At the Magic Castle!

The Magic Castle!

In June, I had the honor of going to Hollywood, California and entertaining at the Magic Castle!  With my dear friend Tom Frank, we performed three shows a night in the Peller Theatre the weekend of June 6 - 8.  It all started at a session in February, 2012, in the desert north of Indio, where we discussed the idea of doing a show together at the Castle.  The show would feature the classics of magic, as taught to us by our mentors, with cards, coins, cups & balls, & linking rings... the stuff we make our living with today.  Finally, we shared one of the best stages in the world and lived the dream!

I have so many people to thank for making the trip such a fun success... Thank you to Jack G., Joan L. and the Magic Castle team (Sheila, Erin, Sabrina, Rose, Katie, Patrick, Steve, Brandon, Joey, Maurice, and Tom).  Thanks to some honored friends and guests who came to see our show (Perry, Lisa & Camilla K., Simon & Ginny A., Jonathan P., and birthday girl Alyssa B. with her fun friends).  Thanks to Makoto for the impromptu session on coins, it was great to meet him and learn a couple of new tricks.  Special thanks to Robb W. & Alfonso for their notes & feedback on the show.  Thanks to all the great audiences for the crowd love!  Most of all, thanks to Tommy and Polly for their friendship and hospitality at Camp Paradise!  What an awesome experience!!

Now Appearing!

Shawn Eric is performing at the Rustler's Rooste Restaurant!  Come enjoy his close-up table magic fun on Wednesday through Saturday nights, 6 - 9pm.  His schedule will vary through the summer months, so please call to confirm.  Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.  Call 602-431-6474 and visit the website, rustlersrooste.com for more information.

Cellini Books & DVDs!

Cellini, a beloved student of Slydini and legendary street magician, inspired a generation of magicians and street performers.  Study and enjoy these materials to find out why, and you may be inspired too.   

The Royal Touch, A Guide to the Art of Street Magic - $120.00
Dreamer's Highway - $90.00
Street Magic Lecture DVD - $55.00
Slydini Lecture (performed by Cellini) DVD - $55.00

We have a limited number of these books and dvds.  Prices include postage in the USA.  If you'd like to order, just email to confirm they are still available (shawn@magicfunwithpeople.com).

More Raving Fans

Michelle R.

Arizona Public Service

October 15, 2013

Hi Shawn,

We received great feedback from the event, our employees loved your magic.  Will definitely pass along referrals.

Michelle  

Anagnost, G.T.

Arizona State Bar 

October 27, 2013

Sir Shawn:  A quick note to thank you very much.  Your presentation was excellent and your weaving in legalisms was impressive.  Best of all, you’re improvisation on the bobble head was amazing! 

Best, Judge A

Amy G.

November 3, 2013

Hi Shawn,

Everyone had so much fun tonight!!  Thank you!  I might leave our card up indefinitely. Next year I am considering an Alice in Wonderland theme.  So I will book you this time next year!  My crowd loved you!

Thank you again,

Amy

Ken H. 

November 18, 2013

Shawn — we really enjoyed having you entertain at our dinner.  The dinner went very well and your performance was a great way to kick off the night.  There were lots of folks there who I’m sure won’t forget you when they do their party planning.  Take care and good luck.

Ken

Andrew D. 

January 3, 2014

We loved having you Shawn, yet again.  And every year, I hear even greater feedback of your performance! 

Andy

Tommy O'R. 

January 8, 2014

Shawn,

I just wanted to say thank you for the tremendous job you did at our 2013 Christmas Party at Dave and Busters.  Our employees and guests loved all your tricks and you had everyone shaking their heads. I realize the space we had our party in (behind the bowling lanes) had some noise challenges but everything went off seamlessly, including the final performance. I particularly liked your interaction with the kids and your idea to pass out some Christmas bonus money to our employees through your tricks worked out great.  We were very pleased with everything and strongly recommend you and your services to anyone looking for a talented magician and a great performer.

Sincerely,

Thomas O'R.

President, Valley Environmental Resources

Howard G. 

