Arts & Entertainment Markham - Issue 5

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Lighthouse 50th Anniversary Tour THU. JAN. 17 I 8 PM

Lighthouse burst on the scene in 1969 with an explosive sound that defied all conventions. Between 1970 and 1974 they were awarded four JUNOs, four gold albums and Canada’s first platinum album for “Lighthouse Live!” while hits such as One Fine Morning, Sunny Days, Hats Off to the Stranger, 1849 and Pretty Lady raced to the top of Canadian and International charts. The band’s unique blend of rock, jazz and classical influences rocketed them to the forefront of musical trends. Lighthouse was the first Canadian rock band asked to

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headline the Newport, Monterey and Boston Globe Jazz Festivals; the first to perform with Symphony Orchestras and the first to collaborate with a Classical Ballet Company. Lighthouse was the only act invited to perform a second night at the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival among acts that included The Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Chicago and The Doors. Back home in Toronto, the band’s free concerts at Nathan Phillip’s Square attracted one hundred thousand people. Lighthouse toured up to three hundred days a year


nothing better for the soul than “ There’s Lighthouse at the end of a sunny day. ” ~ Windsor Star

performing to standing ovations across North America, Europe and Asia with a particular emphasis on concerts in the cities, towns and small hamlets of every province across the country. Indeed it’s hard to find a person who lived in Canada through the 1970s who didn’t see the group live. They were, and remain Canada’s band. After regrouping several times, Lighthouse permanently reunited in 1992. The band continues to record and tour, performing with the same free-wheeling, hard-driving sound that has kept them on

the airwaves and in the hearts of fans for 50 years. Lighthouse features the two remaining founders Paul Hoffert and Ralph Cole leading an all-star line-up that includes original members Russ Little and Steve Kennedy with Dan Clancy, Doug Moore, Don Paulton, Chris Howells, Simon Wallis and Jamie Prokop, son of the band’s dearly-missed founder, Skip Prokop.

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Canadian Jazz All-Stars

THU. JAN. 24 I 8 PM FEATURING HEATHER BAMBRICK, GUIDO BASSO, DAVE YOUNG, DAVIDE DIRENZO, MIKE MURLEY AND ROBI BOTOS 10


Canadian Jazz All-Stars is a first-time collection of artists, bringing together formidable musical forces to create a powerhouse ensemble! As one of Canada’s top Jazz vocalists, JUNO-nominated jazz vocalist Heather Bambrick has collaborated with some of the best musicians around. She’s a founding member of vocal ensembles “The Beehive Singers” and “Broadsway”, and has appeared as a guest performer with various jazz ensembles, as well as with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Guido Basso is an award-winning trumpeter, flugelhornist, harmonica-player, arranger, composer, and conductor from Montreal. He studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. He has worked with Buddy Rich, Oliver Jones, Carol Welsman, Diana Krall, and Diana Panton. He is a two-time JUNO Award winner and was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1994. Toronto-based and Winnipeg-born multiple award-winning bassist and composer Dave Young, is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most valuable and beloved musical exports. Equally comfortable in the worlds of orchestral classical music and jazz, Young is a multiple threat. As a classical musician, he has been a member of The Edmonton Symphony, The Winnipeg Symphony and The Hamilton Philharmonic. As a jazz artist, he is a chameleon-like bassist, who often shines brightest in collaborative efforts with other musicians. Dave Young is a several time National Jazz Award Winner, and was also recently named as a member to The Order of Canada. Davide Direnzo was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is said to have been a child prodigy “born with sticks in his hands”. He is an alumnus of the University

