The Proizvolov Identity

Here is a simple card trick you can perform informally, courtesy of the British YouTube channel Numberphile. James Grady shares a simple prediction that can be accomplished thanks to something called The Proizvolov Identity. (Don’t worry, I hadn’t heard of it either.)

Take a look:

As an ex-mathematician, I find these small tricks charming. They aren’t well suited to performing in a show, but as something fun to share with friends, the offer a wonderful small pleasant mystery.

The concept of symmetry in math, where you can make changes that have no impact, is closely related to the idea of choice in magic, where you often get to make choices that don’t affect the outcome of the trick. (And providing a moderately irritating counterexample to proponents of free will.)

Cheap Tricks (2)

It is the worst possible scenario for a variety performer. You arrive in another city to perform, but your props and equipment do not. (Thank you Airlines.) It’s a situation no one would want to be in, but we’re inflicting it on ourselves in Cheap Tricks. We tried this earlier in 2017 and are at it again, putting performers in awkward and unpleasant situations for your entertainment pleasure.

All participants are given a small budget, location to buy what they can find, and have to come with 10 mins of amazing material on the fly for the audience.

Featuring John Roldan, Poppa, Jimbo, Beyond Mental Borders, Jonah Babins, The Wanderer, Jacque Swan, James Harrison, Shamus MacGregor and some guy named James Alan. Judged by Ben Train, Steffi Kay & Chris Westfall (the returning champion from the first Cheap Tricks in 2017.) With a performance by The Sentimentalists.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019
8:30 PM
Revival
783 College Street, Toronto

We hope you can join us for what is sure to be a very unusual night.

 

A little Martini primer

FINALLY…. a hint of something that looks like spring in Toronto. So to help you get in the spirit and cool down, here’s a primer from Cocktail Chemistry: Three different simple martini recipes.

Magic & Martini is continuing this summer on a special limited schedule. Tickets are now available. Readers can use the secret code olive for a discount on the price of tickets when reserving online.

The Witching Hour

Last night I got to attend a special performance at See Scape put on by the Toronto Magic Company. They forewent their usual weekly performance The Newest Trick In The Book, and replaced it with The Witching Hour; the same format but featuring an all female cast.

The show did have one marked improvement over there regular format and just goes to show what happens when you let women be in charge.

L to R: Nikki Runnals, Bella Muerta, Suzanne, Felice, Jacqueline Swan
Duct Tape: Jonah Babins, Ben Train

Later this week, I’ll be appearing on another TMC production: The Carnival of Wonders, which also features Bella Muerta and a number of strange, unusual and wonderful people. Tickets are still available for the early and late sittings (8:00 PM and 10:30 PM) at the Super Wonder Gallery.

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

2018 was a wonderful year. Thank you to everyone who came to see one of our shows. Your support and love of live magic made it all possible.

Looking forward to some exciting things in 2019.

French Spoon Juggling

Luc Langevin (who you have never heard of because all of his wonderful TV specials only air in French Canadia) teaches a fun little trick you can do at a party… if you speak enough French to understand the instructions.

Probably better if you do this at someone else’s house so you’re not destroying your own spoons.