Fantasma Magic is presenting events with Henry Evans and Shin Lim in June. Henry Evans will visit the shop on June 12th for a free meet and greet session from 4 to 6 p.m., and will appear in a show and separate lecture the following day. Shin Lim will appear at Fantasma on June 30th, participating in a free meet and greet from 1 to 4 p.m. and a lecture at 6 p.m.

Shin Lim and Henry Evans are both award-winning magicians with international reputations. For example, they both are winners of the magic competition at FISM, the Federation of International Magic Societies, which is considered an outstanding distinction in the world of magic.

Tickets for Henry Evans's performance are priced at $25 for regular seating and $35 for VIP seating. Tickets for his lecture are $20 for regular seating and $35 for VIP seating. A combined ticket for Henry Evans's performance and lecture is $35 for regular seating and $50 for VIP seating.To purchase tickets for the Henry Evans events, click here.

Tickets for Shin Lim's lecture may be purchased for $25 (regular seating) or $50 (VIP seating and a "secret bonus"). Fantasma notes that on June 24, the price for the Shin Lim lecture will be raised to $35.

This Summer The New-York Historical Society is focusing on magic with a wide range of presentations including a rare public exhibition of items from David Copperfield's extensive collection of materials documenting the history of the art. The acclaimed magician has created elaborate displays of materials from his collection in his private museum in Las Vegas, however that facility is not open to the general public. The viewing of these items in New York provides an opportunity for magic lovers to see such treasures from Copperfield's collection as the Metamorphosis Trunk used by Harry and Bess Houdini, handcuffs from Houdini's 1904 London Daily Mirror challenge, Houdini's milk can used for his milk can escape, a dress believed to have been worn by Adelaide Herrmann, Harry Kellar's Nested Boxes illusion, props belonging to Alexander the Man who Knows, A. C. Gilbert magic sets, items from Tannen's catalog and much more. The materials will be shown here in the exhibition Summer of Magic:Treasures from the David Copperfield Collection, which runs June 15 through September 16. 

The Society has a very wide range of magic related programming planned for its Summer of Magic, including events for families, historical talks, magic performances, workshops, free film screenings and much more. This includes an appearance by David Copperfield on June 16 in conversation with United States Congressman (and magician) Marc Pocan, who worked with Copperfield on the "Magic as an Art" resolution in Congress. Other events over the course of the summer will feature appearances by magicians Kent Axell, Eric Walton, Joshua Jay, and Tanya Solomon; magic historian Margaret Steel, in a talk about Adelaide Herrmann; and Gabriella Corey who will discuss magic's early history. The extensive schedule reveals an impressive commitment on the part of the Society to magic this summer. 

The New-York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West at 77th Street. For more information about their Summer of Magic presentations, including a listing of the events and links to purchase tickets, visit: nyhistory.org/summer-magic
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A selection of images from Summer of Magic: Treasures from the David Copperfield Collection

Mario Marchese, who has gained acclaim in the New York City area for his innovative performances for family audiences is appearing as the opening act for David Blaine in the tour through the United States and Canada that is currently underway. The tour began in San Diego May 6 and ends at the King's Theater in Brooklyn with performances on July 12 and 14. A total of 37 shows are planned. According to Mario's wife and Manager, Katie Rosa Marchese, "Mario is opening David Blaine's show with a 10 to 15 minute set that uplifts the kids in the audience and features some of Mario’s signature routines, including robotics." Katie was hesitant to give away more specifics, so maybe there are surprises in store, especially considering that the performances in the 3,000 to 4,000 seat houses in which the Blaine show is playing puts Mario in front of audiences much larger than those for whom he has customarily performed in live settings. 

Mario previously worked as a consultant for Blaine, helping him to develop his stage act for his first tour last summer. Mario and Blaine met through Asi Wind when Blaine asked for a recommendation for a children's magician. It turned out Blaine was seeking someone to perform with him at a party hosted by Robert DeNiro (for more on this connection, visit Maro and Katie's YouTube channel. 

Marchese's act interweaves magic, physical comedy and new age robotic programming into an act that is stylistically flavored by the traditions of vaudeville and other genres of earlier eras. In addition to touring his own show to venues around the country Marchese has performed on Sesame Street and Sprout TV. For more detailed perspective on his act, his inspirations, and the way he has integrated his family and professional life see the recent interview he conducted for the Parent Assembly of the Society of American magicians as well as Mario's YouTube channel which features the "It's a Family Business" series that details the adventures of the Marchese family. More information about Mario is also available at mariothemagician.comwww.mariothemagician.com

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The Great Kaplan will appear in New York from May 23 to 27 as part of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret, running at the Cutting Room. The Great Kaplan (the alias of David Kaplan) performs a zany vaudeville-flavored routine that features many magical mishaps. Kaplan also performs hat tricks and juggling and usually demonstrates his musical expertise with a virtuoso performance using a squeaking balloon. A profile in Magic Magazine explained that after Kaplan takes the stage "within the next few moments his props will be destroyed, his ego will be deflated his nerves will be jangled, and his audience will be sent into fits of hysterical laughter." Although the Great Kaplan has appeared on national television, won multiple magic competitions, and opened for a wide range of high profile acts, the appearance with the Bindlestiff Cirkus marks his New York City stage debut.

Featuring a cast of circus and variety luminaries led by Bindlestiff co-founders Stephanie Monseu and Keith Nelson, this year’s Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret flirts with the delicate balance between stunning success and exquisite failure. The cast will take audiences on a journey fraught with peril, witnessing a walk atop champagne bottles and the swallowing of a three-foot butterfly knife. With effervescent aerial displays and captivating presentations of legerdemain, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret promises a delightful escape from the every day.

In addition to The Great Kaplan, The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret features cast members Keith Nelson (vaudevillian juggler and sideshow marvel), Stephanie Monseu (emcee and instigator), Evan Ruggiero (triple threat, singer, actor, and one-legged tap dancer) and Chloe Somers Wall (delightfully daring aerial acrobat). The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Band features Robert Cowie on keyboards and Eric Biondo on trumpet and beats. The show is directed by Michelle Matlock, originator of The Ladybug role in Cirque du Soleil’s “Ovo”.

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret will appear at The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, May 23 to 27. The run features three weeknight performances which are for adults only, and two weekend matinees for the whole family. For tickets and more information, go to: http://www.bindlestiff.org/events/bindlestiff-family-cirkus-cabaret-at-the-cutting-room/

The Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magicians has created a new YouTube channel featuring interviews with magicians and members of the New York magic community. The first two interviews feature Xavier Spade and Mario Marchese. The interviews are conducted by Herb Scher, who is both a Board Member of the Parent Assembly and the editor of this blog! The conversations happen to both touch on the intersection of magic and new technology, showing two very different responses to the latest digital and electronic tools.