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21 May 2016

Sorcerers Safari 2016 special guest

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.

23 February 2015

Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp Documentary 2014

If you've read my post "The secret to Sorcerers Safari's success," you'll know that Magic Mike Segal's magic camp is pretty awesome. Words, however, cannot adequately describe the experience. Check out Chris Mayhew's fabulous documentary filmed at camp last summer. (If you look very carefully and don't blink, you'll even see me in the video!)

For those of you who want to go to camp, but are worried about being able to cover your costs, I encourage you to seek out the organizations and individuals who offer scholarships to Sorcerers Safari.

From Sorcerers Safari:

See what Sorcerers Safari Magic & Performance Camp is all about - from our campers perspective.

2014 Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp ‘KIDS CUT’ Documentary from the Sorcerers Safari YouTube channel:

After watching this documentary you’ll see what makes magic camp so special and why campers keep coming back year after year. While the grounds are amazing, the teaching is top quality and the nightly shows are stellar, magic camp is much more than the sum of its parts - this documentary helps explain why.

Sorcerers Safari Magic & Performance Camp runs at Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada for one awesome week every summer. For more information, or to join us this August 15th - 19th, 2015, visit http://sorcererssafari.ca/about/register-for-magic-camp-2015/

30 June 2016

07 June 2016

20 things you need to know about Sorcerers Safari

Also in the 26th edition of VANISH magazine, starting at page 104, is "Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp: A Canadian institute."

To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, have a look at "20 things you need to know about Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp." Paul Romhany did created an eye-popping with fabulous photos taken by James Carey Lauder.

Does anyone have anymore information to add about the origins of "Farquhar Lake" mentioned in item 6?

My favourites are:

1. Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp is hosted at an actual outdoor camp in Haliburton, Ontario. With an actual lake. Be sure to pack your swimsuit. And lots of sunscreen.

and

20. There is no one single thing that makes Sorcerers Safari successful. As Magic Mike Segal often says, "it is more than the sum of its parts." And he's right. He's created, seemingly by alchemy, a unique opportunity for young magic enthusiasts to learn from and network with, professionals who are open and approachable. When asked how he came by this elusive recipe, a modest Segal said, "I'm totally amazed. This is the best trick I have ever pulled off in my life."

What would you add to this list?

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Erratum: #5 In 1997-2000 Sorcerers Safari was hosted at Camp Tamarack. From 2001 to 2015 it was at Camp White Pine.

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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 Sorcerers Safari

02 September 2011

RBO: Sorcerers Safari magic camp

[Last edited Sept 4 to include Lecleric Show episode for Sept 4, The Magic Broadcast for Sept 3.]

Random bullets of my 24 hours at Sorcerers Safari magic camp:

fabulous location, beautiful scenery
newbies (campers and guests alike) are quickly brought into the fold and made to feel at home
the magic camp instructors and counsellors and organizers are all genuinely nice, helpful and down to earth
an environment is created that is super kid and family friendly
the campers are a bunch of great kids
magic, magic, magic, magic, magic, magic, magic
caught a fabulous stage show with Magic Mike, Eric Jones, Greg Frewin, Craig Douglas, closed by Trevor and Lorena
Greg Frewin had me select a card and then he pulled it out of Wayne Houchin's mouth! Cool!
(And a little bit ewwww.)
special thanks to the girls' cabin and cabins 2 and 3 for letting me interrogate them during their meals
the food is yummy
Dick Joiner, Eric Leclerc, Jeff Hinchliffe, Steven Kline, Lee Asher, Janice Biehn, Marc Chalmers, Mike D’Urzo, Lori Farquhar, Shawn Farquhar, Fran Houchin, Chad Juros, Carey Lauder, Chris Pilsworth, Ben Train, Dan Wiebe, David Mitchell, Carey Lauder, Stephanie Botamer, Christina Galonska and especially Jennifer Segal (apologies in advance if I've omitted you!)
did I mention the magic?
Jennifer and Mike are wonderful hosts
I wish I didn't have to leave
I hope I will have an opportunity to return to Sorcerers Safari

Want to get your own taste of Sorcerers Safari but can't wait until next year? Have a listen at TheMagicBroadcast.com:

Aug 20: We chat with Lee Asher about Sorcerer’s Safari
Aug 31: Live broadcast from Sorcerers Safari
Sept 1: Live from Sorcerers Safari with Asher and Houchin
Sept 2: Lee Asher live from camp, Day Three!
Sept 3: Day Four from Sorcerers Safari with Lee Asher

Or you could also watch Lecleric Show episodes filmed on location:

Aug 31: Cabin # 2 Magic! - Day 243 of 365
Sept 1: Bubble Rehab - Day 244 of 365
Sept 2: Eric Jones' Silver Coins - Day 245 of 365
Sept 3: Burning the @#$% out of your hand
Sept 4: Lee Asher's ''Continental Divide''

17 March 2015

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:

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

13 January 2017

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.

09 June 2016

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari

Almost 20 years ago, armed only with the idea of making magic more accessible to kids who want to learn magic, "Magic Mike" Segal opened the doors to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. Sorcerers Safari is Canada's only sleepaway magic camp, hosting up to 150 campers a year.

Words fail to adequately describe the phenomenon that is Sorcerers Safari. Everyone comes away from camp with their own unique experience. To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, here’s a list of:

20 magical memories from Sorcerers Safari (in no particular order):

My favourite camp memory would have to be when I first went to Sorcerers Safari. I saw all of my idols in magic and there were so many magicians that I had watched on TV and on YouTube. It was brilliant to see them perform and not only to see them perform but just to have a normal magic or even non magic conversation with them was amazing to me. It was literally like a dream come true!

Brad B.
Camper: 2014-2015
The first year I ever attended I recall walking down a wooded path and seeing Michael Ammar talking to a group of campers who were seated under the shade of a huge tree. Michael was talking about choosing magic as a career and I could see the look in all the campers eyes as I eavesdropped. I knew in that very moment I would return to camp as often as I could as I felt something I’d never felt before. Not sure how to describe it, but it was just so special.

