Tonight at 6pm and again at midnight ichannel is showing The Canadians episode on Stewart James. Learn more about this fascinating inventor, creator, magician and Canadian.

Stewart James was one of the 20th century’s most prodigious inventors of magic tricks and one of the art form’s most prolific authors. Though he was a skilled magician as well – performing for the allied forces during his Canadian tour of duty in World War II – Stewart James is best known in the magic world for his uncanny ability to create. Throughout his 88 years of life, he conceived and published over 400 different trick “plots,” which have been adapted by countless other magicians for use in their performances. In short, he can be described as a mastermind who focused his energy on imagining new impossibilities at a table backstage instead of presenting them on-stage.

From: The Life and Magic of Stewart James exhibition (2007)

For more information on how to view this episode, visit ichannel’s schedule on their website.

Hard to believe, but here we are at the end of another magical year. When we look back, it’s even harder to believe we had time to fit it all in:

My Magic Hands

We just finished last week our last of fourteen sessions of My Magic Hands, watching the outstanding performers from Lawrence Heights Middle School (coached by their “buddies” from Havergal College) and from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital . Both shows were really extraordinary – reminding the audience how powerful the magic of mentorship and self-esteem really is. Congratulations to all our new graduates and to their coaches.

We broke new records with My Magic Hands, presenting the program to the entire Grade Five year of Queen Victoria Junior Public School (over 100 students in four classrooms) over eight weeks. The traditional end-of-session Big Show became A Very Big Show, where each Grade Five class presented FOUR simultaneous shows to the lower grade students. It was extraordinary effort by both student magicians and their teachers.

In partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), we also presented a new program, Magic ‘n Movies – a week-long camp mixing magic and movie making into one fun-filled program.

We were also thrilled to have our third outing with Camp Ooch’s Urban Camp - a one-day camp (workshop) hosted in the city. For five intense hours, Ooch campers were taught some magic secrets. The goal was to teach  thirty campers magic routines so they could put on their version of A Big Show for friends and family at the end of the day. WOW, it never ceases to amaze the energy that this group can generate! The show was terrific.

Over the summer, we conducted three magic workshops in partnership with the Leacock Foundation for Children’s reading program, LEAP.

We also brought two special summer programs to Holland Bloorview’s Child Development Programs: Helping Hands and Hand 2 Hand. These  workshops encouraged young people to strengthen their “helping” hands. In particular, Hand 2 Hand  – a new program working with clients diagnosed with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy – allowed us to use our experience to explore new arts-driven activities to bring therapeutic benefits to clients. It was a very rewarding summer!

Senior Sorcery

We also completed  35 Senior Sorcery shows for senior centres and residences. Magicana subsidized a number of shows for centres under budgetary constraints to ensure magic could be shared throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Festivals, Performances & Conferences

We consulted (Ross Petty’s The Wizard of Oz, the Wickedly Wacky Family Musical), we collaborated (Luminato Fesitval) and we produced.

In fact, Magicana presented four new shows this year: Natural Magick, Vodavil, and Toast of the Town in conjunction with Luminato Festival of the Arts; and Piff Paff Poof during March Break.

In May, we hosted the 42nd Annual Collectors Weekend in Chicago and honoured guests: Dr. Gene Matsuura and Ray & Ann Goulet.

Exhibitions & Publications

In November, we launched a new online exhibition: Everything Erdnase exploring the many variants of  The Expert at the Card Table.

Finally, we released two new publications:  A Cut Above by Msgr Vincent Foy in April, and Erdnase Unmasked this past month. We are just one issue away of producing four issues of Magicol, A Journal of Magic History and Collectibles. If the elves in the workshop can help, we will have our final 2011 issue, No. 181, at the printers this week.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Without the generous support of our donors and sponsors, none of this would have been possible.

So, as it has been such a magical year, we are now taking a little break for the holiday season. Our office will be closed December 16 and reopen January 3.

This is it, really.

For over 100 years people have been speculating over who wrote The Expert at the Card Table, the most influential book on sleight-of-hand; and the cornerstone for both the conjurer and the card cheat.

Who was S.W. Erdnase?

Magicana is pleased to present Erdnase Unmasked – a series of papers that explore the mystery and identity of this enigmatic figure. Culled from the pages of Magicol, Erdnase Unmasked contains articles by Richard Hatch, the preeminent authority on the identity of the author; David Ben; Hurt McDermott, Jason England and Martin Gardner.

This is a limited edition production of only 500 copies.

Buy your copy here at Magicana; or at your favourite dealer.

Magicana is pleased to announce the release of our latest exhibition, Everything Erdnase.

The exhibition, created by Jason England and Julie Eng, showcases the legendary book, The Expert at the Card Table - by the mysterious, S.W. Erdnase – and the book’s perpetual appearance in print for over a century. While exploring the numerous variants, both here and abroad, the exhibition also highlights the slew of ancillary discourse, publications and products Erdnase has inspired.

