There’s more to magic than boys named Harry
By Leana Martinez, Library Associate

I hear the magic words Abracadabra!  Alakazam!  Hocus pocus!  Presto chango!  Shazam!
Then my jaw drops and I exclaim, “OMIGOSH! How did he DO that?” 

That’s the reaction you’ll have too as you watch Cody Landstrom, entertainer and performer extraordinaire, as he performs his amazing sleight of hand illusions at the Rapid City Public Library.  Events begin at 1:00 on Monday July 30, 2007 with a ‘Learn some magic’ workshop for 4th grade and up. After completion of the workshop, everyone will be entertained by Cody at 2:00 PM, with a magic show for all ages. 

Cody likes to be known as a variety entertainer - magician, juggler, sort of in the Red Skelton school of silliness - rather than “just” a magician.  He skillfully combines his comedy, magic, astonishing sleight of hand and juggling into a masterful “How did he do that?” performance.  You will be amazed, stunned, laughing and wanting more as you witness the teleporting balls, the knot that jumps, expert lassoing, amazing juggling, stunning mind reading and much, much more.   Get ready to experience a memorable time filled with fun and audience participation.  Maybe you’ve heard the line, ‘May I have a volunteer, please?”  I’ll let you in on a little secret, that’s just how Cody got started!  He volunteered at a magic show when he was a kid, and the rest is history! 

Speaking of history, have you ever wondered how long magic and illusion has been around?  Me too!  I did some internet searching and found ‘A Brief History of Magic 2600 B.C.-Present’.  The information, provided by the Society of American Magicians-Assembly #147, c2003, is at http://home.hvc.rr.com/sam147/html/history_of_magic.html.

According to the article, Magic is considered the “second oldest profession” and has been recorded as far back as 2600 B.C., but the honor of the first “magician” is usually bestowed upon a character by the name of Dedi in 1700 B.C. “He was noted for decapitating fowl and restoring them to perfect health.”  How did he do that?  Do I really want to know?

The article goes on to say that “things really started happening in the early 1900’s with the emergence of Vaudeville.  This [Vaudeville] launched that little known magician named Houdini and Blackstone, Thurston, and P.T. Selbit, whose claim to fame was ‘Sawing a Woman in Half’”  

As Vaudeville declined, so did magic.  It received its next leap in the 1970s with Mark Wilson and the television series The Magic Land of Alakazam.  In 1974 the ‘hippie’ Doug Henning dominated the magic scene, and in 1977 David Copperfield began his assent, eventually breaking all box office records.  Copperfield is still one of the most recognized magicians today. 

On the Brief History of Magic webpage are some great links.  Check out other famous magicians, including Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, Rudy Coby, Penn and Teller, and the newest generation of magicians like David Blaine and Criss “Mindfreak” Angel.

Speaking of checking things out, check out these ‘magical’ items at the Rapid City Public Library.  Who knows, you may become the next Houdini or Copperfield and I will still wonder, “HOW did you DO that??”
Kids’ books: The Big Book of Magic Fun by Ian Keable; The Jumbo Book of Magic Tricks by Bob Longe;  Kids Make Magic! The Complete Guide to Becoming An Amazing Magician, by Ron Burgess; and, The Royal Road to Card Magic, by Jean Hugard,
Kids’ DVDs: Believe in Magic! Believe in Yourself! Magic You Can Do!; Magic for Young Adults, Volumes 1 & 2
Books for adults: The Blackstone Book of Magic & Illusion by Harry Blackstone, Jr.; Magic for Dummies, by David Pogue; and, The Illustrated History of Magic, by Milbourne and Maurine Christopher
DVDs: Learn At Home Magic Series; Magic for Beginners: ages 7 to 97, Volumes 1, 2, & 3.
Biographies: Houdini!!!: the career of Ehrich Weiss: American self-liberator, Europe’s eclipsing sensation, world’s handcuff king & prison breaker, by Kenneth Silverman; and, Spellbinder: the life of Harry Houdini, by Tom Lalicki

Online Links: http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/magic.htm and http://www.wannalearn.com/Just_for_Fun/Magic_Tricks/

In addition to Cody’s performance on July 30, a drawing will be held for 5 lucky winners of fully loaded picnic baskets; these prizes are for people who participated in the “Family Fun in the Parks Adventure” program during June and July.  Kids involved in the summer reading program can also turn in their 30 or 60 day Summer Reading logs for cool prizes.