Guest
From the Browser's Den of Magic Twitter feed:
ANNOUNCING: The Mystery Guest at this year's #BrowsersMagicBash2016 is - Steven Brundage! #Cube3 pic.twitter.com/YcbyIVZLeR— The Browser's Den (@theBrowsersDen) March 10, 2016
17 March 2016
Random thoughts on "Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries"
I recently had the pleasure of seeing Marion and Ted Outerbridge perform their show "Clockwork Mysteries" last month. They had just completed a 5,500 mile US lecture tour. I caught them at the Milton Centre for the Arts.
Here are some random thoughts that came to mind while watching their amazing time travel themed show:
If you get a chance to see them perform their show "Clockwork Mysteries," go and see it!
(If you're at the upcoming CAM convention, you'll get a taste of their show in the Grand Gala performance at the CAMaraderie Convention/Festival de magie de Québec on April 23, 2016. They're also scheduled to perform at SAM New York's "2016 Salute to Magic" on May 7th.)
To learn more about this fabulous duo, listen to the Scott Wells' podcast 278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges or visit their website at www.outerbridgemagic.com.
[As an aside, I encourage you to go and see a show at this fabulous 500 seat theatre. It's approximately 25 minutes west of Toronto's western border. The facilities are modern and spacious. On the lower level, it appears that all seats have amazing sight lines. (I didn't venture up to the balcony.) The seats are a little bit wider than standard theatre seats, which makes them very comfortable! They offer amenities like a coat check (by donation) and the ability to pre-order intermission refreshments. Best of all, parking is free and plentiful.]
Here are some random thoughts that came to mind while watching their amazing time travel themed show:
- A fast paced, extremely entertaining, high-energy show.
- All illusions, big and small, were masterfully performed.
- Greta the Psychic Goose earns her keep.
- There is a nice ratio of grand illusion, intimate magic, and mentalism.
- I really enjoy watching "assistants" do magic in their own right. Marion owns it!
- Those of you who know me well, know that my opinion of magicians is heavily weighted on how they treat their audience members. One of my favourite moments in the show, lasted no more than 2 seconds. Ted walked into the audience to select a volunteer. He found someone he wanted to bring on stage. She said, "no." Instead of cajoling or otherwise pressuring her, he simply moved on and found someone else. That's how you make the audience feel like you can be trusted to treat them right. Show people respect from the get go.
- Ted has a knack for picking awesome audience volunteers. Six year old Archer was a really good sport and owned that stage!
- Nine year olds can't be trusted to count down from 90.
- Ted's disco ball jacket is a thing of sheer beauty!
- I love that audiences in 2016, still enjoy watching someone get sawed
in half,into halves, into two pieces. - Among other wonderful pieces, we were treated to: "The Psychic is Right," "The Time Machine," "Alarm Clock," "Floating Barricade Light," "Outside of the Box," and their elegantly performed "Levitation."
- The biggest mystery of the night for me: How does Marion manage all of those costume changes?
If you get a chance to see them perform their show "Clockwork Mysteries," go and see it!
(If you're at the upcoming CAM convention, you'll get a taste of their show in the Grand Gala performance at the CAMaraderie Convention/Festival de magie de Québec on April 23, 2016. They're also scheduled to perform at SAM New York's "2016 Salute to Magic" on May 7th.)
To learn more about this fabulous duo, listen to the Scott Wells' podcast 278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges or visit their website at www.outerbridgemagic.com.
Disclosure: My family and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.
16 March 2016
Broken wand: Pat Lyons (aka Pat Patterson)
From Magicana's Facebook page dated March 15:
PAT LYONS (PATTERSON)Magicana is sad to report the passing of famed magic illustrator Pat Lyons (aka Pat Patterson)...
Posted by Magicana Sharing Wonder on Tuesday, 15 March 2016
15 March 2016
Toronto: Zack Mirza's "Immaculate Deceptions"
From the "The Drake Hotel Presents: Zack Mirza - IMMACULATE DECEPTIONS - LIVE! Magic Show" Facebook event:
Catch me LIVE! on stage, Friday March 18th at The Drake Hotel. Tickets will be available online through The Drake website (https://guestlistapp.com/events/408468) for $20. Tickets will also be available at the door for $25 dependent upon availability due to limited seating.
14 March 2016
Monday musings: Popcorn and milk
I wonder if anyone has ever incorporated this into their act? A fun experiment for little hands during March break!
I wonder, does it really only work with milk? And if so, why?
From Peter Brown's YouTube channel:
--
[1] Wilder, Laura Ingalls, and Garth Williams. "Winter Night." Farmer Boy. New York: Harper & Bros., 1953.
"You can fill a glass full to the brim with milk, and fill another glass of the same size brim full of popcorn, and then you can put all the popcorn kernel into the milk, and milk will not run over. You cannot do this with bread. Popcorn and milk are the only two things that will go into the same place."[1]
I wonder, does it really only work with milk? And if so, why?
From Peter Brown's YouTube channel:
--
[1] Wilder, Laura Ingalls, and Garth Williams. "Winter Night." Farmer Boy. New York: Harper & Bros., 1953.
