Canada's Magic: Jonathan Santiago

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25 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 7

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.

Part 7 features: Jonathan Santiago, Shawn Farquhar, and Alex Zander.

Jonathan Santiago
Professional magician, Casino Pit Manager.

Attended camp from 2001 to 2003 as staff.

Since his time at camp Jonathan has:

Improved his leadership abilities.

In his own words:

My leadership abilities were enhanced by my time at Sorcerers Safari.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

The Jam sessions after hours.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

Made friendships that still exist today.

Please resurrect the Sorcerers Safari!!

Shawn Farquhar
Professional magician, magiChampion.com
Theatre Owner, HiddenWonders.ca
Film maker, LostInTheShuffle.film

Attended camp from 2008 - 2016 as staff. (Excluding 2014)

Since his time at camp Shawn has:

Opened his own theatre and has continued to help young magicians become better.
Completed principal filming on his documentary Lost in the Shuffle.

In his own words:

Sorcerers Safari made me see things differently and has had a lasting impact in life.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Having all my personal belongings duct taped to the walls and ceiling of my room and having to wander the entire camp as "Farquharfish" trying to discover where my laptop was hidden. Oh, and watching Eric Buss conduct an Improv Workshop.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

To this day I run into campers and love that we made a bond of friendship that will last my lifetime.
Best Camp ever.

I hope you'll reach out to Michael Ammar to talk about his "Card on Sky" routine, and the Buck Twins about the joy of eating pie without hands. I miss camp.

[Editor's note: We LOVE hearing campers tell us about their Card on Sky memories. It comes up often! We've reached out to Michael Ammar and the Buck Twins. Hopefully they'll write back to us with their perspective of those fabulous memories!]

Alex Zander
Professional magician, AlexZander.ca

Attended camp in 2013 and 2014 as a counsellor.

Since his time at camp Alex has been:

The youngest elected President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians,
A full time magician, solo income since that 1st year at camp,
The lead artist in 9-month performance tour across North America, and
The organizer of local, regional, and international magic conventions.

In his own words:

I met lifelong friends and mentors at Sorcerers Safari who continue to motivate me every year.
Camp played a huge role in unlocking my skills of community building in the world of magic.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

“Trolling for the Farquharfish” if you know, you know!!
As the youngest counsellor on staff, I was assigned to the youngest cabin of campers. Spending time working on their new magic, introducing them to routine-building, and watching as their eyes were opened to a whole new world of the craft was truly magical. To this day, it is always a joy to see when camp kids (now all graduated) excitedly find us to reconnect at magic conventions or while travelling. They’re all so much taller….

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

The world of magic is like a social club. You get out what you put in (and many times more!).
Taking the time to volunteer in your local, regional, or global magic community creates social bonds and professional rapport that will outlast whatever project you are working on.

Sorcerers Safari alumni were fortunate to experience a small slice of magical nirvana. Away from the distractions of everyday life, Camp Directors Magic Mike & Jen created not just an experience but a family of magic lovers from all walks of life.

Some campers have remained in the magical arts, some found new passions and success, though all campers have one thing we can agree on. No matter what year you attended, it was the BEST SUMMER EVER… and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Thank you Jonathan, Shawn, and Alex for sharing your memories!

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

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