Free Giveaway: Socially Distanced Magic

For the past several years, the highlight of just about each and every week has always been performing magic in front of a live audience and that’s been taken away. As we work to find creative ways to get together, particularly online, I’ve been getting used to performing for people virtually.

The last few months have been difficult for everyone and some people are feeling the stress from distancing more sharply than others. So with that in mind to give people a chance to connect with friends and family they can’t meet in person, get distracted and have fun, we’re doing a free giveaway. Every week from now until the end of October we’re giving away a free virtual magic show.

The Prize

A forty-five minute interactive magic show on Zoom for up to six households. This is a new format, close-up on camera with brand new material, totally different from the live shows I’ve done in the past.

One name will be selected at random at the end of each week on Sunday night from all of the entries received. (Meaning you do not need to enter again every week and the earlier you enter, the more chances you have to win.)

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Enter the contest:

The Fascinating Fine Print:

Limit of one entry per household. Scheduling subject to availability. Not recommended for children younger than twelve. Viewers who are not wearing pants need to be seated at a desk or table. You’ve spent too much time reading the fine print. Nobody reads the fine print. What’s wrong with you? Stop now before someone notices.

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For more information about a virtual magic performance for friends, family and workgroups, please feel free to contact us.

The Sentimentalists - Canadian Rising Stars

Wanted to take a moment to congratulate The Sentimentalists, who were recently awarded The Allan Slaight Award for Canadian Rising Star(s). The awards recognize outstanding achievements in pursuit of the impossible, named for the Canadian media mogul and philanthropist (and magic nut) Allan Slaight.

Steffi Kay & Mysterion - The Sentimentalists (Photo by Ahmed Alexander)

In 2016, shortly after they began performing together, they appeared as guests on Magic Tonight. Earlier this year, I penned a profile of them which appeared as the cover story of Vanish Magazine.

I can’t buy them a drink at the present moment, so this post will have to do for now!

The Great Magical Imposter

Here’s a great retelling of the unusual career of the “Chinese” illusionist Chung Ling Soo, told by Simon Whistler.

The great “Chung Ling Soo” was the stage name of an American magician, William E. Robinson who, in a story that strains believability, made a career pretending to be a Chinese magician. (As you can see in the photo in the video thumbnail, he doesn’t look he has Chinese ancestry.) While in character, which he famously maintained with great dedication, he never spoke English. Instead he muttered in gibberish and gave interviews through a “translator”.

His promotional posters featured prominently in an exhibition here in Toronto at the Art Gallery of Ontario. This is partly because those posters are rare and highly sought after collectibles, but also as part of a segment shining a light on “Cultural Appropriation” in the history of magic.

Although his story has less to do with the modern-day sin of cultural appropriation and more to do with the way deception works. All creatures adapt to their surroundings to survive and magicians are no exception. Magicians have spent the last century or two getting comfortable with the standard way people dress. That means that if you are wearing a suit or a tuxedo, you have all kinds of places to hide sneaky things. In fact in the era over a hundred years ago now confusingly known as “modern” magic, many books on the subject began with instructions for modifying your tail coat and trousers to accommodate all kinds of secret pockets. (This was quickly followed by secret shelves and openings in your table.) So a huge amount of magic is subtly structured around the assumption that the performer will be a man wearing, if not a suit jacket, then at least trousers with pockets.

But if you impersonate a Chinese magician, then entirely new avenues open up to you. Secret pockets is one thing. But think of what you can hide in a long flowing robe! Asian (or in this case pretend Asian) performers can do tricks that western magicians can’t duplicate. David Blaine can’t walk off stage wearing a black t-shirt and jeans and return wearing a long robe for his next trick.

And it’s important for practical purposes that if you are going to lie, that you choose lies that are hard to catch. In Robinson’s time, it would be hard to find someone who had actually travelled to Asia to know what Chinese speakers sounded like, or how they performed. Now, you can see video from any part of the world the same day on social media. So instead if magicians are lying to you, they’re usually lying about quantum physics or neuroscience.

For more, a complete biography of Soo/Robinson has been written by magic creator and consultant Jim Steinmeyer. The Glorious Deception is widely available including print and electronic editions and is well worth reading.

One Hundred Magicians in Canada

One hundred Canadian magicians were asked to contribute a five second clip while social distancing at home. Here is the result, assembled by Brent and Sarah Nicholls:

The video includes appearances from friends including Rob Testa, Matt DiSero, David Merry, Harry Zimmerman, David Peck, Nicholas Wallace, Ben Train, Jonah Babins, Shawn Farquhar, Aaron Matthews and Mark Correia.

If you enjoyed the project, we’re encouraging viewers to donate to Food Banks Canada during this difficult time.

A Magical Place - Trailer

The trailer for a new short documentary about magic in Toronto, and in particular our local secret magic shop, the Browser’s Den of Magic, has just been released.

In order of appearance: Mark Lewis, The Sentimentalists (Mysterion & Steffi Kay), Ryan Murray, Mark Correia, John Talbot, Jim Byrnes, Wij, me, Jacqueline Swan, Ahmed Alexander, Mike Segal, Kevin Rusli, Jeff Hinchliffe, Patrick Nemeth, Ben Train. Produced by Paul Steinberg.

COVID19 Update

Photo by Tyler Sol Williams

For the moment it looks like we are taking a break from in person live entertainment. But that doesn’t mean the magic has to stop. For everyone who is isolating and social distancing at home, we have put together a virtual magic program using the free video chat software ZOOM to bring the magic to you.

Unlike most live-streamed entertainment, this is a personalized interactive experience just for you and the family and friends you want to invite. No leaving comments or muting your microphone. You get to be part of the magic all the way through.

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Or if you’d just like something to watch and enjoy, here is a full performance of my show, Magic & Martini, filmed with a live audience at Suite 114 in Toronto in November of 2018. We will leave the video up to enjoy as long as social distancing guidelines are in effect.

Produced by Chris Mayhew. Special thanks to Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling) for giving us the idea!