One of my passions is Magic. Those of you who know me are aware that I spend a lot of time, money and energy on the art and it’s something I strive to be better at every day. This weekend I had an opportunity to see one of my favorite professional magicians perform just inches away from me, and also had multiple opportunities to to work with and learn from him.
Jeff McBride has a very unique style. His performance is backed by strong storytelling and poetry. He takes you deep into his own world of magic while wowing you with effects that are both visually astounding as well as emotionally astounding. I had the pleasure of sitting second row for a performance at Fantasma Toys, a Magic and Joke shop in Manhattan, just upstairs from Penn Station! Jeff performed his Vegas-style show in a small theater that held around a hundred people. To see that caliber of a show close up was incredible.
He performed many of his classics as well as some new effects. It was a treat seeing his mask routine, coin production, water bowls, illuminated canes, and especially his card and card-fan procuctions. Jeff combines his magical skill with performance skill to bring a show that is unlike any other.
Getting to listen to Jeff lecture to a room full of magicians, students and enthusiasts was enlightening. Learning the psychology behind many of his effects and the detail and work that goes into the performances opened my mind to new possibilities with my magic. If that wasn’t enough, I took an opportunity that I had missed last time Jeff performed locally and signed up for a closed-door workshop. The workshop was held at Fantasma again but consisted of a small group of about a dozen business professionals, working magicians and hobbyists, but all students of magic. Jeff taught about the different phases of magician; The Trickster, Where we all start out learning our first tricks and opening up communications with our audiences; The Sorcerer, where we apply disciplines to bring our magic to the next level; The oracle, where our magic touches inner thoughts and emotions; The Sage, who mentors and teaches using the combined knowledge and experiences through the other three stages. Through each phase he gives invaluable advice, magical history and even a few effects that can be integrated into our reportiore.
Jeff McBride’s magic is astounding and his attitude toward the craft demonstrates that he is truly a real magician.