For those curious as to the explanations of the many tools at the disposal of the magician for accomplishing miracles, this is not one of them. But very interesting nonetheless.
Magic & Martini at SpiritHouse
Last night, we hosted another sold out performance of Magic & Martini at SpiritHouse in Downtown Toronto. Thank you to everyone who attended the show. We are currently sold out in Toronto through the end of May with some spaces in Oakville and Hillsburgh.
Readers can use the code olive for a discount on tickets purchased online.
Photos by Tyler Williams
Bits of Mathematical Art
The Scientific American Blog posted examples of the kind of symmetrical and visually striking art you can make with mathematical formulae. The pieces are by "mathematical artist" Hamid Naderi Yeganeh and worth taking a look at. As the magician Cardini used to say, "Oh see the pretty thing.
Msgr. Vincent Foy
I learned recently that Monsignor Vincent Foy passed away at the age of one hundred and one. He was an important figure in magic in Toronto who also happened to be a distinguished Catholic priest.
As is, I'm sure, true of most disciplines; many of the notable figures in the field go completely unheard of in the world at large. I'm not sure what to say when people ask me who my "favourite" magician is (why would I be boring enough to settle for just one?) because most of the possible answers will involve people they have never heard of. And many magicians make meaningful contributions to the craft, sometimes over the course of decades, as pure hobbyists while maintaining normal human jobs.
In this case, he was the ghostwriter for two very important books highlighting the magic of Canadian master magician Ross Bertram. He also published some smaller pamphlets under the pen name of Dr. George E. Casaubon (in case someone objected to a priest knowing his way around a deck of cards.) Later in life his collection of one-handed cuts with a deck of cards was compiled and released in A Cut Above.
I had the opportunity to meet him twice when I was invited to perform at his residence as part of Magicana's Senior Sorcery program. They were always sure to reserve him a front row seat for the many magic shows hosted there.
This photo was taken in 2015 a few months before he hit triple digits.
Msgr. Vincent Foy
Martinis for Charity
Later this month, a community organization in Oakville is hosting a special night of Magic & Martini. You can join us at
The Church of the Incarnation
1240 Old Abbey Lane in Oakville
on
Saturday, March 25
starting at 7:00 PM
All proceeds from the show are part of fundraising efforts, specifically focused on helping them move forward a green agenda. The church has an ambitious geothermal project underway for their HVAC system which is currently at end of life. They are setting a great example for the community and I hope you make it out to support.
Tickets to the event are $30. If you're in the neighbourhood, please join us.
I'd like to drink Stephen Fry's magic milk
He wrote... expecting the world to spit coffee onto its collective screens...
But magical the milk is nonetheless:
My morning is made!