It is a genuine honor to be included in this fine company of magicians, all of whom I greatly respect. 

While it is common in other performing arts (e.g. music and dance) to have benefactors directly support the growth of worthy artists, in the field of magic this is virtually non-existent. I admire Allan Slaight’s commitment to inspiring magical artists so that we may create even more robust works.

A big thank you to David Ben and Julie Eng for inviting Allan Slaight and his family to my Chamber Magic show, when we produced a one-week run at the Luminato Festival in Toronto. That was a wonderful opportunity to meet Allan, and I am delighted that both he and the selection committee regarded my performance highly enough to bestow the Sharing Wonder award upon me this year.

Thank you for inspiring me to inspire others!

The post Recipient of 2019 Allan Slaight “Sharing Wonder” Award appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Here are some quotes from names you’ll be sure to recognize: David Copperfield, Juan Tamariz, Derren Brown, Andy Nyman, Teller, Siegfried, Eugene Burger,  Jeff McBride, John Carney, Jeff Hobson, Richard Kaufman, Roberto Giobbi, Dick Cavett, Patrick Page, Bob Fitch, Derek DelGaudio, Jon Racherbaumer, Simon Aronson, David Ben, Levent, Daryl, David Regal, Milt Larsen, Dani DaOrtiz, Richard Wiseman, Michael Vincent, Ken Weber, Harry Lorayne, Pit Hartling, Lior Manor, and David Berglas.

“A masterful performance. You can’t write a show like this. It can only come from performing night after night, listening to the audience. I loved it.” – DAVID COPPERFIELD

“I loved your act at the Waldorf-Astoria – especially the elegant atmosphere and classical style of the performance, not to mention the very strong magic!” – JUAN TAMARIZ

“Aside from his success, it is Steve’s charm and elegance which separate him from all but a tiny elite of world-class magicians. However, Steve is the only magician from that elite and highly-select group to take his show to an elite and highly-select audience. It is a true one-off: an intimate caprice of parlour diversion by an enthralling and consummate master.” – DERREN BROWN

“Chamber Magic contains some of the most elegant, skillful and truly baffling magic on the planet. Steve Cohen is an absolute master of his craft; he and the show are simply extraordinary.” – ANDY NYMAN

“Steve Cohen presents a handsomely balanced program of intimate magic in a legendary setting. It’s a pleasure to see an audience gasp in amazement over and over again.” – TELLER

“Without the need for large equipment and a whole team of assistants, Steve Cohen enraptures the audience for an hour and a half with nothing but his skill and personality. In the end, they feel like they have experienced a true magician.” – SIEGFRIED (and Roy)

“Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is a thoroughly entertaining show of wonders and marvels that really elevates the Art of Magic.” – EUGENE BURGER

“Steve Cohen’s ability to weave a world of wonders from such simple yet elegant properties is a lesson to not only magicians, but all entertainers. I don’t know where he can take the show from here; it’s about as close to heaven as you can possibly get.” – JEFF McBRIDE

“This is the way magic was meant to be presented: for sophisticated adults, in an artistic atmosphere. Cohen presents his amazing and eclectic mysteries with great charm and aplomb. Chamber Magic is engaging, entertaining and great fun.” – JOHN CARNEY

“Steve Cohen gives the most perfect presentation of magic I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m in awe of him, and I’ve seen them all!” – JEFF HOBSON

“A truly tremendous show. Steve Cohen works intimately with the crowd and performs many remarkable things that left us speechless.” – RICHARD KAUFMAN

“Steve Cohen has all it takes to be an outstanding magician: hands, head and a smile, as the Master Ascanio once defined excellence in magic. I have personally witnessed Steve’s unique performance in the equally unique Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and predict that if you have an affinity for magic you will immensely enjoy yourself.” – ROBERTO GIOBBI

“Every art has a lot of crappiness. There are some people who can paint. Most people can’t. Some can sing. Most can’t. Millions want to be actors, and thousands are. A handful of them are great. Some are quite good. And it’s always that way. The cream goes to the top. Here is a man at the top of that pyramid… Steve Cohen.” – DICK CAVETT

“A perfect parlour magic show. I honestly cannot suggest anything that would improve it.” – PATRICK PAGE