Shawn Farquhar (magichampion.com)
Instructor: 2008-2013, 2015
A favourite memory was making a card flourish duel that appeared in the 2013 camp video.

Eric S.
Camper: 2007-2014
I was overwhelmed by the quality of instruction and the dedication of Mike, Jen and the entire board and staff. It was without doubt one the finest experiences I've had in my almost 40 years in the Magic business.

Phil Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
Guest: 2014
I would have to say that my favourite memory at camp would have to be after Brett C. and I performed the “cube in cube out” stage illusion. It was a huge relief that the whole thing went successfully and it was also the first routine that Brett and I created together.

Holden L.
Camper: 2008-2015

Many of my favourite memories at Sorcerers Safari come from the late night jam sessions in the campers' cabins. You never know what newest tricks or guest magicians you'll find.

For example, a few years back, I witnessed Tyler Wilson sharing the longest and most entertaining card revelation I've seen. Over the course of about 45 minutes, the cabin filled with campers as they watched him attempt to find the card. Pure suspense. Needless to say, he had no idea what the card was, and was playing us the entire time.

The jam sessions offer a great opportunity to see the campers' talent and creativity. In 2015, Philip B. and I posed an Ambitious Card challenge to the cabin. They split into 2 teams to work together to create an Ambitious Card routine from scratch. This impromptu competition went on for close to 2 hours and was a blast to watch!

Sheldon Casavant (SheldonCasavant.com)
Camper: 2003, Counsellor: 2004 and 2007, Instructor: 2015
Trying to find only one Sorcerers Safari good memory is impossible because there are so many! So let’s say that one of them is when Anders Bjorkman, Johnny Toronto, and I did a “fire trio act” together on the beach during the party night. I believe it happened in 2010. We literally had a blast!!!

Loran, (LoranIllusion.com)
Instructor: 2000 - 2015

a) The first time (repeated over the years) that all the campers hit the stage on the final night to present their interpretation of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ... (always a fun moment).
b) Seeing the "shy and timid" take the stage for the first time in front of their peers and proudly present an effect they have learned at camp.
c) The meal times with the table banging under the direction of Lee Asher.
d) Seeing a camper on TELEVISION presenting magic... and only a few years earlier not being able to communicate...
e) Year after year - the reunions. Campers emailing each other to make sure they would be in the same dorm.
f) The chant of "we love Dick, we love Dick."

Dick Joiner, (DickJoiner.com)
Instructor: ~2001-2015
Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp was the first time I ever went to camp. I'm in my seventies and it was fun and exciting. I loved the enthusiasm of the kids and their teachers, who were the best. We met old friends and made new ones. Keep up the good work and thank you Mike for inviting us.

Evelyn Matlin (PerfectMagic.com)
Guest: 2014
I have so many wonderful memories of camp that it's near impossible to choose just one. But a camp classic that we continually reminisce about all the time happened on my first year when Rob 'Fish The Magish' Fishbaum secretly hid in the woods during the middle of the night, waited until I walked by, then jumped out making a loud squealing pig noise. I shrieked like a little girl, jumped into Steve Kline's arms completely terrified, and almost crapped my pants.

It was an amazing moment. It's also when I knew these people would be part of my family for the rest of our lives. The best part, scaring the newbie staff has since become a long-standing camp tradition.

Lee Asher (LeeAsher.com)
Special Guest: 2001, Instructor: 2002-2015
Lip Sync Battles

Jeff P.
Counsellor in Training: 2015
When the whole camp did a one camera take lip dub! That was so exciting and EVERYONE had a part and nailed it! The video was a hit and definitely one to be remembered.

Watch the 2011 Sorcerers Safari Lip Dub on YouTube:

Lorena Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
Instructor: 2010-2014

a) I remember one night at the nightly stage shows in the Pinetages theatre: the air was hot and thick… the performers were breaking a sweat after literally 30 seconds on stage. And out of the blue we see Lee Asher come out and perform a trick (and a dance!) in a massive eggplant costume! It was epic.

b) One year we decided to do a lip dub. It was amazing to see everyone come together and participate with such passion and precision. Check out the video it took us about a half-day to film. It was truly awesome.

Eric Leclerc (EricLeclerc.com)
Instructor: 2008-2015
My favourite memory from camp was probably performing for Michael and Lisa Close's daughter on stage. I was able to use her last name to do a hilarious bit for the entire camp while poking fun of their last name.

Chris Westfall (ChrisWestfallMagic.com)
Instructor
One of my favourite memories would be Eric Leclerc and a few of us attempting to scare RJ late at night with a bunch of scary halloween masks and then RJ wouldn't wake up. I have the video footage of it, but it is one of those bits that never made it into the annual Sorcerers Video, but was very funny to observe at the time.

Chris Mayhew (ChrisMayhewMagic.com)
Videographer: 2013-2015
a) Performing on the camp stage. The first time I worked a stage, wore a mic, stood in front of the lights, and performed for a "big" crowd all came at camp. I'll never forget the love and support people showed me, and it's probably a major reason why I'm still getting up there today!

b) Watching my campers grow up. I still maintain relationships with campers I had a decade ago. Some have become better performers than I would have ever imagined. Some are even better than I am... which is both awesome and infuriating! One that stands out to me is Nathaniel Rankin. I watched him grow from a cute, but shy, juggler to a world class magician performing on cruise ships around the world. I don't take credit for his success -- that was all him -- but I'm glad to have been a stepping stone on his path to finding something that makes him so happy.

Ben Train, (BenTrain.ca)
Counsellor in Training: 2000-2001, Staff: 2002-2015

This memory is from 2006. For the end of the week camper show, Sami S. and I decided to dress up like veteran campers and counsellors, Kelvin and Dustin. Every year, this eccentric duo would perform the “one-handed card trick” in which they are Siamese twins, joined at the hip where each only has the ability to use only one hand. 2006 marked one of the first years Kelvin was not at camp (but Dustin was) so we did not get to see their jubilant routine. Instead, Sami and I dressed up like the duo and impersonated them and the one-handed card trick. It was really goofy, not many people understood what we were doing. But I distinctly remember Scott Hammell and Magic Mike in the audience laughing uncontrollably.