The exhibition was developed in conjunction with a special issue of Magicol (Issue No. 180) devoted to Erdnase with articles by Richard Hatch, Jason England, Hurt McDermott and David Ben. (Stay tuned for more information on a forthcoming publication.)

Everything Erdnase is by no means the definitive word on the subject, and we encourage Erdnase scholars, bibliophiles and casual viewers to add any additional information germane to the exhibition.

We now invite you to visit Everything Erdnase. 

Now for the fall, we are delighted to announce that we will soon be releasing a new online exhibition, Everything Erdnase, designed to supplement Jason England’s article in the forthcoming issue of Magicol, No. 180. Stay tuned for more news and notification about the exhibition’s release!

Interested in Erdnase? Well, as our latest Mystery & History post points out, No. 180 will be perhaps our biggest issue to date and is dedicated to The Expert at the Card Table and the identity if its author. It features contributions from Richard Hatch, Hurt McDermott, Jason England and David Ben. The issue promises to be an interesting one as we explore just who was S. W. Erndase. Curious? Better subscribe to Magicol now to make our next mailing.

This has been quite a season of magic!

Magicana presented  several world-class magicians in our public performances and conferences. In June, we presented Vodavil featuring  The Great Tomsoni & Company, Gaëtan Bloom, Mike Caveney, Tina Lenert and Ardan James; and Natural Magick featuring David Ben.

In May, we had the pleasure of  inviting Canadian illusionists, Murray Hatfield and Teresa, to join us in Chicago to close the 42nd Annual Magic Collectors Weekend with their spectacular, high-energy show. They wowed the crowd with brain-scratching, modern magic and finished with an outstanding illusion that simply defied every law of physics!

You will now have a chance to see Murray and Teresa this summer in, An Incredible Evening of Magic, which will be presented every weekend in July and August in Victoria, BC, at the beautiful Victoria Conference Centre Theatre. It is a must-see show featuring some of Murray & Teresa’s signature routines. You won’t be disappointed.

And, if you are a magic enthusiast or jokester at heart, you will want to stop by Murray’s Trick & Joke Shop, a wonderful magic emporium filled with magic treasures and hilarious jokes. The Shop has become a local attraction, and one you will not want to miss.

Magic In Victoria

Murray’s Trick & Joke Shop

Photos by: Brittany Boudreau

WATCH magicians at work in this video clip.

Magicana has been delivering My Magic Hands to clients at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital since 2004. And, as the program’s lead instructor, it has been one of the most rewarding personal experiences I have encountered in my career as a magician.

For most recent round of My Magic Hands at Holland Bloorview (held during May and June), clients participated inside of our partnership with the Luminato Festival’s Outreach and Education program. Clients from a wide range of ages from five to sixteen, were challenged to learn how to perform magic over the course of four weeks in preparation for A Big Show, which was held during the Luminato Festival. As always, the show was spectacular but what is even more rewarding was watching clients flourish over the course of the program. Clients pushed past barriers, often surprising themselves at how much they could do. It was also very gratifying to hear how our magic program gave clients a new perspective:

“It has been great watching our daughter over the last couple of weeks practicing all of the tricks which has bolstered her fine motor skills. She  realizes that if she makes the effort on a daily basis to use both hands she will continue to see improvement on her left side.  To us as parents this is invaluable.”

– M & A Cairns

This program, however, relies on other kinds of magicians – the occupational therapists, speech therapists and  dedicated volunteers at Holland Bloorview. Without this level of support, where clients are encouraged to bring their magic to speech and therapy sessions – and where they are given such incredible encouragement and coaching by volunteers – the program could not flourish. But as a team, it’s clear there is real magic at work and we congratulate all our new gradutes of My Magic Hands.

Julie Eng

 

See My Magic Hands in action!

During the program, we were visited by CBC who broadcasted this clip on The National.

For more information about our program visit: www.mymagichands.com

In the historic Winter Garden Theatre, Vodavil
played to a great house as part of the Luminato festival of the arts.

© 2011 Magicana. All rights reserved. Photos by David Linsell.

What a great show!

Where else in the world will you have a chance to see The Great Tomsoni, Gaetan Bloom, Mike Caveney, Tina Lenert and Ardan James all on the same stage, all on one night? That’s vaudeville.

“Vodavil” was an informal term many vaudeville performers used in their correspondence to describe their profession: that distinctive and highly polished brand of popular entertainment that flourished in specialty theatres across North America from the 1890s until the 1930s. During that time, each show consisted of a variety of acts — performers who specialized in a particular branch of popular entertainment: singing, dancing, pantomime, juggling, comedy and, of course, magic. The performers worked a circuit, coming together to present their ‘turn’ on a show in a host city for a few days before parting their separate ways to repeat the process with other performers in a different town or city. By and large, the acts had to be easy to stage and transport.

