Category: Magic Show

Family Fun in Fergus

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The Elora Gorge makes Fergus, ON a sweet place to visit any time of year but come October, when you toss in some early fall colour, the town’s many charms really start to shine.

Combine that natural magic with some theatrical magic and you’ve got a very nice way to spend a fall day.

This October consider a family road trip to Fergus for an afternoon of fun at the Magic Festival family matinee show held in the town’s charming theatre, The Fergus Grand.

It’s a sweet little room with no bad seats or sight lines.

I’m not a part of this year’s edition but the talent lineup is always good and it’s curated by a pro, Fergus native Ryan Joyce.

Colourful screen grab of Magic Show info graphic showing basic show info.

Ticket info here.

Worthy of your consideration. Individual tickets and family ticket packages are available.

Fergus Grand Theatre interior as seen from stage.
Yours truly at The Fergus Grand a while back.

30th Anniversary…?!

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Thought bubble containing a nice Google birthday magic review from a mother.

Isn’t that a nice review?

During a recent weekend birthday gig the hosting mom, who kindly wrote this Google review, told me she inquired of several entertainers before she booked me.

Booked me, because my birthday party magic show best suited her needs, right?

Nope. Booked me because I was the only one actually who responded to her. No one else replied!

Maybe that means the others were all booked solid or maybe the others were all flakes.
Maybe a bit of both? Either way it always amazes me how some performers behave. Even if I can’t help you myself I’ll reply to say as much and maybe offer you a suggestion.

One no response she mentioned prompted me to visit his website for the first time in years.

Boy was it dusty. Copyright date 2010, not “https” secure and, oddly, not a single photo or video of the performer in action. I will not mention the performer directly, however…

Said website also held this relic:

Screen grab of nice but 30 year old testimonial from me.

It’s legit. A sincere thank you from me to a teenage performer who did about 10 minutes on a community outreach show hosted by the local magic club. During the holidays. In December 1995. That’s right, December 1995 — you know, 30 years ago!

Long ago I requested that he remove/replace it but I see it’s still there. Sigh…

So thank you birthday mom for booking and for your lovely review. I’m glad the kids had a blast, grown ups too. I guess I’m glad nobody else responded too…!

And to a certain nameless performer since it’s now 2025… happy 30th anniversary to us?

Jeesh!

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!