This memory isn’t about the moment itself, but about the inside joke shared with the other veteran campers and staff that makes it stand out so strongly in my mind. The inside jokes are what I remember now; nonsense jokes told around the campfire (knock-knock jokes will always be the funniest for me because of camp), and ridiculous one-liners. There are moments with sugar shots, fruit stickers on our foreheads, crocket, fridge box racing, pushing Steve Kline in the lake and so many defining “coming of age” moments that bring me back to camp. There are too many small memories to put one as the best, but the inside jokes between fellow campers and life-long friends are something I hold onto very dearly.

Lauren Proctor
Camper: 1999-2008
My favorite memory is when Magic Mike told us that the visiting volleyball camp found an (invisible) deck, and not knowing what it was straightened all of the cards for us. I retell that story to magicians all the time.

Jonah Babins (JonahBabinsMagic.com)
Camper, Counsellor in Training, and Instructor

Playing capture the flag with the kids during active time, then one of them realizing that I was the entertainer he watched on stage the night before! He was so excited, then I noticed a few more kids running around with me to beat the game!

Trevor Watters (TrevorWatters.com)
Instructor: 2010-2014
I have so very many memories of camp, having been the guy who started it, and having attended every year, that it is hard to pick just one. There really are so many in the 20 years… but one stands out, and is particularly appropriate for this summer.

I remember the summer 15 years ago when we switched our host camp after 5 years at another camp. It was an amazing summer, as everything felt new again. The energy (which is never lacking at Sorcerers Safari) seemed to be ramped up that summer in everyone, staff and campers. Exploring the new grounds, and meeting new challenges really made everyone bring their ‘A’ Game. It was great. The move was extremely positive, making me that much more excited to see what our move will bring this summer.

Magic Mike Segal (SorcerersSafari.ca)
Camp Director: 1996 - 2016

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

05 May 2023

[Guest post] ‘Magic chose me’: How one man found his calling

The following is a guest post by Sheridan Williamson Fraser.

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‘Magic chose me’: How one man found his calling
Mike Segal built a career by perfecting tricks and inspiring a new generation of magicians

By Sheridan Williamson Fraser,
Journalism Undergraduate at Toronto Metropolitan University

It all started with a single bus ticket that in a flash became two. Day in and day out, Mike Segal, a young boy originally from Montreal, would take the bus to and from his new school in Toronto, carefully holding on to each bus ticket. One day in 1972, while playing outside at recess, another boy snatched the bus ticket from him, closing his tiny fist around the rectangular piece of paper. As Segal’s only way home was crushed between the other boy’s small fingers, concern built within him. Another second passed, then the other boy waved an erratic hand through the air before rolling back his fingers to show not one but two bus tickets lying on his palm. The boy then miraculously handed both tickets to Segal before walking away to enjoy the rest of his short break between classes. Looking down at his hand, Segal was left baffled. To him this was not some simple sleight of hand but an act of real magic.

This one short instance, this one trick, was the start of a lifelong journey into the art of illusion and the beginning of a career which has spanned four decades. From this moment on, Segal began going to the library, constantly in search of the miraculous ticket trick. Initially he thought “If I could just learn that trick, my parents would never have to buy me another bus ticket.”

During those days in 1972, flipping through book after book, Segal recalls learning all he could about magic, teaching himself different tricks and eventually building up a repertoire of techniques. “I never did find that trick,” he says, but now nearly 50 years later Segal can still remember that first magic moment, “I’ve seen thousands of magic shows. Can’t tell you anything about them but I remember that trick.”

As for his own journey, Mike Segal has spent over four decades as a magician performing, teaching and inspiring the next generation of magicians. His career has impacted the trajectory of magic’s evolution in Canada by providing opportunities for young people to get involved with the craft and be supported in forming future careers.

According to The Canadian Encyclopedia article “Magic,” the first reported magic performer in Canada was Maginnis in Halifax in 1875 but, Indigenous groups in Canada were said to have games and ritual practices prior to European arrival which are reminiscent of present-day performance magic.

Since then, magic has evolved into a modern stage production involving close-up magic, big production acts and mental illusion among other tricks.

Segal remembers feeling like the straight-faced and serious persona never fit his personality on stage, he was always more comfortable with presenting magic in a lighter comedic way. His signature performance style is the “magician in trouble scenario,” which appears on stage as a trick going wrong when in reality the act is another illusion in itself.

This style of magic, which Segal performs to this day, was influenced by something that happened at the start of his career. At age 14, Segal recalls performing a comedic magic show at an elementary school. Following the performance, a young boy, approximately eight-years-old approached him. The boy asked hopefully, “You’re a magician. My brother just broke his arm. Can you make it better?” At that moment, Segal remembers thinking “Wow, okay so these kids think I could really do magic. Well, that’s wrong.”

Segal says he believes in performing illusions not faking supernatural powers or witchcraft. “We don’t have any special powers. I have the same powers as all of you. I have just learned to create illusions, the way some learn to play tennis or how to play the piano,” Segal said. At the time, Segal felt it was unfair to misrepresent what magic was to young kids, innocent enough to believe his magic was real.

Missing link:

By 1982, Segal was nearing the end of high school and focusing on his career, choosing magic over his personal life.

Jen Segal, Mike Segal’s wife, describes her relationship with Segal as an “Oprah story,” worthy of mushy daytime television. Jen and Mike met at York Mills Collegiate Institute. Shortly after starting high-school they began dating, staying together for years leading up to graduation where they amicably split.

Jen and Mike at prom in 1984

photo source: Facebook

Jen remembers wanting to settle down and start a family, while Segal wanted to work and travel. “I was broken hearted,” Jen explained in an interview.

After 10 years had gone by, both Mike and Jen had moved on with their lives until a single phone call in 1992 changed everything. “My [friend] Sherry called and she was like ‘Mike’s on BT’ [Breakfast Television] and so I turned on the TV and there he was”.

