Canada's Magic: 2016-06

30 June 2016

29 June 2016

Vancouver: 3 of clubs 2016

Register today and join us on November 11th-13th, 2016 for our favourite I.B.M. Ring Reunion, the 3 of Clubs!

We’re bringing together some of our favourite talent and greatest friends we’ve met throughout the years we’ve spent travelling the magic convention circuit.

If you saw yourself in the photo above, we want YOU! If you don’t see yourself there, we REALLY want you!

Come see what your West Coast magic family has to offer, and see what makes us one of the best magic communities in North America!
Read more and register.

28 June 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 10

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A camper's notebook.

Day 5: Tuesday August 18th*

Cheesy omelette breakfast. I saw the rabbits again! And I saw a bright green frog too. Still no sign of the deer.

At card class Shawn Farquhar talked to us about stuff I’d never considered. He said, “give people a sense of wonder. Don’t make them feel stupid or small.” And then he said this quote from American poet Maya Angelou:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

We played “Capture the Flag” which was so. much. FUN!

6pm
The camper show was fantastic. Before the show, Lee Asher made his group perform walk around for the audience. They did really well.

Pre-show walk around.

Then the show started. Some of the kids performed things they just learned (or even made!) this week! Others made stuff up and some came prepared with things they’d been working on the whole year. Shout out to them all!

Emcees: Chaz and RJ.
Performers: Cathy, James, Brad, Matt, Tariq, Jordan, Ava, Vincent, Landon, Matthew, Nathan, Will, Ben, Jack, Nick, and Jeff.
Backstage: Simon, Holden, Serena, and Jarrett.
Sound and tech: Steve Kline (for this and all the other shows!).
Production assistants: Mike and Lisa Close, Dan Wiebe, and Mike Toal.

Owning the stage.

Sponge balls.

Something big is about to happen!

The coolest thing about the show was that everyone’s performance looked good. Beginner kids went first so they didn’t have to go after someone who had more experience. I don’t see any competition between the kids. The adults want us all to shine.

Today’s electives were Pulp Friction (with Lee himself!), linking rings, Gravity Half Pass (with Aaron Fisher!), Assistant’s Revenge stage illusion, Miser’s Dream, any card at any number, and Patriotic Ropes.

Bill Wells and Sheldon Casavant talking coins.

Patriotic ropes with Phil DaCosta. Photo by James Carey Lauder.

I did the linking rings and was kinda surprised (and disappointed) to learn how they work. It seems that some of the most wonderful effects are based on simple ideas. Loran was a great teacher, but I’m going to have to practise a lot more until I feel comfortable doing it in front of anyone!

Rats. Camp swim got rained out. (I wish I tried the high jump yesterday). Silver lining: we all piled into the Staff Lounge and had a big impromptu panel with Shawn, Eric, Phil, and Mark. They do things off the top of their head better than I can do anything I’ve rehearsed a million times. I wonder how much of it is pure talent and how much of it is hours and hours of practise.

Shawn speaking at the panel.

To be continued ...

--
The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit SorcerersSafari.ca

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* The “Diary of a Sorcerers Safari Newbie” is primarily based on the 2015 camp season. It is an aggregate of many perspectives, and at times includes events from previous years.

27 June 2016

Vancouver: "UNBELIEVABLE: A Magical Experience"

The show will run at the PNE August 20 – September 5, 2016 (Closed Monday August 22 and 29).

From the Pacific National Exhibition website:

A world-class magical showcase not to be missed! Watch in amazement and witness grand illusions. Come and be thrilled as we present champions of magic! UNBELIEVABLE magic, comedy and breathtaking illusions - get a front row seat to a magical experience you will simply describe as UNBELIEVABLE!

From the stages of Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Shanghai, Unbelievable brings together some of the world's champion Magicians:

International Award Winning, Canada's Master Illusionists, Murray Hatfield and Teresa present unbelievable magic, interactive comedy and jaw dropping, state-of-the-art illusions.

Get ready to jump into the world of Magic and comedy with American comedian magician Matt Marcy who will leave you laughing and gasping in astonishment.

From the United States, Scott Pepper will amaze you with his unbelievable talent, as he pays tribute to Houdini by attempting a version of an escape that would have made Harry Houdini himself nervous.

Then to the Weird & Slightly Dangerous, Marty Putz who will bring the arena to it's feet in his world of whacky magic.

Then be amazed by The First Lady of Magic, Juliana Chen, leading master of manipulation. Chen known around the world, and perhaps the best-known female magician today, will blow your mind.

Collectively, these world champion magicians have performed around the world and have come together to take you on a magical journey that is Unbelievable!

