07 March 2024

Thank you to our March 2024 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:


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.


or 

 

 

 

 

 

06 March 2024

Michael Kras in Intermission Magazine

From the March 1st article "Invisibility cloaks, cardboard rockets, and flying orbs of light: Here’s how Canadian theatre uses the art of magic" by Michael Kras at Intermission Magazine:

Cursed Child is hardly an isolated case for this hefty use of theatre magic. Plenty of prominent productions utilize magic design in considerable ways, including the current West End hit Stranger Things: The First Shadow (also featuring illusion design by Cursed Child’s Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher), which is already planning to hit more stages internationally, with little doubt that Canada will eventually be in the mix. Hit musical adaptations from the West End and Broadway like Back to the Future (illusions by Chris Fisher) and Beetlejuice (illusions by Michael Weber) are both slated for the forthcoming Mirvish subscription season.

Of course, a common thread here is that these are all imported, big-budget commercial properties. But the beautiful thing about magic is that a relentless spirit of ingenuity and creative problem-solving is far more important than a price tag. The entire job description is about making the impossible possible onstage, and the greatest magic is achieved by earthy, organic means rather than high-tech gadgets.

One such homegrown example is Young People’s Theatre’s Dora-winning The Darkest Dark, adapted by Jim Millan and Ian MacIntyre from Chris Hadfield and Kate Fillion’s book of the same name. Canadian conjuror David Ben – who also staged the effects in the Stratford Festival’s Grand Magic last season — was tasked with crafting magic that had a childlike spirit of play and imagination, with sophisticated, memorable illusions built from humble cardboard boxes. On a smaller-scale indie level, Eric Woolfe’s Eldritch Theatre is also known to regularly feature sleight of hand in their spooky seasons of plays. 

Read more.





05 March 2024

Rounding the Western rings in March 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City Club Event(s)
Calgary, AB Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) - N/A.
Edmonton, AB Edmonton Magic Club - N/A.
Winnipeg, MB The Magic Club of Winnipeg - SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring) - Fun Night! - Improv Games and Laff-Off.
Vancouver, BC Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) - The Magic Festival
- Children's magician of the Year competition
- Annual banquet with Jay Alexander
Vancouver, BC SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly) - N/A.
Victoria, BC Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)   - N/A.


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Central rings in March 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.  

 

ICYMI, Bill Malone will be in Montreal June 3 - 4.  Details at MontrealMagicJam.com.


Montreal, QC Ring 62 (20th Century Ring) - N/A.
Hamilton, ON Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) - N/A.
Hamilton / Burlington, ON Hamilton Burlington Magic Society
- N/A.
London, ON Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) - Coin magic.
Kitchener, ON Ring 235 (KW Magic Society) - N/A.
Ottawa, ON Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) - N/A.
Ottawa, ON Ottawa / Gatineau magicians - N/A
Toronto, ON Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) - Social meet-up.
- AGM
- Pro-panel with Wij Siva, Buck Macleod, Glenn Ottaway, and Dick Joiner


Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

Rounding the Eastern rings in March 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Halifax, NSRing 316 (Conjourer's Court) - Visit their Facebook page
St. John, NBMagic Circle of St. John- N/A.


Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

04 March 2024

Mission: Sean Taylor lecture [May 19]

From the Sean Taylor FVMC Lecture Facebook event:

Sean Taylor is a magician who needs no introduction. 

He has authored 5 books for magicians, released a dozen DVDs and more than 25 effects. He’s also lectured in 7 countries and performed in 16. 

Sean’s effects are practical and commercial and used by working professionals all over the world and these are his first LIVE lectures in over 3 years. 

Lockdown has been a busy time in the Taylor house with Sean ZOOM lecturing for the Magic Circle in London, the IBM British Ring in the UK as well as other magic clubs in the USA, UK and Australia. In addition, Sean and his son Patrick have re-designed and re-shot all of his signature effects and released a bunch of new items. 

Looking Forward to the Past is a new lecture of close-up, stand-up and mentalism which spans Sean’s many interests in magic. There are some easy craft projects, some quirky
uses for things you already know and some new work on old favourites. Subtlety over sleights and effect over method.

There will be something for everyone and every performing situation! 

Sean will be bringing his unique range of products for sale after the lecture (including a new release which will be seen at these new lectures for the first time) and there will be comprehensive lecture notes with video clips available on a thumb drive.

 


 

 

 

 

 

01 March 2024

Toronto: Hocus Jokus [Mar 10]

Featuring Ben Train, Jonah Babins, and James Alan.  Tickets at Yuk Yuk's.

 

From the February 28th Facebook post by The Toronto Magic Company:

What do you get when you combine a Comedy Mind-reader, an Award-Winning Magician, and a world-class sleight of hand expert into a single 90-minute show?

Answer: an amazing night of fun for YOU! 

Jam packed with laughs and mind-blowing magic, this show is perfect for a night out with friends, a date, or just because you need a break from your annoying kids. 

Featuring Ben Train (Penn and Teller’s Fool Us), Jonah Babins (2021 Allan Slaight Award Winner), and sleight of hand artist James Alan, it’s all happening Sunday March 10th at Yuk Yuk’s Toronto.