Publications
Toronto’s Ring 17 hosted a captivating lecture by Rick Holcombe, featuring his skillful coin and marker transformations. Opening with April Carter’s charming double change bag routine, the evening highlighted Rick’s original “Recoil” routine—a mesmerizing sequence where coins transform into steel balls, springs, and back. Rick also demonstrated table-free variations of coin routines like “Triple Bypass” and “Captive Coins,” emphasizing natural, logical handling. His clean and clever effects, including “Colour Blind” and “Gemini,” impressed the crowd. Members enjoyed Rick’s prior show at Canada’s Magic Centre. For more, visit rickholcombemagic.com and his YouTube channel.
The Sid Lorraine Hat & Rabbit Club’s October lecture featured Phil Pivnick demonstrating a clever coin vanish and card production using an elastic band, which also aids natural palming and object transfers. The main lecture was by Steve Valentine, a magic historian and performer who researches and masters multiple versions of classic effects, sharing his knowledge through his website Magic on the Go. Steve showcased routines including an appearing glass, color-changing handkerchief, and a unique take on Three Card Monte. He emphasized “juicy moments” for performers, the importance of teaching to deepen learning, and being prepared for unexpected situations with multiple methods.
Toronto’s Ring 17 hosted a remarkable lecture by David Ben, a sleight-of-hand virtuoso and magic historian. Reflecting on his 50-year career, David shared stories of his mentors, including Ross Bertram and Stewart James, and emphasized the importance of mastering a few tricks deeply rather than many superficially. He demonstrated classics like the Egg Bag and Vernon’s Twisting the Aces with personal touches. David also highlighted the crucial role of management skills for professional magicians. His contributions to Magicana and collaborations with Canadian media leaders underscore his lasting impact on magic as a performing art.
Toronto’s Ring 17 recently hosted Jeff Hinchliffe, who shared insights from his 30-year magic career and his one-man show Stepping into the Impossible. Jeff’s deep knowledge of magic history and careful refinement of classic effects, like the Svengali Deck routine and “Hofzinser Meets Ascanio,” impressed the audience. He credited mentors such as Thomas Baxter and experiences at Sorcerer’s Safari for shaping his craft. Jeff also highlighted how restaurant performances sharpened his close-up skills. After a pandemic break, he returned with fresh material, including a Dani DaOrtiz finale that wowed the crowd. His passion and meticulous approach shine through every performance.
At a recent Ring 17 meeting in Toronto, Derrick Chung and Steph Lac delivered an exciting lecture packed with impressive card magic. Derrick opened with a twist on Vernon and Cervon’s “Devil’s Elevator,” demonstrating advanced dealing techniques and the Biddle Steal. He also performed “Spot On,” a clever prediction trick, and introduced the Oink Shuffle. Assistance from club members highlighted variations on classic forces and effects like Steve Mayhew’s “Couple’s Trick.” Steph, a top gaff maker, wowed with innovative routines including “C C Rider” using the Svengali Principle, a Royal Flush poker demonstration, and a “Do as I Do” with two decks. He also showcased his Stripper Deck creations.
Toronto’s Ring 17 recently enjoyed two special events. First, a Zoom with magic legend Lance Burton, who shared stories from his career and emphasized the importance of storytelling and audience connection over tricks. Lance’s humility and insights inspired members to embrace creativity and continuous learning. Later, Chris Pilsworth delivered a poetic and practical lecture featuring routines like “Ring and Rope,” “Homing Card to Wallet,” and “Jellybean Prediction.” Chris shared clever handling tips and categorized his routines by experience level, highlighting how some effects become trusted staples over time. Both events celebrated magic’s artistry and community.
Toronto’s Ring 17 held a heartfelt October meeting beginning with a Broken Wand Ceremony honoring the late Richard “Ted” Edward Harding, celebrating his dedication to magic. The club then launched a playful membership drive involving magical bookmarks in libraries to engage younger magicians. Guest Chris Philpott, a renowned magician and collaborator with top performers, shared stories including a legendary Doug Henning audition. Philpott showcased innovative routines emphasizing storytelling and deeper meaning in magic, inspiring attendees to add narrative layers to their acts. The evening blended tribute, creativity, and community spirit, highlighting magic’s power beyond tricks.
