Around Chicago
with DON WIBERG
October 2008

The month of October brings out some very unusual magic activity in and around the Chicagoland area. If you're looking to see a real Halloween scary show, take a ride up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee is a relatively short drive from Chicago and you won't be disappointed at David Seebach's "Illusions in the Night" It's an annual Halloween Magic Extravaganza that was created by David Seebach and his cast in 1991. It combines spectacular illusions chosen for their seasonal appeal with mysterious stage settings and scenery, eerie music, colorful costuming, lots of audience participation and comedy plus a few good shocks and scares. (read more)

David Seebach It is a family-friendly show, but not exclusively a kiddies' attraction. It's an annual event, but the repertoire is changed somewhat each year so that there's always something new. I saw the show two years ago and was very impressed with the overall production. David takes over an historic theatre and recreates an illusion show that is rarely seen in this day and age. Eight performances on six days over two weekends are scheduled at Milwaukee's historic ---and haunted--- Modjeska Theater. This 80+-year-old venue is Magician David Seebach noted in books as "America's most haunted theater." It has NOT been restored; it will welcome you in all its ghoulish decay!

FAIR WARNING: The show always ends with the theater plunged into darkness and the materialization of many ghosts, phantoms and spirits soaring everywhere around you. You'll LAUGH! You'll SCREAM! You'll LOVE David Seebach's "Illusions in the Night."

For detailed information, go to http://www.illusionsinthenight.com/

SUPERNATURAL CHICAGO- NOW IN ITS FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR!

If you're looking for more Halloween chills and thrills, you won't want to miss Ghosts, Curses and Psychic Phenomena presented by Neil Tobin. This is the fifth season that Neil has presented a version of this interactive one-man show in one of the most reputedly haunted locations in Chicago, The Excalibur. Neil combines psychic demonstrations, magic and audience participation along with true tales of Chicago's haunted past. Appearing every Friday night in an open run plus Saturdays in October -- Excalibur nightclub presents Neil Tobin, Necromancer in Supernatural Chicago.

Take your evening from normal to paranormal. In every performance of Supernatural Chicago, Neil Tobin, Necromancer introduces theatergoers to some of Chicago's most well documented paranormal events, brought to life through storytelling and interactive demonstrations of mindreading, magic and other phenomena that involve the audience in memorable ways.

The interactive experience begins the moment audience members enter Excalibur. The building that houses Excalibur has been cited repeatedly by paranormal investigators and such TV shows as A&E's Sightings as one the most haunted locations in Chicago. Asks the Necromancer, "What better place to lift a drink, soak up some haunting stories about our city, and explore the unexplained?"

Supernatural Chicago begins promptly at 7:30pm every Friday night (plus Saturday nights in October) at Excalibur nightclub, 632 N. Dearborn at Ontario, and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Admission is $25, which includes two free beverages (courtesy Supernatural Chicago) and general admission to Excalibur nightclub for the evening. Tickets are available at the door; however, seating is limited to only 50 attendees per performance. Read more about this incredible show at: http://www.supernaturalchicago.com/

LA COSTA TO PRESENT THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER

.

The History of Gambling and Cheating

While you're at the LaCosta, there's an added bonus performance featuring Keith Cobb as The Grifter. The History of Gambling and Cheating is a new one man show presented by local professional magician, Keith Cobb after The Devil's Daughter. Keith Cobb appears as The Grifter on Friday and Saturday Nights at 11PM from November 7th through December 13, 2008. For more information, go to www.TheGrifter.com or call 847-228-0882. Online Ticket Sales made be purchased thru www.ticketweb.com

MAGIC AUCTION

If you're looking to purchase used magic, consider coming to the Mazda Mystic Ring's annual auction. The auction will take place on November 13, 2008 at the Knight's of Columbus Hall at 10 Villa Street in Elgin, IL. The preview starts at 6:00 PM with the bidding beginning 7:00 PM. For more information, go to their website http://www.mazdamysticring.com/index.

MAGIC CABARET

One of the most exciting shows to appear in Chicago in a long time is the The Magic Cabaret at the Victory Gardens Theater Greenhouse, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. In the Golden Age of Magic, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Chicago was a major center for magic in the United States. Great magicians gathered here to amaze audiences in theaters and parlors, nightclubs and showrooms, restaurants and bars throughout the city. The Magic Cabaret reawakens the Chicago magic tradition and brings it to modern audiences eager for mystery and wonder! Every week, PT Murphy and David Parr, along with a cast of talented guest entertainers, celebrate the finest magic the Windy City has to offer, from classic sleight of hand to the powers of the mind -- and you're invited to the celebration!

I saw the earlier version of this show and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. The show I saw was presented in a rather small theatre and the audience was thoroughly captivated by the performances of P.T. Murphy and David Parr. It was a sophisticated show with few props, just two great performers who kept the audience entertained for close to two hours. I highly recommend this show.

THE MAGIC CABARET
September 18 - October 18
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm The Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 North Lincoln Avenue
Tickets $25.00 No one under age 13 admitted.
Call (773) 404-7336 or visit http://w

MAGIC CHICAGO

Another production entitled, Magic Chicago is worth attending. Benjamin Barnes and Robert Charles are the hosts and producers of Magic Chicago. Every show is different and -- with every show, Benjamin and Robert welcome unique magical guests. It is now celebrating its 4th magical year and is our town's premiere showcase for magic, mystery and wonder. Please join them for next week's presentation of Magic Chicago

Tickets are only $20.00 and can be purchased on line or at the door. Reservations are highly recommended. Please visit http://magicchicagoshow.com/ for more information, or contact us at (773) 984-3817.

