MAGIC GUIDE NYC: SHOWS, SHOPS, EVENTS, GET-TOGETHERS & MORE
3-25-2022: These listings are not currently being maintained. Briefly, the Magnets get-together described below has resumed in-person at Gossip, Parent Assembly has continued its monthly meetings and programming throughout the course of the entire pandemic, the Friday lunchtime group meets weekly at 1 p.m. Eastern virtually (go here for a link - anyone interested in magic is welcome). As of yet the Saturday group that was last meeting at A & H Deli has not resumed its get-togethers.
Magic Guide NYC is a one-stop source for information about magic-related activity in the New York City area. We hope that it is helpful to anyone looking to enjoy or learn about magic. If you know about events we should consider for this page, feel free to contact us.
For our blog filled with interviews, articles and more, go here.
Magic Guide NYC is a one-stop source for information about magic-related activity in the New York City area. We hope that it is helpful to anyone looking to enjoy or learn about magic. If you know about events we should consider for this page, feel free to contact us.
For our blog filled with interviews, articles and more, go here.
ShowsAlain Nu at the Lexington Hotel
Mentalist Alain Nu is performing in the lobby of the Lexington Hotel on Thursdays through December 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. and on December 22 from 9 to p.m. to midnight. There is no charge for the performance. 511 Lexington Hotel at 48th Street. Click here for more information. Amazeballs Thursday, December 20 at 10 p.m. Hosted by mentalist Eric Dittelman, Amazeballs provides an opportunity for magicians to experiment with new material. Plus the show presents a different featured comedy act each month. Creek and the Cave, 10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, New York For more information: Click Here. A Taste of Magic A Taste of Magic includes dinner plus tableside performances of close-up magic between courses of the meal. Guests usually see three or four magicians at their table as well as tricks performed for the whole room by the show's host. Saturday, December 8, at 8 p.m. Dock's Oyster Bar, 633 Third Avenue Saturday, December 15th, Dock's Oyster Bar, 633 Third Avenue Saturday, Saturday, December 22, at 8 p.m., Gossip Restaurant, 733 Ninth Avenue Saturday, December 29th, Dock's Oyster Bar, 633 Third Avenue For more information: atasteofmagicnyc.com At the Illusionists' Table Sundays through Thursdays Illusionist Scott Silven hosts an evening of dining and whisky interwoven with magic. Presented in "The Club Car" at "The McKittrick Hotel," the complex of performance spaces that also is home to the immersive stage production "Sleep No More," 542 West 27th Street. For information and tickets: At the Illusionists' Table. Chamber Magic, featuring Steve Cohen Fridays at 7 and 9 p.m.; Saturdays at 2, 7 and 9 p.m. Cohen's long running show (which has a dress code for audience members) harks to an earlier era of parlor magic. Cohen has drawn together rarely seen effects from a across a span of magic's history for an effective and very entertaining evening of magic. Chamber Magic is now performed at Lotte New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Avenue (b/t 50th & 51st Streets). For more information: www.chambermagic.com, or 866-811-4111. Magic After Hours, with Noah Levine The show provides an insider's view of Tannen's magic shop, focusing on its history and legacy, as well as a performance of close-up magic by Noah Levine. The show tends to play most Tuesdays and Wednesdays although performances sometimes are scheduled on other days of the week. 8 p.m. at Tannen's Magic, 45 West 34th Street, 6th Floor. For tickets and more information: www.magicafterhours.com Magic at Coney The Magic at Coney series presents a rotating bill of three or four performers each week in an area rich in magic history. Sundays at noon at the Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn. For more information and tickets: www.coneyisland.com/programs/magic-coney Magicienne Among the Spirits, featuring Belinda Sinclair Performances Thursday through Sunday in a location within walking distance of Times Square (address disclosed after tickets are purchased). The show is performed for a group of 8 to 10 people in Belinda's "secret conjuring room." It is an intimate show that includes a focus on magic history with a particular look at conjuring's female masters. Also includes pre-show tea and biscuits. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2993182 Monday Night Magic December 10, at 8 p.m., featuring: Torkova, David Corsaro, and Eran Raven (headliner) with Master of Ceremonies, Todd Robbins. Close-up performances at intermission by Rich Cohn and Patrick Davis. Guest artist: Jeffrey Tam. December 17, at 8 p.m., featuring: Alexander Boyce, Throwdini, Michael Chaut (headliner), with Master of Ceremonies, Ben Nemzer. Close-up performances at intermission by Mike Patrick and T. J. Tana. December 24, at 8 p.m., featuring: Jeremy Mikaelson, Eric Jones, and Chris Capehart (headliner), with Master of Ceremonies, Michael Chaut. Close-up performances at intermission by Brandon Williams and Kevin Kapinos. December 31, at 8 p.m., featuring: Lina Liu, Ben Nemzer, and Michael Chaut, (headliner), with Master of Ceremonies, Todd Robbins. Close-up performances at intermission (TBA). Players Theatre, 125 MacDougal Street. For information: mondaynightmagic.com, 718-575-1349 Parlor of Mystery Sunday, December 30, at 7 p.m. with performances by Magic Al Garber, Thaddeus, and Magic Al Sunday, January 27, at 7 p.m. with performances by Ben Zabin and Jeff Miller South Shore Theatre Experience, 115 South Wellwood Ave.Lindenhurst, NY (Long Island) For more information: parlorofmystery.com, 631-669-0506 Parlor of Mystery shows are held the fourth Sunday of every month. Sam Eaton's The Quantum Eye: Magic and Mentalism Show The show plays most Saturdays at 4 p.m. Please check the current schedule via the Quantum Eye web site. Theatre 80, 80 Saint Mark's Place For more information: www.thequantumeye.com Six Impossible Things, featuring Joshua Jay Through December 15; and March 22 through May 12 Joshua Jay's show is an immersive close-up magic show presented in an unusual venue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The audience is limited to 20 members at each performance. At The Mist, 59 Canal Street. For more information: www.siximpossiblethingsshow.com Speakeasy Magick Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. A magic medley at the McKCittrick Hotel, hosted by magician, sideshow artist, and raconteur Todd Robbins and featuring performances by a crew of close-up magic specialists who perform for patrons tableside. In "The Club Car" at the McKitrrick Hotel, 542 West 27th Street. For more information: Speakeasy Magick. The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays Through December 30 Although it sets its acts into a contemporary framework with such tools as lasers, video walls, and electronic music, The Illusionists is a modern day magic revue, showcasing acts of many different styles, including illusions, mentalism, and card magic. In this year's rendition on Broadway it features Shin Lim, winner of the 2018 America's Got Talent competition, as well as felllow conjurors Adam Trent, Colin Cloud, Dary Oake, and Chloé Crawford. The Marquis Theatre, 210 West 46th Street. For more information and tickets, go here. The Magician, featuring Dan White An intimate evening of magic, mystery, and deception. The show is presented Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Please check the show's web site for specific availability. Nomad Upstairs, The Nomad Hotel, 1170 Broadway (and 28th Street) For more information: www.nomadupstairs.com New York City's Magic ShopsTannen's, 45 West 34th Street, Suite 608, 212-929-4500
Tannen's is New York's oldest magic shop and is a hub of magic activity in the city. The store's Chief demonstrator Magick Balay and a crew of other skilled staff keep a stream of tricks flowing from behind the counter while often a wide range of magicians, magic lovers, (and parents of budding magicians) hang out at the table in the center of the room. Notable magicians are known to pop by and the store is on the itinerary of many conjurors visiting from out-of-town. Although the decor feels a bit home-grown, the store is very well-stocked with the latest tricks, an extensive selection of books and DVDs as well as supplies and basics like cards, silks, rope, flash paper, etc. There is a treasure of magic books - which may be borrowed free of charge. Just look to the left of the large elephant in the room. www.tannens.com Fantasma Magic, 213 West 35th Street, 212-233-3633 Fantasma, which recently moved a couple blocks to a new location, is characterized by its personable staff as well as by the extensive collection of rare and original Houdini memorabilia on display. These include a selection of professionally displayed posters, handcuffs, photographs, props and other items. The displays of Houdini materials take up the majority of the space in the shop. It is definitely worth visiting for anyone interested in the noted escape artist. Fantasma currently has a good stock of magic basics as well as unique and exclusive products. Many of the items Fantasma sells are those manufactured by their parent toy company, including a smorgasbord of magic sets and individual tricks. www.fantasmamagic.com Abracadabra, 19 West 21st Street, New York City, NY Abracadabra has a magic section within the larger store that sells costumes and other items. www.abracadabranyc.com Halloween Adventure, 808 Broadway Halloween Adventure also has a magic section in its large store. www.newyorkcostumes.com |
Get-TogethersSaturday Magicians Get-Together at A & H Deli