Read more and buy tickets.

26 June 2016

Broken wand: Gordon McIntosh

From the Abby News:

McINTOSH, Gordon
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gordon McIntosh on June 17, 2016. Gord was a man of many talents, you could know Gord for his entire 67 years and you would still only scratch the surface of this great man. He was a proud man, who was pleased to call you his family or friend. Gord was predeceased by his wife Sheila and his son David. Gord leaves behind his two sons Chris (Tanya) & Anthony, his two step daughters Cheri (Dan) & Jennifer (Jeff), and his grandchildren Chandelle, Maizie-Skye, Elana, Carmin, Samuel, Bryan, Ryan, Eric & Austin. His love of magic brought his life so much joy and amazing friendships! Thank you to the VMC & FVMC for your friendship to Gord. It means a lot. Thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at the Abbotsford Hospital for all your hard work. Celebration of Life to be July 24. More details to follow.

25 June 2016

Catching up with Discourse in Magic

Jonah Babins and Tyler Williams have been steadily producing podcasts since their launch in April. Have a look at what they've released so far...

From Discourse in Magic:

Welcome to the Discourse in Magic podcast! This is where we tackle magic’s hardest issues, theories, philosophies, discussion, and more to help you explore. We jump into all sorts of resources and most importantly actionable tips to help better the art and become a killer performer!

Episode 11 – How to be a Great Teacher, Mentor and Student of Magic with Aaron Fisher and Adam Grace
June 16th, 2016

Episode 10 – Playing Card Innovation and Economy in the Era of Crowdfunding with Lee Asher June 9th, 2016

Episode 9 – Community Month: Introduction Magic Shops, Camps and Friends June 2nd, 2016

Episode 8 – Performing Tips for the Working Magician, From Restaurants to Big Illusions with Chris Westfall May 26th, 2016

Episode 7 – Ethics and morals for the modern magician with Ben Train May 19th, 2016

Episode 6 – Creating a fictional premise with conflicts and twist endings that rock May 12th, 2016

Episode 5 – Designing magic for the screen and the stage with Patrick Kun May 5th, 2016

Episode 4 – Improv and being open to change with Chris Mayhew April 29th, 2016

Episode 3 – Personality, character and connecting with your audience with Eric Leclerc April 27th, 2016

Episode 2 – Going viral, the Reddit secret, and Rubik’s cubes with Steven Brundage April 23rd, 2016

Episode 1 – Introduction Episode April 20th, 2016

Read more and listen to podcasts.

24 June 2016

Toronto: Browser's Back Room

How exciting! I look forward to visiting soon.

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

Dear Magic Friends,

Jeff Pinsky here. I hope that all is well.

I am very pleased and excited to announce something new at Browser's Den.

We have transformed the back room of Browser's Den (some 500 square feet) into a Collector's and Used Magic Centre!

This new centre is open to you during our regular store hours. There you will find a treasure trove of both used and collectable magic at very low and reasonable prices.

Read more.

23 June 2016

Vancouver: Wes Barker lecture

From Jeff Christensen's post at the CAM Facebook page:

Up next on the Vancouver Magic Circle's lecture series is none other than Wes Barker. Live and direct from his TV appearances on Fool Us to his international tour stops with major comedy festivals around the world. Wes is an innovative performer that makes magic current, hip and engaging. Come find out how you can make your magic more interesting and engaging for your audiences. The first thing an audience member thinks when you enter the stage is "Who is this person and why should I care?" Wes Barker will answer all of this and much much more. All will be answered on Friday July 22nd 7pm (doors open at 6:30) at Douglas College. You won't want to miss Wes Barker Stunt Magician!

22 June 2016

Montreal: Le lab magique Jun 29

Catch the last lab before summer break!

Avec:

ARTISTE INVITÉ
Patrice Meunier - magicien fantaisiste

ARTISTES TESTEURS
André Rancour Ventriloquie
Hamza Araqui - cirque
Le testeur surprise

Animé par - Erick Elektrik et Bernard Lebel

From Le lab magique's Facebook page:

Magicana teases next online exhibition

From the Magicana Facebook page:

We've got a secret!
Here is the first look at a new online exhibition we will be releasing in a few weeks. Who remembers watching this?

21 June 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 9

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A camper's notebook.

Day 4: Monday August 17th (cont)*

5pm

After lunch (burgers and lemonade and ice cream!) everyone gathered around a bunch of the adults on benches.

Cook out for lunch!

There was excitement in the air and I could barely see what was going on. It turns out that Daryl eats his pie in a really unexpected way. Who knew?

