Showing posts with label Jordan Murciano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jordan Murciano. Show all posts

02 January 2024

Aurora: Mind Bender's Magical Mystery Tour [Feb 19]

From the December 18th Instagram post by MindBenderMagic:

For the first time ever, Mind Bender is thrilled to present the most magical Family Day event at Theatre Aurora. While Mind Bender has been delighting the town of Aurora with his shows for over a decade, this will be the very first time he’s bringing his hit kids’ show to a public venue. With a track record of performing across Ontario, captivating audiences at birthday parties, summer camps, and schools, Mind Bender has enchanted thousands of children throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Prepare for a day filled with enchantment and laughter as we unveil our Family Day Magic Show—an extraordinary experience that unites both the young and the young at heart for a magical celebration like no other! We invite you to gather your loved ones and step into a world where wonder and joy converge, creating memories that will be cherished by your entire family.

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this memorable occasion to the fullest!

mindbendertix.eventbrite.com


 

 

 

 

30 September 2023

The Kingston Penitentiary Escape by MindBender Magic

From the September 26th upload "The Kingston Penitentiary Escape" at MindBender Magic's YouTube channel:

I want to thank the Staff at Kingston Penitentiary for allowing me to attempt one of Houdini's most famous escapes.

 

 

 

28 August 2023

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 11

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.

 

The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari
<<  part 10  |  part 12 >>

 

Part 11 features:  Michael Kras, David Mitchell, Ray Anderson, and Jordan Murciano

 

  Michael Kras  
Theatre artist, playwright, director, magic director, MichaelKrasWorks.com.

Attended as a camper in 2006 and 2009.

 

Since his time at camp Michael has:

  • Had the privilege of serving as the resident magic associate for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Toronto and have directed and designed magic effects for multiple other theatre productions! On top of that, he's pursued a career as a playwright, achieving numerous professional productions and awards for his work.


In his own words:

  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • How do I pick only one??? I suppose one that sticks out to me was the time I put my stubbornness aside and committed myself to unlearning a sleight I had taught myself incorrectly and relearning the proper handling after an instructor pointed out my error. I then found that instructor at the end of the week and proudly showed him my progress. 
    • Either that, or Daniel Garcia phoning David Blaine for us!

  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • At Sorcerers Safari, I learned to always be learning. I've stayed a student ever since, less intent on settling and more intent on taking steps forward at all times, big or small. 

 

Sorcerers Safari took me out of my magic echo chamber and introduced me to a wider world of perspectives, debates, and life lessons. Magic camp made me a more rounded magician and artist, while also putting some much-needed cracks in my social shell.

 

 

  David Mitchell  
Tech for Ellusionist.com.

Attended camp from 2004 to 2006 as a counsellor, and from 2006 to 2015 as staff (except for 2008).


In his own words:

  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • My first year attending, being in initiated into the camp by the likes of Lee Asher and Steven Kline and accurately suspecting there would be some shenanigans during the event. 
    • Even though I had prepared ahead of time and thought myself to be smarter, I would be foiled by safety features of the swim docks. 
    • Thank goodness it was nighttime. 
    • In later years being able to participate in the now 'Formal' induction of new camp volunteers and staff into the Sorcerers Safari Family cemented the bond that we all shared.

  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • Though I haven't seen some of the staff and campers for a while, they are my partners in crime. We share a joy for a craft that can make the intangible a memory that lasts forever. While I only ever missed two years during my time associated with the camp (my daughter was scheduled to be born during camp week 2008, and we adopted my second daughter the last year camp ran. My oldest still remembers fondly the times she was able to go to camp and participate.
    • I also remember being able to assist in having Ellusionist donate decks and how the campers would always react to getting a new just released deck of cards that most people haven't seen before. The kids always showed their appreciation and made sure to thank myself and the owner of the company. 
    • Working for a Magic company has given me a unique perspective of the magic industry and the evolution of effects and the seasons of what is popular in magic.

 

I am honoured to have been a part of something that has impacted so many people in so many positive ways, and I am always thrilled to read about former campers now turned professional working magicians.

 

 

  Ray Anderson  
Professional magician, CoolMagician.com.

Attended camp during the first four or five years as counsellor and staff.

 

Since his time at camp Ray:


In his own words:

  • Being around those with the same mind set challenges us to be better.

  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • Watching the campers enjoy each and every day .. so many great memories

  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • Life changing!

 

 

  Mind Bender, aka Jordan Murciano 
Professional magician, MindBenderMagic.com.

Attended as a camper from 2011 to 2015.

Since his time at camp Jordan has:

  • Performed suspension straitjacket escape over a bed of nails, and 
  • Placed in a wooden crate then had the crate engulfed in fire. 
  • He also had the opportunity to film a TV show about his escapes.


In his own words:

  • Sorcerers Safari gave me the opportunity to meet real life magicians and escape artist from around the world e.g. Scott Hammell.  Spending the time learning about Escapology [with Scott] was an incredible opportunity.


