How long did YOU believe in Magic? (Always, and to this day, I hope!) Reminded of the timelessness of Magic Wonder, after this weekend's marathon of performances for ALL AGES: A packed house in Port Hawkesbury, more terrific tykes and ten year olds in Chester, a kaboodle of kiddos for a Transit Union event in Dartmouth, some teens in Tatamagouche, magic-loving adults at the Atlantica in Halifax (corporate event), plus some superb Science students at Dalhousie University! (They were a hoot!) As you can imagine, you really have to turn on a switch in your head to adapt each Magic Performance to the dazzlingly diverse and different dynamics of each awesome audience's age. So, what did they ALL have in common? A LOVE of Fun & Foolishness, Magic and Merriment! So amidst all your Christmas bustle, find yourself some friends and family, to celebrate your own jolly good times...Magic is for ALL ages! :) "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." -George Bernard Shaw ... See MoreSee Less
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You know, Mr. J LOVES making balloons, but what happens when balloons BREAK? Well, MAGIC! Quick story for you: Making balloons after a Magic Birthday, one suddenly popped in my hands, in front of the little 6 year old for whom I was making it. To prevent any crying, I feigned surprise, as though I was about to cry, saying: "Did YOU do that with YOUR Magic Powers? To try and scare me? Ahh! Why did you do that? You must be Magic! I'll still make your balloon prize, though!" Well, his fear at the surprise loud pop turned into laughter, as he took credit for "making it happen, to get one over on me!" Felt happy to avoid a youngster feeling upset, only to find that EVERY BOY in the balloon line now started laughingly "wave their hands magically" each time they each came up, now trying to INTENTIONALLY have their balloon pop (so as to scare me!) Ahhh, what did I start? But wait, there's more! It didn't stop there! Each boy continued this, UNTIL the birthday boy's adorable little 2-year sister came up, looking for her balloon. (Imagine a sweet, gentle little blonde girl, as cute as Cindy-Lou Who!) Suddenly, the birthday boy stopped waving his magic hands to pop my balloon, looked to the balloon line, and with a commanding voice, instructed his hand waving friends: "Wait, guys...don't use your magic on this balloon. Let my sister get hers..." Wouldn't you know, EVERY boy in line, looking at the much shorter, shy little girl, immediately nodded and instantly stopped using their "balloon-breaking magic power" on me, to allow her to "safely" get her balloon! Super sweet, and inspiring. Seems chivalry and kindness are alive and well with kids...sometimes it just takes a magic moment to bring it about. In this case, it all started from a broken balloon! So always remember in life to USE YOUR MAGIC, to MAKE IT MAGIC! Kindness can make a bad day good, and a good day better. :) ... See MoreSee Less
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Imagine this! You arrive at a child's birthday party, the house has giant balloons, and a giant "Happy Birthday!" sign out front...you knock on the door, and the birthday child greets you excitedly (wearing a party hat, and a pin saying "It's My Birthday!") You say: "Happy Birthday, Buddy! Are you ready for a super fun Magic Show?" Then, you see the child shocked, surprised, and...confused (?!?)...saying: "Yes, but...Mommy told me you were coming to do magic, but...but...HOW did you know it was my BIRTHDAY??" He was totally flummoxed! And actually amazed!! Y'know, sometimes in life you can luck into the most magical moments, without doing anything! They happen all on their own, in the mind of a child. :) ... See MoreSee Less
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Who's your personal hero? Naturally, this month we're all thinking of our veterans. Y'know, on Hallowe'en, for yours truly, it was Terry Fox! Why that great Canadian? Well, with a one-day, pouring rain, nine hour total trip to Terry Fox Elementary (in Bathurst, NB!), (with the return home needed the same day, to greet trick or treaters that night), it felt like a true Magic Marathon! But y'know, exhausted or not, if Terry wouldn't give up his cross-country run, Mr. J couldn't give up sharing some fun! Especially if it meant these kids would enjoy a Magical, Happy Hallowe'en! Seeing the posters of Terry Fox throughout this school felt inspiring, as did all the wonderful, kind, excited staff and students. Though part of any performer's job is constant travel far and wide, thanks to the kind encouragement of the staff (see video in the previous post!), the long miles disappeared like magic! The energy flowed, and this made me wonder how Terry himself felt, especially during his long days, when the crowds came out to support him. The gift of encouragement, that YOU possess in abundance, is the most magical power of all! So get out there tell someone you love...that you're proud of them. Especially this weekend: Thank a vet. Thank one of your heroes. By doing so, you'll become one yourself! Like Magic!! 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
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Who's your personal hero? Naturally, this month we're all thinking of our veterans. Y'know, on Hallowe'en, for yours truly, it was Terry Fox! Why that great Canadian? Well, with a one-day, pouring rain, nine hour total trip to Terry Fox Elementary (in Bathurst, NB!), (with the return home needed the same day, to greet trick or treaters that night), it felt like a true Magic Marathon! But y'know, exhausted or not, if Terry wouldn't give up his cross-country run, Mr. J couldn't give up sharing some fun! Especially if it meant these kids would enjoy a Magical, Happy Hallowe'en! Seeing the posters of Terry Fox throughout this school felt inspiring, as did all the wonderful, kind, excited staff and students. Though part of any performer's job is constant travel far and wide, thanks to the kind encouragement of the staff (see attached video!), the long miles disappeared like magic! The energy flowed, and this made me wonder how Terry himself felt, especially during his long days, when the crowds came out to support him. The gift of encouragement, that YOU possess in abundance, is the most magical power of all! So get out there tell someone you love...that you're proud of them. Especially this weekend: Thank a vet. Thank one of your heroes. By doing so, you'll become one yourself! Like Magic!! 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
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Brent Spiner (Data)
Deep Space Nine Space Station balloon
Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar, and Bing Crosby's granddaughter!)
Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar, and Bing Crosby's granddaughter!)
Garret Wang (Ensign Kim)
George Takei (Sulu)
John DeLancie (Q)
Jonathan Frakes (Riker)
Malcolm McDowell (Star Trek Generations)
Marina Sirits (Troi) & Michael Dorn (Worf)
Nichelle Nichols (Uhura)
Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard)
Rene Auberjonois (Odo)
Walter Koenig (Chekov)
Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher)
William Shatner (Captain Kirk, and legendary 'Rocket Man' crooner}
He’s faced the Dragons on Dragons’ Den, entertained for CBC’s Peter Mansbridge, Gerry Dee (Mr. D), Lionel Richie, Natalie MacMaster, NHL stars, Hulk Hogan, Stan Lee, and many more!