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):

1. 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
   
   
   
2. 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
3. A favourite memory was making a card flourish duel that appeared in the 2013 camp video.
   
   
   Eric S.
   Camper: 2007-2014
   
   
   
4. 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
5. 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
   
   

6. 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
   
7. 

   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
   
   

8. 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
   
   
   
9. 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
10. 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
    
    
    
11. Lip Sync Battles
    
    

    

    
    

    

      
    
    Jeff P.
    Counsellor in Training: 2015
    
12. 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

13. 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
    
    
    
14. 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
    
    
    
15. 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
16. 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
    

17. 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
    
18. 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
    

19. 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
    
    
    
    
20. 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

Evelyn Matlin on "The Magic of Magic Conventions"

She's posted a fabulous photo of David Williamson, Mac King. Jean Boucher, and Carl Cloutier.

See what Evelyn Matlin has to say about the 2016 Browser's Bash over at Perfect Magic:

For Phil and me, the magic of Magic Conventions is not the magic. Its a place and time where people with a common interest, from all over gather. We get a chance to meet people we know and haven’t seen in years and we also get the chance to meet people who have been ordering on line who we never met personally.

The Browser’s Den Magic Bash was such a place. We spent time with Bernice Cooper, the late Len Cooper’s wife. Len was the original owner of The Browser’s Den. We used to visit them in Toronto and Bernice would be there behind the counter helping out as magic shop owner’s wives do. It was nice for her too, to see and speak to many people that used to come into their shop.

Read more.

• Jeff's looking more at home in his “trusty sweater vest.”
• Welcome to Dan Morrissey (of Morrissey Magic) to the stage!  We’ve missed you Phoebe and Dan!
• Welcome to Phil and Evelyn Matlin (of Perfect Magic, Montreal) to the stage!
• Mentioning Joan Caesar, past president of the IBM and founder of the Canadian Association of Magicians! 
• Added bonus:  Welcome to Len Cooper’s family! Bernice, Len’s wife, as well as his children, Jack and Sandy Cooper!

Talk about one big magic family!

Perfect Magic interviews Spidey

From Perfect Magic:

Spidey must have been around 17 years old when he first came to Perfect Magic. His striking feature was his passion for magic. His enthusiasm was contagious and refreshing. He had plans for himself. Did I think he would succeed? It doesn’t matter much what I thought. He thought he would succeed. That, I believe, has a great deal to do with his success as a magician today. He didn’t just sit back and wait to succeed. He worked at it. Spidey was here the other day and I asked him If he would write a post for my blog.  And he did. I was most impressed with it. I asked him 3 questions to base his post on. How old he was when he started, what was his first trick, and if he had any tips for young magicians starting out. Here is his reply.

“Hey Evelyn,

so here are the answers :)

Read more.

What tips do you have for new magicians?

Evelyn Matlin has a great post up at Perfect Magic Then and Now titled "A Few Tips For New Magicians."  It covers a lot of good points that newcomers to magic should think about as they start performing for others.

My favourite from the post:

2.  Let’s say someone else or a magician comes to entertain you and you know the trick they are doing. What do you do and what do you say?
   
Correct Answer: Nothing. Not even to your best friend. Even after the show. If you have to tell someone, tell your mother.

Of course, I think that answer applies to a lot of situations that kids can get into.  Always tell your mother!

Do you have any other pointers or general magic etiquette guidelines to add?

So how do you know what's good?

From Perfect Magic:

When we opened Perfect Magic, before the internet, we bought what we thought was good from suppliers we trusted. There was not this smorgasbord of magic that there is today. Every single day we receive new items to consider. At one time there was Mak Magic, Morrissey Magic, Abbott’s, Fun and a few others that manufactured products here in Canada or the U.S.A and Supreme in England. Now very little is made here. It’s hard to compete with China or India. Some of the stuff is good, some is not. But when you read the write-ups, everything is the greatest ever. So how do you know what is good.

Read more.

The importance of magic shops

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of brick and mortar magic shops.  Not only are they the first place many kids get bitten by the magic bug, it's also a place enthusiasts can go for encouragement and coaching by people in the know. A nurturing community is formed in a local shop, which can't be duplicated through the internet.

(You'll notice that two brick and mortar shops are invested in keeping the community of this site alive.  Please remember to thank them, the next time you're there.)

