Showing posts with label Michael Close. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Close. Show all posts

28 October 2017

Names announced for Browser's Bash 2018

Browser's Bash logo  
From Jeff Hinchliffe's post at the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
Dear Denizens,

The launch of the Bash 2018 tickets was our most successful yet!

Thank you to all who have already purchased a ticket. We appreciate your kind support of this event!

Of course there are still plenty of great tickets available. Remember the earlier you buy the closer you will be to the stage!

And now...Bash Drum Roll please....Here are some of the talented performers who will be taking the stage at the Bash 2018. We will announce more big names soon!

DICK JOINER - Emcee
Joining us again in 2018! He will share his infectious hysterical laugh, fun-loving zany manner and high paced interactive comedy magic. With Dick Joiner returning as emcee we know that Bash 2018 will be another fun day!

MICHAEL CLOSE- Miracle Worker
Michael Close has a worldwide reputation in the magic community as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. His specialty is sleight-of-hand, close-up magic, but he also has extensive experience in stand-up magic. He has lectured and performed for audiences around the world!

NICHOLAS WALLACE - Practitioner of the Art of Astonishment
Nicholas has been receiving rave reviews from both critics and audiences for his one-man stage shows. His most recent production "Séance" received glowing reviews from the Toronto Star, Now Magazine, The National Post, Torontoist and more.

JAMES ALAN - Blindfolded Card Magic Extraordinaire
One of Toronto's busiest working pros. His one man show Magic & Martini continues to fill the house each night leaving his audiences stunned, perplexed and entertained. We are pleased that James will be joining us on the Bash stage.

CHRIS PILSWORTH - Mixing Magic & Art
A rare breed of magician. A performer who stays true to his strong beliefs about magic as an art form yet always entertains his audiences. And always with a twist of originality. A Canadian hidden treasure.

And we have more big names to announce!

TO BUY TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BASH 2018 please follow this link: http://www.browsersden.com/bash
 
Thank you
-Jeff Pinsky, John Talbot, Jeff Hinchliffe & The Browser's Den Team



17 September 2017

Toronto: Browser's Bash 2018 ticket sale reminder

Browser's Bash logo 
From the Browser's Den of Magic:
Tickets go on sale Monday, Sept 18th, 2017 - 10 am Sharp!




Talent currently booked for 2018 include:
  • Dick Joiner as emcee,
  • Michael Close (author of the Workers series and other ebooks), and
  • Nicholas Wallace.

Read more and buy tickets!



17 August 2017

Owen Sound: Now with Michael Weber

Earlier this summer, we shared the news about a workshop retreat Michael Close is hosting with special guest Jason England.  Those in attendance at "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out." earlier this week at the Browser's Den of Magic heard Michael hint that he was hoping to add another special guest to the roster.

It's official!


From Michael Close's Twitter feed:



From Michael Close:
You are cordially invited to join Michael Close and Jason England on October 17-20, 2017, for a unique workshop in the beautiful cottage country of northern Ontario (Owen Sound, ON). You’ll be away from the physical and mental noise of the city, but you won’t be roughing it; the accommodations are luxurious.

You’ll fly into Toronto on Monday, October 16, Tuesday morning you'll be bused to beautiful Owen Sound, ON where you will spend most of Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and all day Thursday talking magic and receiving personalized instruction from two of the most knowledgeable magicians on the planet. You'll return to your hotel in Toronto on Friday, and fly home on Saturday.

Read more and register!

15 August 2017

Random thoughts from "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out."

Updated August 16 to add:


You may remember that I had the good fortune of spending time with Michael Close at Sorcerers Safari.  (I even snagged a mini-interview with him.)  I was always thoroughly impressed with the wisdom he shared with his advanced card classes. 

When I heard Michael was lecturing locally, I knew I had to make it if I could.


From the Canada's Magic Twitter feed:



Sunday night, the stars aligned and I was able to attend "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out."


