 Jeff McBride and volunteer (photo: ©2014 Bill Wang) |  PA 1 President Throwdini; Magician of the Year, Sol Stone; Jeff McBride; Salute to Magic Producer, Ken Ferst (photo: ©2014 Bill Wang). |
The Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magicians presented its 105th Annual Salute to Magic on Saturday, May 17 to a packed house at the Queens Theatre. Jeff McBride was the evening's headliner, and he showed why he has become so widely recognized as a standout talent in magic. His Miser's Dream with an audience volunteer was utterly charming, particularly since he picked a kid who was naturally, but not overbearingly, funny. His other signature pieces, the water bowls, card manipulation, cup (bowl) and balls, mask sections, etc. were also very strong. Jeff left the audience filled with wonder (particularly about where he buys his suits!). Jay Scott Berry was the evening's Master of Ceremonies and also closed the first half of the show in a spot featuring his own elegant magic. Devlin performed illusions with his wife Bronwyn, and David Oliver delivered a set that involved audience volunteers to comic effect. David's most impressive trick--inflating a balloon with his recently transplanted lungs--now that was amazing (David urged audience members to think about becoming organ donors). As if all that wasn't enough, four teenage magicians performed walk-around magic before the show and during intermission.
It was very nice that Jeff McBride was on hand to help with the presentation of the Magician of the Year honor to Sol Stone, since Jeff is one of the magicians who Sol has so generously mentored. Sol has pursued his interest in magic over 84 of his 91 years. At age seven his father took him to see a performance by Howard Thurston, but it was the attraction in the lobby - a woman's talking head resting on a sword across two chairs - that infatuated Sol. Sol has known or seen most of the great magicians of the 20th and 21st centuries - Leipzig, Vernon, Flosso, LePaul, Goshman - to name a few - and he has contributed much to magic through his innovative close-up creations and his instruction and support of other magicians. Sol still actively participates in the New York magic scene, mostly through the Saturday afternoon get-togethers at Cafe Rustico. It's worth stopping by for a visit to say hello, for sure.
It was very nice that Jeff McBride was on hand to help with the presentation of the Magician of the Year honor to Sol Stone, since Jeff is one of the magicians who Sol has so generously mentored. Sol has pursued his interest in magic over 84 of his 91 years. At age seven his father took him to see a performance by Howard Thurston, but it was the attraction in the lobby - a woman's talking head resting on a sword across two chairs - that infatuated Sol. Sol has known or seen most of the great magicians of the 20th and 21st centuries - Leipzig, Vernon, Flosso, LePaul, Goshman - to name a few - and he has contributed much to magic through his innovative close-up creations and his instruction and support of other magicians. Sol still actively participates in the New York magic scene, mostly through the Saturday afternoon get-togethers at Cafe Rustico. It's worth stopping by for a visit to say hello, for sure.
The cast of the 105th Annual Salute to Magic. Left to right starting at back: David Oliver; PA1 President, The Great Throwdini; Jeff McBride; Salute to Magic Producer, Kenneth Ferst; Kamarr; Jay Scott Berry; Joe Devlin; Bronwyn Devlin. Front row: George Danyluk; David Rosenstein; Adam Krevlin; and Kayla Caputo. Photo: ©2014 Bill Wang.
The Salute's location at the Queens Theatre provided a logical tie-in to the current celebration of the anniversaries of the 1939 and 1964 New York World's Fairs (the theatre originated as part of The New York State Pavilion built for the 1964 event). The role of magic at the two fairs was the focus of slide shows and videos shown during the Salute, and two PA1 members who had roles performing at the 1964 Fair were on hand to be recognized. PA1 President, The Great Throwdini, was acknowledged for performing a hand-balancing act at the 1964 event, and Kamarr the Magician was highlighted for his performances 50 years ago in the Greek Pavilion and at Mark Wilson's Hall of Magic. At the Salute Kamarr was invited on stage for a brief performance and he entertained with The Magic Square.
The sold-out Salute was produced by PA1 President Throwdini and Kenneth Ferst. Although this evidently was the first time the show has been held outside of Manhattan, the Queens Theatre was a comfortable and homey place for the event.
The sold-out Salute was produced by PA1 President Throwdini and Kenneth Ferst. Although this evidently was the first time the show has been held outside of Manhattan, the Queens Theatre was a comfortable and homey place for the event.
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