Bruce Kalver's Magical Life

Why I am a Magician

I love when people say to me, " So you're a magician, what do you do for a living?"

I am a magician. I perform anywhere and everywhere. Parties, stores, companies, restaurants, libraries, parks, tv and even radio.

Why do I like to perform magic? In one word " wonder."

A person only has a few years believing in "wonder." Things like the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, etc. Once the secret is revealed, the wonder is gone. During a magic show, a magician brings back that wonder.

I love my job.

Not Just Parties

When people think of magic as a profession, they assume that all you do are birthday parties. Not true. I have been asked to use my magical mind for many purposes. I've been a magic consultant for many theatre companies who need to add magic to their performances. I have also worked for theatres as a special effects person to figure out how to do something that is not necessarily to perform a trick but rather to use magic techniques to accomplish something.

Once in a while, I get calls for commercials or promotional events or even photo shoots.

Fran Paliotta is a photography student who thought it would be interesting to have a magician/balloon artist as a subject.  We did the session at Roger Williams Park around the Carousel and pond. I made it clear that I don't do nudes and she seemed relieved at that :o)

Check a few of the results in the Park Session Photo Album. It's always nice to get out of a studio and shoot in real spots. Nice job Fran! Thanks for the opportunity. I hope you get an A.

Allergic to Rabbits?

It's true! How can a magician be allergic to rabbits? Call it an occupational hazard. I know that my publicity photo has one coming out of a hat but that is Photoshop magic. If I am in the same room with a bunny, I will sneeze and have bloodshot eyes for the next three days.

Once I had to do a commercial for Alpert's Furniture. It was a Magic May Sale and I was hired essentially because I had a top hat, cape and a rabbit. At least I told them I had a rabbit. I borrowed one from a friend. By the time I got to the tv studio to film the spot, I was sneezing and my eyes looked horrible. The wo hour shoot was agony and by the time the taping was over, the rabbit had more time on camera than I did! Never again will a rabbit be within 50 feet of me. I hear they taste like chicken :o)

For years, I would perform with teacup poodles and have them wear bunny ears. At least I didn't sneeze.

RI Comedy Festival

Charlie Hall has drawn another characature of me from memory for the 3rd Annual RI Comedy Festival. I was very surprised to see the drawing in the Providence Journal. The only thing he forgot were my glasses.  I've appeared in all three festivals and love the crowds. They are very enthusiastic and fun to perform for. Always enjoy working in a classic theatre like the Greenwich Odeum. I have a short clip of me doing my own invention - The Growing and Shrinking Head Illusion. You can view the clip from the 1st Comedy Festival at: www.tophatprod.com/edbi