Showing posts with label Aaron Fisher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aaron Fisher. Show all posts

27 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 10

Recap (click to show | hide)

From Part 1 of the series:

In lieu of a physical reunion bringing together past campers and staff, Canada’s Magic is hosting a virtual reunion of sorts.  We’ve reached out to the Sorcerers Safari community with a dozen or so questions to help bring us up to date on what everyone has been up to since our magic camp days.

If you completed our survey, keep your eyes peeled for your segment!  

If you would like to participate but haven’t filled out the survey, there’s still time.  The survey can be found here:  https://forms.gle/umg77yj9QxUzfpm76

Thank you to all that contributed!


 

Mike, Jen, Sorcerers Safari staff, and alumni, this series is for you.

 

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari
<< part 9  |  part 11 >>

 

Part 10 features:  Luis Salas, Michael Penkul, and Lee Asher

 

  Luis Salas  
Insurance.

Attended camp in 2009 as a camper.


In his own words:

  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • Performing my own routine to Aaron Fisher as my audience on the boat dock.


  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • Experience.

 

Attending Sorcerers Safari was one of the most positive experiences I had as a teenager. From the friendships, the nature, the fun and the learning - everything was superb and I feel lucky to have attended even if it was just for the one year. I do wish I had gone again though.

 

 

  Michal Penkul  
Professional magician, Professional Wedding DJ & Magician, MichaelPenkul.com.

Attended as a camper in 2009 and 2010 (Daniel Garcia &  Dan and Dave Buck were the special guests).


Since his time at camp Michal has:

  • DJ'd and performed professionally full-time (DJ Magic Mike), and 
  • Produced music as an EDM artist.


In his own words:

  • Besides the amazing things I learned from all the lectures and special guests, it was the confidence to perform in front of larger crowds; getting to perform on the Sorcerers Safari Stage helped me overcome a lot of introverted shyness.


  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • Filming Aaron Fishers DVD Revolution! Daniel Garcia was also a huge idol of mine, he left me with a phrase that I've tried incorporating into all my magic to this day - 'keep magic sexy'


  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • Being with like-minded magicians, many friends that I keep in contact with to this day. It was my first time away from my family for that long which was a huge stepping stone for me, and helped me build a lot of confidence on and off stage.

 

I was a shy, quiet kid who felt unmemorable at the time, but camp was one of the most memorable experiences in my life!

 

 

  Lee Asher 
Professional magician, LeeAsher.com.

Attended camp in:

  • 2001 as Counsellor / Staff, 
  • 2002 as Special Guest, and 
  • 2003 until the end as Executive Staff.


Since his time at camp Lee has been:

  • The youngest, cutest [self-reported], and longest-running President of 52 Plus Joker (the world's most prestigious playing card collectors organization),
  • The Senior consultant for the world's most extensive and expensive magic television series, Amazing Magicians, filmed in Nanjing, China, 
  • The Director of the largest stunt ever filmed for Penn & Teller's 'Fool Us' television show, and
  • The recipient of the Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award for my extensive work in the playing card industry. 

 

In his own words:

  • Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp fostered a true sense of community. Collaborative activities and team-building exercises allowed me to forge deep bonds with fellow aspiring magicians. These friendships taught me the value of collaboration, cooperation, and mutual support—a vital lesson that continues to guide me long after the campfire's embers have faded.
  • Most importantly, meeting my wife at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp all those years ago was my greatest accomplishment. Through late-night conversations filled with laughter and shared dreams, Christina and I discovered a profound connection, and our hearts resonated in perfect harmony. We've been happily married for over twelve years.



  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • There are far too many to mention. Yet, spending time with campers who have now grown into adults is something I treasure.

  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • My biggest takeaway is that Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp harnessed the incredible power of shared experiences, collaboration, and encouragement to unlock hidden potential, all while building lasting connections.

 

Best Years Ever!

 

Thank you Luis, Michael, and Lee for sharing your memories!

Check back throughout the month to read updates from other Sorcerers Safari alumni and staff!