of Toronto’s Jazz Studies program. He was the ‘house drummer’ for the hugely successful “Canadian Idol” television talent competition, and has worked with many of the country’s topperformers and recording artists. In 2007, as a member of Jacksoul, he won a JUNO Award for R&B ‘Soul Recording of the Year’ (Jacksoul for mySOUL), and in 2008, received a National Jazz Awards nomination for “Jazz Drummer of the Year.” Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated and well-respected jazz artists. Currently active as a leader in various formations from duo to septet, Murley also maintains a busy schedule as both a sideman and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Jazz Program. He has played on fourteen JUNO Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman. Robi Botos has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists of this generation. Known for being a strong player in the traditional jazz and funk fields, he always incorporates an element of the music he grew up listening to into his playing. Born of Romani descent in Hungary, Botos taught himself first to play drums as a young child, and got his first taste of being a professional musician working throughout Budapest. Botos was first introduced to the piano when he was 7 years old, and never looked back. He continued to perform throughout Hungary and when he turned 20, decided to move his wife and children to Canada, to further pursue the career he was born for. Now 20 years later, Botos has solidified himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in the country.

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2019 Flato Markham Theatre Advisory Board Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham Stephen Timms, IBM, Theatre Advisory Board Chair Aleem Israel, AFINA Capital Management Inc. Vice-Chair Eric Fagen, Alectra Utilities Anne Gilligan, Weins Canada Deborah Jestin Diane Lai Ronald Minken, Minken Employment Lawyers Heather Reading Justin Reid, Troilus Gold Corp

Sophia Sun, Phoenix Financial Inc. Shaun Sauve, Metroland Media Srinka Wallia Amy Woods, Allstate Suelyn Cheong, Principal, Unionville High School Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship Eric Lariviere, General Manager

Honourary Patron

Shakir Rehmatullah, President, Flato Developments Inc.

Flato Markham Theatre Team Eric Lariviere, General Manager Scott Hill, Rental Business Manager Andrew Rosenfarb, Production & Facility Manager Lia Baird, Client Services Coordinator Chris MacBride, Theatre Technician/Team Lead Helen Mah, Business Coordinator

Monica Pain, Discovery Program Coordinator Gary Restoule, Theatre Attendant Vince Rotondi, Theatre Technician Linda Stott, Marketing Assistant Terry Tice, Box Office Debbie Watson, Theatre Administrative Clerk

Box Office: 905.305.SHOW (7469) Order tickets online at www.markhamtheatre.ca

House Programme Editor: Nicole Fletcher For advertising rates, call 416-884-4343 or email nicolefletcher@rogers.com

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing.

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Star Gazers $75 Suzanne & Dave Murphy Hector & Teresa Paz-Soldan John & Rebecca Taylor Ed & Sheryl Taylor Darryl & Gail Thompson Roger Todd Marg & Gord Tonkin Dave & Bonnie Trumphour

Greig & Joan Black Barbara Butterfield Jean Cuthbertson Susan Duncan Frank & Sharon Fazzari John & Cheryl Flint Frank & Patricia Guenther Alberta Hilker Isabel Hirlehey

Mary Jo Turner Evan & Bruce Walden Joan Wilson Paul & Nancy Wood Sami Yam

Shining Stars $125 Barbara Aldridge David & Jo-Anne Blinn Mary Lou Busato Peter Brown & Millean Kung Bill & Judy Carnaghan Jack, Kelly & Judy Chen Denise & Andrew Chong Elizabeth & Harrie Cleveland Erma Collins Ferro Corrente Christine Cozens Jean Cutherbertson Marla David Holo Devani Susanne & Bob Eastwood R J Eberhardt Doug & June Ford

Mary Bell & William Graber Karen L Grimshaw Suraj Gupta, CPA Susan and Winfried Heim Wilma Inkpen Barbara Holmes & Joe Seigel Loretta Hopkins & Robert Silk Rick & Liz Lightfoot Teri & Ron Lyons Gordon & Elaine McInnis Marianne MacBride Ann & Ed Martin Glenda & Ken Metrick Brian, Debbie & Martin Mitgang Robert Moore Dean E. Moratz & Janice E. Franklin