In late 1990, Segal began making appearances on the Toronto morning show, BT. “I lived right by there [the studio], they knew me and we had a great relationship… I was part of the City TV family,” he said.

Over two years, Segal made 100 weekly appearances on the show. Once Segal had built a relationship with the show’s network, he, in addition to his weekly appearances, became the fill-in visitor when scheduled guests were unable to arrive on time.

“They would have you know, whoever coming into town to promote something that day, but the plane got delayed, or they're stuck in traffic or there's a snowstorm. So, these guys [Breakfast Television producers] would just call me and say ‘Mike, can you be in the studio in like half an hour and bring something?’ And so, I would do that,” said Segal. “I just loved it. The exposure was great. This was before the internet, so this was the greatest promotion I could ask for.”

As for Jen, after seeing him on TV, she decided to take a chance, picking up the phone and calling the studio where she set up a time to meet Segal. “And that was 30 years ago,” Jen says as she sits on a white couch in the home she shares with Segal. “As soon as we saw each other it was like yeah we’re together forever.”

Creating a path:

In the late 1980s, a few years prior to Segal’s reconciliation with Jen, he began carving out a place for himself in magic entertainment in Canada.

After Segal had graduated from York University, he, along with a few friends and classmates freshly out of school, started Magic Unlimited Theater Productions in Toronto, a co-op theatre company that performed original shows for schools which were written based on the current school curriculum.

John Rotstein, the owner of Rotten Pictures, a video production company, met Segal in a high-school theater class where they became close friends. Rotstein later received a performing arts bachelor’s degree with Segal from York University before joining the theatre production company.

“Mike was very passionate about doing magic,” Rotstein explained in a phone interview. “He has a natural ability to charm people. He was very driven about his career and he knew what he wanted to do.”

Segal says the idea for the company came about because they were “struggling artists” at a time when it was very difficult to get a grant for a magic-based performance because magic was not considered a legitimate performance art.

“We were young and hungry. We hustled” Rotstein said. “We spent a lot of our time hustling for grant money to fund our projects.”

Segal’s idea for the theatre production company was to bring performance magic some legitimacy and to show people why magic should get the same respect as other artforms. “Magic was such a great performance art and it bugged me so much that everywhere I went people would say ‘oh, magician? You should come and do my kid’s birthday party’. I just hated it.”

Segal says he wanted to change the perception of magic in Canada by presenting it to young people who would not have preconceived notions surrounding what the craft could be. Connecting magic to youth was so important to Segal because when he was a young person, he had no one to mentor him or to look to for answers.

Mike Segal, circa early 1990s
photo source: Facebook

Fueling the future of magic:

In 1980, Segal had his first experience receiving encouragement from a big name in magic entertainment.

At 16 years old, Segal spent one week working as a stagehand for a CBC movie version of the Broadway hit The Magic Show, starring the famous Canadian magician, Doug Henning. The show was extremely popular, and according to the Internet Broadway Database, the magic musical earned Henning a Tony award nomination for best performance by an actor in 1975.

A few years after the musical’s Broadway run ended, the CBC began working on a movie version of the show in Toronto, where teenage Segal gained a spot on the crew, skipping an entire week of high school to do so.

The experience has become a blur, lost in time, except for one moment that would inspire not only Segal’s career but the decades of mentorship that would follow.

On his last day on set, when Segal was sitting on a set of stairs helping to reset the stage lights, he looked up to see Doug Henning, the star of the show standing next to him.

Henning walked the remaining few feet towards Segal before saying, “Hey, you’ve been here for a while. You’re a magician, right?” They both sat there on the stairs leading up to the stage talking about magic.

“To me it seemed like we sat there for hours, we were probably there for 15 or 20 minutes,” says Segal. In that short time Segal recalls that Henning wished him luck in his future endeavors and listened intently when Segal described his future plans even dismissing another crew member who approached him with the flick of a hand. “So that stuck with me until today,” says Segal. “The way he treated me absolutely is part of why I decided to try and do that with younger magicians. If this guy is going to spend time with me now. I thought I should try and guide some people.”

Segal, first and foremost, describes himself as a performer, though his work in mentorship for youth in magic has become a large part of his career.

Sorcerers Safari was a Canadian performance arts camp, founded by Mike Segal, teaching youth magic, and it operated for one week every summer from 1997 to 2017. According to the Sorcerers Safari website, a typical day at camp involved various magic classes, outdoor activities and an evening show performed by professional magicians.

After touring nationally and internationally with the Magic Mike Show for years, Segal recalls wanting to spend more time at home. Sorcerers Safari provided him with the opportunity to stay with his family and create magic education.

“He was the facilitator of mentorship,” says Keith Brown, a Canadian professional magician, who performs all around the world. Brown says he spent years of his adolescent life attending Sorcerers Safari, entering the camp grounds as a camper and exiting as an experienced counsellor.

Brown fondly remembers his experience travelling to camp for the first time. “I remember making friends on the bus. And then literally jamming and doing card tricks the entire three hours up to the camp. And it was like, ‘Oh my god’, magic camp starts immediately on the bus ride.”

When looking back on Segal’s creation, Brown said, “He's been around for so long, and is connected to so many different people and camp is like a by-product of that. He created this wonderful place out of love for all of these kids and his friends and his colleagues to come to”.

Brown attributes the days collaborating with peers and well-known magicians to his own success. “Magic camp was a huge influence on me and I would say that I would be a fraction of the magician I am today and I probably wouldn’t be a professional magician without it,” said Brown.

It wasn't all cards and coins. Segal (centre front) receives a haircut from Greg Frewin (left), Shawn Farquhar (centre back), and Lee Asher (right).

"That time at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp when some World Champion Magicians cut my hair."
-- Mike Segal, August 2011
photo source: Facebook

Sam Pearce, another professional magician and ex-camper who attended Sorcerers Safari in 2005 and 2006, says his exposure to large illusions and comedy magic as a youth helped influence the magic he performs today.

“I’m sure being exposed to all those different acts and seeing what was possible was certainly interesting,” Pearce explained. “That’s where I learned to juggle.”

