Dale Salwak
Dale
Salwak is known as "The Gentleman of Magic."
Skilled in the classics of magic, his elegant style has made him a favorite for
many years in the finest clubs, showrooms, and theaters throughout the world. As
director since 1978 of the California-based Chavez Studio of Magic (founded in
1941 by Ben Chavez), he has led hundreds of magicians in pursuit of these same
values. A London reviewer says it best: "Dale Salwak doesn't just do magic;
he is magic!"
Dale Salwak offers for your enjoyment a
fast-moving, elegant presentation of the classics of magic, performed to a full
orchestral background and appropriate for any venue –
from the largest of theaters to the most intimate of settings. He performs
smooth-as-silk magic with an easy skill and grace that testifies to a drive for
absolute perfection. Twice-nominated Stage Magician of the Year as well as
Lecturer of the Year at the Hollywood Magic Castle and recipient of the
prestigious Jack Gwynne Award for Excellence in Magic and the Chavez Memorial
Trophy for Excellence in Manipulation – he has
been a featured performer at top showrooms around the world and on numerous
television shows including Merv Griffin from Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.
Dale started in magic at an the tender age of five. His
father had a copy of G. S. Ripley’s Magic for Boys (a title which, in our
enlightened era, would have to be altered!). Each evening Dale and his mother
learned how to put together the materials for one of the tricks and then how to
perform it. At age ten he debuted his act and was paid two dollars plus a
twenty-five cents tip. His parents had hired him for his own birthday!
Later his family moved from Massachusetts to Indiana. There
he founded the Magic Club of America and published for eight years Magic Carpet –
a magazine devoted to the Art of Magic and subscribed to by magicians all over
the world. He also wrote and published three books on magic, and his writings
began to appear in international journals.
Dale went on to earn his B.A. degree in English (with a minor
in science and mathematics) at Purdue University; and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees
in English literature at the University of Southern California. He is the author
of twenty-three books on literary or inspirational subjects and numerous
scholarly essays. In 1987 Purdue University awarded him its coveted
Distinguished Alumni Award.
But Dale’s education did not start or
stop there. He studied piano, both classical and popular, as early as
1953, and from 1963-70 he studied tap dancing and modern jazz. The call of magic
lured him to the Chavez Studio of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation in
1963-65. Later he assisted at the studio as an instructor and since 1978 he has
been the owner and director of the studio’s West Coast division. To round out
his education, he also trained with Ron Carver at the Hollywood School of Comedy
Writing in 1970.
During those early years he kept polishing his act by
appearing in showrooms, hotels, theaters and on television. With a company of
other performers his travels have taken him across America and Canada, to Europe
(eight tours), to Asia (six tours), and the Hawaiian Islands (two tours). In
addition, he has performed countless times for the Motion Picture Home benefit
show and with the Bob Hope USO Clubs. He has appeared at every magician’s
convention in the country, and most in Europe and Asia, including Abbott¹s
Magic Get-Together (twenty- three times), where he was
awarded the prestigious Jack Gwynne Award for Excellence in Magic; at the
Hollywood Magic Castle (regularly since
1970) where he has been twice-nominated Stage Magician of the Year and has
received the Lecturer of the Year Award; at the Magic Island in Newport Beach
(1978-88) and Houston (1984-91); at the Pasadena Ice House (regularly since
1971); at Wizardz, Universal CityWalk (regularly since its opening in 1993 until
its closing in 2003); and in three Las Vegas showrooms –
Caesar’s Palace, the Riviera, and Bally’s.
For two consecutive years he was featured in the "Magic
of Fashion" production in the Celebrity Room,
Bally’s. And ever since 1974 he has appeared in and produced for college and
university audiences across the country his annual "Stars of Magic"
– an elegant, enchanting, all-new stage production featuring
internationally recognized magicians. For this he received an Award of Merit
from the Academy of Magical Arts. He is also Talent Chairman/Executive Producer
of Shows for the International Brotherhood of Magicians annual convention - a
position he has held since 1995 - and interim Entertainment Director for the
Magic Castle, Hollywood (Palace Theater and Lectures) - a position he held from
May 2006 through December 2007.
Then there are the television appearances. In Indiana he
appeared weekly on a Saturday morning children’s program broadcast from
Indianapolis. Since then his television appearances include "Matlock,"
"MacMillan," "The Merv
Griffin Show" (six appearances),
"Hollywood Squares," "To Tell the
Truth," "We’ve Got Each Other"
(a comedy series that ran eleven weeks starring Tom Poston and Beverly Archer),
"Masters of Illusion," as well as variety
programs in Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Holland, and the
People’s Republic of China plus numerous charity telethons.
Today as performer and teacher, Dale Salwak is a leader and
one of the most popular men in the field of magic. He mirrors the
professionalism of working the entire spectrum of show business. He is a
celebrated entertainer and an entertainer of celebrities.
Boris Wild
Boris
Wild began practising magic in 1985 when he was only 12. He is now one of the
most renowned French magicians in the world. He is both international performer
and lecturer, author and creator of original effects.
