Canada's Magic

27 August 2023

Matt Johnson received the Society of American Magician's Presidential Citation

Congratulations Matt! Well deserved!

From the July 26th Facebook post by Matt Johnson:

I’m absolutely floored to find out that I was just awarded a presidential citation by the president of the Society of American Magicians at the annual magic conference in New Orleans!!!
I had NO IDEA this was coming😮😮😮
I am BEYOND HONOURED ❤️🙏

Broken wand: Coral Reveen

Our sincere condolences to Ty and his family at this difficult time.

From Ty Reveen:

I’m very sad and heartbroken to announce that my mother Coral Reveen passed away today (August 23rd 2023).

It will take several days perhaps weeks before I gather my thoughts enough to tell her story, meanwhile I'm just going to post as many photos of her that I can find on my facebook.

My sincere love to everyone that was kind to her and admired her, she was one of the last standing Classical Magic Assistance from the 1950's. We'll miss her so much. I'm flying back to Las Vegas from Chicago where my dear friends Rick and Parker Lindsey have been treating me like a king for the past few days.
Read more.

26 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 9

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 8 | part 10 >>

Part 9 features: Marc Hache, Jeff Hinchliffe, Bill Wells, and Lauren Proctor.

Marc Hache
Retired.

Attended camp from 2003 to 2010 as staff.

In his own words:

Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Camper show every year. Those kids were amazing!

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

The lifelong friendships I made especially with Jen and Mike.

Jeff Hinchliffe
Professional magician.

Attended camp in 2003 as staff, and from 2004 to 2011 as a counsellor.

Since his time at camp Jeff has:

Continued the tradition of passing along knowledge.

In his own words:

Sorcerers Safari helped cultivate a culture of sharing and growing together.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Every year was the "best year ever!"

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

The friendships

I will never have another experience in magic that was like Sorcerers Safari!

Bill Wells
Retired.

Attended camp in 2014 as a guest.

In his own words:

Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

The kids!!!

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

Seeing what a great network existed between staff and campers.

Lauren Proctor
Director of Customer Service & Art.

Attended camp from 1999 to 2008 as camper and CIT (counsellor in training).

Lauren has this to say about her time after Sorcerers Safari:

While I don't think anything I've accomplished is "significant" in the sense of contributing to the world or the profession as a whole, my accomplishments are significant to my life.
I'm very proud of the life I've built for myself; it is not a life that just happened, but one I have worked hard to obtain.
I've met the love of my life who I've started a family with and moved to Colorado.
I've built a network of wonderful humans who I consider my family.
I've found a career that is exciting, stimulating and allows me to be creative every day.
These are all such simple things, but I'm incredibly grateful for them.

In her own words:

I think many of my accomplishments in my career can be credited to my time at Sorcerers Safari.
Performance Workshop was a fantastic opportunity to learn how to give and receive constructive criticism.
Performing directly influenced my creativity and gave me confidence when public speaking.
Spending time in a male dominated industry as a youth gave me confidence and taught me how to speak up in the male dominated industry I've landed in.
Most importantly, Sorcerers Safari taught me the value of relationships and how to navigate long distance ones. The good ones are certainly worth time spent apart.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Gosh, there are so many. I don't think I can pinpoint one specific memory as the best. More, it's the feeling I get when I reminisce on my time there. It was a time of youthful innocence coupled with newly found independence. It was a time of mystery and illusion. I spent almost a decade of my life looking forward to a single week of camp, reconnecting with friends from years past, showcasing new skills and nerding out over our common interest. [emphasis added]
There are a handful of camp friends that I grew up with; we spent that week, summer after summer together (for me at least) finally feeling at home.
If I had to pick one memory, I would say our girls' cabin rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody is high on the list. What on earth were we thinking?!

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

I am grateful for all of my takeaways from Sorcerers Safari, but my biggest gift is one of my favourite humans. I gained a best friend at magic camp, someone who has been in it with me now for over 20 years. She was the Maid of Honour at my wedding, someone who has known the ins and outs of my life for over two decades. This kind of a friend doesn't just grow on trees. Thank you Sorcerers Safari for giving me RR.

Thank you Marc, Jeff, Bill, and Lauren for sharing your memories!

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

Previously featured

Learn more about Sorcerers Safari.

<< part 8 | part 10 >>

New York: An Evening of Magic with Kayla Drescher and Mark Clearview [Aug 30]

Tickets to see Kayla Drescher and Mark Clearview (part of the Sorcerers Safari Legacy!) at Bucketlisters.

From the August 25th Instagram post by An Evening of Magic NY:

We are back! This Wednesday night @revisionloungenyc. Showtimes at 7&9 with close up magic before the show by @theunrealgarrettwaite. Headlining the show is @magicinheels and @markclearview , hosted by @maxdavidsonmagic and @david_calamari .

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by An Evening of Magic (@eveningofmagicnyc)

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 8

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 7 | part 9 >>

Part 8 features: Jesse Arndt, Dan McLean Jr, and Rosemary Reid.

Jesse Arndt
Graphics installer and Sign maker.

Attended as a camper in 2007.

Since his time at camp Jesse has:

Performed for events, parties and private shows.

In his own words:

Learning magic within the Sorcerers Safari magic camp community made me a more confident person talking to groups of people.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Learning card magic and different sleight of hand secret moves from some of the very best such as, Aaron Fisher, Lee Asher, Ben Train, Steven Kline, Mike D’Urzo!

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

All of the above when it comes to making new friendships, and connections with people when it comes to magic and the playing card industry!

Such an amazing experience at this camp!
A once in a lifetime experience!

