Canada's Magic

01 June 2016

Thank you to our June 2016 Friends!

Thank you to John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn and Joan Caesar for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.

You too can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year!

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Thank you to our June 2016 sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.

This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic and
Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year!

Donations of any size are always welcome.

31 May 2016

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!

Camp photo! Photo by James Carey Lauder.

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 ...

--
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.

30 May 2016

Greg Frewin's recent television appearances

Watch Greg on CHCH:

Is it all an illusion? @timbolen gets in on the magic @GF_Theatre @MorningLive . Segment: https://t.co/5z5btUwceC pic.twitter.com/0QxEZxcSVw
— CHCH News (@CHCHNews) May 27, 2016

Watch Greg on the Today Show, promoting "Masters of Illusion."

Eric Leclerc in MathXplosion

From the National Screen Institute:

Ottawa-based kids’ content producer GAPC Entertainment is in production on a new web series for TVOKids and TFO. mathXplosion is produced by GAPC’s Hoda Elatawi (NSI Global Marketing).

The 50-episode series has mathemagician Eric Leclerc taking children, six to eight years old, through an adventure in the world of math. Everything from measuring tree height with your thumb to finding treasure with a grid map, these short, kid-friendly episodes are aimed at inspiring both children and their parents to try out fun, accessible math experiments for themselves.

mathXplosion is produced in conjunction with TVO and TFO with financial participation from the CMF, Shaw Rocket Fund and Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

From Eric Leclerc's Facebook Fan page:

29 May 2016

Rounding the Western rings in June 2016

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)	- Daryl lecture. - Junior club meeting. - Annual general meeting.
Edmonton, AB	Edmonton Magic Club	- Daryl lecture.
Winnipeg, MB	The Magic Club of Winnipeg	- Daryl lecture.
Fraser Valley, BC	IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring )	- Daryl lecture. - Third Monday Magic
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Murray lecture. - Children's Magician of the Year. - A Magical Evening.
Vancouver, BC	SAM 95 (Carl Hemeon Assembly)	- TBA.
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Daryl lecture.

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Central rings in June 2016

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- Free form Fridays. - Executives quarterly meeting. - Charter night. - Twitter Tuesday.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- TBA.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Year end dinner.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- TBA.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Year End Party Pot-luck / Banquet.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- TBA
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Year End Banquet with a performance by Wes Zaharuk.

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Eastern rings in June 2016

Does anybody have current information to share about the Magic Circle of St. John?

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Halifax, NS	Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court)	- Visit their Facebook page.
St. John, NB	Magic Circle of St. John	- TBA

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions

28 May 2016

Vote for ReginAcadabra in the #eventofevents competition

Help Regina start an International Magic Festival! Vote for "ReginAcadabra" in the #EventofEvents competition on Twitter.

From the Regina Hotel Association's Twitter feed:

Who should win the #eventofevents competition?
— Regina Hotel Assoc (@StayinRegina) May 26, 2016

Ryan Joyce talks about Fundraising for Fort McMurray

Watch on YouTube, Ryan Joyce talk about Fundraising for Fort McMurray:

London: "An Evening of Mystery, Trickery and Wonder"

From Sawyer Bullock's Facebook page:

27 May 2016

Guelph: Dan McLean Jr and Some Honey

From Brown Paper Tickets:

May 28, 2016

This will be a live concert filming of Dan doing songs from his upcoming album, and Dan will be accompanied by his three backup singers "Some Honey".

Opening the show will be two of Dan's most talented songwriter friends. Jane Lewis of Guelph, and Mandippal of Kitchener-Waterloo, both of whom also will be recorded.

ALL AGES!

Admission includes a full night of music and some snacks. Excellent food & drink will be available for you to order. 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor & Yelp.

Read more and buy tickets.

26 May 2016

Calgary: new show added for Piff the Magic Dragon

Updated as of 6:40am EST:

The new Sunday 7pm show is now sold out. A new Sunday at 9:30pm show has been added. Check The Laugh Shop for the most up to date information.

From The Laugh Shop:

Piff the Magic Dragon: Exclusive Concert Presentation
May 26 - May 28

EXCLUSIVE CONCERT PRESENTATION

THIS IS AN 18+ SHOW – MINORS ARE NOT ADMITTED.

May 26-28 – all shows $29.95

Thursday 7 pm – SOLD OUT!
Friday 7pm & 10pm – SOLD OUT!
Saturday 7pm & 10pm – SOLD OUT!
~~Sunday 7pm~~ – SOLD OUT!
Sunday 9:30 pm – $29.95 9:30 pm SUNDAY SHOW ADDED – PURCHASE TICKETS

Piff the Magic Dragon The stand out star of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, imagine Larry David in a dragon suit performing jaw-dropping magic tricks and you’re on the right track. With over 12 million YouTube hits to his name Piff has performed to hundreds of thousands of people in preposterous venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the O2, London, and Sydney Opera House. His sidekick Mr Piffles, The World’s First Magic Performing Chihuahua has been levitated, laminated, shackled in a straitjacket and shot out of a cannon all in the name of entertainment. Just one thing: They don’t do Children’s Parties.

