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On the 27th of May, I had a great time performing for the very "spirited" kids at Shenandoah Elementary in Chesterfield, MO for their annual "Spirit Day".

I performed five shows for each of the grade levels and I can say with complete honesty that every audience was a winner. Before I performed for the fifth graders, one of the teachers told me that they had a magician last year and that the students were really rude and disruptive.

She was skeptical that they would pay attention this year. Ha! They were eating out of the palm of my hand! But seriously, they were really great. We all had a wonderful time and I certainly hope the students felt that my show added in all the great fun they had that day.

Plus, this is the first elementary school I've performed for in Missouri since moving here a couple months ago. My two favorite kinds of schools to perform in are elementary and college level. Yeah... I'm back!

Wyeth Research Banquet Dinner May 14, 2005

Who says doctors don't know how to party!? This group of about 40 PhD's, MD's, & other over-educated ladies & gentleman, started out really slow. Probably a bit jet-lagged & worn out from a day of workshops & meetings, they weren't really in the party mood.

So, I warmed them up with some strolling magic & fire tricks. That got their attention! They really seemed to loosen up after that.

Dinner, however, dragged them down again. Although delicious, the food & dessert was running late. (The restaurant was unusually busy that evening.) So, the doctors started to get a little bored & restless. So, I table hopped again to pick them back up. This time though, I taught them a cool trick, "The Bending Spoon"!

So, by the time the show finally started, they were really upbeat & enthusiastic. The show went really well. As usual, I got the feeling my audience enjoyed the mind-reading better than the magic. Those are the parts of the show that I normally get the quintessential, "how'd you do that?"

The host, Dr. Allen of Wyeth Research, was the Grand Finale as he demonstrated his amazing ability to vanish a banana(?). He did so with grace, poise & finesse... PLUS a host of funny faces!

As the confetti burst at the end, the audience rose to their feet & provided what I needed in order to get paid, a Standing Ovation!

Cathy & Christian on the train. 

Christian the Magician w/ the Happy Couple! 

Mother's Day

Fortunately, I had Mother's Day off. I got to spend the day with Cathy & my daughter, Asja.

We took a 3-hour train tour from Union Station in St. Louis (www.railcruise.com) on an incredible train. With amazing ambiance, I felt like a 1920's movie star!

The customer service was quite good. I could find some areas for improvement, but overall they've done a good job.

The food was amazing! Their Executive Chef, Michael Slay, is a real pro. Even my daughter's chicken nuggets were delightful! Cathy had prime rib and I had a mighty tasty chicken dish.

The only other improvement I could suggest would be to have a strolling magician on board for those periods when the train isn't moving and nothing is happening (such as immediately after boarding). But hey, perhaps I'm a bit biased!

If you get the chance, definitely check this train out - you'll love it!

The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

I don't often get to perform for wedding-related events as a magician. I've done several throughout the years, but it's no common thing. Last night I had the pleasure of performing for two wonderful families. Half doctors - half lawyers! Imagine the chaos...

I started with strolling magic as guests arrived at this really cool, upscale restaurant in St. Louis called, The Crossing. The father of the groom graciously invited me to eat with them, so naturally I accepted.

The Talapia was divine. So was the company.

Dinner was followed by my Stand-Up Comedy Magic Show where I got to learn a little too much about some of the guests! We had a blast & laughed a lot.

Big tip by the again gracious father of the groom at the end and I was done.

What a night!

Next weekend I'm off to Orlando again for a couple private parties and a corporate banquet near SeaWorld. Can't wait.