Close-up magic is his specialty, a top-level performance happening only a few
inches from your eyes! Whether at your table, during a cocktail party or a
private show, magic effects follow on at a tremendous rhythm!
Boris also performs a stage act in which he puts new life into classics of magic
with class and elegance to a contemporary soundtrack.
His list of awards is prestigious and has never been equaled by any other French
magician. Boris has notably won the title of "French Champion of
Magic" in 1996. He has also been awarded at the FISM World Magic
Championships and at the "Monte Carlo Magic Stars".
London, New York, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Tokyo, Cape Town or Sydney: Boris
regularly performs on the five continents. He has already worked in more than 20
countries for the biggest companies, in the most renowned places such as the
world famous "Magic Castle" in Hollywood where he has already
performed more than 100 shows!
Boris Wild has been invited to many French and international TV shows including
"The Greatest Cabaret in the World" (two appearances), "Magic
Show at the Lido" or "Champions of Magic" in the USA. He has also
even performed magic effects on a National French radio during one full season
with a famous TV host.
His performances have drawn thousands of spectators all over the world and his
romantic "Kiss Act" has quickly become a classic of close-up magic.
His books, effects and videos are distributed everywhere in the world and are
all bestsellers in their category.
Last but not least, Boris has been nominated "Guest of Honor" at the
FFFF Convention, the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the
world, being the first French artist to get this title and the youngest ever.
Joe Lefler
Joe
Lefler, aka, "Mr. Tricky" became interested in magic when a magician
performed for his second grade class. These interests were further peaked when
he saw Blackstone perform at the Hanna Theater in Cleveland.
After seeing an ad for a magic set in a magic magazine, given
to him by a neighbor, he begged his parents for it and was given the magic set
for Christmas. This was no ordinary magic set. It contained enough tricks to put
on a little show, and Joe started doing shows for friends and neighbors.
During his teen years, Joe performed many shows for birthday
parties, church functions and anywhere else he could find to perform. Joe's love
of magic continued, and in 1962 he met and married his wife, Sue. Joe and Sue
worked hard to create a dove act that would be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Together they performed this act for over fifteen years and were the opening act
for several well-known performers. These include the New Christi Minstrels, the
Ink Spots and the Michael Stanley Band to name a few.
In 1975 Joe opened a magic store called Pandora's Box Magic
Shop. This venture became the largest Magic shop between New York and Chicago.
During this time, Joe honed his skills as a close-up magician and performed for
many trade shows and hospitality rooms. Shortly after closing his store in 1985
to perform full-time, Joe injured his left hand while building something for a
trade show. This left him unable to do the skillful sleight-of-hand magic he
loved so much.
As they say, "when one door closes, another door
opens". Joe decided to perform for children once again and "Tricky T.
Clown" was created with that thought in mind. Joe performed as "Tricky
T. Clown" for many years and built quite a reputation as the clown to have
at your party. In fact, he had so many bookings, that he gave a lot of them away
to other performers. At the suggestion of his wife to "take a slice",
Fun-Tastic Entertainment, Inc. was created and represents about 350 different
entertainers. Then another slight sidestep happened when Joe became allergic to
the makeup. Not wanting to disappoint the many children he performed for,
"Tricky T. Clown" removed his makeup and "Mr. Tricky" was
born.
During the years that he performed as "Tricky T.
Clown", Joe became very skilled at balloon sculpture and was asked to
create an instructional video on how to make animals with balloons. Joe's first
video, Balloon Sculpture Made Easy by "Tricky T. Clown" is the number
one selling balloon video in the world. Joe's second and third videos were done
as "Mr. Tricky."
Joe also manufactures several items for the magic industry.
Among them are Joe Lefler's Pro Suitcase tables, Slate of Mind, Hank Moorehouse
Cube Table & Tray for Multiplying Bottles. Joe and his wife also travel to
many magic and clown conventions over the USA as Dealers and Joe lectures. He
has lectured for Tannen's Magic Jubilee, Winter Carnival of Magic, Columbus Magi
Fest, Kidabra and several magic clubs. Joe is also involved in many of the magic
fraternities such as: IBM Order of Merlin, Life Member of SAM, The Magic Circle
Associate Member of Inner Circle, The Cleveland Magic Club and the First
Honorary Life Member of Kidabra International.
Today Joe continues to perform as "Mr. Tricky" and
is in great demand for children's birthday parties, company picnics, open
houses, grand openings, and company Christmas parties. He has also trademarked
the name, "Mr. Tricky." Joe also performs Close-up magic, Stage magic
(Laughs by Lefler), MC's, Lectures, and is a real beard Santa.
PLUS, LECTURES FROM WELL-KNOWN
DUANE LAFLIN, MARTY HAHNE AND JOE FAIRCHILD!
4/15--JUST ADDED KIRBY VANBURCH LECTURE ON THE BUSINESS OF MAGIC!
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