Children's Magician of the Year - June 6th, 2010

The Vancouver Magic Circle, presents: Magic for Youngsters - The 2010 Children's Magician of the Year Show. This year's event will be held Sunday, June 6th, in the Studio Theatre at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, B.C.

Show time is 1:00 p.m., however come early and witness interactive close-up magic miracles performed by roving magicians in the theatre lobby!

Norden will be vying for the honour of being titled Children's Magician of the Year (5 times running!), the winner being selected by popular vote of the audience.

Tickets are only $10 each, available online or by calling the Shadbolt Centre by calling Norden direct at 604-916-9879. Don't delay,as last year sold out!

Magic Kingdom - Mike Norden in the news!

Magic Kingdom

Reporter Amy Steele looks at life as a magician.

Amy Steele, The Times

Published: Friday, April 09, 2010

Mike Norden's two Chihuahuas are named after famous magicians, Carter the Great and Alexander the Man Who Knows, and he got married on Houdini's birthday. Those are just a couple indications of how central magic is to Norden's life. The Maple Ridge resident has been making a living at it for the past five years, predominantly as a children's magician.

He describes himself as a "late bloomer" who didn't get into magic until he was 24. During a trip to Disneyland he decided to spend a day in a magic shop. At the end of the day he'd bought a magic kit and was hooked.

He started doing magic for his nieces and nephews and one of them told a teacher they had an uncle who was a magician. He was invited to come to the school to perform some tricks. Norden didn't know anything but card tricks at that time so he had to go and buy some props for children.

After that his career was launched through word of mouth.

"It just spiraled. It just went crazy," said Norden. "Everybody's always put children's entertainment at the low end of the magic rung but it consistently gives me work throughout the year and it's what I love to do." He knows he could make more money doing magic for adults on stage or at corporate events but he loves working with kids.

"They're there to believe. They believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny so when I do a trick they believe," he said. However, he also acknowledges that some bratty kids can sometimes be challenging to work with. He's been kicked and had things thrown at him. The worst situation was when a kid knocked all of his props into a pool.

"That made the rest of the show difficult and of course what do you want to do? You want to take the kid and throw him into the pool too. You can't do that mind you," joked Norden.

"Usually when you have a party you have 20 kids and I'd say eight out of 10 times I perform at a party and everything is beautiful and wonderful," he said.
There are memorable moments when he really connects with a kid. His favourite story is how he bonded with a kid with a stutter. One of the shticks in his shows is that he can't pronounce the word balloon. The kid with the stutter approached him afterwards and taught him how to say it properly. His mother then came up in tears because she told Norden that her son didn't usually participate or communicate in public because he was embarrassed by his stutter.

Norden's work week tends to be busiest on the weekends when he does children's parties. He also performs at schools and daycares during the week.
He runs an anti-bullying program in schools and a literary program at libraries, which he incorporates magic into. Norden also does magic at weddings and does a gospel magic show at churches with a friend.

He has several websites, including his own (http://www.magicshows.ca/) and the Vancouver Magic Circle's (http://www.vancouvermagiccircle.com/) . He estimates he spends a couple hours on weeknights working on marketing.

Magic is wound into most aspects of his life, including vacations. He and his wife usually go on working vacations such as magic conventions in places like Vegas or an upcoming PCAM cruise to Mexico.

He admits there can be slow months when there's not much money coming in but says making a living as a magician is entirely feasible.

"It's the greatest job in the world," said Norden.

Norden dreams of being the inspiration for even one kid to become a professional magician in the future. Norden has won numerous awards for his magic! he can be reached at 604-916-9879 or visit his website at http://www.magicshows.ca/

Shawn Farquhar on Ellen - video!

My friend, Shawn Farquhar - World Champion of magic, FISM winner, and all around great guy (yep, I'm sucking up here...) was on Ellen this week!

Check out the link below - congrats Shawn!

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/?autoplay=true&mediaKey=c7b5e5e0-4545-4aac-a5b0-7e1361f3ed8e&isShareURL=true

Magic & Miricales + Winter Magic by the SAM

Happy New Year Everyone!

As posted before I had listed the upcoming magic events in the Lower Mainland. I attended the 'Winter Magic' show put on by the local SAM on Sunday the 27th of December.