Also from the Canada's Magic Twitter feed:


Among other things, during the lecture Michael discussed:
  • theory's place in performance arts (with wonderful music analogies)
  • his wonderfully complete definition of magic
  • how to find (and cure) trouble spots in performance
  • the importance of emotion and intellect
  • the importance scripting
  • assumptions that laymen make
  • control, repose, and chaos
  • "The Big Lie"


We got to see some magic too!  Of note, he performed "Red Blue Mama Fooler" and then pointed out The Big Problem and how he fixed it.  I was also delighted with a yet to be published routine from his upcoming eBook "Paradigm Shift."

Attendees were provided a discount code for MichaelClose.com which includes The Workers series, and Closely Guarded Secrets.  We were also tipped to the great sale price of Magic in the Real World.  (And if you didn't already know, there's this little thing called "Magic In Mind" that you can get for free at Vanishing Inc, which includes an essay from Michael as well as 32 other highly regarded professionals.)

If you haven't seen the announcement, Michael is hosting a workshop with Jason England and Michael Weber (and perhaps an additional mystery guest) in October.  Only eight spots remain.

Bottom line, as with Phil Matlin's report from a 2014 lecture by Michael, I was very impressed!

Far out Magic Dude.

Read Michael's thoughts about his lecture.

The last Tweet from Canada's Magic Twitter feed:











13 August 2017

Canadians remember Eugene Burger

From Perfect Magic:
Eugene Burger was special, as a magician and as a person. The first and most important memory I have of him was when he came to Montreal to lecture for Magie Montréal. It was many years ago and I was not that into magic at the time, but I went to the lecture to help Phil and Vim Vermeys with registration, etc.  and stayed of course for the lecture.

Anyone at that lecture learned valuable lessons. I don’t rememberphil-eugene-and-tom one trick that he did. It wasn’t about the tricks, it was about performing. Every word was well thought out and had a reason for being there. His jokes were not to get a laugh, which they got, but as he explained, when you laugh you close your eyes for a second and that’s all the time he needed to do what he had to do in front of your eyes.

Read more.


From Derek Selinger's Facebook page:



From Lawrence Larouche's Facebook page:




From Ben Train's Facebook page:



From the Facebook page for Michael Close:



From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:




Visit the Eugene Burger Memorial Page, McBride Magic & Mystery School on Facebook.


14 July 2017

Toronto: Michael Close lecture

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out.
Michael Close Lecture - August 13, 2017

Dear Denizens,

All of us here at Browser's are certain that Mr. Close's brand new Magic Theory Lecture will be a truly inspiring and fun event at our shop. We are convinced that it will have a long lasting effect on your magic journey.

In short...it may be the most important lecture you will ever have an opportunity to see.

Some of the topics that he will be covering in great detail will be...
  • What is theory?
  • Your definition of magic
  • The Power of a Real Magician
  • Conviction
  • Assumptions
  • Scripting vs. Not Scripting
  • Who (or What) Has the Power?
  • Control, Repose, and Chaos
  • and much more. (There may even be a trick or two.)
Michael Close has a worldwide reputation in the magic community as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. He has been a student of the conjuring arts for over fifty years, and has been performing professionally since 1978. His specialty is sleight-of-hand, close-up magic, but he also has extensive experience in stand-up magic. He has lectured and performed for audiences around the world.

Read more and buy tickets.


05 July 2017

Owen Sound: Michael Close and Jason England workshop

Updated August 16 to add:


From Michael Close:
You are cordially invited to join Michael Close and Jason England on October 17-20, 2017, for a unique workshop in the beautiful cottage country of northern Ontario (Owen Sound, ON). You’ll be away from the physical and mental noise of the city, but you won’t be roughing it; the accommodations are luxurious.

You’ll fly into Toronto on Monday, October 16, Tuesday morning you'll be bused to beautiful Owen Sound, ON where you will spend most of Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and all day Thursday talking magic and receiving personalized instruction from two of the most knowledgeable magicians on the planet. You'll return to your hotel in Toronto on Friday, and fly home on Saturday.

Read more and register!