“The marvelous success of Chamber Magic is a tribute to your hard work, curiosity, inventiveness and high style.  You’ve created a character, a legend, and are certainly proof that hard work and imagination can pay off.” – BOB FITCH

“A wonderful show. Thank you for keeping magic alive in New York City.” – DEREK DELGAUDIO

“Steve Cohen strategically converts the elemental aspects of mystery and manners in a very modern way. Combining the wonder-and-wizardry of technology with the aboriginal roots of magic, he makes everything happen in the intimate atmospherics of a salon. Be prepared for every kind of astonishment to spontaneously erupt!” – JON RACHERBAUMER

“Steve Cohen’s show combines the charm and elegance of Hofzinser’s exclusive parlor with the mystification and fun of 21st century cutting edge magic–all performed by a master and a gentleman. We enjoyed a thoroughly deceptive and delightful evening.” – SIMON ARONSON

“As a performer, there are many things I admire about Steve Cohen – his technical prowess, his timing and his boundless energy. As a producer, having engaged Steve and his Chamber Magic for Luminato, the international festival of creativity and the arts, there are things that I admire even more – his professionalism in performing and promoting the show, and the response of the public who kept coming back for more.” – DAVID BEN, Artistic Director, Magicana

“A flawless show, 10 out of 10. Steve Cohen is a fabulous entertainer and the modern day Max Malini.” – LEVENT CIMKENTLI

“Chamber Magic is a genuine magical experience. Pure and simple, it’s an entertaining evening of beautifully performed, mind boggling mysteries that I’ll never forget! Bravo.” – DARYL

“Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is an elegant delight.” – DAVID REGAL

“A modern day Max Malini.” – MILT LARSEN

“Fantastic work!” – DANI DAORTIZ

“Really really impressive. If you enjoy strong magic in an intimate setting, Steve Cohen’s show is simply a must.” – RICHARD WISEMAN

“Let me begin by saying, I love Steve Cohen, I love him as a person and also as a magical artist of the highest calibre. When these two elements are combined, you have an experience that captures the true essence of magic and a magical performance. I have seen Steve’s show Chamber Magic three times, twice in London and most recently at its home in New York City. This show is an enchanting magical experience. What makes it work is Steve’s grace, charm, humility and technical mastery of his craft. This is a rare commodity in today’s magical climate. I am happy for Steve and the success of his show; he has elevated the class and dignity of magic in the tradition of Hofzinser and Robert-Houdin.” – MICHAEL VINCENT

“One of our stars, raising the level of our art.” – KEN WEBER

“Steve Cohen is one of the best magicians I know. Fooled the h*ll out of me!” – HARRY LORAYNE

“The choice of material, the structure, the performance itself – the whole show carries a great message for magic.” – PIT HARTLING

“For the uninitiated layman everything Steve Cohen presents in Chamber Magic must seem totally impossible and could easily convert anyone to believe in the paranormal. Few other entertainers are able to create the kind of intimate and mysterious atmosphere that this evening offers!” – DAVID BERGLAS

“One of the best mind reading shows you will ever see.” – LIOR MANOR

“Typically you see magic either one-on-one (“close-up” or miniature magic) or far away, on a stage, where the magician works with big gadgets, armies of secret assistants, blinding lights, and smoke generators. Steve Cohen performs at an engaging, human scale, for perhaps seventy-five guests, in the parlor of a suite at the Waldorf. He works in the style of a soiree at the home of some Vanderbilt or Rittenhouse, where you might expect an evening of light opera but have lucked into an expert magician. This is an immensely satisfying way to experience classic conjuring. It’s a group experience, so laughter and applause come naturally, but you’re close enough to reach out and touch it. So you know what you’re seeing is the result not of stage machinery but of art.” – TELLER (in the New York Times)

“One of the best performances on the Letterman show EVER. Steve, you did a fine piece of (difficult!) magic for one of the most challenging people on earth and you came out BLAZING!…BRAVO!” – JEFF McBRIDE

The post Copperfield, Tamariz, Derren Brown, Teller (and more) on Chamber Magic^® appeared first on Chamber Magic.

One of my all-time favorites is Think-a-Drink. The proper title of this routine is Any Drink Called For, and has also been known as The Bar Act. I’ve been performing this routine in my shows for the past fifteen years, but it has existed in various forms for over a century. The trick is so old, it’s new again.
 