David & Sonja Murphy Sasvart Musliyan James & Joanne Nearing Lissandra & Rogerio Oliveira Brian & Donna Reeve Carol & Bruce Roberts Darius Dubash & Cristy Spencer Jim Stewart Gloria Tellis Their Family John & Michelle Tidball Toscano Technology Inc. Donald Ure Vermeer Engineering Missy Yano

Super Stars $250 Helen & Tim Aubrey Dave & Toinette David & Jo-Anne Blinn Denise & Andrew Chong Bill & Morven Crother Jim & Karen Doak Mary Haffey

Alwyn Enterprises Deborah & Warren Jestin Bryan Katz

Lisette & Michael Harding Jim & Sandy Koteles Carol & Gerald Knowles Ted & Lynda Langdon Fern & Joel Lustig Teri & Ron Lyons Martha & Rena Mingay

David & Sonja Murphy Eva Nagy Ted & Val Pike Trisect Communications & Design Inc. Mr. & Mrs. D Wright

Shooting Stars $500

Michael & Kamal Lee John & Ginger Marchese Jonquil T. Vieira

‌and the many other Anonymous donors Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing. If we have misspelled or missed your name in the listing, please call 905-415-7537 ext. 5700

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The Tartan Terrors bring a Flato Markham Theatre

Billed as North America’s premier Celtic event, the Tartan Terrors promise a show that is both performance and party. The group was founded in Burlington Ontario by siblings, Ellen and Ian Wilkes Irmisch in 1996 but the group’s heritage begins long before this. “My mom was our dance teacher,” begins Ellen, “but actually my grandmother came to Canada as a war bride in 1946.” When their grandmother started a Canadian family it was important to keep up their Scottish heritage. The kids all took dance lessons and learned multiple musical instruments each. “My mother just passed it on to us!” laughs Ellen. The group started out with a show at The Ontario Renaissance Fair and hasn’t stopped since. Today they travel North America playing theatres, fairs and festivals.

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They pull into the Flato Markham Theatre on January 25th, just in time for Robbie Burns Day. “We genuinely have something that will reach everyone,” guitarist Chris Kerba explains. “Doesn’t matter what type of music you’d generally listen to, as soon as some good Celtic/East Coast tunes come on, everyone’s dancing and enjoying life.” “We thrive off of audience interaction,” adds drummer, Charlie McKittrick, “crowd participation, and people out of their seats standing up and clapping along.” The band itself is an impressive unit. Members of the band have performed on 4 continents but the Terrors, as a unit, include award-winning Step and Highland dancers as well as internationally recognized comedic performances. “We’re very serious about joking around and having fun,” says McKittrick.


kitchen party for all at “Remember when you were a kid and everything seemed so simple and life is all about having fun and living in the moment? Our live shows are a lot like that!” Celtic culture has long proven to be excellent source material for entertainment around the world. Of course, the boom of the past few decades can be fairly traced back to the sensation of Riverdance, a show that first hit the stage in 1994. However, the Terrors are quick to point out that the reserved and respectful audiences that might attend such a show would be in for a shock at theirs. “What you end up with is essentially a kitchen party!” says McKittrick. “Singing, dancing, storytelling – the works!” The Terrors consider their show a cultural celebration of the traditional ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee). The ceilidh is basically a huge party. “I hope people can forget about the everyday stuff going on in their lives,” adds Kerba, “even if it’s just for one song.” The music from the show runs the gamut as well, while sticking to the party atmosphere. Traditional music is featured but it is also mixed with music composed by members of the band. There are also

popular tunes mixed in for good measure. “Celtic music to me is just so inspiring,” says Kerba. “Some of the songs can absolutely tear you down and make you feel so exposed and vulnerable.” It also cannot be ignored that the Tartans are performing in Markham on Robbie Burns Day. The day, as originally intended, was meant to commemorate the legendary Scottish Poet but has become an international day to celebrate Scottish culture around the world. The group would very much like the audience to dust off their kilts and tartans and celebrate with them. “We play because we love making music as a group,” explains Kerba. “For us to be able to reach people at that level for an evening and to help them laugh and not care is a privilege.” Drummer McKittrick has an even simpler description for what the audience can expect from the show on the 25th. “Exuberance and jubilation!” The Tartan Terrors perform at the Flato Markham Theatre on January 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 905-305-7469 or online at markhamtheatre.ca.

