A Virtual Holiday Magic Fundraiser

Coming up in two weeks, I’ll be hosting a special holiday magic fundraiser online raising money for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Since it’s still not a fabulous idea to get together in person, we will be performing virtually. Over a dozen members of our local (not so) secret magic society, The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club will be sharing some fun holiday magic from home.

Last year’s fundraiser raised over $7,000 and we’ll try our best to beat that this year. If you’re free, please consider joining us on Thursday, December 9 at 8PM Eastern to watch the show. We are already accepting donations for our campaign. All funds go directly to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Fundraising Update

It’s nice these days to be able to post good news!

Just writing briefly to share that the virtual fundraiser show that I hosted last week, Conjuring for a Cure supporting the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, has passed its goal of $5,000 and is now sitting at over $7,000. Thank you so much to everyone who tuned in to watch the show and everyone who donated.

The show is still up a little longer if you’d like to go and watch (use the chapters to skip past the countdown clock at the beginning). And if you feel like it, it’s never too late to donate.

The show was put on by the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club and featured over a dozen magicians performing from Toronto and around the world. Additional video jiggery pokery by Chris Mayhew.

Conjuring for a Cure Virtual Fundraiser

Last night, I got to host Conjuring for a Cure, a virtual fundraiser put on by the Hat & Rabbit Club of Toronto raising money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

In the end, twenty magicians from age two-and-a-half to age ninety-six teamed up to share magic virtually safely from home. While we were in the middle of planning earlier in the fall, they instituted stricter safety measures (ending indoor dining, limiting gathering size) and everything online is so different, so we didn’t know how things would go and we set a very modest goal of $500.

We ended the evening at over $5,500 and people to continue to see the archived broadcast and donate.

I want to thank all of the magicians who donated their time: Jonah Babins, David Ben, Ian Crawford, Matt DiSero, Shawn Farquhar, Gerry Frenette, Robert Herd, Lulu Lin, Patrick Nemeth, Marty Papernick, David Peck, Jeff Pinsky, Gordon Precious, Khanya Rubushe, Ari Soroka, Ben Train, Glenn West, “Brookalini” Westfall, Mark Wicken, Andrew Woo.

You can still watch the show for the next ten days here:

And of course donations are still being accepted.

Conjuring for a Cure

This Thursday, I’ll be hosting a an online show raising money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Fifteen other magicians will be sharing magic virtually from home hoping to make cancer disappear.

We currently accepting donations and have already raised over $800. If you have a moment to make a donation — any amount you think is acceptable — it would be greatly appreciated.

You can bookmark the video below and watch live along with us, Thursday, December 3 at 8PM Eastern.

The show is being put on by the Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club, a secret club for magicians that’s been around since 1942. We have been meeting online on Zoom since the start of the pandemic and wanted to have a bit of fun this holiday season even though we can’t get together in person.

One Hundred Magicians in Canada

One hundred Canadian magicians were asked to contribute a five second clip while social distancing at home. Here is the result, assembled by Brent and Sarah Nicholls:

The video includes appearances from friends including Rob Testa, Matt DiSero, David Merry, Harry Zimmerman, David Peck, Nicholas Wallace, Ben Train, Jonah Babins, Shawn Farquhar, Aaron Matthews and Mark Correia.

If you enjoyed the project, we’re encouraging viewers to donate to Food Banks Canada during this difficult time.

Dining for Dignity

This fall, I’ll be appearing at a special fundraising gala to benefit adults and seniors with disabilities and their families, organized by ESS Support Services. The evening also features former Blue Jays radio broadcaster Jerry Howarth and singer Michael Vanhevel.

Sunday, October 20, 2019
Panemonte Banquet & Convention Centre
(220 Humberline Drive, Etibocoke
Tickets $90

From ESS Support Services:

Join ESS Support Services for an entertaining evening of live Music, Magic and Fundraising!

Our 12th annual Dine for Dignity Fundraising Gala will be an evening to remember. We'll be bringing a touch of magic this year with a special performance by Magician James Alan and Singer Michael Vanhevel. Back by popular demand is Jerry Howarth, known as the radio voice of the Toronto Blue Jays before recently retiring after 36 seasons, as our Master of Ceremonies.

Our Gala will feature a 4-course banquet dinner with complimentary wine on the table, silent auction, live music, magic and plenty of prize draws.

By purchasing a ticket you are helping seniors, adults with disabilities and their families access essential programs and services that help them with daily living and to remain independent in their own homes and community.

For more information Gala sponsorship and silent auction donation opportunities, please visit the FAQs section below.

Event hashtag: #D4Dgala

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esssupportservices/

Twitter & Instagram: @ess_seniors

To learn more about ESS and the work we do, please visit our website: www.esssupportservices.ca.