The father of modern conjuring, JEAN EUGENE ROBERT-HOUDIN performed its precursor, The Inexhaustible Bottle at his intimate theater shows in 19th century Paris.

In this early version of the trick, the magician poured a large volume of liquors from a single bottle – much greater than the bottle’s capacity.

I found the following historic details regarding The Inexhaustible Bottle on a lovely blog called Victorian Magic:

(quoted from Scribner’s Monthly, December 1880)

The Inexhaustible Bottle, which produces different liquors, and apparently in endless quantity, was first made popular in this country by Professor Anderson (JOHN HENRY ANDERSON, “The Great Wizard of the North”), and since his day has been exhibited by very many magicians. Of late years, it has been sold in the toy shops, and the public have learned that its effect is due in part to a well-known principle in physics, and in part to the wine glasses used, which are made so as to contain, at most, not more than a thimbleful.

The trick having become common and generally understood, conjurers began to look about for a means whereby something similar in effect might be produced, but by altogether dissimilar means. The result is a bottle-trick in which lager-beer is furnished in sufficient quantity to satisfy the thirst of a large audience. It is a very effective trick, and to it one well-known performer almost entirely owes his success.

It is only suitable for public exhibition, however, as the beer is pumped up from beneath the stage, and passes through rubber tubing, concealed in the dress of the performer, to the bottle held in the hand. The connection with the stage is made by means of a hollow boot-heel, and during the progress of the trick, the performer is unable to move.

This methodology is reminiscent of the traditional Japanese performance of mizugei (translated: “water art”), in which streams of water are sprayed into the air from specific parts of the stage, as well as from the tip of a sword, and even from an assistant’s head.

—

The British magician ROBERT HELLER was so enamored by Robert-Houdin that he changed his name from William Henry Palmer to Robert Heller, since they both begin with the initials “R.H.,” and performed many of Robert-Houdin’s routines in his act. In the following poster (circa 1860s), Heller is depicted performing The Inexhaustible Bottle in the upper right corner.

—

Here are some images of famous magicians who performed Any Drink Called For, and I’ll follow these images with more historic stories of the characters involved.

DAVID DEVANT, the great English illusionist and first president of The Magic Circle (in London) performed with a teakettle instead of a bottle. The teakettle was apparently used (in place of a bottle) at the suggestion of Devant’s wife. Here is a publicity poster (circa 1890s) advertising his performances at Maskelyne & Cooke’s Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly.

 

The following studio photograph depicts British magician OWEN CLARK, who performed at St. George’s Hall in London (and later toured America), and is included here with thanks to David Hibberd of the Magic Circle, London. I’m not certain which of these two similar images came first, but I suspect that it was Devant, who had a much higher profile than Clark.

I don’t know much about the following two poster images, which depict the Any Drink Called For act in a similar fashion to each other – with split streams of multi-colored liquids.

I modeled my own promotional photo on the “split stream” concept in these two posters. (Photo by Clay Patrick McBride)

—

CHARLES HOFFMAN (1895-1965), known professionally as “THINK-A-DRINK” HOFFMAN, performed Any Drink Called For in American vaudeville houses and circuit theaters as a popular variety act.

Hoffman was sometimes promoted as “The Highest Paid Bartender in the World.” His main props included a small bar and several cocktail shakers, from which he poured any drink you could imagine – up to 80 in total during a single performance. There is a nice write-up of Hoffman in the highly detailed book Vaudeville, Old & New, An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America, Vol. 1.

Since his act was based on the theme of “prohibition,” a law at that time, audiences loved the fact that they were receiving alcoholic beverages, for free no less! He poured straight or mixed drinks, such as high balls, cocktails, liquors, zombies, coffee and ice cream sodas from metal cocktail shakers which were shown to be empty and from beakers filled with water. These were drinks that were merely thought of by his audience members.

Charles “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman

Charles “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman, on You Asked For It television show

In the December 1951 issue of The Sphinx, a trade magazine for magicians, an article by Jay Palmer entitled “From Keg to Kettle” described the progression of Hoffman’s career:

“Hoffmann’s reason for adding the peculiar prefix “Think A Drink” to his name is the following. When he first introduced his bar act, he used to ask the spectators to call for any drinks they wanted. This, as always occurs in performances of similar nature, caused an uproar in the theatre, scores of thirsty individual’s shouting their “orders”. Hoffman did not like the pandemonium created, and Dr. Tarbell (HARLAN TARBELL) suggested that instead of getting drinks called for, he should ask the spectators to think of any cocktail they fancied. As the idea appealed to him, he immediately adopted it, and added the “Think A Drink” to his surname.”