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Ben Heppner

with The Toronto Mass Choir SAT. JAN. 26 I 8 PM Ben Heppner is renowned worldwide for his portrayals in the dramatic tenor repertoire. His illustrious career has taken him to opera stages and concert halls around the world. He is acclaimed for the beauty of his voice, incisive musicianship, and his generosity with his audience. His performances on the opera stage, in concert with the world’s leading orchestras, in the most prestigious recital venues, and in recordings have set new standards in his demanding repertoire. Heppner studied music at the University of British Columbia. He first gained national attention in 1979 as the winner of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Talent Festival. He is a 1988 winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions and received a Grammy® Award in 1998 for his recording of Die Meistersinger on London/Decca records and in 2001 for his recording of Les Troyens with the London Symphony Orchestra on LSOLive. Ben Heppner is a Companion of the Order of Canada. Heppner now brings his voice to the airwaves of CBC Radio as host of SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA, featuring the finest opera productions and recordings from around the world, as well as BACKSTAGE, where Ben share stories from behind the magic curtain and his passion for great classical music. The Toronto Mass Choir (TMC) continues to be on the cutting edge of the Canadian gospel

music scene bringing their distinct gospel sound to the world stage. Now 35-strong plus a four-piece band, the not for profit choir consists of adult members who are from various local church denominations including Baptist, Church of God, Wesleyan, Missionary, and Pentecostal. TMC’s combination of gospel lyrics with a variety of musical styles has resulted in a style unique in Canada. Toronto Mass Choir continues its busy concert schedule, appearing on many radio and television broadcasts for stations such as CTS, CBC Radio One, CITY-TV, FLOW 93.5 FM and been the focus for several television documentaries.

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Next I Wave at the Varley Art Gallery The Varley Art Gallery announces a new initiative that supports a key Varley objective, which is to promote emerging local and regional artists. Varley Curator Anik Glaude is collaborating with York University to organize exhibitions of work by second year MFA and PhD students enrolled in York University’s Graduate Program in Visual Arts. The first one, curated by Charlotte Gagnier and entitled Next I Wave opened on January 12 and runs until February 1, 2019. Visual arts programs at York University, at the Masters or Doctorate level, encourage students to develop their artistic practice independently within a critical and theoretical environment. York’s studio setting inspires artists to experiment, to expand their knowledge of contemporary trends within their field, and to develop their own artistic voices. Most importantly, it allows them to situate their practice not just within the wider artistic community, but within society as a whole. Next I Wave is anticipated to be the first of a series of annual exhibitions that

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the Varley will mount in partnership with the Visual Arts Department of York University. Next I Wave will allow the Visual Arts students not just to exhibit in a professional setting, but to broaden their exposure within the artistic community of York Region and to engage with visitors of all ages. The initiative strengthens the Varley Art Gallery’s position as a site for mentorship and as a forum for new ideas and experimentation. Further, the show will also support the work of graduate students in York’s Curatorial Studies program as they will assist in writing the labels and didactic materials that accompany the installation. The Next I Wave exhibition opening event included a panel discussion focusing on how art can be used as a vehicle for change and understanding and brought together York University graduate students from different art disciplines for a lively discussion that reflected on how they use their practice to address difficult issues. Visit the Varley to see exciting work by some of today’s newest emerging artists.