Dan McLean Jr
Live Music Production Professional (Musician), DanMcLeanJr.com.

Attended camp from 2001-2016 as Cabin Counsellor, Bus Coordinator and occasional instructor.

Since his time at camp Dan has:

Finished recording an album of original music, and is almost finished recording and “unplugged” EP of more original music.
Had a couple of my patters/scripts used by professional magicians. So gratifying.

In his own words:

As a magic hobbyist, much of my performing experience was at Sorcerers Safari, so the pros who've used my script ideas are people I met at camp.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Sneaking in to join Lee Asher's card classes. Oh! And the "Camper Shows"!
The “Camper Shows” were at the end of the week where campers performed on the big stage. Many of them did magic they learned that week at camp!

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

Definitely the people. I have many good friends that I met at camp, including several who were young campers when we met.

Those years at camp are some of my best memories. I’m so proud to have been part of encouraging young people to be creative, positive, and active.

Sorcerers Safari was "my happy place" for many years. I still tell people about it all the time.

Rosemary Reid
Professional magician, RosemaryReid.com.

Attended camp for 17 years as Camper, Counsellor, Staff, and Instructor.

Since her time at camp Rosemary:

Was named Dalhousie's Most Talented Student,
Delivered a TEDx presentation,

Conducted the largest survey in the magic industry on the experience of women magicians,
Produced SISTERHOOD Playing Cards as a vehicle of information to communicate the results, and
Writes monthly articles for CARD CULTURE Magazine discussing the contributions to the industry of those who often go unnoticed or under appreciated.

In her own words:

Through Sorcerers Safari I met my magic community, who would turn into dear friends. My best friends are from magic camp, as well as my magic mentors. It's impossible to imagine what my life would look like if I'd never attended magic camp! [Emphasis added.]
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Time spent in the evenings around the campfire, hearing magic anecdotes from time's past, telling jokes and getting to know the special guests and instructors.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

My community <3.

Thank you Jesse, Dan, and Rosemary for sharing your memories!

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

Previously featured

Learn more about Sorcerers Safari.

<< part 7 | part 9 >>

Connie Boyd received the Society of American Magician's Presidential Citation

Congratulations Connie! Well deserved!

From the August 23rd Instagram post by Connie Boyd:

✨I am #honoured & #grateful to receive a Presidential Citation, issued by the National President @rodchowmagic #thankyou so much 💋

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Magical Women (@themagicalwomen)

25 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 7

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 7 features: Jonathan Santiago, Shawn Farquhar, and Alex Zander.

Jonathan Santiago
Professional magician, Casino Pit Manager.

Attended camp from 2001 to 2003 as staff.

Since his time at camp Jonathan has:

Improved his leadership abilities.

In his own words:

My leadership abilities were enhanced by my time at Sorcerers Safari.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

The Jam sessions after hours.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

Made friendships that still exist today.

Please resurrect the Sorcerers Safari!!

Shawn Farquhar
Professional magician, magiChampion.com
Theatre Owner, HiddenWonders.ca
Film maker, LostInTheShuffle.film

Attended camp from 2008 - 2016 as staff. (Excluding 2014)

Since his time at camp Shawn has:

Opened his own theatre and has continued to help young magicians become better.
Completed principal filming on his documentary Lost in the Shuffle.

In his own words:

Sorcerers Safari made me see things differently and has had a lasting impact in life.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

Having all my personal belongings duct taped to the walls and ceiling of my room and having to wander the entire camp as "Farquharfish" trying to discover where my laptop was hidden. Oh, and watching Eric Buss conduct an Improv Workshop.

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

To this day I run into campers and love that we made a bond of friendship that will last my lifetime.
Best Camp ever.

I hope you'll reach out to Michael Ammar to talk about his "Card on Sky" routine, and the Buck Twins about the joy of eating pie without hands. I miss camp.

[Editor's note: We LOVE hearing campers tell us about their Card on Sky memories. It comes up often! We've reached out to Michael Ammar and the Buck Twins. Hopefully they'll write back to us with their perspective of those fabulous memories!]

Alex Zander
Professional magician, AlexZander.ca

Attended camp in 2013 and 2014 as a counsellor.

Since his time at camp Alex has been:

The youngest elected President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians,
A full time magician, solo income since that 1st year at camp,
The lead artist in 9-month performance tour across North America, and
The organizer of local, regional, and international magic conventions.

In his own words:

I met lifelong friends and mentors at Sorcerers Safari who continue to motivate me every year.
Camp played a huge role in unlocking my skills of community building in the world of magic.
Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?

“Trolling for the Farquharfish” if you know, you know!!
As the youngest counsellor on staff, I was assigned to the youngest cabin of campers. Spending time working on their new magic, introducing them to routine-building, and watching as their eyes were opened to a whole new world of the craft was truly magical. To this day, it is always a joy to see when camp kids (now all graduated) excitedly find us to reconnect at magic conventions or while travelling. They’re all so much taller….

Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?

The world of magic is like a social club. You get out what you put in (and many times more!).
Taking the time to volunteer in your local, regional, or global magic community creates social bonds and professional rapport that will outlast whatever project you are working on.

Sorcerers Safari alumni were fortunate to experience a small slice of magical nirvana. Away from the distractions of everyday life, Camp Directors Magic Mike & Jen created not just an experience but a family of magic lovers from all walks of life.

Some campers have remained in the magical arts, some found new passions and success, though all campers have one thing we can agree on. No matter what year you attended, it was the BEST SUMMER EVER… and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Thank you Jonathan, Shawn, and Alex for sharing your memories!

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

Previously featured