Great elective choices today: cups and balls, memorized deck, mentalism, rope magic, spoon bending, and dancing canes. I picked the dancing cane and it was so much fun! I can actually make it look like I’m levitating it and making it move. (And it’s so much easier than juggling.) I need to own one.

Dance cane, dance!

Cups and balls.

At performance workshop we played the “questions only” game. You can only reply to someone by asking another question. Much harder than it sounds! It’s supposed to help us to listen and to think on our feet. It’s hilarious. I laughed so much I cried!

Questions only!

9pm
All I remember about dinner was ice cream with chocolate sauce!

The lip syncs rocked. I especially liked Shawn and Lori Farquhar doing "You're The One That I Want" from Greece, and Magic Mike Segal (and Stephanie Kline, Chris Galonska, Jen Segal, and Lisa Close) doing "Mahna Mahnam" from the Muppet Show.

Mahna Mahnam.

It was a super talented show again tonight. Loran did an elegant time themed piece, Mark did some stage stunts, Philip and Jonah and Chris Mayhew were fantastic. The show ended with the Marion and Ted Outerbridge doing a fabulous stage show with big props, fancy costumes and great illusions. Ted has the best disco ball jacket ever!


Loran.

Ted and Marion Outerbridge.

Marion stopped by our cabin to visit. She had amazing stories of touring and performance. She MADE Ted’s sparkling jacket. So. much. WORK!

To be continued ...

--
The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit SorcerersSafari.ca

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* The “Diary of a Sorcerers Safari Newbie” is primarily based on the 2015 camp season. It is an aggregate of many perspectives, and at times includes events from previous years.

20 June 2016

Greg Frewin on "The Peet & Reet Show"

While we're on the topic of Greg Frewin, have a look at his recent appearance on "The Peet & Reet Show."

From The Peet & Reet Show YouTube channel:

Grand champion magician honoured at the 2016 Academy of Magical Arts awards

As a follow-up to this post, read the official press release from the Greg Frewin Theatre:

Hollywood, California - May 16th, 2016 EST - The Academy of Magical Arts delightfully announced Greg Frewin as the 2015 recipient of the Performing Fellowship Award. Established in 1968, the award recognizes outstanding achievement and significant contribution to the performance art of magic. Frewin is the 2nd Canadian in the Academy’s history to have won this award.

"We were honored to bestow Greg with the Performing Fellowship for his great work in his Niagara Falls theatre," commented Academy of Magical Arts President, Randy Sinnott. “Greg has done a tremendous job advancing the Art, and with his creativity and energy and his year round/full-evening show has created a positive image of magic for the thousands that have seen him perform."

Frewin performs nightly at his own theatre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He and his long-running production have become one of magic's great destinations in the world.

Previous to owning and running his own theatre in Canada, Frewin appeared on stages all over the world, including Caesars Palace, Tropicana and Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas, Showboat in Atlantic City, Crystal Palace Casino in Nassau, Bahamas, the fabulous Genting Resort in Malaysia, Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia. He has also appeared on over 35 television programs, including NBC's World's Greatest Magic, ABC's Champions of Magic, CW's Masters of Illusion, and his own three-part CBC special Magic Man: Home for the Holidays.

"It's a great honour to be singled out by the Academy of Magical Arts & Magic Castle," Frewin remarked after learning of the award. "Bringing the prestigious fellowship home to Canada means so much to me, my family, and those who share my vision at the theatre. Moreover, I feel extra special to win because world renowned Illusionist Doug Henning, my childhood hero, is the only other Canadian to ever win this award. I'm in excellent company!"

"Greg Frewin's influence on magic is deep and broad," said Vittoria Wikston, the General Manager of the Greg Frewin Theatre. “He performs nightly entertaining thousands of people from different walks of life, all while creating lifelong devotees of magic in the process. Additionally, Frewin tirelessly demonstrates that if you keep focused, committed and true to yourself then you will attain your dreams. Now that's real magic!"

Among Frewin's awards are 'Magician of The Year' from the World Magic Awards, First Place in the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) competition of professional magicians, The Gold Medal of Excellence, First Place at the Society of American Magicians (SAM) annual magic convention competition, and First Place at FISM, the Olympics of magic.

Driven by the promotion and development of the art of magic, The Academy of Magical Arts is the proud founder of the Performance Fellowship award. Since its inception almost fifty years ago, the AMA has continually been a passionate advocate for the magical arts.

###

For more information about the magic of Greg Frewin visit the official website:
www.gregfrewintheatre.com

And from the Greg Frewin Theatre Twitter feed:

So proud to be the 2nd #Canadian ever to win an @AMA_Magic Performing Fellowship Award! #niagarafalls #theatre pic.twitter.com/LSxD9PFPnk
— Greg Frewin Theatre (@GF_Theatre) June 15, 2016

19 June 2016

How old were you when you got your first magic trick?

