A Q&A With Dan

Why should I hire a close up magician, anyway?

Excellent question! Close up magic is an extremely intimate and personal form of entertainment. When sleight of hand is done well, it triggers a very special moment of astonishment that most people experience only rarely in their lives. In a sense, it wakes them up again, for a moment, and reminds them just how amazing the world around them is. Good close up magic resonates with people in ways that go far, far beyond the crude “he fooled me,” and challenges their perceptions and expectations.

Because of this, people at your event are going to remember what they experienced the night they saw the close up magician.

DJs, bands, speakers, these are all good, traditional choices for entertainment. But if you really want your event to stand out from the rest, hire a good close up magician to do strolling magic at your hospitality suite or cocktail party, or to perform table side at your banquet.

Your guests will still be talking about it next year.

Are you available for children’s parties?

NO. Close up magic is the branch of the art aimed at entertaining adults. At its best, it can be sophisticated, classy, and very funny. There are, however, no shiny boxes, funny hats, balloon animals, or cute bunnies, therefore, nothing of interest to a child.

Plus, have you noticed that children are usually sticky? I hate that.

Okay then, what sort of events DO you do?

I perform close up magic (sleight of hand, predominately with cards, but also coins, sponge balls, bills, and other simple objects) both table side and strolling, for restaurants, bars, cocktail parties, hospitality suites and various corporate events. The routines are geared towards adults (but always tasteful, never “blue”). They are sophisticated, funny, and aim to evoke gasps of astonishment or bursts of laughter.

You won’t make my guests feel foolish, will you?

Not at all. Good magic isn’t about fooling people, but entertaining them. Don’t get me wrong, they will be fooled, and badly—I’m good at what I do—but that is only the by-product of good magic—not the goal of it. Close up magic is not a puzzle to be solved. Good magic isn’t about making someone feel foolish. It is about making them feel a sense of wonder. It is about the audience having a good time. The only person I make fun of during a routine is me.

I have an uncle who knows a couple of card tricks. Why don’t I just save the money and have him do it?

That’s true, your Uncle Earl would be a lot cheaper. But, if in the middle of a trick, he asks you to “pull his finger”… don’t do it. Really. Trust me on this. Come to think of it, if the CEO of your company is going to be there…you might want to warn him, too, just in case.

Or, you could hire a professional who, while charging you more, can be depended on to give your guests a funny, astonishing evening—one you’ll get the credit for.

Some things should just be left to professionals. Brain surgery, major auto repair, high-stakes poker, political governance, and most of all card tricks.

Okay, I’m sold! How much is this going to cost me?

Give me a call, or drop me an email with the details of your event and I’ll get you an exact quote tailored to your needs. Contact me at info@DanLaddMagic.com, or call Dan Ladd Productions 618-343-0590.