January 21, 2014

Hi Shawn,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the show you performed at my 60th birthday party on Saturday.  You were a huge hit and made my celebration very memorable!  You just don't know sometimes who you are getting when going off the internet, etc.  Boy did we make the right choice in hiring you!  If you need any referrals, please do not hesitate to call us.  Again, many thanks!

Regards,

Howard and Susie G.

Monte E.

January 21, 2014

Hey Dad,

Just randomly thought of you and how hard you’ve worked and how far you’ve come this past year or so.  You’re doing a really good job and I’m proud of you so keep it up.  Sorry we weren’t able to get together, hopefully another time.  Hope you’re doing well.

Monte

Jaimee M. 

January 26, 2014

Thank you so much Shawn for participating in Solelebrate 2014.

You captivated many people and I received so many compliments.

I hope you had a fun evening as well!

Jaimee

What People are Saying

From the Comedy Night Fundraiser at the Kerr Cultural Center in September...

Dear Shawn,
You are a total pro!  It was a pleasure to work with you.  Thank you for going above & beyond to make the museum's event a success.  Hopefully, I will see you again in the magic world!
Many grins,
Gina G.
Children's Museum of Phoenix


From a fan at the Coconino County Fair...

Shawn,
I first saw you perform in Scottsdale, AZ, at the Borgata with John Fitzsimmons.  I liked what you did, but I wasn't too impressed.  Again I saw you at an art event in Tempe on Mill.  I thought, "He's improving..." I liked your style.  Fast forward to the Coconino County Fair where I saw you perform.... WOW!!!  Your effects are engaging, but most importantly, I loved and admired your skill with the crowd!  You've really found your persona, style, etc.  And you're fun!  Congrats on "making it"!
Can't wait to watch you again.
All the best,
Tony L.

Summer Solstice Celebration!

For years, I've wanted to travel north for the summer solstice, to enjoy the long days and work during the late evening sunsets.  Recently this past June, I escaped the desert heat and journeyed up to Washington for two weeks.  In Bellingham, I visited my friend Crystal, The Jewel of Magic, who was also a friend of Cellini.  Crystal and I met in Switzerland in 1992 at Cellini's Zauberlauden in Zurich where we worked the streets together with a motley crew of Cellini's other students.  She has been taking care of her magic and performing in a variety of venues for many years.  It was a pleasure to see her again!  We talked about the old days, shared lots of laughs and healthy food, and discussed our new magic dreams and adventures.  Here she is at her regular gig at the local smoke shop where she performs cigarette and cigar magic for her nicotine addicted clients.  She's still got chops and a great cups and balls routine!

On the solstice weekend I worked the Fremont Fair in Seattle.  Friday evening I did a show in the beer garden before the band played, typical party crowd, it was a nice way to warm up.  Saturday was full of sunshine, lots of shows, and good crowds.  I enjoyed walking back up a long hill to my hotel in the late evening dusk watching a full moonrise, staying up late & cleaning the take.  Sunday was back to normal Seattle weather, cloudy and cool, with light rain throughout the day.  I cranked out the shows as the crowds and cash kept flowing.  It was my first time working this event, I enjoyed meeting lots of interesting people, and the naked painted babes riding bikes through the event were a novel attraction.  Sorry, no pictures. 

Another highlight of the fair was seeing my good friend Crow play with his friends, The Band of Buzzards, ie. Artis the Spoonman and Reggie.  These guys rocked the streets and gathered good crowds with their grooving songs and magnetic presence.  They were set up just down the street from my pitch and I enjoyed listening to them during my breaks.  On Sunday after the fair, I travelled with Crow and Artis over to Port Townsend where I stayed a few days and enjoyed the hospitality of Crow and Milam.  What a happy couple, so lucky to be in love!  Also, enjoyed a visit with Artis at his seaside apartment, a tour of his garden, and we even watched a sea lion come ashore, waddle its way up to the main street and entertain a group of tourists.  That was one animal act that neither of us could have followed.  

Crow and I have been friends for many years, since we worked the Tempe Arts Festival back in the late 1980's.  During our visit, we rode bikes all over town, through the boatyards, and all along the shore line.  At their home, we played music, did yard work, and enjoyed Milam's good cooking and lots of laughs.  Crow is a very talented comedian, juggler, and musician.  It was practically therapeutic for me to be there, but as Crow remarked, "Coming to me for therapy is like going to the gynocologist without a pussy."  Another Crow line, "Experience is what you get after you need it."  Laughter is indeed the best medicine!

