The next Abracadabaret

This Sunday, I'll be hosting the next Abracadabaret at the Winchester in Cabbagetown. I'm particularly excited for this show because it features one of Canada's most unique talents: Paul Wildbaum.

Paul blends magic with mime, movement and comedy to produce an act unlike anything you've ever seen before.

We also have Shawn DeSouza-Coelho. Shawn has written some terrific shows including Oh Ryan! and my favourite, Magic and Lollipops.

Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 7:00 PM The Winchester - 51A Winchester Street, Toronto Tickets $10

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Jekyl & Hyde Present a Free Show

Next week, I'll be performing at a special show organized by Jekyl & Hyde (2340 Dundas Street West, Toronto). This is a FREE event open to the public.

Thursday, July 25, 2013 @ 9:00 PM

Hosted by David Nelson

Featuring James Alan Phil DaCosta Ken Margoe

The evening includes a stage show as well as close-up table-side magic beforehand, so feel free to come early and join us for a drink. We're expecting a large group, so please feel free to phone ahead and reserve a table: 416.535.0547.

Performance Update

My one-man show, Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks will be featured this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Winchester in Cabbagetown. If you're in the Toronto area (and it's not raining cats & dogs down on you) please come out and see it. Tickets are available online or at the door. The show starts at 8:00 but you can come early and sit down for dinner. Looking forward to a great night.

Misrepresenting Magic

Magic is based on surprise and the unexpected. Some of the most fun I have performing is taking magic and putting it in places where people don't suspect it. My favourite instance of this was a few years ago when a company invited me to perform at their annual general meeting. However, the meeting was scheduled for April 1 so instead of listing a magic performance on the agenda, I was stuck in the middle and listed as a speaker on Corporate Governance from the University of Toronto. It was a very much welcomed change of pace for the meeting and everyone went into the second half with a great deal more attention and energy than they would have otherwise.

What particularly surprised me was that following the meeting, several people asked me about my corporate governance training. Of course I have none; I was a math major. But it's interesting how a lie will linger even after the source of the lie has been discredited.

I only bring this up now, because this effect is a double-edged sword. I was recently invited to perform a sixty-fifth birthday party. One particularly imaginative woman took the initiative to go around before I performed and told people that I was the stripper.

Go figure.

Magic @ Luminato

For the past three years, one of the major highlights of my hear has been the magic series at Luminato. Now they are making it four years. In the past, they've brought in performers from the US, Spain, France, Chile & Canada. They have done shows in multiple languages, shows for families, shows for children & families and even magic shows for the blind! This year's festival runs June 14-23 with a new magic series spread throughout the festival. The new series, co-organized with Magicana, features three new shows which are Canadian Premieres:

Steve Cohen Chamber Magic

Miguel Puga Concerto for Piano & Pasteboards

Rafael Benatar Compositions

I met Rafael a few years ago and know him to be incredibly charming and talented. Compositions and Concerto are magic-music fusions held at the Telus Centre (next to Varsity Stadium). I'm excited to see the new combination and to see magic introduced into a venue where you wouldn't normally see it.

I only met Steve Cohen briefly (at an airport in San Diego of all places) and I'm excited to see his show. He's normally performing Chamber Magic in a suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and seems like they've arranged a suitable space here in Toronto.

If you are in Toronto in June and have the opportunity, I would strongly recommend you make an effort to attend.

Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes

This Sunday, I will be performing at the Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes. As an extra treat for those participating in this important fundraiser, you will have a chance to see some magic before the walk begins. I'll be there at 8:30 AM, a most unnatural time to see a magician performing, but it's worth it for a good cause.

If you are not participating in the walk, the JDRF is also accepting donations through their website.