Matthews makes magic for the masses

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This article was published 13/06/2022 (1217 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Appearing in Brandon serves as a kind of homecoming for magician Aaron Matthews, and he exploded onto the Manitoba Summer Fair entertainment stage with illusions and other fun activities.

“I feel like coming back to family because this is where it really started for me six years back. I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to return and be greeted with so much love,” he said.

Brandon especially holds a special place in his heart, Matthews said, because it was the first city he performed at in a fair outside of Ontario as Aaron Matthews Magic. He made his first appearance as a master magician at the Summer Fair six years ago. He has fond memories of the Wheat City because he travelled to Brandon as a child with his father, Shane Faberman, aka Doodles the Clown.

“I really learned everything from my dad,” Matthews said.

One of the most powerful lessons passed on from his father has been the importance of the love, care and energy that goes into a performance, Matthews said. Each time he hits the stage, his focus is on having fun and connecting with the audience.

He first appeared on stage at the age of six as a duo act with his younger brother Dylan. His brother’s enthusiasm and magic inspired him to keep going in the industry.

“My little brother had no idea how any of the tricks were done,” Matthews said. “He would run in his little tuxedo from backstage giving me the next trick, but he wouldn’t want to go backstage because he wanted to watch the trick … he would just stand beside me as I would perform and be jaw-dropped every single time.”

Growing up, Matthews described himself as “shy and embarrassed,” even though he started performing at a young age. He would quietly practise close-up magic to his favourite tunes carefully perfecting his craft.

“I sort of grew into my own as I grew up and realized it was OK to like the things that I like and it was OK to be silly and weird — the people that you want in your life and the friends that you want to have are the ones who want to know who you really are.”

A turning point for Matthews was the first time he showed a friend a magic trick. His best friend was having a tough day and he wanted to cheer him up. He hoped the joy and smiles magic can bring would help his friend feel better.

It worked, Matthews said, and he came to understand the power of magic to help foster happiness in people’s lives.

Aaron Matthews Magic went from a one-man show to a dynamic duo when he met his assistant, and girlfriend, Caroline Sauve.

In 2019 before the COVID-19 lockdowns hit, Matthews was performing at the Capital Fair in Ottawa.

Sauve was working as the sales manager at the Travelodge and had an off-handed conversation with Matthews’ dad about her favourite band, Washboard Union.

Her favourite song, and cellphone ringtone, ended up being the band’s song “She Gets Me,” a music video Matthews had appeared in.

They instantly connected, Sauve said, and they have been partners on stage and in life ever since.

Sauve used to do competitive dancing, but her partnership with Matthews marks her first foray into magic.

“When I saw Aaron do it, I just fell more in love with him and what he does,” Sauve said. “Seeing those children’s faces light up when he comes out on stage, I wanted to be a part of that.”

It has been a wonderful experience, she said, because they get to share what they are passionate about with other people both on stage and in everyday life.

“If you’re brave enough to share what you love, every single person has the power to share smiles and turn someone’s day around and make it a better place,” Matthews said.

They keep in mind that while on stage, they are “making the impossible become possible” for audiences.

“The show is not about fooling you. This is about having a good time,” Matthews said. “That’s the most important thing, are the emotions. We want to show you that it is OK to have a big smile on your face surrounded by strangers.”

Aaron Matthews Magic is making waves on television, with appearances on YTV and the first season of Canada’s Got Talent.

He grew up watching the YTV kid’s television channel and loved the different personalities who graced the silver screen. He took a chance and sent an email which led to him filming a big illusion with three YTV hosts, even making one of them disappear.

When they were performing over computer screens during the height of the pandemic, Matthews and Sauve started talking to a friend who runs a dog training facility in Bowmanville, Ont. The trio decided to bring passions together to create a show centred on dog training and magic, dubbing it The Canine Circus.

Their first Canine Circus show was a drive-in performance that eventually led to them competing on “Canada’s Got Talent” as one of 80 contestants selected for a live TV appearance. The Canine Circus made it to the semi-finals as one of the final 18 acts.

“We were just so excited to be able to have that opportunity. It was before we were ever got to perform on a real stage all we had done up to that point was our drive-in,” Matthews said.

While on “Canada’s Got Talent” they were able to perform an illusion Sauve had dreamed of doing her entire life called “Miss Made.”

She and Matthews had seen it performed by some of the greatest illusionists, and they were inspired by the past with their performances while also adding their personal updates.

During the illusion, Matthews performed the trick with his little brother once again adding Sauve into the mix. As part of the illusion, Sauve is carefully cut into four pieces by Matthews.

Their signature spin was putting her back together, but with none of the pieces in the right place.

“Her feet were where her head should be and her head was where her feet should be,” Matthews said with a laugh.

The experience has opened many doors for the magic act. Their hope is to keep growing the show, and they look forward to what the future holds.

“I can have fun and I can love what I do. It has changed me for the better,” Sauve said. “I wake up every day, and I am so grateful to be doing something that I love.”

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