I attended the 2pm afternoon show (aimed more at kids and families) and I was impressed! The venue was perfect and the show was well produced (good job Shawn!) I got to see Juan Garcia perform his show, as well as Neale Bacon - and was a surprise hit he was! Totally awesome - just keeps getting better, and his interaction and antics with 'Horton' was really funny and the laymen crowd LOVED it! Props to Neale!

Also on stage was Ray Roch - always funny with his frog puppet, and Rick Mearns doing his 'Trick Ricky' bit - always hilarious! Right after intermission we caught David Wilson doing his rope schtick - classic!

I had a show to do myself so i had to leave and I missed Dennis Hewson and Jens Henrikson - sorry guys! After my show I headed back to see the 7pm with Steve and Mark - and what an even better show! Wow!

Seeing Rod Chow perform to laymen was an eye-opener! They loved him! It is truly an amazing act with tons of magic and sleights - I guess after seeing it about 25 times now I tune it out - but WOW!

Lon and Linda Mandrake killed with the mind reading act, and Ray Roch was back with the frog puppet (maybe I missed him at the 2pm and just saw him at the 7pm...) Andrew Yeo did a great rope routine to music, and Trevor and Lorena rocked the house with a 'twister' illusion (they are going to go far in this magic biz - that's for sure!)

Henry Tom (award winner galore!) did his Acme Dental routine to great applause! Such a creative act and he pulls it off so well! (What was really funny was that the laymen have no idea his IS a dentist until Shawn tells them - then even funnier....cause he is Shawn's dentist too!)

Of course, Shawn Farquhar's 'Shape of the Heart' was a perfect closer to the night and the packed house left with only positive comments along the way out. Great job guys! Then it was off to Boston Pizza to the wee hours of the morn...

AND - last night on Jan 3rd, Mark. Steve. Nicole and I headed out to see Murry Hatfield with his tour show in Abbotsford! This year we had Dan Sperry back (little mishap in his act) and Timo Marc (saw him in Kentucky - GREAT act) and Marty Putz - who I had actually not seen. Pretty funny! Murray was great with his tricks and the audience was receptive. Note: we managed to get Steve dragged up on stage for a bit with Marty Putz - that was pretty funny!

Great show and great people - check it out!

All the best to everyone in the new year!

Mike Norden

Merry Christmas Everyone!

From all of us here at Magicshows Entertainment, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We are going to have a Boxing Day sale here as well - mention this blog and you will save $10 off any quote you receive until January 30th - Merry Christmas!

Here are a few fun facts about Christmas! Did you know?:

1. Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing--wishing neighbors a long and healthy life.
2. The first United States President to decorate the White House Christmas tree was Franklin Pierce.
3. Santa Clause gets his origins from St. Nicholas a generous man from the 4th Century A.D. who helped children and the poor and often threw gifts threw children's windows to make them happy. The story was brought to America by Dutch immigrants who called the man "Sinter Klaas."
4. Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
5. Charles Dickens' famous work, "A Christmas Carol" was written in just six weeks.
6. During the Christmas buying season, Visa Cards alone are used an average of 5, 340 times every minute in the U.S.
7. Even though many believe the Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, the Friday and Saturday before Christmas are actually the two busiest shopping days of the year.
8. In Greek, X means Christ. That is where the word "X-mas" comes from, contrary to the idea that people wanted to take the "Christ" out of Christmas.
9. "Rudolph" was created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930's for a holiday promotion.
10. A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard. Considering changing to this English classic?
11. Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa Clause for a winter promotion.
12. If you received all of the gifts listed in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song, you would receive 364 presents.
13. "It's a Wonderful Life" appears on television more than any other holigay film.
14. The U.S.'s official national Christmas Tree is located in King's Canyon National Park in California-- a giant sequoia over 300 feet high nicknamed the "General Grant Tree."
15. Christmas became a national U.S. holiday in 1870.
16. Charles Dickens' original choice for Scrooge's statement "Bah Humbug" was "Bah Christmas." Doesn't quite have the same ring.
17. "Jingle Bells" was first written for Thanksgiving but later became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
18. At lavish Christmas feasts in the middle ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored." This meant that the flesh was painted and the birds were served wrapped in their skin and feathers which had been removed an set aside prior to roasting. Care for some roast peacock?
19. Christmas trees are edible. The needles on pines, spruces and firs are actually a good source of Vitamin C and the pine cones are a good source of nutrition. So forget about the orange juice and go munch on your Christmas tree.
20. In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year. So don't forget your red underwear this holiday season and if you don't have any, now you have something to put on your Christmas list.

