Chicago Magic Lounge- a magical experience!

Highly Recommended ***** Close-up magic is an art! If you have ever been on cruise or if you are old enough to have been to some of the summer resorts like Brown’s, Oakton Manor, Nippersink or the House of David, you probably recall that on some evenings a magician would appear either on the stage or would come from table to table and do their thing, magic! This is a special art form and one that can call Chicago its home. At one time Chicago was known for  the classic “magic bar” where people would enjoy their drinks, some lively chatting with friends and if they were lucky, close-up magic, where they were part of the show!

Play it forward to 2018. After years of working to get their project to suddenly appear, Joseph Crawford and Donald C. Clark, founders and leaders of a new venue, Chicago Magic Lounge, opened its doors. I was tied up with some other productions at that time, but luckily, I was free on June 7th, which in Chicago has been proclaimed “Magic Day”, and had the opportunity to attend a gala at the venue with my best friend ( and copy editor) Barry Segal.

The venue known as the Chicago Magic Lounge is located in Andersonville at 5050 N. Clark Street. Don’t expect any neon lights to guide you to this venue, but understand that as it is in magic itself, nothing is as it appears to be. When you enter the building you will not see what you expect to see, and after you ring for service, you will move into a classy world of magic!

Barry and I enjoyed some wonderful small plates along with our drinks and were witness to a room full of magicians ( except for us- although we could certainly make our food disappear) as we heard stories of the history of Chicago relative to magicians. Interviewed were three old-timers, Simon Aaronson, David Solomon and David Finkelstein all members of a special organization,  the round table. A prestigious organizations for magicans in Chicago. This went on for awhile and then we moved from the Harry Blackstone Cabaret into the back room- Club 654 where we were treated to some close-up magic that was both amazing and astounding. I was less than 8 feet from the action and could not spot any tricks other than the magic that these experts do. Danny Orleans is quite smooth and from what I gathered is in demand for conventions and corporate sales meetings. He made time go backwards. By the way, the shrimp cocktail was absolutely top-notch and the sliders a dream. The potato pancakes were just like grandma made, but tastier and there is a lot more to choose from.

After 1/2 hour in the smaller room, we made our way back to the Blackstone Cabaret which was filled to the brim with non-magicians who were there to be entertained ( and they were!). This was the mainstage “signature” show which started at  7:30 with food and drinks- again with close-up magic (at the tables) and was followed by the actual Featured stage act John Sturk and Trent James at 8:30.

This was two separate and very different views of magic and each magician using audience members wowed the audiences. The members of the Magicians Round Table were scattered throughout the three tiers of seats and watched just as we did. This part of the evening ended at 10 p.m. and then the members went back to the 654 club for more one-on-one ( others could buy an upgrade ticket to do likewise.) Every local magician, from time to time will appear at the Chicago Magic Lounge. Even Dennis Watkins, who does his own one man show at The Palmer House ( I reviewed this show about three years ago- “The Magic Parlour”). This is the cream of the crop.

The Chicago Magic Lounge is open seven days a week.

Monday-Wednesdays  5 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Thursdays  until midnight

Fridays and Saturdays 5 p.m- 2 a.m.

Sundays 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.  FAMILY DAY family show- brunch is served.

Tickets can be ordered by  calling 312-366-4500 or boxoffice@chicagomagiclounge.com

visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com

Tickets are inexpensive for what you get. It appears that they range from $10- $25 and kids are $15 on Sundays