Vancouver man the first non-American to be president of magicians' society
A Vancouver man is the first outside of the United States to be made president of a very specific group: the Society of American Magicians.
Rod Chow follows in the footsteps of greats like escape artist Harry Houdini.
He said it all started with card tricks, then his act expanded to include money. His website describes him as a "master money manipulator" who is "sophisticated, stunning and sensational."
The magician who's often found performing at the Richmond Night Market or around Vancouver's Chinatown seems to have caught the attention of his peers.
Now he's the president of a major magic organization, a group he said he "really respects."
"All of the presidents before me were greats in magic," he told CTV News in an interview Wednesday.
As for how he rose to the top in a society previously only led by Americans, he said it was a time-consuming and difficult process.
"I worked my way up to this position. I had to serve on the national council for years," Chow said.
"This is something that I've always wanted in life, and I have a big responsibility but I am prepared to carry this out and do great things."
According to its website, the Society of American Magicians is the "world's oldest and most prestigious magic organization."
Membership includes a monthly magazine "filled with magic news," free lectures, meetings, conventions and discounted liability insurance.
While those outside the magic community may not be familiar, the society is actually 120 years old. It was founded inside a magic shop in New York, and more than 47,000 people worldwide have had memberships.
The group says the ideals it promotes "include the elevation of the Art of Magic, the promotion of harmony among magicians and the opposition of the unnecessary public exposure of magical effects."
"The SAM offers the opportunity to unite and associate with leaders in the World of Magic – not only professionals, but amateurs, manufacturers, magic dealers, book authors and magic collectors," its website says.
It costs between US$25 and $79 to join, depending on membership level, and the society offers discounts for college students and those in the military. Those assembly dues are annual, so to stay in the group, magicians need to pay the fee each year.
Those who aren't sure they're ready to commit can buy a four-month trial for US$20.
There's also a Society of Young Magicians, with membership for youth aged seven to 17 at US$20 a year, or a trial membership for $10 for six months.
With a report from CTV News Vancouver's Alissa Thibault
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Pastrnak scores winner, Bruins down Leafs 2-1 in overtime in Game 7
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
King Charles III’s openness about cancer has helped him connect with people in year after coronation
King Charles III's decision to be open about his cancer diagnosis has helped the new monarch connect with the people of Britain and strengthened the monarchy in the year since his dazzling coronation at Westminster Abbey.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
The American paradox of protest: Celebrated and condemned, welcomed and muzzled
Americans cherish the right to assemble, to speak out, to petition for the redress of grievances. It's enshrined in the first of the constitutional amendments. They laud social actions of the past and recognize the advances toward equality that previous generations made, often at risk of life and limb. But those same activities can produce anger and outright opposition when life's routines are interrupted, and wariness that those speaking out are outsiders looking to sow chaos and influence impressionable minds.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
A driver dies after crashing into a security barrier around the White House complex, authorities say
A driver died after a vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate of the White House complex, and the incident late Saturday was being investigated as a traffic crash, police said. U.S. President Joe Biden was spending the weekend in Delaware, and the Secret Service said there was no threat to the White House.