Diary of a Sorcerers Safari newbie - part 1

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.


Thursday August 13, 2015

Tomorrow I go to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp for the first time! 

I'm nervous.  Mom said, “Alex, it's normal for a ten year old to be anxious about their first time at sleepaway camp.”  That makes me feel a bit better.  I hope I won't get too homesick.  I wish I knew someone else who was going.

I'm worried that I don't know enough magic.  I know how to do the "cups and balls."   But I don't know any card or coin tricks.  I hope no one laughs when I try to shuffle cards. It usually ends in a big mess.

It's getting late.  I should try to sleep.  I feel excited and scared both at the same time. (How weird is that?)

Day 1: Friday August 14, 2015

I'm here! This place is awesome!

We got up early and Mom drove me to camp.  During the drive I kinda wished Dad was driving. Mom drives so slow I thought for sure we'd get here late. Turns out my worry was for nothing.  We got here early and even beat the bus!  Way to go Mom!

Camp is huge!!!!  The staff were waiting for us on a big field when we got here.  Other campers were waiting too.

A bus full of campers just arrived. Kids are laughing and cheering and hugging people as they get off the bus.  People are asking if Eric Leclerc is going to be here this year.  He must be awesome if everyone’s talking about him.

Campers gathered on the field.

They’re asking us to take our things to the cabins so I’m going to give Mom a hug goodbye and hope she doesn’t see that I’m sad and a little bit scared to see her go.  If she starts crying I’ll be a mess.  Don’t know when I’ll get a chance to write again.

A camper's notebook.

To be continued ... 


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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 Department of Canadian Heritage Questionnaire

From the Globe and Mail:

Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly says the main goals of her office’s review of Canadian content rules and regulations, announced Sat., April 22, 2016, are to foster creation of Canadian content and increase the international audience for Canadian creators.

Read more.

From Clive Court's Facebook page:

Attention All Canadian Entertainers! Our new government is asking for YOUR views on how they can change the system to develop more Canadian content they can sell around the world to strengthen our currently weak entertainment infrastructure. This is REAL and they do pay attention to what you say. If you don't respond---they spend more time listening to the lobbyists (who do not always have your interests at heart!). DO NOT IGNORE THIS OPPORTUNITY. (PS> No BS...just give them the real facts and examples about how you make a living in Canada. So they can put the right questions to TV network bosses, and industry lobbyists).

From The Department of Canadian Heritage:

In summer 2016, the Minister of Canadian Heritage will lead public, stakeholder and online consultations on Strengthening Canadian Content Creation, Discovery and Export in a Digital World. We invite you, as Canadians and stakeholders, to help us establish the scope of these consultations by answering the questions below. Your answers will be used to better define the themes and questions that will be used to guide the consultations.
 
The questionnaire will be available until May 20, 2016.
 
The questionnaire will take 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your answers.
 
Participation in this questionnaire is voluntary, the anonymity of respondents will be respected and all responses will be kept strictly confidential. Questions are asked for information gathering purposes only and will not be used to identify respondents. To this end, please avoid directly identifying yourself or your organization in any typed answers. All information collected will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Read more and complete survey.

Houdini and Doyle: World of Wonders

You may already know that "Houdini and Doyle: World of Wonders" launched earlier this month.  But were you aware of the Canadian connections?

• Joe Culpepper was a magic consultant for the series.
• Lawrence Larouche demonstrates a water tank escape.
• Nicholas Wallace holds a seance.
• Lucas Wilson demonstrates a suspended straitjacket escape.
• Scott Hammell demonstrates needles and mesmer.
• Other episodes include Nathan Kranzo, Banachek, and James Reese.

According to Joe, "The goal of the web series was to share some magic history and practical demonstrations inspired by the real-life relationship of Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle."

How well do you think they did?

Montreal: Loran at "lune de sang"

The event is on April 29th.

From Loran's Facebook page:
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Greg Frewin in the Norfolk News

From the Norfolk News:

The international grand champion of magic plans to wow Norfolk County with non-stop family friendly illusions. 

Hamilton-born Greg Frewin is bringing his award-winning act to Simcoe Composite School on Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m. with the Imagine Tour: The Ultimate Magic Experience.

“I will say we will leave people amazed,” Frewin said. “The thing I try to do is entertain people and just have fun. It’s a great show, very upbeat and fun for the whole family. There are no barriers – come out, one and all.”

The show will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of Canada’s continued work toward their vision of a breast cancer-free Canada.

Read more.

The mysterious billboard

The Festival de magie de Québec starts today.  I really enjoy their creative, dynamic, and often interactive advertising campaigns.  In 2011 it was this magical billboard. In 2012, it was "la disparition."  In 2013, "pouvoirs magiques."   For 2014, "le balai magique."  This one, "le magicien" (in English: The Magician) was released in August of 2015.

From the  Festival de magie de Québec's YouTube channel, here's the 2016 video (or watch "The Mysterious Billboard" in English):

IncrediBrent and Super Sarah in the Timmins Press

From the Timmins Press:

TIMMINS - IncrediBrent and Super Sarah took to the stage at Timmins Centennial Public School on Friday to wow the elementary school children with magic, comedy and lessons about bullying.

Known off-stage as Sarah and Brent Nicholls, the married comedic duo tours the country doing anti-bullying magic and comedy show for kids.

They did two presentations at Timmins Centennial on April Fool’s Day and it was obvious from the cheering and enthusiastic crowd that all the kids in attendance had a great day.

Jayden Tessier, a nine-year-old at the school, said he learned a lot about bullying and how to deal with it should it happen to himself or one of his friends at school.

“They taught us find your magic, believe in yourself, you aren’t alone and anything is possible,” the young student recalled of the lessons taught by the magicians.

Read more.