Earl Canapp

Earl Canapp as the Senile Sorcerer

Each year the George Dency Ring 179 in Baltimore holds its Earl Canapp Memorial Banquet named in honor of a charter member. However, many of our younger and newer members did not get a chance to meet Earl and may know little about him. Earl passed away in 1989 and the name of the annual banquet was changed to the Earl Canapp Memorial Banquet in 1990 in his honor.

Earl on stage

Earl Canapp was born in 1923 and became interested in magic around the age of 13. Earl served in the Naval Air Force and while in the service he met and married his wife Josephine. When Earl left the service, he began performing professionally in night clubs. Eventually Earl and Josephine settled in Baltimore, and Earl took a job in the insurance industry. During his lifetime in magic, Earl performed just about every type of magic, from close-up effects to stage illusions. With his wife acting as his assistant, Earl performed a beautiful and colorful act using doves, a rabbit, silks and flowers.

Earl on the cover of The New Tops magazine

When Earl was not performing, he was often found in his basement workshop where he designed and built props and equipment for himself and other magicians. Earl had artistic skills, too. He often did illustrations for local club show flyers and promotional material for fellow magicians. But that is not all! Earl was also a ventriloquist performing with his wooden friend Elmer. With all these talents, Earl was obviously in demand for shows. In 1967 Earl introduced what would become his signature act “The World’s Oldest Magician” which eventually earned him the moniker of “The Senile Sorcerer.”  Earl Canapp loved magic and magicians and was always willing to help out a fellow performer.

Earl performing close-up magic

Here is a link to a YouTube video of Earl performing his Senile Sorcerer act at the Funhouse Magic Big 3 Convention. The video quality is poor but it may be the only existing video of Earl’s act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJtS9MzCfc&feature=youtu.be

Performers who entertained at the Earl Canapp Memorial Banquet.

1989 –

1990 – Steve Kissell & Jason Canapp

1991 – Ira Kolman (M.C.), Jim Conner, Lattie Smart, Jim Schuyler, Ed Hoffman, and Ralph Fowler

1992 –

1993 –

1994 – Denny & Lee

1995 – 

1996 –

1997 – Brian Starron

1998 – Dick Barry

1999

2000 – Kohl & Company

2001 – John Dodge

2002 – Bob Sheets

2003 – Mike Rose

2004 – Barry Taylor

2005 – Mike Kaminskas

2006 – Denny & Lee

2007

2008 – Aldo & Rachel Colombini

2009 – Dick Gustsfson & Company

2010 – Kohl & Company

2011 – Mike Miller

2012 – Scott Alexander

2013 – Mike Snyder & Donna 

2014 – Rich Block 

2015 – Alain Nu

2016 – Doc Swan

2017 – Mike Rose

2018 – Dave Thomen

2019 – Peter Wood

2020 – No Banquet Held