Showing posts with label Shamus MacGregor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shamus MacGregor. Show all posts

25 April 2019

Toronto: Cheap Tricks 2

From the Revival Bar:
Tuesday June 11

We are back with the most ridiculously fun magic show of the year. Its CHEAP TRICKS 2.

Imagine an performer shows up to their gig but their props don;t. This is the premise of the show. All participants are given a small budget, location to buy and have to come with 10 mins of amazing material on the fly for the audience.

Ten of Toronto;s leading magicians go head to head in this contest with only ONE winner. With a special guest appearance by The Sentimentalists and surprise guests.

Judged by
  • Ben Train (Toronto Magic Company)
  • Steffi Kay (Fooler of Penn and Teller)
  • Chris Westfall (Cheap Tricks winner year one)
  • and a secret judge TBA

Revival Nightclub is a 19+ venue. Content may offend, Doors 8pm show 8:30pm tickets $advance / $30 door.

Presented by Mysterion.
Read more and buy tickets.




From the Facebook page of James Alan:

02 October 2017

Random thoughts from "The Newest Trick in the Book"

The Newest Trick in the Book is back Tuesday October 3rd, at 8:30pm, for a FREE Halloween themed show, with Benzi Train, James Alan, James Harrison, and Shamus Mac Gregor!
Last month, I attended the September 5th edition of "The Newest Trick in the Book," billed as "Toronto's ONLY magic open-mic."

I had no idea what to expect from a magic open-mic.  I thought it might be a slightly more dressed up version of watching folks jam at the club or the magic shop.  As it turns out I'd previously seen most of the performers on this program both jamming casually and performing professionally.  Would the evening be a repeat of stuff I'd already seen?

The verdict:  no.  Well, sometimes yes.  But not really.

Let me explain.

The event takes place at  See-Scape Toronto, a sci-fi bar and gaming café.  It's a cozy space filled with wonderful people.  (And lots of games.)



Everything about the place is interesting.


You were probably wondering about the show.

The evening was a TONNE of fun.  The performances were elevated well beyond a typical jam.  Each of the performers had an energy that was different from what I expected of them.  Perhaps it was the buzz of doing something in front of an audience for the first time? 

It was also clear to me, that the performers were having more fun than usual too!  I witnessed the child-like excitement of bringing a new idea to life, the brilliance of turning the tables on an old standard, freshening up a classic, and the general enjoyment of working things out in front of a safe crowd.  (I've heard more than one professional espouse the importance of having a "safe place" to try things out in front of an audience.  I better appreciate the wisdom now.)

If you're in the Toronto area, I encourage you to both attend and perform at "The Newest Trick in the Book."



Trivia questions: who said what?

1) Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! a) Sammy Jakubowicz
2) Mr. Harrison, it's time for your medication. b) Chris Westfall
3) That's what I would do if I were in your position. But I'm a jerk. c) James Harrison
4) I'm not a thief, I'm a magician. d) James Alan



With thanks to the wonderful performers!