 

 Previously featured 

 

Learn more about Sorcerers Safari.

part 1part 2  | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | part 11 | part 12

<< part 9  |  part 11 >>

 

 

15 June 2020

Michael Ammar lecture (June 17)

From Aaron Fisher's Instagram:
Big News! You’re invited to a Special Spring Break Lecture this Wednesday night with the most celebrated magic teacher alive. Michael Ammar is pulling out all the stops, so register now for free and join us. Link in bio!







15 May 2018

DeMystifying Miracles: The Landmark CC Living Room Lecture

From the Conjuror Community:
May 23

This is your invitation to a rare, Live Online Lecture—where Michael Close joins Aaron and the CC Team for an intimate evening filled with astonishing miracles—and insights you can only get from a real invitation to the home of a master magician. 

Michael is one of the smartest, most astonishing magicians alive—and he’s put together a special evening just for CC Members—designed to demystify some of magic’s thorniest problems.

At this once-in-a-lifetime event, you’ll be surprised and thrilled by what you discover, such as...
  • Fool Us Demystified
  • Memorized Decks Demystified
  • How to Choose Your Stack
  • Strategies for Memorizing a Deck
  • Secret Practice Drills
  • Michael will also perform and reveal amazing professional routines you can use to thrill and astonish,

Read more and join the Conjuror Comunity.

01 April 2017

Fabulous first show with:
  • Buck MacLeod,
  • Adam Grace,
  • Atsushi Ono,
  • Aaron Fisher,
  • Eugene Burger, and
  • Michael Ammar!
(Dick mentioned Sorcerers Safari, for those of you playing Magic Convention Bingo (Bash Edition) at home.)

04 January 2017

More names announced for the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash

Browser's Bash logo  
From the Facebook group for the Browser's Den of Magic:

You're not alone! These artists will be with you at the 2017 Bash!
Announcing More Artists For the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash.
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

It's time to share even more artists with you that will spend the day with us at the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO - MORE BASH ARTISTS:

Atsushi Ono
- Kyoto Konjurer -
Atsushi Ono-san's relaxed charm, sense of humor and creative approach to performing magic have made him a popular magician and entertainer in
Japan as well as Western Canada.

Aaron Fisher
- Card Conductor -
Specializing in card magic, Aaron Fisher travels the world sharing his original thoughts and energetic performances with other fellow magicians.

Rosemary Reid
- Ms. Magic -
From her humble beginnings at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp to becoming one of Canada's leading female magicians, Rosemary is going to answer the
one question she's been asked most often throughout her career. Can you guess what it is?

Adam Grace
- Renaissance Man -
Adam Grace, a profesional magician, musician, actor, speaker, writer and producer, tours the world sharing his love for all performing arts. He plans to
spend the entire day with us.

Also including:
- Michael Ammar
- Silly Billy
- Chris Mysterion & Steffi Kay
- Dick Joiner
- Buck Macleod
- Luiz Castro
- Keith Brown
- Scott Hammell

REGISTER NOW - Be A Part Of The 2017 Bash Experience
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

We hope you'll join us. It's unlike any other magic event around. You're going to love it! Book your ticket today by clicking the button above.

See you at the Bash on Saturday, April 1st, 2017!

Magical Hugs,
Jeff Pinsky, John Talbot, & Lee Asher
(Your faithful Browser's Magic Bash team)

28 June 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 10

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A camper's notebook. Photo by Rosemary Reid
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. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
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. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Owning the stage.


Sponge balls. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Sponge balls.


Something big is about to happen! Photo by James Carey Lauder.
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. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
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. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
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.

28 April 2014

Aaron Fisher interviews Chris Mayhew: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

A reminder that this film has it's Toronto premiere tomorrow night!

From Aaron Fisher Magic:
We're just a week from the launch & premiere of the most fun to watch, entertaining magic DVD I've ever seen. It's a fascinating, laugh out loud story of two Toronto magicians who go to extraordinary lengths to uncover the secrets of magic. In the process, both they and you (the audience!) discover a lot of great tricks – and some serious laughter.

Last week I did an in-depth video interview with Chris [Mayhew] about his own journey in magic, how he made his new movie and what we can all discover about magic from Chris's story. I learned a great deal talking with Chris – I suspect you will too.

Read more and download / watch the interview.

13 June 2013

Mike Segal on The Magic Broadcast tonight!

That's 9:30 Eastern Standard Time!