Topping off my Washington tour was a performance for my client friend Tom B., his wife Diane, and their family & friends on a beautiful, sunny evening at their home in Alki Beach!  I did a show for Tom this past spring in Scottsdale, and he invited me to visit and perform if I ever made it up north.  The timing worked out perfect, as Diane, his family & friends were all gathered for a special party.  It was beautiful outside, in his backyard overlooking the water.  Most of his family had seen parts of the show before, so I added an extended set of card magic as an encore.  They were all very nice, hip, and fun!  Also, I must say that Tom & Diane epitomize the commitment that marriage is supposed to be, "in sickness and health", they are a most inspiring couple. Thank you Tom & Diane!  Thanks again to Crystal, and Crow & Milam for your generous hospitality and enduring friendship!  And thanks to my new friend Artis for the CDs!    

            

New Rings!

In my last post, there was a picture of my artist friends Rick & Sallie Martin, Martin Design Works, at the Tempe Festival.  You may have noticed the rings Rick was holding?  Scroll down now and take a closer look.  The story is that we have been talking about making a new set of rings for about a year or two, and this past spring festival, they showed up with 6 beautiful rings.  I needed 3 more and some finishing work, so they took them back to their metal shop in Colorado and did their magic.  Then on Thursday, May 2nd, a box appeared at my door and I was blown away by this new set of rings!

I've been working with rings for over 30 years and have never been so delighted to handle a set such as these.  12 & 1/2 inches diameter, 3/8 inch thick, solid stainless steel.  For my magician friends, there is a unique design feature that sets these rings apart from any other rings on the market.  I used them for the first time in a public show on Sunday, May 5th.  I'm so excited, they are so beautiful!  Thank you Rick & Sallie!

Now I get to "retire" my old set of rings which I've used since 1991.  I performed with them on February 2nd, and fortunately, part of the routine was captured on video by Craig Levine.  Thank you Craig!  I've been wanting to post that video, but have had technical problems.  This past week I was lucky to have my good friend Tom Frank produce and post this video.  Thank you Tommy!

Yuma / Tempe - April 2 - 7!

What a great way to start the month of April!

Yuma County Fair, April 2 - 4.  I performed 5 shows (30-40 minute sets) on Tuesday, 5 shows on Wednesday, and 6 shows on Thursday.  Then hit the road home to Phoenix to work April 5 - 7 at the Tempe Festival of the Arts.  I did 5 shows on Friday, 6 shows on Saturday, and 7 shows on Sunday!

That last show on Sunday, I felt so relaxed, spontaneous, and in the zone (or on the edge).  34 shows in 6 days! 

Fellow magi and friend Terry Godfrey in Yuma.

Artists friends Rick & Sallie Martin with the RINGS in Tempe.

Thank you Eric W., June M., and Terry G. for inviting me to Yuma.  Thank you Kate H., Ryan B., Bob H. and the whole crew at the Tempe Festival!  Thanks to all the great audiences, especially that last crowd on Sunday!  Amazingly, we had fantastic weather for both events and then the whole state of Arizona got slammed with high winds & storms on Monday the 8th.  We were all so lucky! 

Updated Website & Recent Testimonial

Here is the newest version of my corporate website, an agent friendly site with no contact information.  Introducing my new alter-persona (an attempt to reinvent myself in the midst of a wonderful life in show business).  It all starts with a name change, so please welcome... 

Shawn Eric!  

idealmagic.com

AND here's a recent testimonial from a show in February.  Thanks Scott!

"Shawn Greer is great!  He is a wonderful magician and is able to interact with all types of people.  Shawn recently performed for a fund raiser for the Justa Center.  There were over 300 people in attendance.  All night people said, "We love the magician!"  Shawn also performed the past two years at the Justa Center.  The older adults who are currently homeless enjoy Shawn and his show.  He is the gem of Phoenix."  

Rev. Scott Ritchey, Executive Director, Justa Center