Click over to the Perfect Magic blog and let Evelyn know!

From Perfect Magic:

“I bet when Darcy Oake got his first magic trick, as a kid I presume, the furthest thing from his mind was that one day he would be going to London to visit the Queen. Get your kid a magic trick !”

Then I got to thinking that I got my first magic trick when I was 8 years old. My father went to New York and went to Tannen’s (I think that’s where he got it) and when he came home he gave me a Nickels to Dimes trick, made of brass. I can look back and see myself sitting on the blue linoleum kitchen floor, banging away with that bang ring. I wonder if it left marks in the floor. I treasured it and found it amazingly clever, but I don’t remember performing it for anyone outside of the family. They did not have “Show and Tell” in school when I was in Grade 2. If they did, I surely would have brought that because it was something that none of the other kids would have had.

Read more and share your story.

18 June 2016

McSorley & Chung Magic Hour interviewed at Bad Feeling

From Bad Feeling magazine:

Grant McSorley & Derrick Chung are two scholars in engineering and mathematics, respectively, whose 10+ years friendship grew out of a love of magic while working together behind-the-scenes for renowned magicians.

With years of magical knowledge, part of which were imparted by some of the best illusionists in the world, they debuted their first two-person show at the Black Theatre Workshop last Friday and played a sold-out show on Saturday, where they amazed audiences with their twists on the effects that have sparked their own love for the craft. Complemented with their teaching backgrounds, their approach to the realms of the known and the baffling has always been to engage their audiences and pupils.
None of that male chauvinism of lovely assistants as eye-candy, no boxes sawed in half. This is stripped down sleight of hand prestidigitation down to its fundamental basics, performed in front of an intimate crowd reminiscent of parlor sessions during the heydays of vaudeville. Feel like a kid again full of wonderment, this is magic accessible to all!

I had the chance to nerd out with these two about magic & the known realm…

Read more and catch McSorley and Chung at the Montreal Fringe.

17 June 2016

Pacific Contact 2017 Showcase Applications Available

From the BC Touring Council's Facebook page:

Catching up with The Dave Attwood Show

Dave's been busy this year, recording new podcasts every week or so. Have a look at who he's been interviewing, then click through to his site and have a listen!

From Attwood Magic:

The Dave Attwood Show

A glimpse into Dave's mind and his slant on current events, celebrity news, relationships and the ever changing roller coaster ride of fatherhood.

Episode 130, 2016-06-04 (Mike Norden and Gordon Boyes)
Episode 129, 2016-05-28 (Raul Fernandez and Frank Padilla Jr.)
Episode 128, 2016-05-22 (Anastasia Synn)
Episode 127, 2016-05-14 (Greg Dow AKA The Shocker, Bizzaro, Krystal Lawrence)
Episode 126, 2016-05-07 (David Regal)
Episode 125, 2016-04-30 (Murray Sawchuck)
Episode 124, 2016-04-09 (Kenrick ICE McDonald)
Episode 123, 2016-04-02 (Trevor And Lorena Watters)
Episode 122, 2016-03-26 (Bill Abbott And Jamie D Grant)
Episode 121, 2016-03-19 (Eric Knaus aka The Great Zucchini)
Episode 120, 2016-03-12 (Kainoa Harbottle)
Episode 119, 2016-03-06 (Max Maven)
Episode 118, 2016-02-27 (Lee Asher)
Episode 117, 2016-02-14 (Karl Hein)
Episode 116, 2016-02-13 (Shawn Farquhar)
Episode 115, 2016-02-06 (Jeff McBride)
Episode 114, 2016-01-30 (Dan Harlan)
Episode 113, 2016-01-23 (Oscar Munoz)
Episode 112, 2016-01-17 (Joe M. Turner)
Episode 111, 2016-01-09 (Jason England)

Read more and listen to podcasts.

16 June 2016

Toronto: Jason England lecture and workshop

Magicana's website also states that Jason will be in Ottawa on June 22nd.

From Magicana:

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Magicana is pleased to present a lecture and workshop with renowned sleight-of-hand expert Jason England. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on sleight-of-hand and advantage play with cards. He has over 25 years of experience both performing magic and consulting on casino game protection.

The three-hour lecture will cover tricks and routines with cards mixing magic and gambling material. The four-hour workshop is for a limited group for individual attention. Limited to 15 participants, Jason will focus on the mechanics of individual sleights like second deals, bottom deals and false shuffles. If there is a particular technique you are interested in, you can let us know.