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area? Consider supporting one through their online shops. (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and The Browser's Den of Magic!)

The emphasis in the excerpt below, is mine.

From Perfect Magic:

As many of you know, magic shops are closing all over the place. Many shut down in the U.S.A. and some in Canada as well.  There were not a whole lot to begin with. It’s so easy to look up  what you want on line, find the cheapest price and order.  I can’t say that I blame anyone for doing that. But there may be a cost to the saving of money, especially in magic. 

Click through to read Evelyn's thoughts on the matter.

Review: Magic at the Comedy Nest

From Perfect Magic:

Magicians had a real treat last Sunday evening, if they managed to get into the Comedy Nest. Although there were magicians who came to see the show, most of the audience was comprised of lay people. 

David Acer was the M.C. and was his usual funny self.

Loran, from Quebec City, had a beautiful act, serious, artistic and a pleasure to watch.

Vincent Pimpare did a comedy hynotism act. It was an unexpected break from the usual hypno act and had the audience laughing, so it fit right into the Comedy club setting.

Richard Sanders did a great bill to lime with a lot of hilarious detours along the way. He has a way of making the audience feel as if he is really one of us. He connects well.

Romaine. What can I say about Romaine.  Dressed in tails and a top hat, and slightly tipsy, (part of the routine, of course) he wowed the audience with his continuous production of cards, multiplying billiard balls, and the real magic of Vaudeville days, which mosts of the audience had never seen and they showed their appreciation.

Jonathan Burns did some very funny stuff. My favorite was Cards Across with cheese slices (you know the ones, wrapped in cellophane) instead of cards. Funny stuff. 

And then there was the audience.

Read more.

Cool couple: Evelyn and Phil Matlin

Happy (upcoming) 55th wedding anniversary Evelyn and Phil!  And happy birthday Evelyn!


From The Canadian Jewish News, "Montreal Weddings" supplement (pg 12 and 13):

When Evelyn and Phil Matlin’s eldest daughter, Ronna, was playing in the basement, she discovered her father’s long forsaken magician’s suitcase. The year was 1964 and the curious 6-year-old begged him to perform magic at her birthday party.

This event sparked the revival of an inherent skill that Phil had honed in his youth, and to this day the world of magic plays an integral role in the family’s life.

Read more.

Random thoughts about CAM-JAM 2013 Spring edition

• Whenever I drive to Greg's theatre, it always rains on at least one leg of the trip.
• I've been a CAM member for a long, long time.
• One-handed cut-a-thons are a young man's game.
• Evelyn and Phil Matlin from Perfect Magic are warm and terrific people!
• I thought that I'd learned my last mind-blowing Linking Ring move from Tina Lenert earlier in the month.  Oscar Muñoz proved me wrong.  Twice.
• Vincent Hedan tells me you can buy strawberry flavoured toothpaste.
• Michael Dardant packs his hat very efficiently.
• Thanks to Shawn Farquhar for coming up with idea and to Greg Frewin who generously offered us a meeting space and discounted tickets to his amazing show!

The CAM website has a nice write-up about this year's Magician of the Year, Mike Segal!  Congratulations Mike!

Go to the Perfect Magic blog to read Evelyn Matlin's thoughts on the weekend.

It was wonderful to meet up with so many of you!  If CAM-JAM Summer is anything like the Spring edition, it's sure to be a fantastic time!

Magical blogs

Recently, someone asked "Any good magic blogs out there?"  Good question. 

Here's a list of blogs written by magical Canadians (former and current) about which I'm aware:

• Aaron Jones
• Andrew Musgrave: Ye Olde Magick Blogge
• Chris Philpott's Film and Magic Blog
• David Ben: Tricks and Tweets
• Evelyn Matlin: Perfect Magic Then and Now
• Gwyn Auger: The Magic Assistant
• Jay Sankey
• Jeff Hinchliffe
• Keith Brown
• Magicana: Sharing Wonder
• Mark Lewis: Ramblings of a magic genius
• MCA: Mystery & History
• Ryan Joyce
• Shawn Farquhar

Please leave a comment if you'd like to be included or know of others that I'm missing.  The list will appear as a feature in the middle column, below the "Sponsored by" section, under the title "Magical blogs."