From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:





08 March 2017

Michael Close reviews "The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi"

From Michael Close:
As I left my forties behind and entered into late middle age, I became aware of a sad, odd occurrence. Some of my friends were turning into books. They had left flesh and blood, heart and bone behind, transforming into a form that allowed one-way (but sometimes surprisingly comforting) communication. I would regulary head to my library, not so much to seek information, but to visit again with Stewart James, Billy McComb, Howard Lyons, Arturo Ascanio, Barrie Richardson, T.A. Waters, Tommy Wonder, and Dai Vernon. And now, eight years after his death, another friend arrives from the printer in a beautiful and most fitting presentation.

The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi features a portion of the creative output of a true polymath – a collector, historian, craftsman, performer, and creator. Concerning Vanni’s collection, Roberto Giobbi writes in the Foreword, “He possessed practically every important book of magic, from the beginning of printing to modern times, in many languages, but above all in Italian. He also knew what was in them, how to place their contents in the evolution of magical ideas, and who invented what. He was one of the most educated and well-informed people in magic that I’ve ever met.”
 
Read more.

05 March 2017

Canadians remember Daryl

Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out how you can donate to the Daryl Easton Family Fund, or visit the GoFundMe campaign for the Easton Family.


From Michael Close's blog post "Salute to our friend Daryl":
When that tour wrapped up, Alison stayed in England to visit with relatives and Daryl returned to Vegas. The day he got in, he called to say he was back. I suggested he come over to our house for a home-cooked meal, something I thought he’d appreciate after such a long time on the road. He came by that evening.

Lisa and I prepared a pasta dish, with salad, bread, and red wine. We ate, talked, and listened to stories of the life of a lecturer. It was obvious Daryl was jet-lagged and beat to hell, which made him the perfect foil for a practical joke.

Read more.






From Carey Lauder's Facebook page:



From Ben Train's Facebook page:





From Shawn Farquhar's Instagram:




Magicana has video of Daryl performing card magic and close-up magic on the Canadian television series "The Magic Palace."  Also at Magicana, Jamy Ian Swiss writes about Daryl and Bob Cassidy.


I'm drifting a little here, hope you don't mind.


Michael Ammar has a fantastic Facebook tribute to Daryl that begins, "There's a hole in the curtain." This part continues to resonate (bolding mine),
"with thoughts that maybe we could have said or done something, or with guilt over having missed any warning signs."  


Here's the post from Michael Ammar's Facebook page:



This is how I'll remember Daryl.

Daryl. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Daryl.


Learning from Daryl during free time. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Learning from Daryl during free time.


Camp photo. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
2015 camp photo.

From Sorcerers Safari's Facebook page:


On Facebook, Kenton Knepper gave away a free video inspired by Daryl.  More importantly he had this to say:
"All I ask is, in the present or future, you support magic and mentalism creators with your wallet, not just words, so they can make a living too."

And with that, here's some information about how you can help the Easton family.


From Michael Close's website:
PLEASE DONATE TO THE DARYL EASTON FAMILY FUND

The office at the Magic Castle has received calls from members and magicians around the world, asking how one can offer support and donations to the Daryl Easton family.

The Academy of Magical Arts has now established a fund to receive donations for Alison Easton, Daryl’s wife, and their two daughters. You can also send bereavement cards for Alison to the AMA offices as well, who will forward them to the family.

If you would like to make a donation to the family, please send a check payable to “The Academy of Magical Arts, Easton Family Fund” to:

The Academy of Magical Arts
ATT: Daryl Easton Family Fund
7001 Franklin Ave
Hollywood CA 90028

If you would like to donate via credit card, please call Trish Alaskey at 323-851-3313 ext. 301.
The Academy will work with Alison and the family, and pick a date in the future to hold a memorial for Daryl. If you have any questions, please email the General Manager, Joe Furlow, at: jfurlow@magiccastle.com.

You can also donate via PayPal directly using magic@daryl.net

There is also a GoFundMe campaign for the Easton Family.


It's worth noting that Daryl's online shop remains open for business.  An alternate method of showing your support for his family is by making an online purchase at his store.





29 January 2017

Happy Freethinkers Day from Michael Close

From Michael Close's Twitter feed:
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.