Read more and buy tickets.

15 June 2016

John Smithman interviews Jack Lillico

From Workplace Champion, read "The Magic that is Jack Lillico":

Jack Lillico has been a member of the Vancouver Magic Circle for 70 years. His life was filled with magic; but he also had other pursuits like a career as a Denturist and two cross-Canada tours in his homebuilt Model T Ford. This article reflects some of his story as a magician in Vancouver, British Columbia.

I interviewed 89-year old Jack Lillico at the home of legendary magician and author Ray Roch and his wife Pat on April 14th 2016. These are my notes of the Interview. – John Smithman

THE YOUNG MAGICIAN
Born in 1927, Jack started magic when he was 8 years old. Pretty soon he had ‘a burning desire to learn more about it.’ “I did garden parties and church events. Then, I met Rolf Blackstaad. We called ourselves The Black Jack Magic Club and had a blackjack as our insignia In 1937.

Read more.

14 June 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 8

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A camper's notebook.

Day 4: Monday August 17th*

French toast for breakfast! I don’t mind wiping down tables and clearing the dirty dishes. The food here is great.

Morning stretches.

Card class was actually coin class today. Dan Wiebe brought a bunch of metal washers for us to use as coins. Coin tricks are hard! The time whizzed by and then it was time for “Dealer’s Day!” The place was crazy busy. There were tables and tables with of tonnes of stuff for sale.

So much to see at Dealer's Day!

I have never seen so many magic tricks. Or so many different designs on decks of cards. Some were really expensive and some I could afford. I came away with a new deck of plastic cards (they won’t get wrecked if I accidentally “beach” them) and a rope trick with instructions.

Pick a deck, any deck.

Camp swim was fun. I almost mustered enough courage to jump from the tower. Maybe tomorrow.

I could jump from there. Maybe.

To be continued ...

--
The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit SorcerersSafari.ca

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* The “Diary of a Sorcerers Safari Newbie” is primarily based on the 2015 camp season. It is an aggregate of many perspectives, and at times includes events from previous years.

13 June 2016

Darcy Oake at Windsor Castle

Congratulations Darcy!

From the CBC:

The gag has come off and Winnipeg illusionist Darcy Oake is celebrating a royal milestone.

"I'm finally allowed to talk about it! I had the absolute honour and privilege of being of one of five acts to perform for the Queen and the entire Royal Family at Windsor Castle for the Queen's 90th birthday!" Oake posted on Facebook on Monday morning.

Read more.

From Darcy Oake's Twitter feed:

Had the honour of being 1 of 5 acts to perform for the Queen and the entire Royal Family for her 90th Biirthday! pic.twitter.com/V8q5bhWmWl
— Darcy Oake (@DarcyOake) May 30, 2016

[via iTricks]

12 June 2016

Ottawa: Murray

From the Centre Pointe Theatre:

Friday, February 10, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

A B.C. boy from a family of railway workers makes it to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent only to make a 24-foot steel steam train locomotive disappear live on television. The act still baffles the world as Murray takes his place at the helm of a new generation of tech-savvy magicians. Hot on the heels of the sell-out success of Darcy Oake, we welcome another home-grown illusionist full of fantastic tricks and loads of laughs along the way.

Read more and buy tickets.

[via Adam Goldberg]

11 June 2016

Video peeks behind the scenes of fundraising for Fort McMurray

Watch on Paul Romhany's YouTube channel, video highlights of the New Westminster edition of "Fundraising for Fort McMurray."

Watch on Ryan Joyce's YouTube channel, video highlights of the Brantford edition of "Fundraising for Fort McMurray."

10 June 2016

Toronto: Fundraising for Fort McMurray

It started in New Westminster with their "Magic for Fort Mac" event (raising approximately $8,150 for the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal), then there was "Family Fun for Fort Mac" in Calgary, followed by "Magicians vs Fort McMurray Wildfires" in Brantford, ON. Coming in July is "Magic and Hypnosis: A fundraiser for Fort McMurray."

From the Magic and Hypnosis website:

Join us for a night of hypnosis and magic, to raise money for those affected by the fires in Fort McMurray. All money raised by this show will be donated.

This magical night will be hosted by Jamie Stam and his extremely-mental approach to magic. Often described as “Kreskin” on drugs, Jamie will leave you out of breath with his sharp wit, and magic.

The first act on the show is Ben Train with his mind-blowing mystery and non-stop laughs that will get everyone involved in the fun. The future will be predicted; you will read each other’s mind and other feats you will swear that aren’t possible.

