Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 6

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A camper's notebook.

Day 3: Sunday August 16th*

Morning comes too early.  I’m tired.  Started the day with scrambled eggs and cereal (no sugary cereals here… boo!).  Card class was great.  Dick Joiner taught us how to do an effect called “Hotel.”  I’m amazed at how it works!

Card class with Dick Joiner and Ted Outerbridge.

I heard that some of the more advanced kids need to get some card tricks ready to perform walkaround magic in the audience before the camper show.  I’m glad I’m just a beginner!

Camp stretch.

Field activity was a game called “Food Chain.”  The rules were a little complicated, but it was fun.  One kid hid under the mess hall stairs to try and “survive” longer in the game! 

There's always time to squeeze in some more magic!

5pm
Fueled up at lunch with meatball sandwiches and corn!  Apparently Joan Caesar, the founder of the Canadian Association of Magicians, is here visiting today.  And Bill and Becki Wells from the International Brotherhood of Magicians are here all week.  Wow!  More great electives to choose from (camper show walk through, impromptu magic, classic force, balloons, stage presence / performance tips, elastic thread, the business of magic, and necklace magic). 

The balloon elective was tonnes of fun!  Balloons kept popping all the time.  It was crazy!   Even the instructors, Carey Lauder and Chris Westfall, were surprised at how much they kept popping.  We learned some easy things like dogs but also some more complicated things like flowers and ladybug bracelets. 

Before the camp swim, they got EVERYONE in the camp together to take the camp photo at the dock.  I took forever to get everybody organized.  I can’t wait to see it.  I learned an important lesson too:  never be late for the camp photo!  There were a few stragglers and boy did they get get in trouble.  Not only are they not in the photo, but now they have to clean up ALL THE TABLES at dinner tonight! 

2015 camp photo! (Scroll to see everyone.)

Turns out that Carey is also the official camp photographer.  During camp swim he did something called “Levitation Photos.”  We all got to pose for a photo either levitating someone, being levitated by someone or both!  (The line got longer by at least 20 people when Neil’s assistant was being levitated!)  I posed for pictures with one of my new best friends.  I can’t wait to see them!  (Diary, you’ll have to understand if I don’t reveal the secret here.  I’d hate for it to fall into the wrong hands if I happened to lose you!) 

Levitation photos!

The big kids looked like they were having so much fun jumping off the tall platform.  The lifeguard did some trick flips too!  I want to try jumping but it looks scary.  I don’t like heights.

In performance workshop we played a game called “Freeze Tag.”  That was hilarious.  It was improvising and then anyone could call out “freeze” and tag someone out, take their spot, and change the entire setting!  It’s supposed to help with thinking on the spot, playing characters, and doing scene work, but I just think it’s great fun!

Mark Correia and Chris Westfall make improvising fun!

To be continued ...


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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 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.

• Jeff’s thanking: the MonteCassino staff. Cheers to the office, engineering, hotel, bar and kitchen staff.
• Also thanks to: Annie Pinsky, Dick Joiner, David Merry, Magic Mike Segal & Jen Segal, Ben Train, Michael Gillis, Chris Mayhew, Lidden Li, Shawna York, Nicole Lee, John Michalson, Roxanne Talbot, and Christina Asher!
• Thank you to the Zone Performers:  James Harrison, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Big Louie Lebetjis, & Joe Deng.
• Special thanks to John Talbot and Lee Asher, without whom none of this would have been possible.
• A touching video tribute to Tom Mullica.

Toronto: Browser's Bash announces more names!

  

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:

Pound for pound, the Browser's Magic Bash packs in more magic with more value for your dollar than anything we have offered you. Where else can you get a scrumptious free lunch & dinner, and twelve hours of magic with so many top name magicians?

MORE TALENT = MORE FUN!

http://www.browsersden.com/bash

Therefore, without further adieu, we'd like to share more wonderful names with you. These artists will appear at this year's Bash. In no particular order, it's our pleasure to announce:








Additionally...










Saturday, April 2nd will be a day that we will all be together celebrating our common love for magic. If this fun sounds like the time you're looking for, please take two minutes to register for the 2016 Browser's Magic Bash at our official Bash website - http://www.browsersden.com/bash

We hope you will join us. Book your ticket today, and see you at the Bash!

Thank you for your support.

Magical Hugs,
Jeff Pinsky
(Your faithful magic shopkeeper)

ps. The gold section is almost sold out, with the silver section not too far behind. Don't wait any longer to reserve your seats.

Shriners' Holiday Magic Shows

Updated October 18th, 2019 to add:

• Information about the 2019 tour can be found at the post "2019 'Holiday Magic'"

Updated November 1, 2018 to add:

• Information about the 2018 tour can be found at the post "2018 'Holiday Magic'"

Updated October 12, 2017 to add:

• Information about the 2017 tour can be found at the post "2017 'Holiday Magic'"

Edited October 15, 2016 to add:

• For information about the 2016 tour, visit the post "2016 Shriners' "Holiday Magic Show" and Firefighters' Fundraising."

The 2015 Shriners' Holiday Magic Shows will travel through P.E.I. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

The East Coast Tour features:

• TED AND MARION OUTERBRIDGE, providing a 30 minute guest spot of illusions,
• the ARESTOV'S with a great quick change act, 
• CRAIG DOUGLAS with his comedy and juggling talents, 
• DICK JOINER as M.C.