Ever wonder where Boxing Day came from? So did we! Here is the history:

What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a day the higher classes gave gifts to the lower classes. Before or on December 25th people of similar class would exchange gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. Gifts were not exchanged with the lower class until the next day called Boxing Day. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.

Why is the holiday named Boxing Day?

The holiday is named Boxing Day because the tradition of giving gifts of cash, food, clothing and other goods to the less fortunate were placed into boxes for easier transportation. The goods were distributed based on the family needs and their services to the giver.

Who celebrates Boxing Day?

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and other Commonwealth Countries celebrate Boxing Day on December 26th.

History of Boxing Day

Boxing Day officially began in England in the middle of the 19 century under the rule of Queen Victoria. However, many adults and children do not know the true meaning of Boxing Day and its reasons for celebrating. It was a day to thank the community for all their effort throughout the years. The maids, drivers and other service workers were thanked with gifts of food, money, clothing, and other goods. It is important to teach students how they can contribute to society and to understand not all families are able to provide for their families all of the time.

So Happy Boxing Day too!

Merry Christmas!

It truly is a 'magical' season! Not only with all the private shows I, and many other magicians, are doing locally - but there is also a good amount of public shows that are happening in the Vancouver Lower Mainland this month. I thought I would post some of the shows so you could take advantage of these popular events!

Every year for the past decade the SAM (Society of American Magicians) has put on a week long magic theme at the TELUS World Of Science. This year they are doing something different. They will be hosting a 'Winter Magic' program produced FISM champion Shawn Farquhar! Here are the details:

White Rock, BC - Canada
Tickets $14 Students/Seniors/Child - $16 Adults
591-5839 or (604) 538-6635
Produced by Shawn Farquhar.


Sunday December 27th, 2009
Matinee Kid’s Show 2 PM
Starring:
Master of Ceremonies: David Wilson
Juan Garcia
Jens Henriksen
Neale Bacon
Rick Mearns
David Wilson
Dennis Hewson
Ray Roch

Sunday December 27th, 2009
Family Magic Show 7 PM

Starring:
Master of Ceremonies: Shawn Farquhar
Henry Tom
Ray Roch
Andrew Yeo
Lon Mandrake
Rod Chow
Trevor Watters
Shawn Farquhar

Monday December 28th, 2009
Family Magic Show 7 PM

Starring:
Master of Ceremonies: James Hanson
Reg Donnelly
Ray Roch
Steve Dickson
Dave Watters
Shawn Farquhar
James Hanson
Ray Medway

Tuesday December 29th, 2009
Family Magic Show 7 PM

Starring:
Master of Ceremonies: Neale Bacon
Reg Donnelly
Andrew Yeo
Henry Tom
Lon Mandrake
Rod Chow
Ray Medway
Trevor Watters

Whew!! What a line up - I have seen all these guys perform and I can say that you will be impressed (my wife still thinks I am better...except for Shawn - she thinks he's better...ha!)

And on TOP of that - Murray Hatfield is coming to town for his tour! This year, as well as supporting the Firefighters Burn unit, the tour will be supporting Breast Cancer in BC! And the tickets are a charity tax write off - how can you go wrong!

Murray's Hatfield's "Magic 'n Miracles" is once again getting ready to tour Canada with a new show and some incredible guest stars. The show this year will feature Internationally Award-Winning Magicians - Dan Sperry (USA) and Timo Marc (Germany) plus comedian Marty Putz (Canada), as well the hosts of the show - Canadian Illusionists Murray Hatfield & Teresa and their company of Wonder Workers.

This year the cast and crew will perform a total of 69 shows in 28 cities in 5 weeks and 2 days as follows:

The 2009/2010 Illusions TourComing to a Canadian city near you!
For tickets call1-800-268-7371

January 2, 2010 Kelowna, BC Kelowna Community Theatre
January 3, 2010 Abbotsford, BC Abbey Arts Centre
January 4, 2010 Victoria, BC Royal Theatre
January 5, 2010 Nanaimo, BC Port Theatre
January 7, 2010 New Westminster, BC Massey Theatre
January 8, 2010 Burnaby, BC Michael J. Fox Theatre
January 9, 2010 Surrey, BC Bell Centre

I have my tickets! Call now as many of the shows sell out!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Mike Norden
http://www.magicshows.ca/