Following Ben will be the Sentimentalists. A two person mind reading experience that is truly breathtaking. Together they showcase their special way of communicating, with a touch of humour and most importantly class.

The show concludes with Dave Curran, The Bad Boy of Hypnosis, doing his wildly popular adult hypnosis show. The show definately crosses the line. Come see how Dave got his nickname. Watch the show or be the show!

All the performers are donating their time, so please support them:

Jamie Stam
www.magicandmartini.ca

Ben Train
www.bentrain.ca

The Sentimentalists
www.thesentimentalistsmagic.com

Read more and buy tickets.

09 June 2016

Sorcerers Safari: new scholarship available!

You know that the youth appreciate the value they get from Sorcerers Safari when they create a scholarship to help other budding magicians attend.

I met Jack Grady in 2011, at his first year at camp. He had won the "Dr. Jeffrey Jay Memorial Scholarship" to attend Sorcerers. When asked if camp met his expectations, he had this to say:

"The people are awesome! It's nice to be learning with people my same age. I knew I was going to have fun. I didn't know I was going to learn so much!"

This year, Jack, along with alumnus Nick Popa, are hoping to give this exceptional experience to a young budding magician, by offering a new Sorcerers Safari scholarship!

From Nick Popa's post in the Sorcerers Safari Facebook page:

Jack and I have created a scholarship to send 1-2 magicians between the ages of 8-20 to magic camp! We want to be able to give one of you the same amazing experience we both had! If you are interested fill out this form and we will be in touch with you by the end of the month to notify you if you won!

http://goo.gl/forms/9XvM51qHSJw4c6v43

Now we can't do this alone! We need your help! If you would like to contribute and help send 1-2 campers to the amazing camp, we have created a gofundme campaign for you to donate money to help with the scholarship! Every penny counts! So if you would like to donate, here is the link to our gofundme campaign!

www.gofundme.com/magic-scholarship

Jack and I will also be holding 1-2 benefit shows in North Canton and Mentor, Ohio to raise money for the scholarship! For those interested in coming, more info will be released shortly!

Read more.

Watch on Nick Popa Magic's YouTube channel as Nick talks about how to apply for the scholarship that he and and Jack have established:

Watch on Jack Grady Magic's YouTube channel as Jack talks about raising money for the scholarship:

Sorcerers Safari campers have their say

Watch Sorcerers Safari alumni share their thoughts about Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.

From Jack Grady Magic's YouTube channel:

From Murciano Magic's YouTube channel:

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari

Almost 20 years ago, armed only with the idea of making magic more accessible to kids who want to learn magic, "Magic Mike" Segal opened the doors to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. Sorcerers Safari is Canada's only sleepaway magic camp, hosting up to 150 campers a year.

Words fail to adequately describe the phenomenon that is Sorcerers Safari. Everyone comes away from camp with their own unique experience. To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, here’s a list of:

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari (in no particular order):

My favourite camp memory would have to be when I first went to Sorcerers Safari. I saw all of my idols in magic and there were so many magicians that I had watched on TV and on YouTube. It was brilliant to see them perform and not only to see them perform but just to have a normal magic or even non magic conversation with them was amazing to me. It was literally like a dream come true!

Brad B.
Camper: 2014-2015
The first year I ever attended I recall walking down a wooded path and seeing Michael Ammar talking to a group of campers who were seated under the shade of a huge tree. Michael was talking about choosing magic as a career and I could see the look in all the campers eyes as I eavesdropped. I knew in that very moment I would return to camp as often as I could as I felt something I’d never felt before. Not sure how to describe it, but it was just so special.

Shawn Farquhar (magichampion.com)
Instructor: 2008-2013, 2015
A favourite memory was making a card flourish duel that appeared in the 2013 camp video.

Eric S.
Camper: 2007-2014
I was overwhelmed by the quality of instruction and the dedication of Mike, Jen and the entire board and staff. It was without doubt one the finest experiences I've had in my almost 40 years in the Magic business.

Phil Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
Guest: 2014
I would have to say that my favourite memory at camp would have to be after Brett C. and I performed the “cube in cube out” stage illusion. It was a huge relief that the whole thing went successfully and it was also the first routine that Brett and I created together.

Holden L.
Camper: 2008-2015

Many of my favourite memories at Sorcerers Safari come from the late night jam sessions in the campers' cabins. You never know what newest tricks or guest magicians you'll find.

For example, a few years back, I witnessed Tyler Wilson sharing the longest and most entertaining card revelation I've seen. Over the course of about 45 minutes, the cabin filled with campers as they watched him attempt to find the card. Pure suspense. Needless to say, he had no idea what the card was, and was playing us the entire time.