25 January 2017

Welcoming a new patron: Michael Close

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Michael Close!


Michael was born in Cleveland, raised in Indiana, lived and worked in Las Vegas for twelve years, and now lives in Toronto.

He is the author of the Workers series and other ebooks and is regarded as one of the top close-up magicians in the world. Additionally, he is the editor of M-U-M, the magazine of The Society of American Magicians.

Be sure to check out the once-in-a-lifetime weekend workshop with Johnny Thompson that Michael is offering this spring.

Thank you Michael, for your sponsorship of this website!

22 January 2017

Breaking news from Michael Close

From Michael Close's website:

Close/Thompson Magic Workshop - May 5-7, 2017 ***LIMITED TIME OFFER***


You are cordially invited to join Michael Close and Johnny Thompson on May 5-7, 2017, for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend workshop in the beautiful cottage country of northern Ontario (Owen Sound, ON). You’ll be away from the physical and mental noise of the city, but you won’t be roughing it; the accommodations are luxurious. Registration opens Monday, January 23, 2017 at noon (EST).

You’ll spend Friday afternoon/evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning talking magic and receiving personalized instruction from two of the most knowledgeable magicians on the planet. Because of the informal nature of this gathering, you’ll have unprecedented access to two of magic’s living legends – access and interaction you would only find with private instruction and consultation, but at a fraction of the cost. Be aware, however, that reservations are extremely limited; only ten spots are available.

Read more and register tomorrow.

20 July 2016

Michael Close on WISH TV

From WISH TV:
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Each and every week Dick Wolfsie shares an interesting and unique story that has a connection to central Indiana.

This time Dick Wolfsie talked to magician Mike Close.

Close, who is the president of the Society of American Magicians, discusses the intricacy and process that goes into performing an illusion and a trick.

Read more and watch videos.





[via The Magic-Compass and iTricks]

09 July 2016

Catching up with David Peck's "Face 2 Face"

Edited at 10:15am to add a list of magicians David's interviewed over the years:

  • Matthew Disero - episode 3
  • Jay Sankey - episode 5
  • David Merry - episode 27
  • Anthony Lindan - episode 45
  • Gabe Fajuri - episode 48
  • Tom Ogden - episode 102
  • David Ben - episode 145
  • James Alan and Mike Close - episode 79
  • Lawrence Hass - episode 150
  • Viveka Melki - 177 - On the Circus
  • Marcie Hume - filmmaker - about the movie "Magicians" - episode 187
  • Jeff McBride - episode 188
  • Mac King - episode 189

Coming soon:
  • Lawrence Hass (Part 2)
  • Bobby Motta 
  • Jeff and Tessa Evason
  • Matthew Disero (Part 2) 




David's got a long list of interesting guests on his "Face 2 Face" podcasts this year.  Check out his interviewees, then click through to his site and have a listen!  (I'm hoping to get a chance to listen to the Mac King and Jeff McBride interviews soon.)

From David Peck Live:

  • Greg Paul – Episode 193
  • Brian McKenna  – Ep. 192
  • Alex Hinton – Episode 191
  • Jay Whitelaw – Episode 190
  • Mac King – Episode 189
  • Jeff McBride – Episode 188
  • Marcie Hume – Episode 187
  • Michael Coren – Episode 186
  • Mitch Abrams – Episode 185
  • Nicholas Greco – Episode 184
  • Susanne Regina Meures – Episode 183
  • Peter Stockland – Episode 182
  • Christal Earle – Episode 181
  • Alethea Arnaquq – Episode 180
  • Todd & Jedd Wider – Episode 179
  • Anjali Nayar – Episode 178
  • Viveka Melki – Episode 177
  • “Best and Most Beautiful Things” – Ep. 176

Read more and listen to podcasts.



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.

07 June 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 7

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A camper's notebook. Photo by Rosemary Reid
A camper's notebook.

Day 3: Sunday August 16th (cont)*
9pm
Dinner was good but the ice cream pie was AMAZING!