Saturdays from approximately noon to 5 p.m. 431 Seventh Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets. Magicians gather on Saturdays, in a longstanding tradition to share information, help each other with tricks, and socialize. The get-together is attended by magicians of all levels from beginners to working pros. Many future magic greats got their start by learning from fellow magicians at this weekly meet-up. Among the regular attendees are a core group of skilled practitioners, all of whom are willing to pass along knowledge to other magicians. Anyone interested in magic is welcome to attend. The group has recently moved to a new location on Seventh Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets (see above) after many years at a pizza restaurant on 35th Street. The Magic Table Fridays at 1 p.m. Times Square Diner & Grill, 807 Eighth Avenue (49th Street) The Magic Table is another longstanding gathering for magicians. It has always been based in the Times Square area, harking to the time when the neighborhood was home to multiple magic businesses like the Tannen's and Max Holden magic stores. This get-together often stretches out from lunchtime until early evening as magicians schmooze over omelets, sandwiches, and soup. It is frequented by a group of dedicated regulars as well as magicians visiting New York and occasional surprise guests. (See a Today show piece about the group here). Magnets Wednesday evenings, 6 p. m. Gossip Restaurant, 733 Ninth Avenue Magnets is a newer group that meets for weekly jam sessions and workshops and also occasionally sponsors its own lectures, workshops and shows. Although everyone is welcome, the group skews toward magicians in their 20s and 30s, supporting each other with feedback on performances, booking and marketing information, and help achieving long-term goals. Many of the Magnets members perform in the show, A Taste of Magic, which is a spin-off of the group. Anyone interested in magic is welcome to attend the Wednesday night sessions. Magicians Meet Up at Rubenstein Atrium Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. 61 West 62nd Street (enter on Broadway or on Columbus Avenue) In this recently-launched meet up session, magicians are getting together at the Rubenstein Atrium, a public space that is part of Lincoln Center, for sharing and development of ideas, the chance to receive feedback from fellow magicians, and the opportunity to perform for lay people who also are gathered in the striking public space. A number of the magicians involved focus on coin magic, but the group is open to attendance by anyone interested in any aspect of magic. Magic Societies, New York City ChaptersNew York is home to chapters of two separate international magic societies, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians.
International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 26 The Harry Roz-On Ring of the I. B. M. meets the last Friday of each month at the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, 322 West 48th Street. The group presents frequent shows by members and by special guests as well as regular Lab sessions where members teach magic. The I. B. M. is characterized by a strong community of members who share in their love of magic. For information about joining, please write the group's President, Jim Stranges, at: [email protected]. Society of American Magicians, Parent Assembly, #1 The S. A. M. was founded in New York in 1902. After the group expanded nationally, the local chapter became known as Parent Assembly, #1. Parent Assembly meets the first Friday of each month. Meetings are often held at Fantasma Magic but special shows are sometimes held elsewhere. Parent Assembly meetings offer a wide variety of programming ranging from lectures with notable magicians to performances by members, historical talks, and seasonal celebrations. PA1 also presents a monthly workshop which features instruction by noted magician Doug Edwards. For information about joining Parent Assembly, please contact Membership Committee Chairman, Steve Okulewicz, at: [email protected]. Society of Young Magicians The first Saturday of every month, except July and August, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tannen's Magic, 45 West 34th Street, 6th Floor Young magicians (18 years and below) gather to learn from each other as well as a special guest every meeting. The group often gets opportunities to perform for lay-people and professional magicians alike. Tricks are taught, critiques are given and young magicians can collaborate and have fun. This is for any young person interested in magic, including folks who are first starting out or are at an intermediate level. For more information about the SYM, contact Cory Bragar at: [email protected]. International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 317 • The Ring of Illusions Ring 317 meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month from September through June at the Parker Center, LIJ Hospital, Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park on the Nassau/Queens border. Ring 317 is a small friendly club that welcomes members of all abilities. Anyone interested is invited to attend a meeting as a guest. The Ring provides workshops, lectures, feedback on routines, and the chance to perform in bi-monthly shows for hospital patients, plus free refreshments! Please contact Anthony DiFilippi, [email protected], for more information. |