Pearce can be seen incorporating his juggling into many of his performances. Two metal step stools are set up holding two rectangular planks, sandwiching a cylindrical piece of equipment similar to a hollowed out rolling pin, making the top plank reminiscent of a teeter totter. Pearce stands above the top blank shifting from side to side as he tries to balance. This is all made more complicated as he is simultaneously juggling three knives, the blades flying into the air and plummeting back down in quick succession.

Rosemary Reid, a professional magician and Torontonian, spent 17 years attending Sorcerers Safari until its closure in 2017.

When Reid first began showing an interest in magic, her father stumbled upon ‘Magic’ Mike Segal on Breakfast Television, while Segal was promoting magic camp, in 2001.

Reid describes her first year at Sorcerers Safari as “The best experience I’ve ever had. I met some of my best friends who are still my best friends to this day that first year.” Adding, “So after that first year, I was like, I have to go back to magic camp.”

During her 17 years attending Sorcerers Safari, Reid was a camper and instructor. Given there was only one cabin for girls at the camp, Reid worked as the social media manager and part-time videographer before becoming an instructor. “I kind of just tried to help wherever I could,” she said.

“I remember speaking with Mike once and his advice to me one year at camp was to dream big. He told me to dream big and I’ve always remembered that and it always helps me to visualize the impossible, which is kind of like my job as a magician.”

Since her time at camp, Reid has been an avid advocate for women in magic. Her goal is to continue the conversation and increase awareness of the effects of misogyny in the magic industry.

“I kind of fell in love with [the camp] then watching the kids learn,” said Jen Segal, Mike Segal’s wife and manager of Sorcerers Safari, when thinking about her time walking through the camp grounds, peering into classrooms of overflowing excitement. Jen said she gets emotional thinking about the camp and the countless lives changed over those seven days every year. “Parents would write me or phone me after camp saying ‘my kid came home a different kid, they’re so much more confident’… ‘your camp totally changed them’.”

Segal opened Sorcerers Safari to build new magic audiences and educate people on what is possible with magic. “In the beginning, we were just trying to find each other,” said Segal. “It became something so much bigger than all its parts. Sounds corny, but it really was like magic. It was the greatest magic trick I’ve ever done and I still don’t know how I did it.”

Dealers' Day' at Sorcerers Safari<br />A day when campers bought magic.

"Dealers' Day" at Sorcerers Safari
A day when campers bought magic.
photo source: Facebook

Thank you Sheridan for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

01 February 2013

Winner of Sorcerers Safari scholarship

Say hi to one of our scholarship recipients for Sorcerers Safari 2013: Nick Popa! He was one of three recipients... fb.me/x6rmiC6N
— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) January 28, 2013

Congratulations Nick! You are going to have the best year ever at camp!

Also from Sorcerers Safari Facebook page:

Two extra scholarships were donated on the weekend after attendees realized how AWESOME a week at camp is!

Fabulous news for two more future campers!

Planning on attending Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp this summer? Apply now!

Camper and CIT registrations are up on the site now.Thanks Marc Hache and Lee Asher!... fb.me/2ackcbDi0
— Sorcerers Safari (@SorcerersSafari) January 29, 2013

31 May 2016

03 February 2015

Thirty seconds with Lisa Close

This is the third 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.

Former professional magician Lisa Close is a Toronto, Ontario native who thinks about family when she thinks about Canada. She has a fondness for both camping and magic, so when she heard about Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Arts Camp (from chatting with Magic Mike Segal at The Browser's Den of Magic), she knew she had to try it out. Lisa has been a part of Sorcerers Safari for three years.

FUN FACT:
Lisa prefers "Harry Potter" to "The Lord of the Rings" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to "Star Wars."

DID YOU KNOW?
- Lisa is the graphic designer for M-U-M, the magazine of The Society of American Magicians.
- Lisa also loves to crochet. You can purchase some of her creations at her Etsy shop.

Lisa loves the whole experience of magic camp. Especially the cooperation, camaraderie and fun had by everyone. The "back to nature" setting is a big plus. Lisa really enjoys watching campers see a magic trick they can't explain. To her, magic camp means reuniting with old friends, eating together and watching kids take to the whole experience.

Her first memory of magic was when she was nine years old and her dad showed her a silk vanish. She hopes that the young magic enthusiasts won't forget the importance of reading about magic and learning from books. Her advice for aspiring magical youth: "Come to Sorcerers Safari!"

Lisa loves watching movies, especially comedies, when taking a break from magic.

From The Browser's Den Twitter feed:

Hey hey @magikgal, guess who just #GotCooped? YOU!! It's all in celebration of the #BrowsersBash2015 on 4.12.2015! pic.twitter.com/UzzaCiWtPa
— The Browser's Den (@theBrowsersDen) January 28, 2015