The jam sessions offer a great opportunity to see the campers' talent and creativity. In 2015, Philip B. and I posed an Ambitious Card challenge to the cabin. They split into 2 teams to work together to create an Ambitious Card routine from scratch. This impromptu competition went on for close to 2 hours and was a blast to watch!

Sheldon Casavant (SheldonCasavant.com)
Camper: 2003, Counsellor: 2004 and 2007, Instructor: 2015
Trying to find only one Sorcerers Safari good memory is impossible because there are so many! So let’s say that one of them is when Anders Bjorkman, Johnny Toronto, and I did a “fire trio act” together on the beach during the party night. I believe it happened in 2010. We literally had a blast!!!

Loran, (LoranIllusion.com)
Instructor: 2000 - 2015

a) The first time (repeated over the years) that all the campers hit the stage on the final night to present their interpretation of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ... (always a fun moment).
b) Seeing the "shy and timid" take the stage for the first time in front of their peers and proudly present an effect they have learned at camp.
c) The meal times with the table banging under the direction of Lee Asher.
d) Seeing a camper on TELEVISION presenting magic... and only a few years earlier not being able to communicate...
e) Year after year - the reunions. Campers emailing each other to make sure they would be in the same dorm.
f) The chant of "we love Dick, we love Dick."

Dick Joiner, (DickJoiner.com)
Instructor: ~2001-2015
Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp was the first time I ever went to camp. I'm in my seventies and it was fun and exciting. I loved the enthusiasm of the kids and their teachers, who were the best. We met old friends and made new ones. Keep up the good work and thank you Mike for inviting us.

Evelyn Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
Guest: 2014
I have so many wonderful memories of camp that it's near impossible to choose just one. But a camp classic that we continually reminisce about all the time happened on my first year when Rob 'Fish The Magish' Fishbaum secretly hid in the woods during the middle of the night, waited until I walked by, then jumped out making a loud squealing pig noise. I shrieked like a little girl, jumped into Steve Kline's arms completely terrified, and almost crapped my pants.

It was an amazing moment. It's also when I knew these people would be part of my family for the rest of our lives. The best part, scaring the newbie staff has since become a long-standing camp tradition.

Lee Asher (LeeAsher.com)
Special Guest: 2001, Instructor: 2002-2015
Lip Sync Battles

Jeff P.
Counsellor in Training: 2015
When the whole camp did a one camera take lip dub! That was so exciting and EVERYONE had a part and nailed it! The video was a hit and definitely one to be remembered.

Watch the 2011 Sorcerers Safari Lip Dub on YouTube:

Lorena Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
Instructor: 2010-2014

a) I remember one night at the nightly stage shows in the Pinetages theatre: the air was hot and thick… the performers were breaking a sweat after literally 30 seconds on stage. And out of the blue we see Lee Asher come out and perform a trick (and a dance!) in a massive eggplant costume! It was epic.

b) One year we decided to do a lip dub. It was amazing to see everyone come together and participate with such passion and precision. Check out the video it took us about a half-day to film. It was truly awesome.

Eric Leclerc (EricLeclerc.com)
Instructor: 2008-2015
My favourite memory from camp was probably performing for Michael and Lisa Close's daughter on stage. I was able to use her last name to do a hilarious bit for the entire camp while poking fun of their last name.

Chris Westfall (ChrisWestfallMagic.com)
Instructor
One of my favourite memories would be Eric Leclerc and a few of us attempting to scare RJ late at night with a bunch of scary halloween masks and then RJ wouldn't wake up. I have the video footage of it, but it is one of those bits that never made it into the annual Sorcerers Video, but was very funny to observe at the time.

Chris Mayhew (ChrisMayhewMagic.com)
Videographer: 2013-2015
a) Performing on the camp stage. The first time I worked a stage, wore a mic, stood in front of the lights, and performed for a "big" crowd all came at camp. I'll never forget the love and support people showed me, and it's probably a major reason why I'm still getting up there today!

b) Watching my campers grow up. I still maintain relationships with campers I had a decade ago. Some have become better performers than I would have ever imagined. Some are even better than I am... which is both awesome and infuriating! One that stands out to me is Nathaniel Rankin. I watched him grow from a cute, but shy, juggler to a world class magician performing on cruise ships around the world. I don't take credit for his success -- that was all him -- but I'm glad to have been a stepping stone on his path to finding something that makes him so happy.

