A Vaudeville-style cocktail magic show is coming to New Westminster as part of the city’s first Magic Festival.
Host Rob Teszka is presenting Cocktail Magic!, a showcase of magic and variety art at The Metro Hall on March 29. Cocktail Magic! will be an evening of magic in vintage style, in this special edition of Vancouver’s magic variety cabaret, The Parlour Magic Show.
“Cocktail Magic is a vaudeville-style showcase of magic and variety art in a glamorous vintage setting,” said the Coquitlam resident. “I've hand-selected my favourite, rarely-seen performers from across past shows, and the audience is in for a real treat. Guests can enjoy a classic cocktail while our acts offer up surprises, thrills, and laughs.
Teszka said he cast the show with variety in mind, true to magic’s vaudeville roots.
“There's so many different styles of magic, unusual talents, and interesting characters,” he said. “I want to surprise people with something they've never seen before, that gets laughs, gasps, applause, and ideally the thought: ‘oh wow – I didn't know magic could be like that!’”
Teszka said the show features fan-favourite selections from across past performances. The cast includes touring Pick-of-the-Fringe winner Travis Bernhardt, vice-president of the Vancouver Magic Circle Simon Cassegrain, award-winning juggler Yuki Ueda, and the dark and mysterious Aleister Crane.
Teszka has been producing and hosting The Parlour Magic Show almost monthly since January 2020.
“There was a pause during lockdown, which started after we'd done only three shows!” he said. “The show survived, has grown, and I'm grateful that it's now in its fourth year.”
During the 90-minute show, guests can enjoy classic cocktails in the Metro Hall’s historic Hollywood Ballroom. Minors are welcome if they’re accompanied by an adult.
“When Shawn Farquhar asked me to produce the Friday night show for the Magic Festival, I was honoured and excited to bring rarely-seen performers to a new audience in a glamorous venue,” Teszka said.
Teszka has been performing magic for more than two decades. He is president of the Fraser Valley Magic Company.
Cocktail Magic! is taking place at the Metro Hall in New Westminster on Friday, March 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Before the show, professional close-up magicians from the Fraser Valley Magic Company will entertain attendees who arrive when doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $28 or $65for the VIP experience. They’re available at www.themagicfestival.com, with limited VIP tickets for preferred seating and an extra post-show experience.