Vodavil brings together artists, who, in an earlier era, would have proudlyborne the name of “vaudevillians” for an evening of all-out family entertainment, in a grand theatre of that same era.

Vodavil June 17, 18 – 8PM
Winter Garden Theatre | 189 Yonge Street (@Queen)

David Ben performs in Natural Magick.

© 2011 Magicana. All rights reserved. Photos by David Linsell.

In the news…

From The National Post

Tricks Of The Trade

David Ben takes a rolling paper and twists it into the shape of a butterfly. He gently places it in his jacket’s front pocket, then pulls another of the delicate tissue papers from its package. Again, he fashions a pair of wings. He then takes a fan and unfurls it dramatically. After tossing the second butterfly into the air, Ben quickly begins to fan, as if cooling himself on a hot summer’s night. The paper flutters across the stage, as if searching a flower to land on. Ben stops, and reaches into his pocket for the other butterfly. He then tosses both in the air, fanning rapidly to keep them aloft. He catches the butterflies, then begins to fan the hand holding both creatures; suddenly, a flurry of white paper flies out of his hand and … READ THE FULL STORY

From Mooney on Theatre

Luminato 2011 Review of Natural Magick

Magic shows are… well they’re magical. We suspend belief, gasping with delight as the coins pour from someone’s nose and applauding wildly when the torn crumpled pieces of paper turn out to be whole. Even the most jaded skeptic responds to magic. Not that tonight’s audience at the Luminato presentation of David Ben’sshow Natural Magick were jaded, but there were definitely some skeptics who were there under duress. After the show I overheard one man saying how glad he was that he had gone, how much he had enjoyed the show and how much he really didn’t want to go.

David Ben has terrific stage presence. He’s completely at home on the stage. I think that’s why people in the audience are so willing to go on stage and be part of the act. That was part of the magic of the evening – how easily Ben got people up on stage and how relaxed they seemed while they were there. … READ THE FULL REVIEW

From Toronto Life

Tuesday’s Luminato picks: Andromache, Raj Kapoor and David Ben’s Natural Magick

In a world where everyone is too cool for school and everything is laced with a healthy dose of irony, the earnestness of a good old-fashioned magic show is welcome. David Ben rescues the art from the dregs of children’s birthday parties and elevates it to a refined act of theatre, inspired by the golden age of magic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Expect astonishing feats, from telepathy to conjuring. Hugh Jackman, you’ve got nothing on this. June 14 to 16. $36.50–$41.50. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/magick. READ FULL STORY

From InsideToronto.com

Natural Magick performs in his hometown

For the first time in years, world-renowned magician David Ben will dazzle hometown crowds with a special performance at the upcoming Luminato festival. Ben, a veteran of more than 35 years on the magic scene, has travelled extensively, performing magic and hosting speaking gigs around the world. 

His new show, Natural Magick, will feature … READ THE FULL STORY

From torontoist.com

A Magical Night Out at Luminato

Can you imagine a magic show starring One Hundred Magicians?

Children who participate in My Magic Hands always end their program by putting on a Big Show. But students in our latest program at Queen Victoria Junior Public School are getting ready to put on our biggest show ever! While a normal class of My Magic Hands has between ten and fifteen young magicians graduating at the end, Queen Victoria invited us to provide a magic program for one hundred of their Grade 5 Students.

Queen Victoria is a model school in Parkdale with a strong commitment to the arts. The classroom walls and hallways are filled with art projects from all grade levels. Learning magic as a introduction to performance art (which includes strategic practicing, planning, scripting and rehearsing and performance) became an interesting fit. Magicana is currently delivering this program as part of the Luminato celebration of the arts festival inside of the Outreach and Education program.

Our Grade 5 magic students are nearing the end of their program and are putting together their scripts for their Big Show on June 14 and 15.

Of course, teaching magic to over a hundred students has its own set of challenges. On top of the sheer volume of energetic children, we had to find a way to allow each and every student to showcase their new skills in front of a live audience. We are excited with our plan of action which will engage the lower grades.

Thanks to the dedicated teachers at Queen Victoria, students have been organized with their magic materials, Books and Boxes of Secrets. If there is one underlying lesson that we have all seen in action is the golden rule to gain proficiency: practice, practice, practice!

We are also excited to see the support Queen Victoria has provided to ESL students as we aim to have them present their final Big Show magic routines in their native languages. Having struggled to learn the magic in English, we now celebrate their achievements by inviting them to perform in their first language.

To all our magicians, good luck on your Big Show and may the magic continue in your Magic Hands!

Magicana is also conducting a concurrent session of My Magic Hands at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital which has also proven to be very rewarding. More on those kids in our next blog!