“Illusions…A Magic Spectacular!” has been an annual tradition in Canada for over two decades. Created in the 70′s by Great West Entertainment it has evolved into one of the largest tours of its kind in the world.
At first the tour consisted of a week or two of dates in cities in western Canada and was headlined by Hollywood Illusionist – Chuck Jones. Chuck produced the show six or seven years and then Ray Pierce became the headliner/producer for three years.
In 1986 Murray Hatfield was invited to be the first Canadian act ever featured on the tour. The response was overwhelming, and the following year GWE offered him the headline spot. He held that position for three years and then in 1992 Murray was invited back as producer, director and star of the show. He’s been there ever since.
During the 25 plus years that the show has been in existence many of the best magicians in the world have been a part of the tour. A partial list of the guest performers includes Lance Burton, Joseph Gabriel, Mr. (and Mrs.) Electric, Goldfinger & Dove, Greg Frewin, Juliana Chen, Terry Seabrooke, Mercer Helms, Abb Dickson, Nathan Burton, Mark Kalin, Mike Caveney, Tina Lennert, Shawn Farquhar, Eric Buss, Stan Allen, Ardan James, Jade, and many more. This year alone the guest performers have been seen previously Entertainment Tonight, Tom Snyder, Comedy on the Road, Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, Martes 13 (Spain), the Paul Daniels Show (London) and Evening at the Improv as well as in Casino?s from Las Vegas to Atlantic City.
Over the more than two decades that Illusions has been in existence it has grown from a one week tour of four cities in Western Canada to 85 shows in 27 cities over six weeks. It is recognized within the business as one of the top three tours of its kind in the world and in the twelve years that Murray has been in charge ? close to twenty million dollars has been raised for Canadian Charities including; numerous firefighter associations, hospital wings, burn units, hospices, and more.
We received a very nice note from Canadian magician Murray Hatfield seconds ago.He wanted to let us (and presumably a lot of people) know that he is set to start his annual touring show “ILLUSIONS ?Magic n’ Miracles.”
This year’s show includes special guests Christopher Hart – The Addams Family Movies “Thing” and winner of the Monaco’s “Grand Prix Magique”, Richard Forget – IBM & SAM Peoples Choice Champion, plus International Ventriloquist – Brad Cummings.
With 85 shows in 27 cities in just 6 weeks ? Mr. Hatfield and his cast and crew of fifteen are looking forward to a hectic, but rewarding, schedule.Heck, he figures over 100,000 people will witness the show, which will also include the strolling and close-up magic of many of Canada’s finest junior magicians (in selected cities) thanks to the participation of the Sorcerer’s Summer Safari – Canada’s professional magic camp.Even better – the show is expected to raise close to 2 million dollars for Canadian Charities.
In addition to Mr. Hatfield, his wife and partner Teresa, and his special guests, the show will include five dancers, technical crew, drivers, plus 4-5 tons of props, lighting, a video projection system, sound equipment, a tour bus, and a five-ton truck to carry it all.
This is the kind of show you would expect to see in Vegas but thanks to his dedicated drivers and roadies, Mr. Hatfield will be able to bring it to the entire country of Canada and border towns like Detroit, Michigan.
The Minnesota Sun article chronicles Mr. Harris’ drive to perfect his craft and to craft his perfect act.He began his pursuit of our Art at eight years and has worked at it for over 20 years; in fact, for a recent Halloween show, Mr. Harris spent close to 100 hours practicing for the 15-minute presentation.
Mr. Harris worked his way through college and had to balance his pursuit of gigs and his need to study.He knew that he wanted to do a great act but he also wanted to make it through college.Tough balance.
David Harris
The Minnesota magician noted that Magic has tons of standard tricks and that our craft is to “rework to make their own, much in the same way artists rework jazz standards.”
Mr. Harris has progressed to create a line of completely original effects.He looks forward to presenting a show that consists only of tricks he invented.He correctly observes that this would be a great way of giving back to our art.?I respect a lot of magicians out there and I want to contribute something to the art,? he said.
In Mr. Harris’ Halloween show, he performed a comedic send-up of Harry Potter as Larry Potter.?I like to make fun of magic, because it is kind of silly,? he said. ?The Comedy-Magic of David Harris? now describes his act and is the banner for his… Continue reading The Comedy Magic of David Harris Gets Great Press
Being the positive person I am, if Criss Angel didn’t seem to be so arrogant, perhaps I’d have more positive things to say about him and his brand of whatever it is he does. I did see Criss’s live show and I thought it was very cool. However, he must have been off that night because his pass could have formed a shadow on the wall. Am I being too critical? Maybe but that’s what comes with the arrogance I’m sensing.
Back when I first heard about Criss Angel, it occurred to me that a challenge shot out to David Blaine was only a matter of time. I saw Criss in a giant fish tank and knew exactly what was happening. In a matter of days, someone informed me that Mr. Angel was out of the fish tank and just challenged David Blaine. I actually remember having a conversation with Eugene Burger about this.
Perhaps I’m being too moral but this challenge nonsense bothers me. It’s quite obvious to me and has been for quite some time that Criss is going to feed of David’s fame as much as he can and in any way he can; even if that means flat out, unsophisticated and unprofessional challenges.
Personally, I don’t think there’s enough magic (in any form) in the world and we should all be on the same team. After Criss Angel puts so much obvious effort into making himself “unique,” he goes out of his way to compare himself to and challenges David in efforts to score the publicity he says he’s not interested in. To me, the fact that Mr. Angel is so interested in putting David Blaine down is what detracts from his credibility.
Honestly, I think David Blaine gets enough grief about his behavior. I believe Criss should worry more about practicing his pass and less about who?s the best magician because neither of them get my vote. I find it odd that being the ?best magician? doesn’t even have anything to do with magic. How exactly did Criss Angel receive the Magician of the Year award? – He throws that around like it’s an Oscar. No offence to Mr. Hassini and the IMS but his only competition (commercially) is David Blaine and the community doesn’t seem to be much of a fan.
What does it take to get a Merlin award? A TV special, make up and an attitude?
Did Criss get the award just because he?s not David Blaine, the black sheep of the magic community? Let?s face it – the world is interrelated. Had there not been a David Blaine, there would probably not be a Criss Angel ? at least not one who walks around on the street just like the person he apparently dislikes. Did David get a Merlin award?
Where?s MY Merlin award? (Laughs)
I have an idea! – Lets get the networks to air a magic face off… Forget the starvation, shit talking and ego trips. Just a standard camera and real magic – STANDARD CAMERA is key here. After these far fetched TV specials, I really wonder if either Criss or David would take up an offer like that. I’d actually love to jump into that mix. It’s amusing to me but also a bit sad that they create TV specials they can’t live up to.
Daryl began his professional career back in 1968 (so I figure he was about -7 years old at the time) and moved from starting out to taking control to teaching the world.He earned the Gold Medal at the World Congress of Magic (the “Olympics” of Magic), in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982.(Just for the sake of historical accuracy, my father, Li?l Tom Hardy, America?s Foremost Psychic Entertainer, won the High Jump at the ?Olympics? of magic but suffered a groin pull and was out for the all important semi-finals in the backpalming events).
Daryl also received six Academy Awards from the world famous MagicCastle in Hollywood, California.By my count, that?s more than anyone else.
Daryl?s peers at the Castle voted Close-Up Magician of the Year in 1980 and 1981, the Parlour Magician of the Year in 1986 and 1987, and the Lecturer of the Year 1988 and 1992. Basically, if there was a contest he was in, Daryl won.
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