The Ontario Tour features:

• NEIL CROSWELL and ASHLEY, with magic and illusions, 
• CRAIG DOUGLAS with his comedy juggling act, 
• MAGIC MIKE (SEGAL) with some comedy magic, 
• DICK JOINER as M.C.

All shows last approx. 90 minutes and the show direction is to provide family entertainment - with audience participation.

Scroll down to see the show dates:

• November 5th. Confederation Centre, Charlottetown, PEI
• November 6th Savoy Theatre Glace Bay
• November 7th Glasgow Square Theatre, New Glasgow.
• November 8th Cobequid Educational Centre, Truro.
• November 9th Horton High. Wolfville.
• November 10th. Alderney Landing, Dartmouth
• November 11th. Y'Arc Yarmouth
• November 12th. Bella Rose Theatre, Halifax
• November 13th Capital Theatre, Moncton.
• November 14th. Saint John High, Saint John.
• November 15th Bernard-Poirier Theatre, Fredericton
• November 16th Gwendolyn Kent Auditorium, Bathurst.
• November 20th Forest City Community Church, London
• November 21st Kawanis Centre, Chatham
• November 24th Capital Theatre, Windsor
• December 4th Sarnia Library theatre, Sarnia
• December 5th. Waterloo Humanities Theatre, Kitchener.

ALL SHOWS are being presented by MMBO Direct Marketing on behalf of the Shriners.

Tickets will be available at the door in most locations, but pre-purchase is strongly suggested. 

[with thanks to Dick Joiner for sending this information along]

Remembering Jack Bateman

On February 19th, I reported on the passing of Jack Bateman.  On March 3rd, Ring 17 sent an e-mail with recollections of Jack by Dick Joiner.  I'm republishing them here, with Dick's permission.

Recollections by past president, Dick Joiner:

Jack L. Bateman, 95, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, died February 17, 2014, in a local hospital. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1945-1965), and Ring 17 (Toronto).

He became interested in magic as a schoolboy after watching a performance by magician "Laurante," and magic became a passion the rest of his life. He always carried props in his pockets so he could practice wherever he went. In his youth he developed his comedic talents and an illusion show, featuring his own versions of a "sub trunk" and "cut the lady in six." He invented many tricks, some still on the market, such as "Rub-a-dub-dub," featured on a Bill Malone video.

He also was a teacher of magic; one of his pupils was Doug Henning. He was the Technical Supervisor for Outside Broadcasts for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He developed the first mobile television broadcast units for the CBC.

When he died in the hospital, there was a paddle at his bedside, no doubt to entertain the nurses.

Shrine Fantasy Show

It's the time of year for the Shrine Fantasy Show!  From their website:

The Shrine Fantasy Show will amaze, surprise, and entertain the entire family when it comes to your town this autumn. This magical extravaganza which includes magic, illusions, juggling acts, comedy, and more, is filled with imagination and showmanship. 

For years the Shrine Fantasy has toured the country entertaining thousands with new acts.

What’s more, just by coming out to share in the fun and excitement, you will assist in creating true magic in your community through support of worthy causes. A portion of all proceeds from Shrine Fantasy will benefit the many Shrine activities.

Participating talent includes:  Dick Joiner, Patrice Meunier, Fantasy Circus, Neil Croswell, John Park, Johnny Toronto, Michael Bourada, Sheldon Casavant, Greg Tarlin, and Damien James (performers vary by province).

Schedule and ticket information at the Shrine Fantasy Show website.

Shrine Fantasy Show

It's the time of year for the Shrine Fantasy Show!  From their website:

Proceeds from this show benefit many Shrine activities. For your support you are provided with a great evening of entertainment (and therefore it is not eligible as a charitable donation deduction.) Thanks for helping the children!

Participating talent includes:  Dick Joiner, Trevor Watters and Lorena, Matt Baker, Aristov and Company, Craig Douglas, Richard Forget, Nathaniel Rankin, Magic Mike Segal, Patrice Meunier, Ian Quick, Majinx, and Fantasy Circus (performers vary by province).

Schedule and ticket information at the Shrine Fantasy Show website.

Sorcerers Safari at WMS XXXIV

Magic Mike will be at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas this weekend and will again be playing a supporting role in Lance Burton’s Teen Weekend!  Best of all, the organizers of the weekend will award a lucky teen with Mike's generous $1000 scholarship to attend Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp!  This is the fifth year a magic camp scholarship will be presented.

Other magic camp supporters from Canada will also be in attendance, including Dick Joiner, Majinx and many more!

Magic camp supporters and campers will also be at the February 28th screening of the magic documentary Make Believe (which includes footage of campers and staff from Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp)!

Questions about Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp?  Visit their website or find Mike at WMS this weekend!

Shrine Fantasy Show

It's late in the game, but if you can, try to catch the Shrine Fantasy Show.  From their website:

Proceeds from this show benefit many Shrine activities. For your support you are provided with a great evening of entertainment (and therefore it is not eligible as a charitable donation deduction.) Thanks for helping the children!

Participating talent includes:  Dick Joiner, Craig Douglas, Sheldon Casavant, Magic Mike Segal, Majinx, Aristov and Company, Greg Tarlin, John Park, Steven Kline, Patrice Meunier, French Connection and Mysteract (performers vary by province).

Schedule and ticket information at the Shrine Fantasy Show website.