--

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

Dan Wiebe | Eric Leclerc

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

22 August 2014

Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2014

Mike and Jen Segal are totally awesome and inspiring people!
It is tremendous that organizations such as Ellusionist support Sorcerers Safari. (Kids, did you remember to send a quick "thank you" e-mail to them for the generous gift you received? Do it now! -- Mom)
The safety and welfare of the children is an absolute priority.
Spotted: Mike and Jen Segal, Dan Weibe, Eric Leclerc, Aaron Fisher, Dave Mitchell, Carey Lauder, Lee Asher, Dick Joiner, Steven Kline, Lisa & Michael Close, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Mike D'Urzo, Chris Pilsworth, Rosemary Reid, Joan Caesar, Evelyn and Phil Matlin, Becki & Bill Wells, Philip DaCosta, Mark Correia, Lorena & Trevor Watters, Chris Westfall, Scott Hammell, Alex Seaman, Loran, Asi Wind and Steve Valentine ... I'm sure there were more!
It's very cool to see that some of the youth of today have such a philanthropic bent. I'm thinking here of Mark Correia's "Escaping Parkinson's" stunt to raise money for Parkinson's research project which raised over $15000 and Alex Seaman entry in to the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise funds for ALS (video to be seen shortly).
One just never knows where Aaron Fisher is going to appear.
It can get mighty cold at night.
The star-gazing is incredible away from all the city lights!
Cube Zags are cool.
There's always something to do or someone to talk to. If you want "down time" you have to make it! (And risk missing out!)
I saw a deer and a rabbit in the woods. And a hummingbird too!
Egg plants can be really big.
Bonfires can have blue flames! (Merci Loran!)
Candlelit lanterns are wonderful.
The campers' show was all kinds of AWESOME! Twenty-seven brave performers in just under 2 hours! My favourite from the campers' show was Holden & Brett's 3 card monte routine. (Although Ava and Steve's partnership came a close second.)
To answer a question asked by Doug, Steve Valentine may very well be taller than David Acer.
If you haven't met Steve Valentine yet, get thee to the Browser's Den for the "Getting together with Steve Valentine" event. He's a wonderful person. You're welcome.
Being a cabin counselor is a tough gig. The magic has to come second to taking care of the kids. (Kind of like being a parent.)
The kids at camp are were very polite. They spontaneously thanked me for interviewing them! Impressive.
Perfect Magic also brought thoughtful gifts for the campers! (Kids, I just said you were polite, so while you're sending your thank you e-mail to Ellusionist, make sure you send one to Perfect Magic too. Do it now! -- Mom)
Carey Lauder is an incredible photographer. (See samples of his magic camp from three years back in Vanish magazine.)
Chris Mayhew shot some fabulous footage – I can't wait to see this year's camp video!
Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp gets better every year!
Mike Segal and Mike Toal should be very proud of what they started together over 18 years ago.
Sorcerers Safari is full of super nice, caring, talented individuals!

Don't just take my word for it, here's what other people had to say about this summer's magic camp experience:

If ur into magic, or if u hve kids who luv doin magic (truly the greatest hobby for a child, teaches so much) I recommend @SorcerersSafari
— Steve Valentine (@Stevevalentine) August 21, 2014

@LeeAsherMagic fully supports my dietary choices! Thanks for an awesome week @SorcerersSafari #MagicCamp #ss2014 pic.twitter.com/qCUAIbk9wt
— Aaron Fisher (@aaronfishercard) August 20, 2014

Home from the stars and magic, & the future stars of magic @SorcerersSafari until next year..I'm out! @LeeAsherMagic pic.twitter.com/Yo0TnJSVMW
— Chris Westfall (@westfallmagic) August 20, 2014

Just left Canada's magic camp. I had an amazing time with @LeeAsherMagic @aaronfishercard @MikeCloseMagic and many other great magicians.
— Asi Wind (@Asiwind) August 20, 2014

Back home from Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp it was an incredible time, seeing all those kids so enthusiastic about... http://t.co/Nf1Jn8Yq3R
— chris mayhew (@chrismayhew1) August 20, 2014

Just back from our 1st visit to @sorceressfari. What a wonderful experience and great time we had. Read Evy's blog next Wednesday!
— Philip Matlin (@Perfect_Magic) August 21, 2014

Post by Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.

14 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 4

Recap (click to show | hide)

From Part 1 of the series:

In lieu of a physical reunion bringing together past campers and staff, Canada’s Magic is hosting a virtual reunion of sorts. We’ve reached out to the Sorcerers Safari community with a dozen or so questions to help bring us up to date on what everyone has been up to since our magic camp days.

If you completed our survey, keep your eyes peeled for your segment!

If you would like to participate but haven’t filled out the survey, there’s still time. The survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/umg77yj9QxUzfpm76

Thank you to all that contributed!

Mike, Jen, Sorcerers Safari staff, and alumni, this series is for you.

<< part 3 | part 5 >>

Part 4 features: an in depth look with Keith Brown. [Catch Keith at the Edmonton Fringe, Aug 17 - 27.]

Keith Brown
Professional magician, AbsoluteMagic.ca

Attended camp as:

a camper (2006 - 2007),
counsellor in training (CIT) (2008 - 2009), and
counsellor (2010 - 2013).
(He started going on tour in 2014 and missed the final three years.)

Since his time at camp Keith:

Did a local London TV spot and with a trick he learned at magic camp. (He used this opportunity to also promote Sorcerers Safari. Once done, while getting lunch, he opened Facebook and the first post he saw was the announcement about closing camp.)
Graduated university with a double major in Dramatic Arts and Communications, Media & Film.
Gave a TEDx Talk on the Magic of Thinking

Toured every year since graduating. Participated in 40+ festivals around the world. At Fringe Festivals Keith often receives honour such as Producer's Pick, People's Choice, Critic's Choice, and Best of Fest.
Performed for:

the President & First Lady of Iceland,
Dave Grohl, and
Joe Thornton (NHL).

One of his greatest accomplishments is the community he has built, and the people that he has gotten to know by going on tour.

The story of Keith and Hendrix at the Orlando Fringe:

I am a working professional magician. I get to travel the world and give people extraordinary moments that they hopefully will remember for the rest of their life. As great as getting a nice paycheck is, to me it's going back to cities year after year and reconnecting with people I have met over the years. They get to see me grow as an artist and I get to see them grow as human beings.
One of my favourite things that I can't quantify is a little boy named Hendrix who comes to my show every year with his grandma in Orlando. The first year he was helping me on stage during my needle routine that put me in the hospital. I asked the audience if they wanted to go big or go bigger. The audience screamed BIGGER! You could see the blood in their eyes. This little boy in a quiet whisper said "smaller". I said excuse me and he repeated himself. He told me that he didn't want to see me go back to the hospital. He melted the hearts of the entire audience. I got down on one knee and pinky promised him I wasn't going to go back. Mostly because I wasn't insured in the states and couldn't afford it.
It was my second show of my run that year and it was one of the best moments on stage. My heart was full. I didn't care if I didn't sell another ticket. I did what I came here to do. I connected with my audience.
That year or the next one, he invited me to a pizza party at his grandma's house. How could I possibly say no? I was invited along with his other favourite performers. I got in the van and drove to his grandma's. There were jugglers and storytellers from his favourite shows. We ate pizza and talked. At one point he disappeared. He came back in a full tuxedo and proceeded to show me card tricks he had learnt. I realized he was doing his Keith Brown impression for Keith Brown.
I never knew that I could impact someone so much by doing what I do. I had to leave the pizza party early because I had a show that night. I got in the van and I cried. I was this little kid's role model and hero.
[May 2023] This is my first time in Orlando since 2016. Sure enough opening night Hendrix and his grandma showed up. He's 14 years old now. He's taller than me. He's writing an animated TV show.

