Magical evening with acclaimed conjurer Shawn McMaster at BCL
March 17, 2010
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
It was a magical evening indeed when acclaimed conjurer Shawn McMaster performed before a standing room only crowd of adults and children at Blanchard Community Library.
A longtime library supporter, McMaster appeared - and made things disappear - on March 9 in one of a series of special events planned for BCL’s Centennial Year. After McMaster explained the show’s ground rules - such as audience participation welcomed - the fun began. Betsy Chavez, an area 1st grade teacher, found herself assisting McMaster in one of his feats of suspended belief, and then it was time for the master magician to concentrate again on the kids.
He showed them how to make a simple trick using white stiff paper and a black marker to draw circles on it. Once finished, McMaster demonstrated how simple it is to use optical illusion and sleight of hand to delight an audience.
“How many here are good at intuition? Or you can call it ESP?” McMaster asked the audience, and got a volunteer who helped determine which envelope held an audience member’s $20 bill. “Concentrate hard... but don’t hurt yourself,” cautioned McMaster to his assistant before he started shredding various envelopes. The $20 bill - much to the relief of its owner - ultimately escaped the shredder.
Another illusion involving a glass of milk and a rubber chicken - as well as two assistants, one with the glass of milk turned upside down on her head - turned out fine after several “Abracadabras!” on the part of McMaster, who had to contend with a magic wand that became limp when held by others. The audience also enjoyed the rope trick involving a pair of stubborn scissors and knots that magically slipped away.
McMaster performs regularly at the Magic Castle and on television, among other appearances. Several of McMaster’s tales of when good tricks go bad are included in the new book, “Magic’s Most Amazing Stories - A Collection of Incredible Stories from World Famous Magicians” compiled by award-winning magician Ivan Amodei.
For more information on McMaster and the Amodei’s book (which McMaster will sign for purchasers), visit www.conjuredupcreations.com.
