Sorcerers Safari 2016: Dear Mike and Jen

When I wasn't co-counselling at Sorcerers Safari last summer, I was asking a lot people a lot of questions.  One of the questions was, "What would you like to share with Magic Mike and Jen?"

Here are some of the answers I heard last August (in no particular order):

"I can't begin to imagine how much work goes into creating something like Sorcerers Safari.  I hope it goes on forever and that I can be a part of it."  -- Wes Barker (Guest: 2016.)

"Keep up the good work and thanks for the awesome experience!" -- Emil D. (Camper: 2016.)

"I had a really fun time.  Thanks for asking me to come and help the kids.  It helped me to be a better teacher." -- Suzanne (Special guest: 2016.)

"Sorcerers Safari is the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life.  It's changed my life.  The work put into making magic camp happen is magic itself!" -- Christian M. (Camper: 2016.)

"Keep it up!  Don't stop 'til you drop!  (and don't drop!)" -- Vincent C. (Camper: 2014-2016.)

"Keep up the good work, everyone here loves it!  I'm happy to call Sorcerers Safari my second home." -- Curtis M. (Camper: 2013-2015; CIT: 2016.)

"What you're doing is an extraordinary and wonderful thing.  I hope you can continue!" -- Ben A. (Camper: 2015-2016.)

"The world would be pretty bland without people like you.  It takes great courage to strikeout and start something like this. Thank you!"  -- Daniel W. (Camper: 2011-2016.)

"Thank you for having camp.  It's really fun and I hope it can keep going forever." -- Angelique S. (Camper: 2013-2016.)

"Camp is a favourite part of my summer.  I'm excited every year to attend!" -- Lucinda M. (Camper: 2008-2014; CIT: 2015-2016.)

"Thank you for all you do, especially for dedicating your time.  You are great people!" -- Stephanie T. (Camper: 2015-2016.)



It's worth mentioning that in 2016, the girls had a 100% return rate of campers from 2015 (and some new faces and old friends too!).

"Keep doing this!" -- Hadar S. (Camper: 2016.)

"Thanks for 20 years of Sorcerers Safari, even if I've only been here for two of them  They've been the best parts of my summers!  Please don't stop, keep magic camp going.  I can't wait for more magic!" -- Trek B. (Camper: 2015-2016.)

"Thank you so much! You're awesome and amazing!"  -- Ryan G. (Camper: 2015-2016.)

"You're doing an awesome job!  Keep on doing it!" -- Shade K. (Camper: 2016.)

"Thank you so much for being you!  Never stop!" -- Tyler Williams (Camper: 2008-2011; CIT: 2012-2013; Staff: 2014-2016.)

"Thank you for everything you do for Sorcerers Safari and for inspiring so many young magicians to keep doing what they love." -- Jeff P. (CIT: 2015, Camper: 2016.)

"Thank you for changing my life for the better and helping me find true joy in magic.  My love of teaching was inspired from here.  Thanks for letting me come!" -- Aaron Fisher (Special Guest: 2003; Instructor: 2004-2016.)

Thank you Jen and Mike for your vision, your courage, your tenacity, and above all your passion for this project! We are better people because of it.

Goodbye to Sorcerers Safari -- the end of an era in Haliburton

From the Sorcerers Safari Facebook page:

"All great things must come to an end!"

To all campers, friends & family of Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp:

After 20 amazing years of Magic Camp, it is with heavy hearts we announce that our amazing ride has come to an end.

From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank all our staff, artists, sponsors and special guests who made camp such a success. Please be proud of your contributions - together we fulfilled the dreams of many young magicians worldwide!

A warm thank you to Camp Tamarack, Camp White Pine and Camp Northland for being our gracious hosts over the years.

Furthermore, a huge thank you to all the parents who gave us a chance and chose to send their children to Magic Camp. We are grateful every day for the positive impact Sorcerers Safari continues to have on the lives of so many.

Read more and leave a comment for Mike and Jen.

Rock View County: Ryan Pilling

From Eventbrite:

Sat, 4 February 2017

Be amazed and entertained by comedic magician, Ryan Pilling! Join us for an evening of fun in the Homestretch Room! Make sure to check out the Mid City Grill before the show for mouthwatering choices that will leave your bellies happy!

Read more and buy tickets.

The Mahdi Gilbert Scholarship

From Mahdi Gilbert:

Mahdi Gilbert knows firsthand the value of learning magic. His new sponsorship program will help students of magic progress with their education. Sponsored by Mahdi Gilbert & Before Magic.