  • Favourite Sorcerers Safari memory?  
    • Late night jam sessions with the cabins!

  • Biggest take-away from Sorcerers Safari?
    • Skills, knowledge, experiences.

 

Magic camp allowed young performers to be as creative as possible while also giving them an extensive amount of knowledge.

 

Thank you Michael, David, Ray, and Jordan 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 10  |  part 12 >>

 

 

13 May 2023

Aurora: The Experience with Mindbender [Jun 3]

From the March 20th Instagram post by Mindbender Magic:

‘The Experience’ has been my most-booked show for the past 3 years and up until now, it’s only been available for private bookings. For one night only, I will be bringing this show to the public at Theatre Aurora on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023! My last public theatre show sold out a month before the show date, so be sure to grab your tickets fast because you won’t want to miss this!

Enjoy a family friendly experience packed with magic, mind-reading, comedy, and fun. ‘The Experience’ will also feature one of my most thrilling escapes which I haven’t performed since 2013, and don’t plan on performing ever again in this show. 


 

 

 

 

15 December 2022

Mind Bender: 12 hours buried alive

From the December 14th upload, "12 HOURS BURIED ALIVE | Mind Bender" at the MindbinderMagic YouTube channel:

Watch me attempt to spend 12 hours underground from 6:30pm to 6:30am in the cold winter, shackled in 2 sets of handcuffs, before I make my escape.

 

 

 

 

29 July 2022

Aurora: Mind Bender and Scott Hammell [Oct 1] and TV Show

Additionally, you can see Mind Bender every Thursday night at Joe Bird in Toronto.

 

From the July 6th Instagram post by Mind Bender:

I’m happy to announce this October 1st, 2022 I’ll be be back at my second home, Theatre Aurora. I'm especially excited for this one as it will be my first public show since 2016! 6ixth Sense is a mind-altering, unbelievable, eye-opening show that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Starring four-time Guinness World Record holder, Scott Hammell and Mentalist & Escape Artist, Mind Bender. For one night only, there is no better place in the GTA to watch a jam packed show filled with laughter, mind-reading, magic, and more. Don’t miss out as Mind Bender and Scott Hammell attempt to make the impossible, possible. Tickets on sale now. Link in bio!

 

 

 

 

From the June 6th Instagram post by Mind Bender:

I’m so excited to be finally able to share this announcement with you all and take you guys on this journey as I start something new in my career! This Wednesday we start filming my first ever TV show, ‘Mind Bender’s Great Escape’

‘Mind Bender’s Great Escape’ will follow Mind Bender's journey as he attempts Houdini's famous deathly suspension straitjacket escape. This time, Mind Bender will put an original spin on the stunt that has never been done before.

‘Mind Bender’s Great Escape’ is a reality-based show that teeters on the line of escape artists and the history behind their escapes. The show will take a peek into the magic industry as Mind Bender dives into the different ways of how he’s been able to turn magic into a profitable business since the age of 10. The first season will consist of 8 episodes, running 30-35 minutes each. Mind Bender will also take his viewers to the beautiful city of Toronto as he performs some of his most insane street magic yet.

The process of performing any death defying stunt can take a toll on you, both mentally and physically. For over a decade now, Mind Bender has been putting his life on the line for entertainment, so being able to top his last stunt has been one of his biggest roadblocks yet. Despite his loved ones being unhappy with his choice to pursue a dangerous career path, Mind Bender is determined to make this show one that his audience has never witnessed before.

‘Mind Bender’s Great Escape’ will air exclusively on @buzztv.live late October

 

 

 

 

 

 

09 June 2016

Sorcerers Safari campers have their say

Watch Sorcerers Safari alumni share their thoughts about Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp.

A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification. From Jack Grady Magic's YouTube channel:





From Murciano Magic's YouTube channel:



07 June 2016

20 amazing alumni from Sorcerers Safari


No matter how you slice it, camp just wouldn’t be camp without campers!  It shouldn’t surprise you that Neil Croswell (gold medal ‘Magic of China, International Magic Championships” 2015), Bill Cook (three-time award winner at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas), and Kelvin Kwong (first place Magi-Fest junior close-up, second place IBM junior close-up) have all attended.  Without a doubt, Sorcerers Safari attracts multi-talented and amazing youth.  To mark their upcoming 20th anniversary, flip to page 108 of the 26th edition of VANISH magazine and have a look at "20 amazing alumni from Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp."




--
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

24 September 2015

Aurora: Mind Bender and Yan Markson

From Mind Bender's Twitter feed:The content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.

16 May 2015

Jordan Murciano on Rogers TV

From Jordan Murciano's Twitter feed:

26 January 2014

Where the magic happens

Keep an eye out for a new web series, Where the Magic Happens, by Jordan Murciano and Garnett Schmidt.