Read more and buy tickets.

25 May 2016

Toronto: Keith Brown at momondays

From the momondays Toronto Facebook page:

STACKING THE ODDS: Keith shares his story about how at 15 years old, in a train in the Czech Republic, he entered into a friendly wager that led him to the Stanley Cup. He shares how he stacked the odds in his favour by doing the work beforehand has led him to places he never dreamed. Keith's words of advice on how he leads himself… don't judge a book by its cover because it could be an opportunity in disguise. Keith is a world-class speaker and entertainer. He was performing at Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Party before he could even drive a car! He toured his show across North America this summer to rave reviews, including 5 stars from the CBC! Keith has shared his magic with audiences in over 16 countries and counting. In 2013, he was awarded Toronto's Best Magician... and he's not even from Toronto!

Get the magic of Keith Brown at momondays Toronto on May 30!

Read more and buy tickets.

24 May 2016

Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 5

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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!

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.

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.

Eric Leclerc.

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.

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?

Beach party!

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

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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.

23 May 2016

Brantford: Fundraising for Fort McMurray

On the heels of New Westminster's "Magic for Fort Mac" event (raising approximately $8,150 for the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal) and "Family Fun for Fort Mac" in Calgary, comes "Magicians vs Fort McMurray Wildfires" in Brantford, ON.

The talent listed at the Benefit Show site include:

Keith Brown
Craig Douglas
Ryan Joyce
Peter Mennie
Ryan Edwards
Doug Hunt
David Merry
Graeme Reed

22 May 2016

Vancouver: Murray SawChuck lecture

From the Canadian Association of Magician's Facebook page:

Want to learn how to be remembered? Want to learn how to get rebooked? Want to learn how to create revenue through your magic? Want to learn how to use your magic to get in the newspaper or on television?

Then you need to sign up for the Vancouver Magic Circle's next lecture! Las Vegas headliner Murray SawChuck will be presenting his all new lecture at Douglas College on Friday June 3rd at 7pm (Room 2203).

Price for this lecture is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. As a special bonus, for only $35, you can go to Murray's lecture and the Daryl lecture sponsored by the FVMC on Friday June 10th. Two great lectures at an amazing price! Thanks to the FVMC for organizing that special rate with us!

Event details and Paypal button will be up on the VMC website shortly. Look forward to seeing everyone on June 3rd for an evening of great magic.

Jeff Christensen
Lecture Chair
Vancouver Magic Circle

21 May 2016

Magic Camp TV

Have you ever wondered what Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp was really like? Are you more of a video person than the sort that would read "Diary of a Sorcerers Safari Newbie" or "The Secret to Sorcerers Safari's Success"? Well you're in luck!

Have a look at the Sorcerers Safari 2015 video put together by Chris Mayhew:

Sorcerers Safari 2016 special guest

From Sorcerers Safari:

Toronto, Ontario. – May 19th, 2016 EST – Campers and fans of Sorcerers Summer Safari Magic Camp have been posting ideas on who this year’s special guest will be for months. Perhaps someone extra special in celebration of 20 years in operation?

Finally, the wait is over. For the first time ever the special guest this year will be famed female magician, Suzanne!

Recently famous for fooling Penn & Teller and winning the Close-Up Magician of The Year award from the Magic Castle, Suzanne’s magic is internationally acclaimed. She has released several best selling DVDs and appeared on the cover of Genii Magazine.

“She simply loves magic and will be a perfect fit for camp and the kids. What a wonderful role model for the young girls, too,” exclaimed Jennifer Segal, co-owner of the magic performance art camp. Segal continued, “There really is no better way to spend quality time immersed in the art of magic than with one of your heroes. Who doesn’t love Suzanne? She’s awesome!”

Sorcerers Safari Summer Magic Camp chooses only the best of the best to come up as their special guest, and it is always a hot debate at the annual executive staff meetings. After unanimously agreeing Suzanne was a perfect fit, the team asked her and she gladly accepted.

“Suzanne is going to have a great time up at camp, and so are all the campers and staff. She is a celebrated performer with tons of magic to share, recognized and respected by everyone in the world of magic, and she’s a genuine trailblazer,” said Sorcerers Safari sixteen year camp veteran and professional magician, Rosemary Reid.

Reid adds, “I have not had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne yet, but have anticipated a female special guest for about… sixteen years, when I first attended Sorcerers Safari as a girl. We welcome her to our camp family with open arms. Hopefully her attendance will encourage more young women to come to camp too!”

Sorcerers Safari continues to grow exponentially every year with a high rate of return campers and staff. With luck, Suzanne will love camp so much she will be counting down the days until 2017 along with everyone else!

Are you ages 8-20 or know someone who is and would benefit from a week at Sorcerers Safari? Learn more about attending Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp with Suzanne this year.