Read more and apply.

From Mahdi's Twitter feed:

https://t.co/EbyoJ63kHk pic.twitter.com/fdV9TAFcMd

— Mahdi Gilbert (@mahdigilbert) January 9, 2017

Vote now for the 2016 Readers' Choice award

Updated to add: 

• Voting has closed.  Results will be posted later this week.
• The Evasons have requested that they be withdrawn from consideration for this voting process.  We are unable to remove their names from the ballot at this time and ask that you respect the Evasons' wishes and not vote for them.

The nominations are closed and voting is now open for the 2016 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!  Voting will close on Sunday, January the 22nd at 11:59pm EST.

To vote, scroll down to the bottom of this post and participate in the poll.  (Unfortunately, the poll does not appear in the mobile version of the site.)

Let's have a look at the nominees (in no particular order):

Matt DiSero

Matt's nominator stated that Matt is "a very sassy act."  In addition, in 2016 Matt also appeared on season 3 of Penn and Teller's "Fool Us."

Website: MattDiSero.com

The Evasons

The Evasons have requested that they be withdrawn from consideration for this voting process.  We are unable to remove their names from the ballot at this time and ask that you respect the Evasons' wishes and not vote for them.

Mahdi Gilbert

Mahdi's nominator submitted the following: "He has inspired so many of us through his amazing sleight of hands without having any hands. The way he transformed his own life through magic is a role model for everyone who's searching for meaning, hope and inspiration."  Mahdi also appeared on season 3 of Penn and Teller's "Fool Us."

Website: MahdiGilbert.com

 

Murray and Teresa Hatfield

The Hatfields were nominated for "starring in and (even more importantly) producing the extraordinary magic and illusions-filled phantasmagoria 'Unbelievable' at this summer's PNE in Vancouver. It was, without a doubt, the most inspirational, most wonderful, most entertaining stadium-scale magical event I have ever witnessed."


Website: MurrayHatfieldMagic.com

Steven Lafond

Steven's nominators submitted the following, "Steven Lafond, producer and host of 'Magic Mondays' in Ottawa for his continued support of the magic community. Hosting over 30 different magicians from all over Canada in 2016 alone.  (Additional supporting comment: He has done a whole year's worth of monthly magic showcases featuring locals and big names alike. Chris Pilworth, Bill Abbott, Mysterion, Zach & Steve, Jonathan Gold, Eric Leclerc...all opened by local professional and up-and-coming magicians. A real community supporter.)

Website: MagicStudioProductions

Toronto: Roy Kueppers and Luiz Castro

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

ROY KUEPPERS DAY with Luiz Castro
Date & Time: Sunday, January 29 from 12noon until 5pm at Browser's Den

Cost to Attend: FREE

Mr. Kueppers a true craftsman of Canadian, U.S. and European trick coins will be at Browser's Den for the whole day.

So many of you have purchased from us his Canadian Coin in Bottles, Coin Bites, Toonie/Loonies, Canadian Shells, and so many more including his specialty Coin Boxes.

Well this is your chance to meet the man behind 'the work'. Also, Mr. Kueppers will be bringing specialty coin gaffs that Browser's Den does not regularly stock.

And at 3pm as an added FREE BONUS to you...Our own Luiz Castro, construction worker by day and magician by night will be teaching some of his pet routines, ideas and tips with Roy's trick coins. Many of Luiz ideas are mind-boggling and inspirational.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE...RAFFLE...Anyone who makes a purchase of a Roy Kuepper's product will be entered into a raffle to win one of two big prizes. One prize is 'Expert Coin Magic David Roth' book; the second prize is a Roy Kueppers Mojo Boogie Boxes Set.

The Draw for prizes will be at 4:30pm.

We hope that you will join us.

Read more.

Shawn Farquhar in The Magic Compass' top 20

A friendly reminder that this is the last day to nominate a Canadian magicians for the 2016 "Readers' Choice Inspirational Canadian Magician of the Year" award!

From The Magic Compass:

Before we look ahead to a new year we thought we would once again look back at the 20 top magic news stories, posts and viral videos of 2016. This list was compiled from the most popular posts from magic related Facebook pages, YouTube sites, Twitter, Reddit, The Magic Compass and other social media. Some of the things that made this list surprised us. Other stories that we liked a lot didn’t gain any traction at all.

Read more. 

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page: