Card Magic

At smaller events (up to about 20 people), I perform one interactive show for everyone together, usually at a table. At larger events, I move around and mingle ("stroll"), tactfully creating and entertaining ever-changing audiences, either standing with guests or approaching their tables. Laughter or applause or "What?! How did that happen?" attracts new people to watch or get involved. Often, word of mouth continues the momentum. I enjoy inviting people to partake in the amusement. I respect my participants so they have a great time too. In some situations, I can perform a hybrid show, with mostly strolling plus another set or two for more people.

I can customize one or two of my effects so a branding message or guest of honor's name (such as the person having a birthday or the names of the bride and groom) will appear written on the cards randomly chosen by the audience.

In 1973, when I was 15, I attended a summer arts camp near Toronto. In my bunk was a boy named Danny, whose father was an attorney for the famous and trailblazing magician Doug Henning. Doug had been teaching Danny to perform magic with playing cards. When Danny showed me some card magic, I was instantly hooked; I knew if I learned this it would change my life. We went to a magic shop and I got books (yes, I still have them) and cards.

I read, practiced, rehearsed, created, and performed for a few friends and my family.

In 1976, my senior year in high school, I brought my cards to school. "May I show you a trick?" led to "Will you show us a trick?" (On the Myers-Briggs test I went from introvert to extrovert.) I was Most Improved Student in my high school graduating class.

I went to four colleges and earned degrees, all the while honing my craft as a card magician. I occasionally performed for gatherings.

Fast forward to the post-college years. I was working at a temp job for the HR department of the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) here in Chicago, helping them rewrite their employee handbook. As the turn of the year approached, they announced their Holiday Party for employees. I approached the head of Human Resources, Larry, and asked him whether they had booked entertainment for this event. He gave me a look. I handed him a deck of cards and asked him to shuffle them, and then showed him some of my effects. He said, "That was great!" I replied, "I know. So hire me." He did. That was my first professional gig.

All I need is an audience and a conducive space: enough light to easily see playing cards, a noise level that allows us to talk without yelling, and some scattered/stationary table space.