At the theatre they said Chris Mayhew is making a video of camp.  I can’t wait to see that!  Rosemary said she runs the Sorcerers Safari social media accounts and will help promote events that campers are involved with.  Impressive.  I don’t get the sense that people here think they’re better than anyone else -- they all just want to see everyone succeed.  Just like our moms and dads.  But WAY cooler. 

Mike Close played some beautiful piano before the show.  (Is everyone here crazy talented?)  The lip syncs were extra funny tonight. Rosemary (singer) and Chris Westfall (background cheerleader) did “Cheerleader" by Omi, and Jonah (with Jonah supporting) did a duet -- "Love Is An Open Door" from Frozen.  HYSTERICAL!!!!

Found myself a cheerleader!  Still from video by Chris Mayhew.
Found myself a cheerleader!



Jonah backing up Jonah.  Still from video by Chris Mayhew.
Jonah backing up Jonah.




Tonight’s show was called the “World Champion Show” and featured three award winning magicians!  I got to see Greg Frewin, Shawn Farquhar, and Daryl all on the same stage.  I bet that the evening shows alone are worth the price of camp.
Greg Frewin. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Greg Frewin.


Shawn Farquhar. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Shawn Farquhar.


Daryl. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Daryl.



Rocket popsicles for bedtime snack!  (The sugar will help keep me awake for cabin visits!)  Eric came and gave us all mouth coils to try.  (I thought they would never end!!  We’re going to decorate the bunks with them tomorrow.)  Lee Asher showed us some super cool tricks with cards and then he showed us specialty decks we’d never heard of.  They looked really fancy.
Eric sharing secrets. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Eric sharing secrets.
Goodnight.



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.

24 May 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 5

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A camper's notebook. Photo by Rosemary Reid
A camper's notebook.

Day 2: Saturday August 15th (cont)*
5pm
Camp swim is so much fun!  We get to use huge inner tubes to float in the docks at the lake.  Eric Leclerc went out of the designated area in an inner tube, to get a ball that floated away.  It was funny to watch him try and paddle with his hands!  There’s a slide that goes into the lake and a super high platform that you can jump off of too.
Inner tubes are fun! Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Inner tubes are fun!

Squeezing more magic in before the swim. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Squeezing more magic in before the swim.

We had “performance workshop” where some campers performed something and everyone got to tell them what they liked about it and what they thought could be improved.  Some kids got up and did things that we just learned at electives today!  Everyone seems really supportive and encouraging here.  No one was mean about it.  
Then we played the “Umm” game.  It’s where you have to talk as long as you can about an assigned topic (think unicorns, chocolate, soccer, etc) without saying things like “umm” or “ahh.”  It’s hard!  (And fun to watch!)  Now I know that I need to script my performances because I’m not so good at improvising!

Performance workshop. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Performance workshop.



10pm
What a night!  We ate chicken burgers and chocolate mousse!  At the theatre we watched video messages for us from magicians from Las Vegas and other places in the US.  Apparently there’s a camper show later in the week.  I wonder if I have anything good enough to do for the show...

The evening performance was mind blowing.  Mike Close, Eric, Sheldon Casavant, Scott Hammell, Neil Croswell and Ashley Da Silva are all fabulous.  I got to see dove magic live for the first time.  Neil made birds appear out of NOWHERE. 

Mike Close. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Mike Close.


Eric Leclerc.  Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Eric Leclerc.



Neil Croswell and Ashley Da Silva. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Neil Croswell and Ashley Da Silva.

Rosemary Reid, Mark Correia, and Chris Mayhew did lip syncs tonight.  I laughed so hard when Chris “blah, blah, blahed” his way through "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé.
Chris Mayhew channeling Beyoncé. Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Chris Mayhew channeling Beyoncé.


After that we had a beach party -- wait for it -- on the beach!  There was fire floating in the lake (I’d never seen that before).  We had fries and chicken nuggets and fried zucchini for snack.  Phil DaCosta, the DJ, had everyone moving and doing the limbo and forming conga lines.  I liked it when he played the “Cha Cha Slide” and “Uptown Funk.”  I complained when my counsellor said I had to leave early ‘cause I’m so little.  Secretly I’m glad I’m back at the cabin.  I’m pooped.
How low can you go? Photo by James Carey Lauder.
How low can you go?



