Thirty seconds with Michael Close

This is the ninth in a series of "Thirty seconds with ..." interviews, so called because I approached the interviewees at Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp last summer with the idea that I would interview them for 30 seconds. It didn't always work that way.

I remember sitting at a picnic table outside the Mess Hall.  Michael was chatting with a group of campers and showing them some fabulous effects.  He then kindly agreed to let me interview him.  At the conclusion of the interview he said, "I've given you my time for your interview.  In return, you need to give me some of your time so I can show you something."  (A price I was only too happy to pay!)  Michael illustrated for me the interconnectedness of all things as not one, but two decks of cards mysteriously divined a card I'd previously selected.  Our time ended with a delightful discussion of probability and statistics. 

Professional magician Michael Close was born in Cleveland, raised in Indiana, lived and worked in Las Vegas for twelve years, and now lives in Toronto.  Michael first learned about Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp from his wife, Lisa.  He enjoys the location of the camp, the relaxing environment and especially that the instructors are always available to interact with the kids.  He likes how the camp setting breaks down barriers and gives kids access to the pros.  Teaching at Sorcerers Safari gives instructors a chance to offer to the young magicians, viewpoints grounded in classic principles.

FUN FACT:
Michael prefers "The Lord of the Rings" to "Harry Potter" and the original "Star Wars" movies (IV-VI) to "Star Trek."

DID YOU KNOW?
Michael is currently the editor of M-U-M, the magazine of The Society of American Magicians.

His first memory of magic is as a five year old.  He still remembers every trick Dick Stoner performed at his school in Fort Wayne Indiana.  Michael is concerned that the approaches and principles of magic are being forgotten because the kids today aren't being exposed to them.  He hopes the young magicians of today will learn to value secrets, respect history, and to value the experiences of those who came before them.  His advice for aspiring magicians:  "1) Don't forget that magic performance requires engaging people, it's not just performing for a camera. 2) Be well rounded and interesting to people outside of magic. 3) Learn to be engaging without doing a trick. 4) Read."

What is Michael's favourite non-magic activity?  Being an awesome dad, of course!

Visit Michael's website at MichaelClose.com .


From Sorcerers Safari's Facebook page:

Post by Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.

Previously published "Thirty seconds with ..." interviews:

Dan Wiebe | Eric Leclerc | Lisa Close | Alex Seaman | Ben Train
 Lorena and Trevor Watters | Mark Correia | Carey Lauder

From the Sorcerers Safari Twitter feed: 

Guarantee your spot at #MagicCamp Aug.15-19 2015. Tell your parents registration is on your wish list - it's now open at sorcererssafari.ca
— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) December 22, 2014

Luc Langevin on CBC radio

Listen to La magie qui enchante avec Luc Langevin at http://ici.radio-canada.ca

Leonora Husveti-Frenette in the Bradford Times

From the Bradford Times:

Leonora Husveti-Frenette comes from a family of artists. 

Her mother was a noted tapestry artist; her father is Dr. Alex Husveti – not only a surgeon and general practitioner, but an internationally-acclaimed artist, and founder of the Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada association. 

But she never thought of herself in terms of the visual arts. She was involved in dance, poetry, assisted her husband in his magic illusions, designed her own home - “and then boom – the visual, it suddenly grabbed me.” 

A few years ago, Leonora Husveti-Frenette suddenly found herself drawn to collage, as a result of an emotional time her life. She discovered, “I’m able to express emotion through this medium!”, and immediately began to create collages that were unique, and transformative. 

Read more.

Dave Attwood interviews The Great Zucchini

From Dave Attwood's Twitter feed:

This week's episode of TDAS featuring The Great Zucchini is now available at http://t.co/qJf08oO8dq or through iTunes pic.twitter.com/gmLLdidBau
— Dave Attwood Show (@DaveAttwoodShow) February 28, 2015

Steve Harmer in the Innisfail Province

From the Innisfail Province:

Now you see them, now you don’t. Like magic, the bullies will all go away.

It’s no hocus-pocus. It’s the Steve Harmer way. And the magician, a former Calgary Board of Education school teacher, counsellor and principal, has been having fun teaching wholesome messages to children for more than 30 years.

On March 5, Harmer, who operates under the company name of Motivational Magic, gave a 55-minute performance to students, from kindergarten through Grade 5, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School.
It was Day 4 of the school’s first-ever Safe and Caring Week and the magician, who has performed at more than 3,000 schools throughout Western Canada, presented The Friendship Factor.

“Friendship is the antidote to bullying. If we can teach kids to be a friend the bullies will disappear,” said Harmer. “I give the kids seven strategies to make and teach friends. The more strategies we can give them the more successful they are going to be and they are going to be happier.

Read more.

Joe Culpepper in Montreal and Toronto

Joe Culpepper will be:

• At McGill giving a Visiting Scholar Lecture, Friday, March 13 at 2PM, Redpath Museum (auditorium) at McGill, 859 Sherbrooke West
• In Toronto on  Sunday, March 22nd giving a workshop with fellow Ars Mechanica members called "Adapting Magic Effects for Contemporary Performance."

Paul Pacific and Bobby Motta at "Magic Tonight"

Confirm details by visiting Abracadabaret.com

Mississauga (Thurs):  Paul Pacific

Pickering (Fri):  [dark]

Toronto (Sun):   Bobby Motta


James Alan, over at Abracadaberet, has kindly offered the readers of Canada's Magic a coupon code for 50% off tickets to "Magic Tonight!"  Use the coupon code cmagic when you buy your tickets for Magic Tonight to receive your discount*.




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