Hi,
Can someone help a fellow magi?

Where are the best magic shops in Chicago? Where are the best places to hang around for magic after hours?

Thanks
Andy

I just got back from a business trip to Chicago and got to Ash's Magic Shop. Mr. Ash and his wife and "regular" customers were great fun to talk to, and he has an old-tyme shop brimming with merchandise from several eras. He's definitely worth going to see if you want friendly advice and perspective on how the biz has been changing.

Sigh . . times change, I recon

Midwest Magic isn't technically in the city, but I had a great time hanging out there one afternoon. Tim Felix is the owner.

For a current listing of magic shops, lectures, and shows in Chicago, bookmark http://www.MagicalChicago.com

Best,
Neil

Thanks for the link . . . I am all set now to have a great time.

Andy

TMC Partners in association with Victory Gardens Theater Present:

THE MAGIC CABARET
Magic, Mystery & Mischief at the Historic Biograph Theater

In the Golden Age of Magic, during the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, many great magicians lived and worked in Chicago,
playing to packed houses at theaters throughout the city. At the same
time, a style of performance known as "parlor magic" was enjoying great
popularity. Parlor magic provided a unique opportunity: a chance for
people to experience the wonders of the magician's art in a more
intimate setting -- a setting in which the audience could become a part
of the performance! The Magic Cabaret brings back the parlor magic
tradition. On Tuesday nights, audiences will gather in a sixty-seat
space on the second floor of the Biograph Theater, where they will be
enchanted by some of the finest magicians in the Windy City!

P.T. Murphy has deep roots in Chicago theatre, having worked with many
of the city's finest companies, including Shattered Globe Theatre,
Northlight Theatre and Irish Repertory. He studied theatre at Columbia
College, learned theatrical improvisation from Del Close and Charna
Halpern at Improv Olympic, and was an instructor at the Actors Center.
In his secret identity, P.T. has produced major trade shows throughout
North America. As a magician, P.T. could often be seen amazing
customers in Chicago's oldest magic shop.

David Parr is an actor, author and magician who has written two
acclaimed books about the art of magic. His thought-provoking writings
have been featured in publications in the U.S., Germany, France,
Australia and Sweden. David is currently a columnist for Magic
magazine, one of the world's top magic journals. Around Halloween,
David can be found haunting atmospheric locations with his original
show Haunting History, a magical tour of the shadowy territory where
history meets myth and folklore.

THE MAGIC CABARET
http://www.magic-cabaret.com

Special Engagement, Six Weeks Only!

Tuesdays, June 5 – July 10, 8:00pm

Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, Second Floor

2433 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL.

Tickets $20, Students and Seniors $15.
No one under age thirteen is admitted.

Seating is limited, so call the Victory Gardens Box Office at
773.871.3000
or order tickets online at http://www.magic-cabaret.com

The Biograph Theater is located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park
neighborhood, one block north of Fullerton on Lincoln Avenue, a short
walk from the Fullerton stop on the EL's Red, Brown and Purple lines.
Valet parking is available one hour before curtain. Discounted parking
rates are available at nearby parking facilities by providing a Victory
Gardens ticket stub. For more information, visit http://www.victorygardens.org

Got your show posted at http://www.MagicalChicago.com too, P.T.

Best,
Neil

Thanks! You are much too kind.

Hi, P.T.

I'm new to the magic community and will be visiting Chicago in June for three weeks so I'm looking for things to do. The link to magic cabaret says that there will be several performers... who is performing? Is it the same people every week, and same basic show, or will this performance change from week to week? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I’ve never been to a parlor show. Also, what's TMC? Is that a group or store that I can visit? Any other places you would recommend? I see Neil's Magical Chicago link, I'll look there...

Ah Magic Sam...you are not the blues guy? Send me an e-mail and I will get you all of the particulars for the day you will be in town.

If any magic clubs are interested in making a field trip to the show please e-mail me!

Thanks to all of you who have paid a visit to http://www.magic-cabaret.com

We are flattered at the OVERWHELMING response we have received. For those of you who have not gone, you can do so NOW!

http://www.magic-cabaret.com

Thanks!

We need a section devoted to Chicagoland area only.

http://www.magic-cabaret.com

Sign up for our mailings. Purchase tickets online. Learn more about Chicago and it's rich magical heritage.

Thanks for the suggestions . . .

..this guy asks where magic shops are in chicago and murphy gets on and gets a bunch of plugs in for his show.

the question was magic SHOPS, not magic SHOWS. well it is a terrific show, way above both performers usual level .....but magic inc, the oldest magic shop in the midwest in a come back stage....tricks and books and general magic stuff where bare shelves once were most evident.

I should point out that I am not an employee of this shop and I don't even like everyone there who is....but I just thought it might be nice to provide and answer to the question instead of running a free add for a show.

After you go to Magic Inc.

Come see The Magic Cabaret!!!

http://www.magic-cabaret.com

Thanks again for the inputs - I had a whale of a time in Chicago. BTW, anyone knows the guy who works the magic shop at the Navy Pier?

Andy

When looking at magic shops in Chicago, one has to know that there are two great magic shops within walking distance of one another: Magic Inc and Ash's Magic Shop. Get off at the Western stop on the Brown Line and prepare for magic.

Magic Inc. is once again getting back to the point where they are regularly creating new tricks on site. And they have some very good magicians on staff who are not only good on the technical aspects but are also are very good at hamming it up and giving you great ideas for the presentation aspect of magic.

Ash is quite a character. If you go to his store, you'll want to be there when he's at the store and not on a day when he's doing a show elsewhere. When he's not there, you'll still find plenty of interesting tricks there among the chaos, but it's worth being there on days when you can listen to his stories, experience his panache, and get trick tips.