Winter fun at the Museum FAMILY SUNDAYS DROP-IN Simple and Complex Machines January 20 & 27 Find out how simple machines help us every day – from levers, pulleys, and wedges to wheels. Discover blowers, saws, and engines to learn how simple machines can be combined to create useful machines. FAMILY SNOWSHOEING February 2 and 23 The Museum provides the perfect place to spend time with your family while enjoying the Canadian winter. Each 2-hour session will include a basic introduction to snowshoeing, group activities/games and free time to explore the 25-acre museum grounds. Snowshoes will be provided. Each session is $16.95 per person, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

MUSEUM POTTERY Valentines Matching Mugs February 9 from 10 am to 3 pm Show your love this Valentine’s Day with matching mugs. One big and one small, these mugs are perfect for sharing hot chocolate with your favourite person. Design, create and decorate your creations in our fun and exciting pottery studio. The cost is $50*. “Let it Snow” Fridge Magnet Workshop January 19 from 10 am to noon Spend some quality time with your family in our pottery studio making snowflake fridge magnets. These decorations will be great to decorate your fridge at home. The cost is $40*.

*Pottery fees include all supplies and firing for 1 adult and 1 child. Additional children are $25 each (to a maximum of 2 children).

Most activities require registration. Visit markhammuseum.ca for more details.




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Heppner and The Toronto revival in Markham

Opera singing can seem, when done well, nearly superhuman. The ability of a single person to produce a vocal sound that is at once beautiful, but also massive enough to fill a 3000 seat concert hall without amplification doesn’t quite seem possible even when it’s happening right in front of you. Throughout history, the world’s best opera singers are regarded as the stuff of legends and, with big voices came big personalities. Many have had legendary appetites for decadence and gluttony that would rival the power of their voices. It is unsurprising perhaps, that Canada’s most celebrated operatic tenor, Ben Heppner simply doesn’t fit this mold. He has become known primarily for his hard work, his beautiful voice, and for his tireless work in creating educational opportunities in music for young people. Whether it’s because of his Canadian upbringing, or because of his gratitude for his for a 25-year career, Heppner has

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become a custodian of music and music education since his retirement from operatic performance in 2014. He does this mainly through his hosting of two weekly radio shows on the CBC and his continued work with the Ben Heppner Vocal Academy in Toronto. He still sings whenever he can too; his voice is as rich and full-toned as ever, but retirement allows him the opportunity to pick projects that have special appeal to him. One such project is Heppner’s performance of the gospel revival show, O Happy Day, with the Toronto Mass Choir. This show is coming to the Flato Markham Theatre on January 26 at 8 p.m. “While he’s one of the world’s leading classical tenors, he also loves many other types of music,” says Markham Theatre General Manager, Eric Lariviere. “It’s always an honour for our theatre to be able to host an Icon like Ben Heppner.” Heppner’s love of gospel music started


Mass Choir host a gospel at a young age. When he was three, his family was asked to sing in a little country church. Despite being too young to join his family in the choir loft, young Heppner was belting the alto part from the pews. “Gospel music is a thread that weaves through my entire life,” says Heppner. “Even though I took a detour through the world of opera for a few years, those songs of the church have held me together.” In fact, throughout his career, his dressing room warm up consisted of either Great is Thy Faithfulness or Amazing Grace. Singing these songs would appear to be a perfect fit for both his vocal prowess and his personal history. Heppner joins Canada’s leading gospel choir, The Toronto Mass Choir, for the show. The choir incorporates contemporary gospel, traditional gospel, as well as

Caribbean music influences. Their combination of gospel lyrics with a variety of musical styles has resulted in a gospel sound that remains unique in Canada. “I’m very excited about his show with the Toronto Mass Choir,” continues Lariviere. “The power of the music will certainly overwhelm those lucky enough to be in our intimate theatre.” Joined together with Heppner, the quality of vocal performance onstage on January 26 might well be unlike anything the theatre has seen. Audiences can expect rousing renditions of the aforementioned Amazing Grace, This Little Light of Mine, Ain’t Got Time to Die, and the show’s namesake O Happy Day. “I’m expecting it to be one of the highlights of our season,” says Lariviere.