Beach party! Photo by James Carey Lauder.
Beach party!


More beach party! Photo by James Carey Lauder.
More beach party!

 
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



|< page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -5- 6 - 78 - 9 - 10 - 11 - next >

* 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.

02 April 2016

  • Chris Mayhew creating a “happy birthday” video for a special somebody turning 90 soon!
  • Recently, Michael Francis broke Guinness Records for coin rolling!  He demonstrated for us today.  Impressive!
  • United States Playing Card Company (USPC) is with us today exhibiting their cards.
  • Everyone in this room is invited to attend the 52 Plus Joker Playing Card meet June 12th the Browser’s Den of Magic, for FREE!!
  • Michael Close mini-talk.
  • Lunch time already.  Yum!

Dick Joiner is emcee for the close-up show!  

Bobby Motta,  Michael Lam, Michael Close, Daniel Garcia, and David Williamson to close!

Fabulous!

20 January 2016

Toronto: Browser's Bash announces more names!

Browser's Bash logo  
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:

MICHAEL CLOSE: A student of the conjuring arts for over fifty years, Mike Close is a 
sleight of hand artist, talented musician, author and inveterate joke teller whose stories have brought gales of laughter from audiences around the world.
DICK JOINER: With his infectious hysterical laugh, fun-loving zany manner and high paced interactive comedy magic, Dick Joiner plans to delight and astound us all day long.
BOBBY MOTTA: His ultra-thrilling style and mesmerizing technique grabs hold and doesn't let go, blurring the lines between reality and the paranormal realms.
GORDON PRECIOUS: As a special treat, 91 yr. old Gordon Precious will appear for his first
 time ever at a magic convention with his wonderful handling of the Vanishing Bird cage.
JASON PALTER: Jason Palter, Comic Magician, has absolutely no setting between 'high' and 'off', and when he’s completely unleashed at the Bash you’ll understand exactly what we're talking about. Trust us, you'll see!
GREG FREWIN: Greg Frewin is a FISM winning, theatre owning, 5-shows-a-week performing, all-around amazing magician. Like last year, this true Canadian hero will spend the day with us, then hit the Bash stage to blow our minds with a magical treat.

Additionally...

TOM MULLICA: You've read about him, and seen him on video. Now it's time to meet Tom Mullica. One of America's finest comedy magicians and sleight of hand artists joins us all day long at the Browser's Bash!
DANIEL GARCIA: Daniel Garcia comes with powerful magic with practical methods. Stand 
back & watch this explosion of creativity as he will have you laughing just as hard as you're fooled! Magic has never been so cool!
JAMES HARRISON: As Canada's pickpocket magician, James borrows pens, watches, wallets, 
and even belts from spectators watching. Before you can yell thief, James has returned the valuables to their rightful owners by making them reappear in unexpected places!
BEN TRAIN: Combining humor, psychology, and a little old-fashioned chutzpah, Ben Train creates an experience that will have you laughing out loud while your mind is being blown. Mystery and non-stop laughs follow where ever he goes. Luckily, he's at the Bash all day long!
LOUIE LEBETJIS: For those who love card table artifice, secret sleights, & serious 
advantage play - seek out Big Lou during this Bash. His chops are top-notch, plus he will astound you. Move over Charming Cheat, there's a new kid in town.
CHRIS MAYHEW: Some say Chris Mayhew is disarming, charming, and will make you laugh 
out loud with his uniquely entertaining brand of magic. Others say he's just plain crazy! We will let you be the judge.
JOE DENG: All the way from Changsha, China by way of Beijing, Joe Deng is a master
 of close-up magic. He's revered by every single magician in his 
homeland, and now it's time that you meet and spend time with him.
MICHAEL LAM: Multi-talented and multilingual, the Hong Kong magician brings his 
specially honed sleight of hand across the pond specifically for our day of fun. Known for creating the illusion of impossible, be mesmerized by the artistic magic of Michael Lam.

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.