Bill Palmer (no relation to the author of the Sphinx article) claims that it was BURLING HULL, not Harlan Tarbell, who suggested the name “Think-a-Drink” to Hoffman. Hull’s name will resurface later in the story, as you will see below.

According to historian Milbourne Christopher, a rival Swiss magician named DE ROZE poured martinis, manhattans, beer, milk and soda from pitchers of crystal-clear water. And in fact, several other contemporaries of Hoffman (including VAL VOLTAINE, MYSTIC CRAIG, DELL O’DELL, DANNY DEW, and the Australian LES LEVANTE) performed similar acts, some which spurred high-profile legal battles.

—

In the July 3, 1943 issue of Billboard magazine, the following article appeared:

DRINK-ACT PROGRAM GETS 4-WAY HOOK-UP

Hoffman, Volta, Maurice and Joan Brandon

NEW YORK, July 3 – The attempt of “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman to prevent alleged imitators from working has developed into a hour-cornered fight among magicians for the right to do the call-out-a-drink routine.

Latest development is the Great Volta retaining an attorney, David Godwin, to protect him against further onslaughts from Hoffman. Volta claims he lost two weeks’ work in Florida because Hoffman’s attorney had warned employers that only Hoffman had the legal right to do the drink act. (Hoffman won an injunction against Maurice Glazer in the Florida courts recently. Glazer also does a drink turn.)

Volta (BURLING VOLTA HULL) has dug up a June 1921 issue of a magicians’ magazine containing an ad of Boole Bros. Magic Shop, owned 60 percent by Volta, and which listed for sale a magic bar act. The ad describes the drink routine in detail and offers for sale the necessary equipment. Volta also claims that DeRosa revived the act in 1932 in Europe and brought it here after Prohibition.

Meanwhile, Maurice’s attorney, Simon Feinstein, says he is preparing suit against Hoffman, and Joan Brandon has entered the fight by having her attorney warn Hoffman that he will be sued if he causes Miss Brandon to lose work.

If you wish to read the legal case and its ruling, I’ve tracked it down on the web. Click here for the Dade County, Florida circuit court ruling, dated November 26, 1943.

—

Any Drink Called For has been performed more recently on television by British celebrity magician Paul Daniels, and by Las Vegas magician Lance Burton.

The trick has enjoyed a rich history, and I am doing my best to honor the past masters of magic by including it in my Chamber Magic^® shows at the Waldorf-Astoria. To date, I’ve performed this trick over one thousand times. I don’t think that I, or my audiences, will ever tire of participating in this “magical cocktail party.”

David Devant mural painting courtesy The Magic Circle, London

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The 5000th Chamber Magic^® show is coming up, and Mayor Bill de Blasio is declaring October 6th “Chamber Magic Day” in the City of New York!

We are planning a special night around this landmark event, and there are only few seats remaining.

5000th Chamber Magic^® show

Friday, October 6, 9PM

Limited availability – Check Tickets Here

In coordination with the Lotte New York Palace, guests will be invited to a post-show reception in the Gold Room, where my delicious and potent signature cocktail, appropriately named the “Think-a-Drink,” will be served from silver teakettles.

Celebrity cake designer Ron Ben-Israel –the Manolo Blahnik of wedding cakes– is creating a delicious magic-themed cake that is going to make your eyes explode. But not your waistline. (Now that’s magic…!)

And I’ll be performing new magic tricks that are sure to keep you up at night.

Seventeen years ago, I began Chamber Magic^® on a dream and a shoestring budget. Now it’s ranked as the #7 show on TripAdvisor among all Shows & Concerts in New York City. (#8 is Radio City Music Hall, #9 is the Metropolitan Opera. And Hamilton is #15.)

More than 500,000 people have attended at the Waldorf Astoria, and now at The Palace.

I’m truly living out my childhood dream, and I’d love to share it with you.

Book your tickets now to see the show in my stunning new showroom.