Spidey brings magic and

The idea of a theatrical performance usually makes one think of a play, a musical show or, even, a stand-up comedian. However, as long as there have been theatres and audiences, there have been singular performers who refuse to be so simply defined. Spidey, shortened from Bedros Spidey Akkelian, is an international hypnotist/ mentalist/magician whose career began 10 years ago, right here in Canada. Being of Armenian descent, but a native of Montreal, he was able to land an audition on Canada’s Got Talent. Spidey progressed to the final round, where legendary performer and panelist Martin Short was left exclaiming, “You are by far the most outstanding hypnotist we

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have ever seen!” Since then, he has become a sought-after performer in the realms of hypnosis, mentalism, and magic. He has built a career being able to entertain any audience; from theatres to colleges and corporate events to television. Spidey brings his latest performance, entitled Make Believe – Magic of your Mind, to Flato Markham Theatre on January 30. “His show is all about mentalism and mind reading,” explains Spidey’s manager, Kevin Cruz Antunes. “His performance is all about giving the audience varying sensations: joy, spookiness, hilarity, intensity, awe and more.” For the skeptics out there, Spidey may well be the real deal. After his initial success in Canada, he became known the world


mentalism to Markham over for viral videos of him using covert hypnosis. His most-watched video features him hypnotizing his way out of a speeding ticket. Once this video reached a couple million views in 210 countries, bookings began to pour in. Spidey is now seeing major recognition for his international magic/ mentalism performances and creations. He was awarded U.S. Mentalist of the Year 2017 and nominated Canadian Magician of the Year. His performance at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival led him to become the exclusive mentalist creator for one of the largest online magic creator companies in the world, Theory11. He’s also become the go-to consultant for mentalism and hypnosis in Hollywood working with A-list directors like Robert Zemeckis and performers like Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Spidey’s TV appearances have continued with appearances on NBC, Netflix, FOX, Discovery, Entertainment Tonight, SyFy, TruTV, CW and many more. He recently performed on NBC’s Today Show with Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager as well as featured on celebrity gossip TV show, TMZ, in 2018.

At the upcoming show in Markham, he’ll be performing his most popular tricks from his appearances in the last decade, but he’ll also bring a few new ones. He also works spontaneously with each audience he sees, so every performance is a singular event. “Spidey is excited to bring his tricks to the Flato Markham Theatre stage,” says Antunes. Some of these tricks include tapping into an audience member’s fondest memories, predicting their all-time favourite gift and then reveal the name of the person who gave it to them. He’ll play a game of Pictionary and reveal the very image the audience was thinking. Then, there’s a heart-racing game of Russian roulette using a six-inch nail. The goal of the show is to capture amazement and push the boundaries of the believable. “His astounding demonstrations border on the supernatural,” says Antunes. Spidey: Make Believe – Magic of Your Mind is at Flato Markham Theatre on January 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 905-305-7469 or online at markhamtheatre.ca.

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WED. JAN. 30 I 8 PM Spidey’s MAKE BELIEVE – Magic of your Mind will astound you with its eerie mental demonstrations that border on the supernatural! Whether it’s playing a game of mind Pictionary or a heart-racing game of Russian roulette, you will see and experience things you never thought possible. Spidey will even tap into someone’s happiest memories and reveal impossible details! Spidey’s MAKE BELIEVE show brings mind-reading to levels that have never been seen on performing arts stages, leaving audiences in awe, laughter and ovation every time. ABOUT SPIDEY Spidey is a Canadian TV Mentalist/Mind-Reader that was awarded US Mentalist of the Year 2017 and launched a new NETFLIX Original Series: Brainchild in November 2018. He has captivated the minds of people around the world with his tours across North America,

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eight international TV shows and 10+ million online viewers. On Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Spidey was invited to perform at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas where he made waves before millions of viewers with Penn & Teller calling him “Exceptional!” Even TMZ most recently caught up to the celebrity mentalist in New York City and NBC’s TODAY SHOW hosted him for an exclusive performance. Spidey has been cast on season 5 and 6’s Masters of Illusion series on CW. On FOX’s Showtime at the Apollo, Spidey shared the stage with Steve Harvey and received a standing ovation from the notoriously unforgiving Harlem audience at the iconic theatre. As a Hollywood consultant, he has consulted and performed for major celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Steve Harvey, Simon Cowell, Neil Patrick Harris, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Penn & Teller and many more.