Ben Train, (BenTrain.ca)
Counsellor in Training: 2000-2001, Staff: 2002-2015

This memory is from 2006. For the end of the week camper show, Sami S. and I decided to dress up like veteran campers and counsellors, Kelvin and Dustin. Every year, this eccentric duo would perform the “one-handed card trick” in which they are Siamese twins, joined at the hip where each only has the ability to use only one hand. 2006 marked one of the first years Kelvin was not at camp (but Dustin was) so we did not get to see their jubilant routine. Instead, Sami and I dressed up like the duo and impersonated them and the one-handed card trick. It was really goofy, not many people understood what we were doing. But I distinctly remember Scott Hammell and Magic Mike in the audience laughing uncontrollably.

This memory isn’t about the moment itself, but about the inside joke shared with the other veteran campers and staff that makes it stand out so strongly in my mind. The inside jokes are what I remember now; nonsense jokes told around the campfire (knock-knock jokes will always be the funniest for me because of camp), and ridiculous one-liners. There are moments with sugar shots, fruit stickers on our foreheads, crocket, fridge box racing, pushing Steve Kline in the lake and so many defining “coming of age” moments that bring me back to camp. There are too many small memories to put one as the best, but the inside jokes between fellow campers and life-long friends are something I hold onto very dearly.

Lauren Proctor
Camper: 1999-2008
My favorite memory is when Magic Mike told us that the visiting volleyball camp found an (invisible) deck, and not knowing what it was straightened all of the cards for us. I retell that story to magicians all the time.

Jonah Babins (JonahBabinsMagic.com)
Camper, Counsellor in Training, and Instructor

Playing capture the flag with the kids during active time, then one of them realizing that I was the entertainer he watched on stage the night before! He was so excited, then I noticed a few more kids running around with me to beat the game!

Trevor Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
Instructor: 2010-2014
I have so very many memories of camp, having been the guy who started it, and having attended every year, that it is hard to pick just one. There really are so many in the 20 years… but one stands out, and is particularly appropriate for this summer.

I remember the summer 15 years ago when we switched our host camp after 5 years at another camp. It was an amazing summer, as everything felt new again. The energy (which is never lacking at Sorcerers Safari) seemed to be ramped up that summer in everyone, staff and campers. Exploring the new grounds, and meeting new challenges really made everyone bring their ‘A’ Game. It was great. The move was extremely positive, making me that much more excited to see what our move will bring this summer.

Magic Mike Segal (SorcerersSafari.ca)
Camp Director: 1996 - 2016

The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit SorcerersSafari.ca

08 June 2016

Congratulations to Brent Kloeble and the #ReginAcadabara team!

Here's the fabulous update to the previous call for support for Brent Kloeble and the #ReginAcadabara team.

From the CBC:

Regina hotel operators have reached into their hat and pulled out ... a magic festival.

ReginAcadabra was pronounced the winner Friday of the Regina Hotel Association's Event of Events competition.

The people behind the proposed festival receive a $20,000 sponsorship to start up the new event.

Read more.

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

07 June 2016

20 things you need to know about Sorcerers Safari

Also in the 26th edition of VANISH magazine, starting at page 104, is "Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp: A Canadian institute."

To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, have a look at "20 things you need to know about Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp." Paul Romhany did created an eye-popping with fabulous photos taken by James Carey Lauder.

Does anyone have anymore information to add about the origins of "Farquhar Lake" mentioned in item 6?

My favourites are:

1. Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp is hosted at an actual outdoor camp in Haliburton, Ontario. With an actual lake. Be sure to pack your swimsuit. And lots of sunscreen.

and

20. There is no one single thing that makes Sorcerers Safari successful. As Magic Mike Segal often says, "it is more than the sum of its parts." And he's right. He's created, seemingly by alchemy, a unique opportunity for young magic enthusiasts to learn from and network with, professionals who are open and approachable. When asked how he came by this elusive recipe, a modest Segal said, "I'm totally amazed. This is the best trick I have ever pulled off in my life."

What would you add to this list?

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Erratum: #5 In 1997-2000 Sorcerers Safari was hosted at Camp Tamarack. From 2001 to 2015 it was at Camp White Pine.

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The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit Sorcerers Safari

20 amazing alumni from Sorcerers Safari

No matter how you slice it, camp just wouldn’t be camp without campers! It shouldn’t surprise you that Neil Croswell (gold medal ‘Magic of China, International Magic Championships” 2015), Bill Cook (three-time award winner at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas), and Kelvin Kwong (first place Magi-Fest junior close-up, second place IBM junior close-up) have all attended. Without a doubt, Sorcerers Safari attracts multi-talented and amazing youth. To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, flip to page 108 of the 26th edition of VANISH magazine and have a look at "20 amazing alumni from Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp."

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The 2016 season of Sorcerers Safari will run from Sunday August 7th through Friday August 12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, please visit Sorcerers Safari