Chicago Chicanery
And a brand new crossword "Four Play"
In this newsletter:
Chicago Chicanery: magic in the Windy City
The Enigmatist in Chicago: join the puzzle party!
A brand new crossword: Four Play
Magic in the Windy City
I’ve so enjoyed spending the last few weeks here in Chicago. It seemed like the perfect time to write a little bit about magic in the City by the Lake.
Chicago's magic scene began to flourish in the late 1800s. The city's rapid growth and diverse population attracted traveling magicians and Vaudeville acts. The Majestic and Civic theaters hosted popular magic acts like Howard Thurston (born in 1869 in Columbus, Ohio) and Harry Blackstone Sr. (born in 1885 in Chicago).
Another Midwesterner, a magician from Appleton, Wisconsin, performed several times in Chicago … the great Houdini. Below is a video of Houdini suspended from the Hearst building in 1922. The video was shared by the always thorough Wild About Houdini blog.
In 1926, magician Jay Marshall moved to Chicago, where he became a central figure in the magic community. In 1963, he and his wife Frances Ireland Marshall operated "Ireland Magic Company," eventually renaming it "Magic Inc." Magic Inc. became a watering hole for magicians, providing a venue for performances, lectures, and the sale of magic supplies. Known as “The Dean of American Magicians,” here’s Marshall performing his ventriloquism act on the Ed Sullivan show with his glove puppet rabbit “Lefty.”
In the 1920s we see the formation of The Chicago Magic Round Table. This was a gathering of magicians and magic enthusiasts who met regularly at the Drake Hotel. Notable members included the aforementioned Marshall, Dai Vernon, and Charlie Miller. This poster of the Chicago Roundtable hangs in the Magic Castle today.
And today magic continues to flourish! I haven’t been to the Chicago Magic Lounge yet, but it is a hot spot for prestidigitation in the city. Apparently you enter the establishment through a secret door in a laundromat. I’ve also been meaning to check out the popular Magic Parlour Show by Dennis Watkins. Dennis was kind enough to come to The Enigmatist on Wednesday. It’s always so nice when fellow magicians come out to support!
The Enigmatist in Chicago!
Listen to the Chicago Tribune, my friends: there’s a puzzle party and you’re all invited!
This is just another friendly reminder that The Enigmatist is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier for the rest of June. More info here. Magic and puzzle lovers, come out and stretch your brains!
A brand new crossword!
As promised, every two weeks I give you another original grid creation. This one is called Four Play. Let’s just say it has a magical theme … I hope you enjoy the solve, and please tell me what you think! Play it here.
Events
Interested in booking me for your next event? More info here on private parties, corporate speaking & performances and team-building puzzle hunts.
Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards
Enigmas: Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards themed on The Enigmatist. Included within this unique deck are four very special puzzle cards. Solve them all to unlock an online Puzzle Hunt! Available here.
My sister and her family loved the show in Chicago!
Excellent puzzle as usual! Saw your show a few years ago in NYC after the xword tournament. Any shows planned for SF Bay Area?