In his own words:

All of them [my accomplishments] are because of, or were made easier by, my time at Sorcerers Safari!
I am beyond grateful for camp.
Camp made me a better magician, but it also made me a better human.
I got to meet incredible friends, colleagues and mentors.
People that help build my skills and my confidence.
People who believe in me and gave me guidance.
I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn't be where I am today without magic camp.
I would be a fraction of the magician and the person I am.
My life is infinitely better because of magic Sorcerers Safari.
I will always be eternally grateful and forever indebted to Mike & Jen for the wonderful place they created and the community they fostered. [emphasis added]
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Omg there's so many.
[Michael] Ammar doing Card to Sky.
The late night cabin sessions. Especially when special guests or the heavy hitters would pop by.
Tyler Wilson doing the LONGEST ACAAN.
Tyler Wilson & Jeff Hinchliffe playing Eminem's Infinite as time misdirection and it ending with Tyler ripping his shirt open and he had shaved his chest into a 7 of Diamonds.
The Bagel/Nair game.
Fridgebox racing
How I discovered Scott Hammell was on Ripley's.
I remember Jason England and Michael Weber coming one year. Jason England did a bunch of gambling demos I had never seen before. Then Weber came in for the kill. I walked all the way from the mess hall to my cabin, without realizing how I got there, because I was so astonished. It was a trick I thought about for years. It took me 2-3 years to figure out how it was done and it was a method I was familiar with at the time. I just didn't realize he was using it because he's so damn good.
I always liked swim time at camp because it meant you got to have one on one time with the pros while everyone else swam. Having access to the people that wrote the books, that make a living doing the thing, was priceless.
I got poked fun of my first year for having bridge cards. Why couldn't I use poker sized cards like an adult? At one of the evening shows, I told Aaron Fisher that I had something to show him in the mess hall for late night snack. He asked me to show him then and there. I said he had to wait. When everyone got to the mess hall and had their snacks. He asked me again. I took out my bridge cards and sprung them into the garbage. I took out poker sized cards. He gave me a good hug and started calling me Keith "LePaul" Brown. (The cover of the LePaul book has him springing cards in an impossible fashion.) It was like my BarMitzvah of magic.

The following year I was in a performance workshop being hosted by Lee Asher. Lee was giving campers any topic and they had to talk for 1-2 minutes on the subject. We were focusing on developing presentation skills. A handful of campers went and Lee was giving them random things to talk about, usually boring everyday things. It was my turn. Lee smiled and said "bridge cards.” Immediately I jumped into a sermon about how bridge cards were the devil! They were no good and rotten. No real magician would ever be caught dead with them in their hands.

There was a year that late one night Jason Dean took me aside near some cabins for staff and special guests. He showed me all the tricks he had been working on since I saw him last year. Incredible card tricks. Then he taught them to me. At the end, he saved the best for last. He showed me a Which Hand routine I had never seen before. Each time became more impressive than the last. No matter what decision I made he knew EXACTLY what I did. I realized I hadn't been fooled this badly in YEARS. I didn't even have a clue of where to begin. It was the one trick he didn't teach me. It was so nice to experience that moment of wonder so profoundly and deeply, that I told him that if he ever did want to show me how that trick was done, was to wait ten years. To give me time to revel in the moment. To enjoy the mystery and wonder how it was done.

About five years later, I was in Vegas and I saw Paul Vigil do a very similar routine with a very similar prop. A light bulb went off and I did some digging. I found the answer on my own accord. I reached out to Jason to see if my theory was correct. It was nice to catch up with him and reminisce about the moment he gave me all those years ago at camp.

In the first couple of days during my first year at camp I saw Jason Dean perform a trick I had never seen before. A playing card sticking out of the deck slowly melted through the deck, deeper and deeper. It stopped and found my chosen playing card. He told me that the trick was called Deadliest of the Male. If I wanted to learn it I would have to ask the creator myself.

I found Lee and asked him. He gave me some elusive answer. At the end of the week Lee hosted a Pulp Friction workshop. He taught us the move and all the different applications. One of them was Deadliest of the Male. I remember being so engrossed in what I was learning I was completely mind-blown. I remember sitting on a couch with Amazing Dan. We both looked up at each other at one point and we had the same look on our faces. We were in awe. We had just learnt a GAME CHANGER. I didn't even know this was possible with a deck of cards.
I learnt that trick when I was 13 years old. It's still one of my favourite and something I perform all of the time.

Before magic camp, I had only participated day camps. I had never gone to sleep over camp before. My parents drove me to to the bus pick up at Yorkdale mall. There was a small gathering of magicians from all over. I remember my dad saying "hey that's Chad Juros" I had just seen him on an episode of Criss Angel's tv show and I couldn't believe he was a fellow camper. Amazing Dan checked me on to the bus. There were all of these kids reconnecting with their friends. That bus ride was awesome. The excitement to go to camp was palpable. The magic started immediately. It was 3+ hours of card tricks the entire way to the camp ground. I already had friends by the time we made it to camp. Taking the bus to and from camp became one of my favourite parts in years to come. It was the first time we had seen each other since last year. Everyone was READY for camp and it made one of the best jam sessions ever and camp hadn't even technically started yet. The bus home was also the LAST jam session we had together until the following year.
One of the things I love most about camp, is that it didn't matter how long it had been since you saw someone, the moment you did it was as if the other 51 weeks of the years didn't exist. Our friendships picked up immediately where we left them. It didn't matter if you had been away for years. We were always warmly welcomed back to camp.
I got in trouble my very first day at magic camp. I was the only card magician in my cabin. There were stage magicians and jugglers. Card tricks felt like an afterthought to them. The cabin beside mine was FILLED with card magicians and their special guest bunking with them was Sean Fields. I became a regular at my neighbouring cabin because there was always card magic happening. The very first night I was there in an awesome jam session. The head counsellor paid a visit and found out I was not in my cabin and that I had to go back to my cabin. I told her none of the kids in my cabin did cards tricks. She didn't care. I told her my counsellor knew where I was. She didn't care. She told me to stop doing magic and go back to my cabin. Stop doing magic at magic camp? I couldn't believe it. I came here to learn and do magic and I was being told to stop on the very first day. I packed up my cards and went back to my cabin and started hatching a plan.