Gerry Frenette, a seasoned illusionist and founder of Magic Makers Inc., delivered an engaging lecture on "The Psychology of Magic" to Toronto’s Ring 17. He demonstrated clever effects like producing billiard balls from a tube, the signed-card-in-an-egg trick “Chicken A La Card,” and a unique “Coins Across” routine using masking techniques. Gerry shared personal stories from his forty-year career, including cruise ship performances and his stand-up “Ten Card Poker Deal.” His lecture blended technical insights with humor, highlighting his deep experience in illusion building. His book My Life as a Magic Maker is highly recommended.
Ring 17 in Toronto recently hosted Michel Huot, who shared his creative magic journey and performed a series of captivating effects. His routines included a large gift box with a personalized stuffed animal, a match that visibly restored itself, and clever card tricks like “Cardvertisement” and “Shoe-ing Gum,” where cards stuck to glue or chewing gum on his shoe. Michel also wowed the audience with mentalism using ViewMaster reels and a price-guessing stunt involving his blazer’s security tag. Closing with a billiard ball prediction, Michel’s lecture was packed with practical, audience-tested magic and unique props, leaving everyone eager for his next creations.
Alex McAleer, known for his work with Champions of Magic and his solo shows, gave a captivating lecture at Toronto’s Ring 17 focused on mentalism and billet work. He demonstrated clever routines including ESP card predictions, a coin trick with a hidden prediction on a dollar bill, and semi-hands-off “Bills Across.” The second half focused on billet peeking techniques and routines involving multiple billets and envelopes, all designed to engage and mystify audiences. Alex’s clear explanations and practical methods impressed attendees, inspiring many to revisit classic mentalism texts. His lecture confirmed his reputation as a master mentalist.
This two-page article from The Linking Ring (May 2024) reports on IBM Ring 17 (Toronto) honoring Black History Month by hosting Dr. Kenrick "Ice" McDonald. Despite a winter blizzard, members gathered to watch his documentary The Quiet Masters – The History and Relevance of The Black Magical Artist, which profiles pioneering Black magicians including Henry "Box" Brown, Fetaque Sanders, Ellen E. Armstrong, and Richard Potter. Ice then led a Q&A, performed an impromptu card trick, and the following day taught a Master Class at The Browsers Den. The article also notes Ice's historic 2014 presidency of the Society of American Magicians.
The Linking Ring is the official monthly publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), one of the world's oldest and largest magic organizations, founded in 1922. Published from St. Charles, Missouri, the magazine is distributed exclusively to IBM members as part of their annual dues. This May 2024 issue is a professionally produced journal covering the art and craft of magic, featuring editorial content, advertisements, ring reports from local chapters, and news from the international magic community. It serves as the primary communication vehicle connecting magicians worldwide, with contributions from editors, officers, and members across its global membership network.
John Bannon’s lecture at Toronto’s Ring 17 showcased innovative card magic focused on elegant and practical effects. He shared routines like “Heart of Glass,” a two-card transposition; “Game Set Match,” blending coins and cards with surprising control; and “Fours Majeure,” a self-working multiple transposition. Highlights included “Spin Doctors,” a twist on Twisting the Aces, and “OMG Morigami,” where folded cards spell “LUCKY” alongside a Royal Flush. Bannon emphasized the balance between effort and impact, sharing his philosophy that magic needs innovation but also simplicity. His lecture notes, "Barrage," and upcoming book "Outnumbered" promise more gems.
At Toronto’s Ring 17, magician Ryan Murray amazed the Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club with his decade-long mastery of the Faro Shuffle, showcasing invisible passes and clever card effects like aces shooting out during riffle shuffles. His skillful demonstrations, including advanced shuffle patterns and Rubik’s cube transformations, left the crowd impressed. October brought FISM award winner Eric Tait, who dazzled with a Criss Cross Force variation, marked deck work, and a unique Ambitious Card routine. After the lecture, members enjoyed casual magic and camaraderie at a local pub, a key part of the club’s vibrant community.
In September, Ring 17 in Toronto welcomed Jeff Hinchliffe for their first in-person meeting after two years online. Jeff, a skilled magician, shared his expertise on card magic, mentalism, and forcing techniques with engaging performances and historical insights. His lecture included variations on Vernon’s “Out of Sight and Out of Mind,” Mnemonica routines, and practical tips like the Breather Crimp, blending magic with audience interaction. Also noted, Ring 21 in Los Angeles installed new officers and enjoyed a magical performance by Jonathan Levitt at Taix French Restaurant, ending the evening with a raffle of magical gifts.