Date: Monday, April 20th, 2026
Time: Doors open 6:30 PM / Event Start 7:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Fairview Branch - 35 Fairview Mall Drive, North York
Tickets: Free for Members / $25 for non-members
(e-transfer to ibmring17@gmail.com)
From the man who brought you the Trick that Could Not be Printed, the Flaming Heckler Illusion, and the Vanishing Earthworm, you are now about to be subjected to Magic with No Entertainment Value. Also known as Lecture #17 (and the only one he does) it features some of the finest in comedy magic direct from the instigator.
You will find more usable and practical material in this one lecture than you culled from your entire photocopy of Greater Magic. (Photocopies of Greater Magic will also be available at the lecture.) Best of all, remember Steve’s motto regarding his lecture: Less than 3% filler.
The father of modern magic, Robert Houdin, once said of Steve’s lecture, “La pluie D’or Enchante le vase ou le Genii des roses tourerelles lorgnette de mysteriux.” (English translation: “I enjoyed it about as much as I enjoyed The Unmasking of Robert Houdin.”) And, if Bob Houdin liked it, you know you will get a kick out of it.
Beam has lectured all over North America and Europe. His lectures feature the latest in sleight of hand interwoven with the hottest semi-automatic magic from the guy who coined the term. The magic is designed and presented with the audience in mind – magic that will enthrall and entertain.
Attendees learn clever principles, witness devious subtleties, and experience eye candy with apurpose. All of this while seeing how these ingredients can form more than just tricks.
Beam has created more than a thousand magic effects – and re-invented thousands more. In addition to publishing The Trap- door for 15 years (1983- 1998) he authored 12 volumes of his influential Semi-Automatic Card Tricks series and has published numerous articles in magazines throughout the world.
He not only creates and publishes his own magic, he also performs and teaches it. So, pull up a chair, sit back, and prepare to be amazed.
• Author of the best-selling, 12-volume Semi-Automatic Card Tricks series from 1993 - 2020.
• Editor of the underground journal, The Trapdoor (1983-1998).
• Recipient of the 2013 Literary Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts.
• Monthly columnist for Magie, the magazine of the German Magic Circle (2017-2019).
• 1 of only 2, two-time winners of the Lou Gallo MVP award at Fechter’s Finger-Flinging
Frolic. 2011 Guest of Honor.
• Internationally acclaimed performer, lecturer, and author of over 25 books.
www.stevebeam.com - Where “quality” is more than just a two-syllable word.