The very next day I started asking my counsellor, Marc Chalmers, when and where I had to be next? We made a deal that I would always be where I needed to when I needed to so that he didn't get in trouble or that he had to go searching for me. In return I got free-reign to do whatever I wanted in the mean time, which was as much card magic and I could possibly squeeze in before I had to show up for lunch time or the late night show.
I really appreciated Marc for doing that for me.

Before magic camp, I didn't have many interactions with other magicians. I didn't really have anyone to compare myself to. I remember going to my first ever card class at camp. It was hosted by David Mitchell. The class started with everyone doing a trick so that Dave could assess our skills and see where we were at. I performed a trick I had recently learnt off of Ray Kosby's VHS, Ray's Rise. I don't even think I was finished before Dave said "oh you're advanced, you'll be reassigned tomorrow". No one had ever told me that before. I was just learning as much as I possibly could at the time. No one told me the books or videos I was watching were hard. I just thought it was what you were supposed to learn. The next day I got moved to the Advanced Card class that was being taught by Aaron Fisher.
Aaron became my first serious card mentor. He always answered my questions. He always gave me homework for after camp. Books to read or things to explore. One thing I always remember about camp is seeing a specific trick from a working pro and asking to learn how it was done. Sometimes they would teach you on the spot. But more often than not they would ask you what you were working on. You'd show them a trick and then they'd give you this nugget of gold, something that would propel you forward. They had spent their life working on these things and why would they just give you the keys to the kingdom? You had to earn it. You had to show them you were serious enough. That you respected the craft. In showing them what you were working on they got a good sense of where you were at and where you needed to go.
It was always great reconnecting the following year because you could show your mentors and your idols all of the things that you learnt during the year. You could show them hey I did do the homework you gave me, I found that book, here's what I learnt. Then they'd give you more homework and send you on your way.
One of my favourite times was the process of learning the Gravity Half Pass. It was struggling with the move at camp. I kept using my hands rather than let gravity do the work for me. I went home and practiced and practiced until it finally started to click.

The following year at camp, it was near the end of the week, I showed Fisher my half pass. He was like a proud father. He asked me why I didn't show him sooner. It immediately proclaimed me as gravity half pass certified which he signed and dated on a set of lecture notes. I could do and teach the move.

I loved that camp had shows every night that were filled with professional magicians. To see them showcase their talents was a lesson in and of itself.
The camper show at the end of the week where the campers got two minutes to showcase a trick that maybe they learnt during the week at camp, or had spent all year honing was an incredible opportunity. Every time I got on the Pinetages [Theatre] stage at camp I always felt welcomed and supported by my fellow campers, staff, mentors and community. It was really the best place to workshop and develop your skills because every person in the room was rooting for you.

I remember in particular another camper named M getting on stage. His card trick didn't work. There was an audible "ahh" from the audience. He was flustered and a bit embarrassed, but instead of quitting, he tried again. The second time around the trick worked. Everyone applauded and cheered loudly. He left the stage with a proud smile on his face. To see your friend stare failure in the face, try again and triumphantly succeed was awesome. I always admire M for his courage that night.

The access to high level talent was unparalleled.
I remember a round table discussion that Shawn Farquhar was a part of. [Editor's note: Shawn told the story from early in his career, about his experience with hecklers and apartment fires.]

This entire story made Shawn rethink his persona on stage and tried to eliminate the adversarial relationship many magicians have with an audience. He wanted to be so nice on stage that if anyone did heckle him, everyone else would know the heckler was the a$$hole.
Hearing this story as a young teenager made me re-examine my persona on stage and adopt a similar one to Shawn. Be so nice that they want to help you and they never heckle. At any point on audience member can just say no magic boy that's not my card if they aren't on your side. Being so nice has helped me countless times in my career winning over audiences by approaching it with love and good intentions. Because magicians need audiences. We can practice as much as we want but we need a willing audience because the magic happens in their minds. We know how the tricks work and we can't fool ourselves. We need an audience to live vicariously through them so that we get a glimmer of that moment of wonder that got us into magic in the first place.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

All of it.
One of my biggest take aways in the tangible sense of community and camaraderie. We all decided the gather in the woods in northern Ontario, year after year, because we love this thing so much. We got to share that love with other people who loved it as well. We were able to foster our love and talents with each other and get better every year.
Camp friends and friends for life. It doesn't matter how much time passed, we always picked up right where we left off.

Honestly, I could probably go on all day if you let me. I often refer to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp as the closest thing to Hogwarts because it was. It was a magical place that has given me friends and profound education in magic.

What I've written so far is me just scratching the surface. I haven't even told you about the late nights around the camp fires telling jokes. Or the notebooks I have from every year at camp that I still have to this day. They're some of my most prized possessions as they a time capsule filled with magic. I took more notes in those books than I would in an entire semester of school.

Camp gave me access to a lot of incredible people that were willing to answer my questions and give me guidance.

Sorcerers Safari enriched my life with friends and skills. It fostered my talent and helped me become the person I am today. It allowed me to pursue my passion with like minded people. It gave me the career I have today.

I will always remember Sorcerers Safari fondly and would do ANYTHING for one more year at camp.

Thank you Keith, for sharing your fantastically detailed memories!

[Catch Keith at the Edmonton Fringe, Aug 17 - 27.]

Check back throughout the month to read updates from other Sorcerers Safari alumni and staff!

Previously featured

Learn more about Sorcerers Safari.