Halloween has treats; but it’s not the ‘trickiest’ holiday in October.

October is filled with celebrations.  It’s obvious that Thanksgiving is the celebration of eating too much, Oktoberfest is the celebration of drinking too much and Halloween is the celebration of, cavities.

But hiding in the wings is a holiday filled with such deception and secrets it’s awarded an entire week.

October 25 to 31 is National Magic Week inspired by the anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death on Halloween Day 1926.  The name Houdini is synonymous with magic; but one magician is pulling back the curtain on a little known secret.

“Houdini’s legacy remains the biggest misconception in entertainment history” says Ryan Joyce, an internationally acclaimed expert in illusion who has toured the world with his magic.  “Even 85 years after his death, Houdini is recognized as the most famous magician in the world, but there is one major problem.  Houdini didn’t perform magic.  Houdini escaped handcuffs and straight jackets.  He wasn’t a magician at all.”

While Houdini may not have been a magician; Joyce does recognize the similarity.

“Magicians, escape artists and variety entertainers tend to get ‘chained’ in the same category.  Houdini may not have performed magic, but he’s done more for the art than anyone in history.”

The Society of American Magicians has been honouring the famed escape artist for over forty years by proclaiming the national holiday in Canada and USA.

So how does a professional magician celebrate National Magic Week?

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” Joyce jokes.  “We have scheduled live shows just for the occasion and for those looking to learn magic, I’ve posted some great resources on my website www.ryanjoyce.com.”

Joyce is bringing his show to various cities across Ontario this week including Belleville on October 26 and Hamilton on October 27.  Both shows are proudly presented in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada and his shows have raised over $2 million dollars for charities.  Tickets and information are available on his website www.ryanjoyce.com

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Ryan Joyce is one of the most acclaimed illusionists in Canada.  During his career he has vanished a full sized firetruck, levitated a 3 tonne SUV, made over 100 politicians vanish into thin air and raised over 2 million dollars for Canadian charities.  In 2011 he predicted the winning act’s name to the anticipated 2012 premiere of Canada’s Got Talent www.gottalentwinner.ca

The Master of Halloween Illusions is Magician Timothy Drake who ran Canada’s Largest Indoor Halloween Attraction in London, ON

Sphinx Illuminated at night - Ryan Joyce Illusionist

I was picking up the truck yesterday and a gentlemen was there with an unusual profession.

Actually he had a job that I’ve always wanted.

He was an archaeologist.  As a kid I always wanted to be an archeologist but abandonned all these dreams in search of a more realistic job.

Best,
Ryan
PS:  We both had a good chuckle about our experience at the Giza Pyramids… eating a Pizza Hut less than 200 metres from the Sphinx kinda ruined the magic.

I can’t even qualify Facebook as a guilty pleasure.  It’s more like brushing my teeth and eating, just part of the day.

Sad?  I don’t think so.

Today I got the new Facebook Timeline and love it!!!!  But I’m one of those oddities that really enjoy change!

BTW we’re definitely on Facebook… and you should connect with me:  RYAN JOYCE on FACEBOOK

Our tour mascot is also on Facebook: FOXCOON on FACEBOOK

This was pretty much the shocker of a century… the price of my parking ticket was just as much as my Starbucks order.

LOL.  Yes that’s a $5.00 Parking ticket…. $4.00 if you pay within 48 hours.

All ticket profits go to the hospital.  Pretty awesome… for a penalty.

I love magic. I love food.

Nuff said

Early on in my career I even tried my hands at table-side magic in a few restaurants.  Coincidentally its also when I discovered booze.

I learned my strengths were on stage.  :)

However my good friend and fellow magician Peter Mennie is kinda the king at combining these two.  (I must admit I have Michael Bolton on my iPod  he’s got some good promotional pictures…if I do say so myself )

In fact if you’ve eaten at any worthy restaurant in the London, ON area … most likely you’ve seen him in action.  Magicians don’t usually work for other magicians.  However Peter always has something new and entertaining.  Visit his website to see where he’s at…tell him Joycee sent you.  You won’t get anything… infact he might abandon your table.  Okay… better not mention my name.

Don’t get me wrong…life on the road is expensive awesome.

But some things can really make you shake your head.  Check out the attached picture of a $57 breakfast for two.

In case you’re adding it up, let me save you the hassle:

4 pieces of toast.
Assorted Jam.
1 bowl of fruit (which I had to argue negotiate)
2 Orange Juice
1 Coffee
1 Tea

In March 2012 the “GOT TALENT” franchise is coming to Canada. Wahoo.

Winner get’s free Tim Horton’s coffee for a year and headlines a show at Canada’s Wonderland.

Okay… I kid.

But what I am very serious about is the winner.  I know who is going to win.  In fact I’ve written the winning name on a piece of paper that I will make public in the new year as we get closer to the shows debut.

Do you know someone auditioning?  Better watch this:

Who doesn’t love Halloween? aside from religious groups, cheapskates, miserable people, the Easter bunny, Santa, the elves and all the reindeer

I’ve had a Halloween curse for years.  The curse is I’m usually stuck in a van driving somewhere in the middle of nowhere on Halloween.  (I once even had a dumb promoter book a show on Halloween.  Strange but true.  The only thing scary was our attendance)

I digress.

Pretty certain that with the exception of a year or two I’m usually on tour during Halloween.

One of those years was epic.  It created one of my favourite Halloween memories that will last for a life time (and beyond the grave wwwwoooooo)  It was an insane undertaking also known as the Haunted Mansion… Canada’s Largest Indoor Halloween Attraction by my good friend Magician Timothy Drake.

This video clip was only the second year … when it was in its infancy.  The special effects were truly out of this world.  Unfortunately the building that Timothy Drake Magician used for the Haunted Mansion became unavailable a few years back and there is nothing but ghostly memories.

RIP.  It was beloved by thousands.

There is a new and amazing campaign here in Canada called People For Good  Nothing to sell but awesomeness.

As you can imagine this kindness goes against everything I stand for… lol.

Send a donation to your favourite charity today.  Here are my two favs:

The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

BTW:  Random nice comments can usually be found on my TWITTER