Broken wand: Paul Wildbaum

Updated August 18th to add:

• Alex Kazam has a wonderful 3 part tribute to Paul on Facebook.  Part 1, part 2, and part 3.
  

 

More information will be posted as it becomes available.  Our thoughts are with Paul's family and friends at this difficult time.

From the August 15th Facebook post by Peter Loung:

I am not one to throw the word genius around lightly, especially when referring to an individual. However, in this case that term cannot be more apt of a description for this genuinely beautiful and ridiculously talented soul. Paul Wildbaum was, and forever will be, the measuring stick in which other circus folk measure their skill. For over two decades I have had the honour and privilege to share both the stage and in-depth conversations, ranging the gamut from existential thought to the efficacy of wearing a clown nose, with this legend. To quote William Shakespeare, he was “…a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy…” and he was my friend. I am truly saddened to my core to hear of his passing yesterday, and no amount of words can impart the loss that I, and indeed the world, has suffered.

RIP Paul Wildbaum, you will be sorely missed.

My dear dear friend, mentor and veritable genius in all things circus and clown, Paul Wildbaum has passed.

I missed him after I moved away from Toronto and now won’t get another moment with the master. Rest In Peace sweet clown prince. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AUjNEALaLx

— Bill Abbott (@billabbottlive) August 15, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Sad to report the passing of Paul Wildbaum. Paul was unquestionably a unique performer in Toronto, blending magic with clowning, mime and an assortment of allied arts. He was an inspiration and mentor to many. He will be deeply missed. (Photo: Seen here as Doctor-Professor Faux-Pas, performing the Human Glockenspiel at the Year-End Banquet, June 2012)

A post shared by Hat & Rabbit Club, Toronto (@hatandrabbitclub) on Aug 15, 2020 at 4:58pm PDT

  

Clinton Gray on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us"

From the August 6th post by Clinton Gray on Facebook:

Alyson Hannigan is not really scared of my “Arm Chopper of Doom!” She is scared because we are filming during a pandemic and I’m about to get really close and touch her a lot. Catch my appearance on Penn & Teller Fool Us, August 17, 9pm on the CW Network.

Luc Langevin at Casino de Paris in January 2022.

From the August 5th Twitter post by Luc Langevin:

Official announcement

My shows at the Casino de Paris in January 2021 are postponed to January 2022.
If you have a ticket, it is automatically valid for the new period.
That said, you won't have to wait until 2022 to experience my magic live ...

🚨Annonce officielle🚨Mes spectacles au Casino de Paris en janvier 2021 sont reportés en janvier 2022.
Si vous détenez un billet, il est automatiquement valide pour la nouvelle période.
Cela dit, vous n’aurez pas à attendre 2022 pour vivre ma magie en Live... 😏 pic.twitter.com/OM4bfudy3F

— Luc Langevin (@LucLangevin) August 5, 2020

"Illusions: The Art of Magic" in Apollo Magazine

I had the good fortune to visit this exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario back in February.  You can read my "Random thoughts about 'Illusions: The Art of Magic.'"

"Illusions: The Art of Magic" is scheduled to close at the AGO on November 8th.

From the July 24th article "Illusions: The Art of Magic" in Apollo Magazine:

The celebrity performers of their day, magicians were integral to the show-business boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, embarking on worldwide tours to dazzle audiences with their tricks and stunts. This display of posters, photographs and archival documents at the Art Gallery of Ontario (until 8 November) explores the remarkable feats of performers such as Harry Kellar and Harry Houdini, as well as lesser known magicians such as Adelaide Herrmann, while a series of projections shines a light on famous illusions of the era.

Read more.

[via The Society of American Magicians]

Vincenzo Ravina in CTV News

The Penn and Teller's "Fool Us" episode with Vincenzo Ravina aired on August 3rd.

From the July 27th article "Halifax magician uses sleight of hand to earn way into Vegas-based show" by Amanda Debison in CTV News:

"It was very intimidating and I was very nervous," says Ravina. "I usually perform at little open mics around town, or at the Bus Stop Theatre for an audience of less than a hundred. This was an audience of 500, plus Penn and Teller, plus Alyson Hannigan, so it was a whirlwind."

Ravina's love of magic began when he was little.

"There was a magician who worked at a restaurant downtown, his name was David Moon," explains Ravina. "He looked like a wizard and would do magic. I loved going there as a kid and would just be amazed. I started studying magic after that."

Read more.

[via The Society of American Magicians]