Category: Theatre

OWOW Magic Festival Returns!

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In October 2019 it was my pleasure to perform at the OWOW Magic Festival.

(Blog post about my prior involvement here. Fun video of me from the event here.)

Well, after a 2 year Covid-19 hiatus, the OWOW returns with a schedule which again thoughtfully includes a family matinee. I’m not part of the line-up this time but that’s OK, it’s going to be a great show for families.

This matinee show will run about an hour; just about right length for families with kids. Afterwards it’ll still be daylight. Plenty of time to explore Fergus, Ontario, see the Elora Gorge and enjoy the fall colours.

A great autumn road trip possibility for the family. Ticket info here.

Magic festival's listing details for this October 2022 family magic show event.

BTW, the OWOW Magic Festival activities are part of a larger Centre Wellington Township event called Monster Month which features ghost walks, a costume parade and other ♫ spooooky ♫ community events.

Monster Month event schedule here.

Variety Arts Greeting Cards

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I have a dear juggler friend with whom I’ve exchanged holiday and birthday cards for years. She seems to have a knack for finding cards with delightful performance imagery regularly. Me? Not so much.
Except this year… I finally get to turn the tables!

Four greeting cards featuring illustrations of talented female jugglers.

These Art Nouveau style cards are the brainchild of California performer Bri Crabtree and illustrator Holly Pierson. Each card portrays a remarkable female performer from the world of circus and variety arts. They are blank inside and, by the bye, that’s Bri gracing the one at bottom right.

I don’t know Ms. Crabtree personally but she’s a terrific performer, both live and online. I posted her video for younger children on this blog about a year ago. Wonderful stuff for your wee munchkins.

So, happy customer Owen here, sharing link to the cards on her website. For international purchases you’ll need to contact her as the check-out function doesn’t have that shipping option. That’s what I did. She replied promptly to my inquiry and this lovely 4 pack of cards was quickly on its way.

Cards arrived well packaged. Then, almost as soon as they arrived in Canada, one was back in the mail to the USA to arrive (fingers crossed!) just in time to finally impress my juggler pal on her upcoming birthday.

Meanwhile, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre…

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Carisa on stage performing magic as her elegant alter ego Lucy.
Carisa Hendrix as Lucy Darling. Photo credit: from artist’s website, link below.

I didn’t know about this event until the other day but my boosterism, like “the show,” must go on!

Have mentioned Carisa Hendrix, better known by her alter ego Lucy Darling, previously on this blog. Neat person, wonderful performer. (See related links at bottom of this post. You’re in for some treats if you do.)

Well, turns out she’s appearing at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Burlington, Ontario, on October 29/21. A magical addition to their fall schedule and a wonderful live entertainment choice for those in Southern Ontario. Also a live stream entertainment possibility for those further afield regardless of time zone.

BPAC has ticket options for in-person attendance or via live stream at home. Vaccination requirements for in-person patrons; see the BPAC website link above for details.

Great night out, or, great night in!

More with Lucy Darling

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In October 2019 I was part of the Ontario Week of Wonder magic festival in Fergus, Ontario. Great little festival!

At OWoW I met Carisa Hendrix. Carisa performs a wonderful character act as her charming and cheeky alter ego, Lucy Darling.

Shortly after the pandemic lockdowns began she shared a lovely high quality video of her full length show, “Indulgence,” as performed at the Chicago Magic Lounge.

I did a blog post about this online treat last year.

During lockdown Lucy, er, Carisa, deftly pivoted to virtual shows for online audiences with her capable castmates, Miranda Allen & Richard Lee. Now, as things slowly get back to ‘normal,’ she’s released their final virtual collaboration for all to enjoy.

Runs about 50-ish minutes. For adults. Kids won’t appreciate the wit and skill, but if you’re a little older and looking to change-up your usual streaming choices…

The frame below should play but here’s the YouTube link as well. Enjoy!

The Great Farini

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Farini grave has flat stone marker and small historic plaque on pole.
A small plaque belies larger than life exploits!

One of my magical friends recently shared this Historical Society of Ottawa link about Canada’s answer to P.T. Barnum: William Hunt, aka The Great Farini!

Second man to walk across the Niagara Falls gorge on a tightrope after Blondin and the guy who invented the shoot-a-dude-out-of-a-cannon trick.

The historical society link reminded me of the wonderful book by Shane Peacock. Reading it years ago was my first introduction to William Hunt’s adventure packed life.

Made a mental note that when magical travels took me far enough east along Highway 401 I’d pay my respects at Farini’s grave site in Port Hope, Ontario.

Cut to late August 2017. Did three TD Summer Reading Club magic shows for Kingston Library. On my way home, I made a wee side trip to Union and St John’s Cemetery.

Cemetery office staff kindly left a plot map in their mailbox with an x-marks-the-spot notation. That ‘x’ made things easier during my early evening visit.

The Great Farini is a fascinating part of Canada’s early entertainment history. Great to be reminded and share a personal photo here. Such a fascinating life!