Magic appears at the library—October 23, 2009
Do you believe in magic?
If you believe, as author Stephen King puts it, “Books are a uniquely portable magic,” then you must agree that a library full of books is a library full of magic. Come Nov. 10, Hastings Public Library will become even more magical.
That evening, illusionist Adam White of Lincoln will magically appear and cast his own spell in the library. With his first trick and wave of his magic wand at 7:30 p.m., he will have an audience mesmerized.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Hastings Public Library, White’s magic show is free and open to the public. The performance is geared for adults.
White will delight with a variety of sleight of hand tricks and his own unique illusions.
Don’t expect what’s up White’s sleeve to be revealed, however other secrets of magic can be found in numerous library books written for and by magicians.
Since an elephant won’t fit in the library’s elevator, it’s a safe bet that White won’t be making one disappear on our stage however if you’re interested in learning how that trick would be pulled off, there’s a book that carefully explains it. “Hiding the Elephant” is an enjoyable read, written by Jim Steinmeyer, a designer of illusions for most of today’s leading magicians and Broadway shows. Chronicling more than half a century of illusionary innovation, Steinmeyer presents the secrets and life stories of the fascinating personalities behind such magical marvels as floating ghosts interacting with live actors and Houdini’s famous disappearing elephant act. The book provides a front-row seat to the most celebrated and controversial magic performances in history.
In a hefty, 472-page volume, master illusionist Mark Wilson has compiled one of the most comprehensive collections of magic feats. “Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic” provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction for performing more than 300 classic tricks, from sleight of hand to levitation and much more.
The mystery behind floating balls, a woman sawn in half, walking through a brick wall and other closely-guarded secrets that famous magicians have protected for years can be found in several other books, among them: “The Everything Magic Book” by Greg Davidson, “That’s Magic” by Richard Jones, and “All the Secrets of Magic Revealed,” by Herbert L. Becker, better known as The Great Kardeen.
If you enjoy biographies, read about one of the most famous magicians of all time in “Houdini, the Untold Story” in which author Milbourne Christopher promises to separate fact from legend.
Combining illusion, technology and the wonders of wild animals, for years, illusionists Siegfried and Roy performed two shows every evening, 11 months each year, entertaining 18,000 people-a-week. Read their extraordinary rags-to-riches story in their joint autobiography, “Siegfried & Roy, Mastering the Impossible.”
Set off on a magical trip through time with Milbourne Christopher’s classic “The Illustrated History of Magic. This book traces the fascinating stories of the world’s greatest conjurers from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt to modern-day illusionists such as David Copperfield and Doug Henning. The book is wonderfully illustrated and includes detailed drawings that reveal the truth behind the magic.
Discover the magic of your public library.
