Author: owenmagic

Magical Offerings at the BPAC #3

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Screen grab of Lucy Darling with listing details from Burlington Peforming Arts Centre website.

Lucy Darling!

My third and final post regarding unique spring 2025 magical offerings at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. It’s great to see so much variety art scheduled so I’ve done my wee part with a post for each over the last few weeks.

Carissa Hendrix had been paying her dues for years as a variety performer out west but really came into her own with the character Lucy Darling. Lucy looks and talks like a glamorous old school Hollywood movie star but brings the quick wit, improvisational and magical skills plus comedy chops of a seasoned performer along for the ride.

I don’t know Carissa personally but worked a festival with her back in 2019 and her Lucy character, then already well established, has grown ever more fully formed and nuanced.

Her current show, Lucy Darling, comes to the BPAC on Wednesday April 23rd 2025 at 7:30 pm It’s worthy of your consideration. Visit BPAC for full info.

Magical Offerings at the BPAC #2

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Screen grab of Tomas Kubinek listing details from Burlington Performing Arts Centre website.

Tomáš Kubínek

This is the second of 3 unique magical offerings during spring 2025 at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. It’s great to see so much variety art scheduled so I’m doing my part with a wee blog post for each over the next few weeks.

Tomáš Kubínek is veteran performer with a local connection. He grew up in Hamilton and was, in his younger years, an active part of the local performing scene. We met through the local junior magician club way back when. Since those halcyon days his talents have grown and he’s travelled far and wide. The Golden Horseshoe may no longer be home but it’s nice to see him working in the old neighbourhood.

It’s a bit hard to describe his act so just watch the video in the BPAC show listing. Better yet just go. You could use a night out…!

His current show, Miracle Man, is coming to the BPAC on, fittingly, Tuesday April 1st 2025 at 7:00 pm. Visit BPAC for full info.

Tom & I hanging out at the 100th birthday celebration of our mutual friend and mentor Gordon Precious.
–May 2024

Tom & I at a reception for a mutal friend's 100th birthday.

Magical Offerings at the BPAC #1

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Screen grab of listing for Ted & Marion Outerbridge at Burlington Paerfoening Arts Centre.

Outerbridge Magic!

This is the first of 3 unique spring 2025 magical offerings at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. It’s great to see so much variety art scheduled so I’m doing my part with a wee blog post about each over the next few weeks.

Ted & Marion Outerbridge are veteran performers who have toured far and wide for years. I’ve seen previous performances and also attended their fine lecture for magicians. They are consummate pros through and through.

They are bringing their current show, Mysteries of The Keyhole House, to the BPAC on Sunday March 9th 2025 at 7:00 pm with a family friendly matinee on Monday March 10th in the afternoon. Visit BPAC for full info.

For your consideration and, as it happens timing wise, a great kick-off to the March Break!

Canada’s Got Talent

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A finalist on the just concluded 4th season of Canada’s Got Talent was the witty comic magician Mark Clearview.

I took extra delight watching his performances because, years ago, I did his birthday party magic show!

Back in the fall of 2023, when CGT Season 4 was in production, Mark asked to use this photo from his birthday party. It was for his background bio. Contestants progressing further through the rounds all do them. Alas, it ultimately wasn’t used, (or perhaps I blinked at the wrong moment!), but it was nice to be asked.

Magician Owen Anderson with a young Mark Clearview at his birthday party.
I’m the one on the left…

He also kindly mentioned yours truly while doing a wee bit of promo with Canada’s Magic, a respected source for news within the magic community. Lovely little shout out.

Clearview made it to the finals ultimately placing 4th. Along the way he also picked up a Golden Buzzer bonus of $25,000!

Well done Mark!

CGT4 season breakdown on Wikipedia here.

All things CGT on the LinkTree here.

Owen’s Birthday Magic Show Info

Book Family Cemetery

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A collection of old grave stones in Book Family Cemetery.

Once in a while I take a dear friend’s 90 something father out for a spin. Gives him a little adventure away from his retirement residence.

We always drive the rural roads. He grew up in the area so he’s got a story for almost all of them from Hamilton to Hagersville. Admittedly many of these stories seem to involve underage drinking in the 1940s but hey…

Recently he tossed out the random factoid that we were passing a cemetery on Book Road in Ancaster, Ontario. I notice there’s a maintained grassy area along the side of the road plus, up above, the hint of a fence line atop a steep hill.

So when I got home I look on the City of Hamilton website and, sure enough, there’s an old cemetery there: Book Cemetery.

Weathered grave stone of George Book.

Many of the markers are broken, weathered or being claimed by organics. As best I could see from the stones there hadn’t been a burial since 1899.
I wouldn’t exactly call it a ruin though; the mowed grass and pathway tells that the City of Hamilton respectfully maintains it.

Broken memorial marker of John Book.

Part of our local landscape that was news to me. Worth a wee blog post I thought.

If you go…
Book Cemetery is in Ancaster, Ontario.
281 Book Road East at Hwy # 6 South. North East corner. It’s pinned on Google maps.
Be aware that the access path on east side takes you up a steep hill. A short hike is needed to get up there.

Another angle of Book Family Cemetery gravestones.

Slightly creepy shot of same gravestones done with black and white filter.
Gotta do at least one cemetery shot in black & white, amirite?!

The Book family were early settlers in the area. Early, as in 1789 early! Not the focus of this blog post but there is a nibble of Book Family history in this post on Facebook to get you started should you be interested.