Spidey recently performed on the 2018 Rachael Ray Halloween Special and make sure to watch Spidey on the newly launched NETFLIX Original Series: Brainchild, where Spidey taps into the mind’s subconscious. Spidey joined forces with the creators of

National Geographic’s Brain Games to show millions of viewers in 21 countries how the mind can be unlocked to your benefit in his incredible demonstrations in Memory, Motivation and Thinking episodes of Brainchild.

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SAT. FEB. 2 I 2 & 7 PM From his breathtaking Double Levitation to his cutting edge Op-Art and Plasma illusions, Jason Bishop features stunning & original state-of-the-art magic. One thing that distinguishes Bishop is his virtuosity. Each show features award-winning sleight of hand, exclusive grand illusions and close-up magic projected onto a large movie screen. No other illusionist showcases such a diverse array of talents. Additionally, the show is delivered with a totally modern energy and an outstanding rock & pop soundtrack. Bishop cuts through the usual hype and focuses on entertaining audiences with one remarkable illusion after another. Each routine is presented in his unique style. Some pieces feature more laughs than expected from an illusionist, while other effects literally demonstrate sleight of hand skill performed at a world-class level. Bishop is an international award-winning illusionist who was the youngest person to win the Magician’s Alliance of Eastern States Stage Award and one of the youngest people to compete in the Society of American Magicians World-Class competition. Bishop’s interest in magic ran throughout his youth, truly taking shape in his mid-teens. In college, Bishop studied theatre and then went on the road performing at resorts, amusement parks and

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later colleges. The Jason Bishop Show now tours the most dynamic illusion and magic show in the U.S. The show currently features exclusive large illusions, award-winning sleight of hand and “close-up” magic that is captured live and projected onto large screens for the audience to have a clear view of every detail. Bishop is currently the only illusionist in the U.S. to tour with the rare Double Levitation, Plasma illusion and Op-Art. His performance abilities have led him from California to Maine and Florida to New York, as well as every state in-between and over 20 countries and four continents. Bishop has entertained celebrities like Chris Penn, Jennifer Aniston and Bam Margera, who after seeing a performance said, “Jason Bishop is the best magician I’ve ever seen.” Bishop’s combination of modern costuming, music, fast paced illusions, sleight of hand and audience participation has landed him in notable venues, including Celebrity Cruise lines, Cabaret Du Monde in Paris France and LiveNation’s Bamboozle Festival. More recently Bishop been featured in various Performing Arts Centers and theaters throughout the United States. You can see why he’s called America’s Hottest Illusionist.


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SUN. FEB. 3 I 1 & 4 PM Since OUTERBRIDGE – Clockwork Mysteries was introduced to presenters, empty theatre seats have been disappearing like magic! Recognized as one of the most creative and dynamic shows of its kind, critics have hailed Ted and Marion Outerbridge as “the most successful magicians in Canada” (Montreal Gazette) and “champions of magic” (Bergedorfer Zeitung, Hamburg, Germany). As the largest and most successful touring illusion show in the country, it has received both the 2011 Award of Excellence from Ontario Contact and the 2010 Touring Artist of the Year award from the B.C. Touring Council. Outerbridge–Magical Odyssey

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transports you into a Victorian parlour of mysteries to experience the Golden Age of Magic. Ted and Marion Outerbridge weave incredible enchantments and grand illusion with stories from their world-travelling adventures in this unforgettable family experience. Did you know that the recipe for a shrinking potion can be found in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland? The code has been cracked and you will witness the Incredible Shrinking Woman live onstage! The classic Dancing Handkerchief has been re-imagined with the handkerchief floating and dancing right into the audience – in fact you might end up holding it in the palm of your hand!


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