I first met Garnett at Sorcerers Safari in the summer of 2011 and was impressed by his energy and enthusiasm.  It's going to be fun watching these two!

Watch the first episode on YouTube:


30 May 2013

Aurora: MindBender in "LETHAL"

From the "LETHAL" - MindBender's First Full Scale Theatre Show's Facebook page:
Rapidly rising Magician/Mentalist - MindBender - will be performing his first full scale theatre show, displaying extraordinary acts of super natural powers and death-defying feats!

At the ripe young age of 13, MindBender appeared on Canada's Got Talent and finished in the top 200 out of thousands of hopeful applicants.

Martin Short (one of the judges) was incredibly impressed with him and said that MindBender has, and I quote, "an absolute natural charm and performer within."

So come check out the future of Magic on July 6th and witness history being made... MindBender in "LETHAL"!

Read more.
 
[via: Deborah Fallick]

26 March 2012

Got Talent: Montréal and semifinalists

The Montréal Canada's Got Talent auditions featured a fun act by Benoit Fournier and David Gaudet.

The second episode of the night had the judges reviewing the 244 promoted acts and attempting to select only 36 acts go to the semifinals. 

Here's a big shout out to all of the magicians featured on the show: Vladimir the Great, Neil Croswell, Ryan Joyce, Mike D'Urzo, Warren Toaze, Jordan Murciano, Edward Stone, Lucas WilsonOslen and Benoit Fournier.  You all did a fabulous job of representing the magic community and raising the profile of magic in the mainstream media with your appearances on CGT!

Unfortunately, of the 36 acts, there was a glimpse of only one magician.  It went by fast and looked like it could have been Oslen from the Vancouver auditions.

Congratulations Oslen!  We're rooting for you!



Edited at 7:00am to add:
  • From Canada Newswire:

    With Canada's overwhelming number of talented performers to choose from, the judges could not contain the number of semifinalists to just 37. Subsequently, two additional acts from the You Tube 'Last Chance Auditions,' sponsored by Nissan, will also be included, bringing the total number of semifinalists to 39. These two acts - the highest vote-getter and one selected by the judges - will be revealed during the first live results show on April 3. 
    Read more.

21 March 2012

Got Talent: Audition videos for Edward Stone and Jordan Murciano

I've updated Monday's "Got Talent: Toronto and Vancouver do!" post to include information about Edward Stone's appearance and to identify "the young man with fire in his hands" as Jordan Murciano.

With thanks to Edward for sending along information about Roger's Anyplace TV streaming video of both Edward's and Jordan's Toronto auditions! (You'll need to sign-up for an account to view these videos.)

Canada sure does have a lot of talented magicians!

19 March 2012

Got Talent: Toronto and Vancouver do!

Updated July 2017.  Audition video and other video links have been removed as they are no longer available to view.

Welcome iTricks readers. We hope you enjoy your stay! (And thanks iTricks, for the nice shout out!)

[Edited:


  • Mar 22 to add link of Lucas being interviewed on CGT Backstage.
  • Mar 21 to identify Jordan Murciano and to include links for Edward Stone's and Jordan's Toronto auditions and to embed video of Oslen's Vancouver audition.
  • Mar 19 at 7:40pm to identify Warren Toaze, embed YouTube clips and add CGT Backstage link.]
On Canada's Got Talent last night we saw a number of talented magicians!
 
From Toronto Auditions Part 2 (at about the 14 minute mark) we saw clips from, the Neil Croswell segment posted last week, Ryan Joyce, Mike D'Urzo, a gentleman with a cigarette in his ear Warren Toaze and Jordan Murciano a young man with fire in his hand.  It's too bad that they were all spliced together in what felt like under 30 seconds.  Somewhere in there there was also a glimpse of Edward Stone.  They were followed by Lucas Wilson doing a timed, suspended, world record breaking straitjacket escape!  Watch the video of Graeme O'Neil interviewing Lucas on CGT Backstage.
[Thanks to Ian Crawford and Graeme O'Neil for providing Warren Toaze's name!  Thanks also to Edward Stone for pointing me to the Roger's Video Anytime clips!]
Roger's Anyplace TV streamed video of auditions for Edward and Jordan. (These videos are no longer availabe.)

The following YouTube videos are no longer available:
Neil Croswell's audition:


Clips from Ryan Joyce's audition:

Lucas Wilson's audition:

From the Halifax and Vancouver Part 2 show (at about the 35 minute mark) we were treated to The Dance and Illusions of Oslen. From CGT Backstage, watch as Oslen celebrates his standing ovation backstage! 



They showed Neil, Ryan, Mike, Warren, Lucas, Edward and Oslen progressing to the next round!  Congratulations gentleman!  And thank you for doing such a wonderful job of representing magic!


Trivia:  Neil, Mike and Ryan are all Sorcerers Safari Alumni either as campers or counsellors!