A walking tour heading to Waterloo, Ontario, has more than a few tricks up its sleeves. The experience is called Magic & Shenanigans and is produced by variety artist Phil LeConte and magician Billy Kidd.
Starting May 23, up to 30 people at a time will be whisked to various “found spaces” in the city, where a different magician will perform a 20-minute show for them before they head to the next location. The lineup may make you consider booking a flight to Waterloo: Steve Valentine, Ondřej Pšenička, Keith Fields, Malin Nilsson, Rachel Wax, Laura London, Nick Wallace, and Andrew Eland are taking part, performing in spaces that include the back of a barber shop, a bookstore, and a hidden underground “den.” The tour has two tracks, with each featuring four of the above entertainers. Three street magicians—Jack Wise, Ron Pearson, and Magic Brian—are also taking part, providing free performances for the general public during Magic & Shenanigans’ run.
Also performing at the festival Steve Valentine and Ondřej Pšenička / Photos courtesy of Magic and Shenanigans
Speaking of shenanigans, that aspect of the two-and-a-half-hour experience is largely provided by the tour guides, who are professional comedians and variety performers set to entertain between venues. Tickets cost $50 and the experience is appropriate for those who are at least 12 years old (though I’m guessing those who are past their tween years might get more out of the experience). The concept is an interesting one, and one that Billy told THE EYE may come to other locales down the road. “This is the pilot year of doing this, and once it gets rolling—once we know how it all works and the type of performance that would suit best—if other cities want to do it, it’s something we would definitely look into.”
In the meantime, the Uptown Waterloo run of Magic & Shenanigans runs from May 23 to May 25, 2025.