WHEN one thinks of a double life it might conjure images of Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, or any hero with a secret identity - one existing to protect the other.
What one might not think of is that Telus employee who you just yelled at on the phone for an hour and a half is the same person you hired to entertain your children on the weekend.
While Batman fights crime, Mike Norden fights for wonder and awe.
A former North Vancouver resident, Norden, better known by his stage name Norden the Magician, just won the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians annual Children's Magician of the Year Award in Burbank, Calif. Hundreds of magicians attend the annual convention and competition and this year marks the seventh consecutive time Norden has won first place for his children's act since he first won in 2006.
Norden performed his 10-minute act and was the only Canadian to win gold. Many other contestants are from the Pacific Rim, including Japan, Hawaii, California and Western Canada.
Along with his solo act, Norden also performed with his business partner Gord Boyes in an improv magic event called Bag O Tricks and won first place, making this year not a home run in taking home awards, but a veritable grand slam.
He has also won multiple first-place awards in comedy, variety arts and the Fraser Valley Magic Circle's Celeste Evans award for dedication to magic.
Norden was born at Lions Gate Hospital and grew up on Ross Road. He went to Ross Road elementary followed by Argyle secondary and lived on the North Shore until he was 21. He graduated in 1992 and as he describes, "I was always a class clown but the magic did not happen until later in life."
Norden is a part of the monthly magic show entitled "Third Monday Magic" in Mission held every third Monday at Opening Nite Theatre. Tickets are $10. He will also be performing on stage with The Great Gordini and Tricky Ricky.
For more information or to buy tickets online visit fvmc.ca. Learn more about Norden at facebook. com/nordenthemagician or magicshows.ca.