13 March 2016
Phil Hoffman in the Northwest News
From Northwest News:
Hoffman, who began performing the same year he first started learning magic, won the Under-18 Amateur Magician competition sponsored by Miracles and Magic, according to his mother.
In 2013, he was awarded a scholarship from Ultimate Magic Productions to attend the Sorcerer's Safari magic performance camp in Ottawa, Canada. [Editor's note: the camp is in Haliburton, ON.]
"He likes the idea of doing the magic right in front of someone," Mrs. Hoffman said.
"No smoke and mirrors," her son chimed in.
Has the teen found his life's calling?
"I think so," Hoffman said.
Read more.
12 March 2016
Shin Lim in the Huffington Post
From the Huffington Post:
[via Clive Court]
I saw my first magic show when I was 6 years old at a friend's birthday party. While I was easily fooled at that age, I remember not being impressed by the magicians 'tricks.' Now, twenty-something years later, the only moment of magic I witness is when a new episode of Scandal is uploaded to Netflix. So when I came across Shin Lim, an internet 'sleight of hand artist' (aka magician) with 17.5 Million video views, I wanted to find out how someone practicing an art form I thought was dead, could engage and entertain the easily distracted modern audience. By melding new media, music, and sleight of hand card tricks, Lim, a self taught playing-card fiend, returns simplicity to the spectacle of magic. And if I'm honest, something about his authenticity makes even skeptical 6-year-old me believe in the wonder of magic - at least for a few minutes.
Read more.
[via Clive Court]
11 March 2016
Ottawa: "Magic Monday" March
March 28th, with Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault, Steven Lafond, Alex Boyer, and Eric Leclerc!
From Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault's Facebook page:
From Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault's Facebook page:
Je suis très heureux de vous annoncer que le lundi 28 mars prochain à 21h dans le cadre de MAGIC Monday à LIVE on Elgin...
Posted by Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault on Sunday, 6 March 2016
10 March 2016
Calgary: Malcolm Russell and Atsushi Ono
From Malcolm Russell's Facebook page:
[via Gwyn Auger]
Hey everyone! Here it is - the biggest public show I've put together so far. One night only, and it's coming up fast! It...
Posted by Malcolm Russell on Thursday, 3 March 2016
[via Gwyn Auger]
09 March 2016
Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2016
From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
"Best Magician Contest 2016"
Hello all Magic Lovers, the BEST MAGICIAN CONTEST is BACK for you. This is your opportunity to show your skills.
In the evening of April 16th, 2016, A1 Chinese Radio (http://www.ccue.com/a1_radio/web/) is giving out opportunities to the magic lovers! Bringing along with your own incredible skills, the candidates will enter into an exciting competition held on a magical platform in Market Village.
This is the 5th year magician contest to gather a large amount of Toronto magicians within the magic community and the qualified contestants will be challenge among each other and then finally compete for the fame of Top Magician in Toronto.
This might be the LAST YEAR we are having the contest at MARKET VILLAGE because this famous landmark will be renovating very soon. Hence, this is a historical moment for all magic lover to witness the contest of BEST MAGICIAN one LAST TIME at Market Village.
This Year, we will also have Lee Asher, Jim Tam, Jeff Pinsky and Magic Mike to be our judges.
Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic.
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders
Event date: Apr 16, 2016 (Saturday) 7:30pm
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy)
(Event will be host in Cantonese and English. Contestants can use any langue for their Magical Routine.)
We are now starting the YOUTUBE audition. From now till 30th of March, all participants only need to submit a roughly 2 - 5 minute video to starz@classicforce.com
- Please submit your video before March 29th, 2015 to waive the $20 entry fee. Any video(s) submitted after March 30th, 2015; a $20 entry fee will be applied.
- When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.
*We will arrange an audition, AFTER we got your videos. Roughly 8 magicians or Magic group/ team will be chosen at the audition by the director of A1 media Toronto. These magicians will be competing on April 16, 2016 for the BEST Magician award 2016 & People choice award. ONE VIDEO entry per contestant only.
The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:
- “Best Magician 2016” trophy, “People Choice Magician 2016”
- Your chance to perform at CNE on with A1 Radio at Canada Day.
- Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).
Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!
08 March 2016
Greg Frewin's Imagine Tour
Be sure to check the Imagine Tour website often for updates and additions.
From the Imagine Tour website:
From the Imagine Tour website:
BELLEVILLE
TUESDAY MARCH 22, 2016
MARANATHA AUDITORIUM
100 College St W, Belleville
OSHAWA
WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2016
EASTDALE COLLEGIATE AUDITORIUM265 Harmony Rd N, Oshawa
BRANTFORD
WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2016
SANDERSON CENTRE88 Dalhousie St, Brantford
OWEN SOUND
THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2016
O.S.C.V.I1550 8TH St E, Owen Sound
SIMCOE
FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016
SIMCOE COMPOSITE SCHOOL40 Wilson Ave, Simcoe
Read more and buy tickets.
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