The first time I saw the word "lagniappe", I was perplexed. You have to admit, it's not a word that comes up in everyday chit-chat. Lagniappe is a little gift; a little something extra. Something you're getting that you weren't expecting to get. I love getting lagniappe, but I also love giving it. When you book me to do a show at your library, you'll get lagniappe...a little something extra. Any magician can come in and do a show for your guests, but I like to go the extra mi

Hi Library Friends! Wow! It's mid-November and I already have 27 library shows scheduled for next summer. Usually Summer Reading Program magic show bookings are just starting to trickle in this time of year and really ramp up in mid-January. But just in the past week, I've gotten calls and emails from libraries in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota who are interested in booking me for the summer of 2026. Along with the 27 shows I have on my calendar, there are also about another

Well, that's a darned good question. When I put my shows together, there are a LOT of elements that are important for me to include. First of all, I want the show to be entertaining for both children AND adults. I remember going to events with my children and being bored to death while they had a good time. I made myself a promise that I would never do that to another parent. Next, I want to make sure that the show fits the Summer Reading Program theme. I do that with new tri

I LOVE visiting libraries in South Dakota each summer. Not only is there so much to see and do in that area, but everyone is so friendly! This year, I'm planning on visiting in early June and I already have several libraries on my calendar. I'll be visiting Rapid City, Belle Fourche, Sturgis and Hot Springs. But I still have open dates on my calendar and would really like to fill them in. So, if you're a library in western South Dakota, let's chat and see if we can schedule a

I am so excited to be invited to participate in the Iowa Library Performers Showcase on November 6th. I'll have about 20 minutes to give librarians a little taste of the Farm Fresh Magic Show I'm offering for their 2026 Summer Reading Program. According to the schedule, I'm going to be the VERY LAST presenter our of 11. Librarians will have seen 10 fantastic performers before me, so I'll really need to step up my game! If you're an Iowa librarian going to Ames for the showcas

If you're a librarian in the Hawkeye State, you'll be happy to know that I've put together a Summer Reading Program magic show that fits perfectly with the iREAD "Plant A Seed, Read" theme. This farm-themed magic show has plenty of corny jokes and amazing magic with flowers, seeds and other farm-related items. This 40-45 minute show is great for audiences of all ages. Kids will have a blast, but adults will have a great time, too. Dates are expected to fill up fast, so give m

I'm actually working ahead this year! I now have not one, but TWO backdrops for Summer Reading Program library shows in the summer of 2026. For libraries using the CSLP theme, I have a dinosaur-themed backdrop to go along with the dinosaur-themed magic show. My Iowa library friends are going with the iREAD SRP theme, "Plant A Seed, Read". For that show, I've decided to go with a farm motif. I have a feeling I'll be using that backdrop for FFA shows I do in the future. Both sh

This is something I worry about every year. I love creating new shows for libraries each summer and every year I purchase new tricks and do-dads to ensure that the new show is at least as good as the last. But my expenses go far beyond that. Every year I also print and mail out around a thousand post cards to libraries throughout the Midwest. In July the cost of a postcard stamp went up from 56 cents to 62 cents. A 6 cent increase per post card. Ouch! Fortunately, I had the f

Wow! You libraries have sure kept me busy this summer! It started on May 25th at the Winside, NE Public Library and ended on August 3rd...

Hello Library Friends! Wow...things are really moving fast here in my world. First of all...THANK YOU for helping me set a new record for...

I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. I am on the verge of breaking a record. Well, sort of. In 2020 I had 74 library shows on my...

What an honor to be named "Small Business of the Month" by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce! Here's a link to the story and video...

Wow! I've just received word that the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce is naming me the Small Business of the Month for the month of...

I'm sure many of you are thinking the same thing. We've just learned about the existence of Omicron variant and we're all wondering...

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in three iREAD Summer Reading Program showcases across Iowa. Wednesday found me...

The title pretty much says it all. Because of you, I had a wonderful summer this year and I am so grateful. 62 shows at 51 libraries in 5...

As we get closer and closer to the beginning of Summer Reading Program season, more libraries are making the tough decision to go virtual...

I've been getting a lot of libraries telling me that they're planning on having their Summer Reading Program activities (including my...

Having done magic professionally since 1991, there isn't too much I haven't done yet. I've performed fo r "normal" venues like libraries,...

I feel a little sheepish writing this blog entry because I suspect that most librarians are probably more well informed about this than I...