Face2Face - Again

A few weeks ago, I sat down with David Peck, the host of the Face2Face Podcast and ridiculously tall Canadian magician Brian Roberts to discuss their upcoming lecture "Spare Change for Social Change."

Both David and Brian have appeared several times as guests on Magic Tonight. I've been a guest on David's podcast twice already (see here and here) and but this time I was able to steal the microphone and serve as interviewer and host. We met in the mysterious back room of the Browser's Den of Magic, who will be hosting the lecture later this month. 

We talked about the process of sharing and uncovering secrets and the value that different magicians place on different branches of the craft of magic. Eventually, David's inner philosopher reared its ugly head and we discussed the role of the modern performing magician in today's society. It was a very interesting conversation to be part of. 

You can download the podcast here (episode no. 263) or subscribe in iTunes. Tickets are available for the lecture on Saturday, February 26 at 6:00 PM, $20 when you reserve online. 

*The unhealthy obsession with "introductions" in the podcast is a dig at a previous appearance of mine on the "Discourse in Magic" podcast... long story.

The Rocky Horror The Morning After

Last night, a group of comics, magicians and variety entertainers came together to support and pay tribute to Glenn Ottaway. Performers who donated their time included Mike Carbone, Jeff & Tessa Evason, Richard Forget, Glen Foster, Mini Holmes, David Peck and Brian Roberts. The evening was hosted by Mike Bullard and organized by Sir Matt of DiSero. You can check out Glenda Forham's review of the event. This is how it all ended:

She also managed to snag a few goofy photos of me:

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If you would still like to chip in, you can make a donation at www.TheRockyHorror.com.

The Rocky Horror - a must see show this November

Coming up November 9 at the Revue Cinema in Toronto, there is a show that you do not want to miss: The Rocky Horror. The show has an incredible lineup of talent, on the subject of which I shall gush more momentarily. The show is a benefit for the legendary Canadian comic performer Glenn Ottaway. Glen has been featured guest of mine on Magic Tonight several times, where he is always hilarious and often slightly risqué. Back when I was still trying to figure out which shoe went on which foot, he was the host of A Little Night Magic for about a decade.

I first encountered Glenn at Morrissey Magicin Toronto where he was performing at their anniversary party. At one point in his presentation, there was a youngster who was sitting in the front who was being slightly disruptive. When Glenn threatened to silence the youth by pissing directly into his mouth, I knew at once that I had found a role model of the highest order.

This show has an incredible lineup. Matt DiSero, David Merry, David Peck & Brian Roberts have all appeared on Magic Tonight. Glenn Foster is an incredible Canadian comic and Jeff and Tessa Evason are simply brain-melting. The evening is hosted by Mike Bullard (of Open Mike with Mike Bullard fame) and I might possibly sneak in and do a little something.

So please head over to www.TheRockyHorror.com and grab yourself some tickets before they're all gone.

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Last week on Magic Tonight

What wonderful audiences we had at the show. Things were certainly feeling festive as the GTA got into the spirit for Pride. Sunday in particular was an extra-fabulous rendition of the show. Although it was raining through most of the day, it didn't make things any less festive. There is a bit of backstory. A few months ago, one of the servers at the Crimson Lounge where we host Magic Tonight in Toronto, fixed me with a steely glare and warned me that when Pride rolled around, i was not going to get away without some serious sparkles and glitter. Of course, you don't really have to ask me twice, but I figured I'd play hard to get just for the sport of it.

And the incredibly tall (and I suppose honorarily fabulous) Brian Roberts did a fantastic bit of classic magic-ing at the Franklin House in Mississauga.

If you haven't been out to see the show in a while. Take a look at what you missed. Magic Tonight continues every Sunday through the summer at the Crimson Lounge in Toronto. Readers of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when purchasing online.

This week on Magic Tonight

June 25 Brian Roberts

This week is our final show at the Franklin House in Streetsville before we break for the summer. Don't worry - we'll be back in September; tickets are now available online. We a special guest who has been on the show many times before - Canada's tallest magician and an exceptional virtuoso sleight of hand performer, Brian Roberts. On Sunday, at the Crimson Lounge downtown, we have the mysterious Lukas Stark. We'll be continuing in Toronto through the summer with shows every week. You can see the schedule online readers of this blog can use the code reality when booking online for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner. 

June 28 Lukas Stark

Coming up on Magic Tonight

This Sunday, I'm off at the Soulo Theatre Festival, so filling in for me on stage at Magic Tonight is a dynamic duo the likes of which the world has never seen! Combining forces, we have the incredibly funny Chris Mayhew (who recently appeared as part of his own two-person show, Sketchy Magic, and as a guest at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood) and the ridiculously tall virtuoso sleight of hand performer Brian Roberts. They've assured me that while the boss is away, they'll be out to play. So anything could happen. Grab your tickets now for this exciting (and potentially catastrophic) experience.

Magic Tonight is performed weekly at the Crimson Lounge in Toronto and the Franklin House in Mississauga. Readers of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when reserving online.

May 24 Brian Roberts Chris Mayhew