Tickets are available at: www.chambermagic.com

I look forward to seeing you at show #5000! Or 5001, 5002, 5003…

-Steve Cohen

The post The 5000th Chamber Magic^® show – October 6, 2017! appeared first on Chamber Magic.

When I started “Chamber Magic^®“ 16 years ago, my goal was to help raise public respect toward magic as a performing art. I wanted people to consider going to a magic show instead of the opera, or the ballet. It is highly gratifying to see that my vision has been recognized by so many others. Take a look at this line-up:

The top 10 Theater & Concerts in NYC:

1. Lion King

2. Wicked

3. Jersey Boys

4. Kinky Boots

5. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

6. The Phantom of the Opera

7. Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic^®

8. Radio City Music Hall

9. Metropolitan Opera

10. Les Miserables

I’m incredibly grateful to my fans for all of your support. I pour my heart into this show each week, and care about every person who walks through my door. Thank you, too, to the Lotte New York Palace for being the greatest supporter of my work. Here’s to many years of success!

The post #7 Top NYC Show on TripAdvisor appeared first on Chamber Magic.

• I have been playing at the Waldorf Astoria New York for 16 years. Over 500,000 guests have visited the show.

• Chamber Magic is ranked on TripAdvisor as the #8 show in NYC, including all Broadway productions (for reference, Hamilton is #15).

• The Waldorf Astoria will be closing on March 1, 2017 for 3+ years of renovations. The hotel was purchased in 2014 by Anbang Insurance Group, a Chinese holding company, for nearly $2 billion. They intend to gut renovate the hotel, converting the upper floors into ultra-luxury condominiums, and the lower floors into a smaller boutique hotel.

• When I announced that the Chamber Magic show must move to a new venue, I was flattered to receive inquiries from seven top luxury hotels in New York. After numerous site visits and discussions, number-crunching and soul-searching, I have signed a contract with an iconic landmark hotel in midtown Manhattan.

• In partnership with my new hotel venue, we will be making a public announcement in the media. I really can’t wait to share this with you — including gorgeous photos of my new showroom. Frankly, it’s breathtaking.

• Chamber Magic will continue — uninterrupted — in its new home, to be announced shortly. I intend to keep New Yorkers and out-of-town guests believing in magic for years to come!

The post Moving, not Closing! appeared first on Chamber Magic.

One of my weekend rituals is to listen to the Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me podcast from NPR. Peter Sagal is the genial host, and his voice has an all-access pass to my ears every Sunday morning. I follow Peter on Twitter, and like millions of his fans, feel like I “know” him through his clever barbs and on-air quips. Last week, however, I actually did get to “know” Peter when he visited Chamber Magic^® to celebrate his parents’ birthdays. He is a tremendous guy.

After the show we talked for about 20 minutes, and snapped the photo above. A couple of days later, Peter sent the following endorsement:

“What Steve Cohen does is flatly impossible. Cannot be happening, and probably didn’t, really. I just hallucinated being in a hotel suite filled with well-dressed people, watching chamber-scale miracles. Seriously: not only could he not really have done any of that, but people don’t dress up anymore. Don’t believe me? Well, go — and don’t believe him yourself.” – Peter Sagal

We are now members of a mutual fan club. His show on NPR is always razor-sharp and often leaves me grinning so much my face hurts. (Especially when Paula Poundstone is on.) It would be a great honor to be asked to appear on the “Not My Job” segment — one can only dream?!

The post Peter Sagal – “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” Visits Chamber Magic^® appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Now you see him

The post Luxury Listings Magazine – Feature Story appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Tickets are on sale now.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For assistance placing your order, email info@chambermagic.com

The post Want to see Chamber Magic^® for yourself? Get tickets now. appeared first on Chamber Magic.

As you may have read in the media, the hotel will undergo a massive renovation starting in the spring.

As a result, there are only six months remaining to see Chamber Magic at its original venue, the spectacular Waldorf Astoria.

Book your tickets now to see the show at the hotel

where it became famous! 

I will perform the last show at the Waldorf on February 25, 2017.

To accommodate the increase in demand for these final six months, we have added Thursday night shows from October through February. Tickets are available by clicking here.

PS: After February 25, the show will move to another luxury venue in Manhattan so I can keep New Yorkers and out-of-town guests believing in magic for years to come! Stay tuned for an exciting announcement.

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