City Lit Theater
1020 West Bryn Mawr
(in the historic Edgewater Presbyterian Church)

Pirates of the Scaribbean

Chicago area dentist and illusionist, Dr. Mark Kashube will be presenting his annual Halloween Extravaganza entitled, Pirates of the Scaribbean at the Minooka High School on October 25^th at 7:00 P.M. The amazing thing about this show is that it is FREE! I saw this show last year and was blown away! This is a full-blown illusion show with a large costumed cast, animals, great lighting and music. Mark presents this show as a way of paying back the communities in which his dental practices are located. More information is available at his website http://www.magicdentist.com/events.php

Magic Club News

Chicagoans are fortunate to have a number of magic clubs in the area. Harlan Tarbell Ring #43, several SAM Assemblies, the Knights of Sleights, the Mazda Mystic Ring, the Magic Masters, and the Wizards to mention a few. Chicago magicians also have a number of magic shops from which to purchase the latest effects. Among them are Magic Inc., Mr. Ash's Magic Shop, P.J. Magic Shop, Midwest Magic, Izzy Rizzy's, Riley's Trick Shop, Chuck's House of Magic, Magic Masters, Bob James Magic Shop, and a few others in the outlying areas.

'Twas the Night Before Halloween . . .
Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 pm
A Special Magic Chicago Presentation:
An Evening with Eugene Burger:
A Celebration of 30 years of Magic

Featuring a Live Performance by Eugene Burger
on the Magic Chicago stage...
-- plus a special screening of A Magical Vision
by film director Michael Caplan.

Tickets: $25

City Lit Theater
1020 West Bryn Mawr
(773) 293-3682
Click Here for more details
Email: boxoffice@citylit.org
(in the historic Edgewater Presbyterian Church)

THE CONJUROR'S CORNER MAGIC CLUB

The Conjuror's Corner Magic Club of Roselle, Illinois will be hosting a lecture by Paul Green on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. Paul has performed before audiences at the Magic Castle and trade shows Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, Hong Kong and Scandinavia. Paul has been awarded the Close-Up Magician of the Year and Lecturer of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle. He was a columnist for the Magic Menu, and his work has been published in Genii as well as Magic Magazine.

The lecture will be held at Harry's Magic Shop / Jensen Entertainment, 820 W Lake Street, Roselle, IL. 60172-Phone 630-980-8882. For further information

http://www.conjurorscorner.com/

KOSTYS KIMLAT FULL DAY OF MAGIC

Kostya Kimlat A Full Day of Magic and Learning

Learn New Tricks, Discover New Presentations and Secrets That Will Change the Way You Interact With Your Audiences. Become Inspired and Empowered to Be a Better Magician.

When: Sunday-October 26, 2008 - Doors Open at 10:00 AM.

Where: The Annoyance Theatre

4830 North Broadway

Chicago, IL 60640

There will be a Business Workshop, A Lecture and a Card Workshop. You can choose one workshop or sign up for the entire day and save BIG!

If you are only interested in the lecture, Kostya will lecture at 1:00. The cost of the lecture is $40.00 at the door or only $30.00 if you sign up in advance. Everyone who attends the lecture will receive Kostya's Lecture DVD-a $30 Value-FREE!

For more information on the other workshops, go to

http://kostyamagic.com/eventpages/chicagodb.php#top

To watch a FREE video, receive FREE Magic, and to learn more about the magic you will see live, visit Kostya's Website @ KostyaMagic.com

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

SAM 3 meeting Monday, OCT 27, 2008, 7pm gather, 7:30 start--- SÉANCE MAGIC. Have the spirits come to visit? Your guests might think so with the demonstrations you'll learn at this month's meeting. And while you're here, you'll have a chance to assist with The Houdini Séance taking place this Friday at the Excalibur Nightclub. Come with the spooky, scary stuff that you have on hand. Help get us all in the mood for HALLOWEEN!

MAGIC MASTERS OF CHICAGO-NOVEMBER MEETING

The Magic Masters of Chicago will be presenting a lecture by Ed Ellis on November 20th. The lecture will be held at the Tinley Park Methodist Church Social Hall located at 6875 West 173^rd Place, Tinley Park, Illinois. This is ½ block west of Oak Park Avenue or approximately 4 blocks east of Harlem Avenue on 173^rd Place. Parking is available in the lot behind the building. Members are free, guests are $10.00.

Magician Ed Ellis

Ed Ellis

Ed Ellis is a full time professional magician who resides in the Football Hall Of Fame City, Canton, Ohio and travels the globe performing magic. For over twenty-five years, Ed Ellis has been performing close-up magic, sleight of hand illusions, and full time tableside magic for Hollywood and TV stars as well as famous sports figures. Ed has also performed at Las Vegas's Caesar's Palace, lectured at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and in 2005 was the star of the Ed Ellis TV Show.

Ed opens his lecture with a 5 minute "mind blowing" display of card magic from his 2008 Magic Castle Routine. He then follows the opener by explaining each of the effects in detail. Presentation and connection with the audience is emphasized throughout his lecture. Coin and rubber band magic is touched on with the finale of the lecture being his "You Blue It" routine. Ed is known for his excellent card handling, presentation, and teaching skills which will help make your event a well rounded learning experience.

In addition, Ed will give you tips on how to get hired and how to make that first impression. Ed will also discuss how you can present yourself as a well-rounded performer. This is a lecture you won't want to miss.

For more information about Ed Ellis, go to: http://www.edellismagic.com/index.html

The lecture will begin at 8:00 PM. Members Free, Non-members $10.00

[Be sure to watch this space for ever changing news of what's happening Around Chicago. Leave me a comment by clicking the link at the bottom. . . or send me an email: Don Wiberg]