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A Port Coquitlam man is rallying his community to bring a little magic into a troubled world.
Pulling it off will be some trick.
Zander, 27, is the youngest president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), which comprises more than 13,000 magicians in 88 countries. And like him, most are in lockdown, their live performances cancelled, their audiences hunkered in their own homes.
It’s times like these, Zander said, that magic is needed more than ever. His passion and profession has a history of toughing it out through world wars and economic hardships like the Great Depression.
“We are the entertainers of the world,” Zander said. “If we can’t put a smile on people’s face, then we’re doing it wrong.”
Thus, beginning Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m., 18 magicians from all over the world will gather for one hour on Facebook Live to share ideas with one another, teach and learn new tricks, and pull back the curtain on some of their secrets.
The virtual gatherings will continue nightly for two weeks — and the public is invited.
“Sharing the wonders of live entertainment is really important,” Zander said. “It adds an extra dimension.”
The IBM has also launched a directory of live virtual magic shows being put on by individual performers on its website. Zander said he expects even more of his peers to put their acts online as restrictions on movement escalate.
And he said magicians, by their nature, love to share their craft.
“Magicians are giving folks,” Zander said. “To keep going is always important.”
And while going online will help satisfy that need, it doesn’t approach the satisfaction of performing to an in-person audience where magicians are able to feed off their reactions and wonderment.
“Magic is one of those arts that does necessitate a crowd,” Zander said, adding the Facebook Live platform allows for limited audience reaction, such as ThumbsUp and comments in real time.
And who knows, logging in to find some magic in the current uncertainty may uncover a hidden talent, Zander said.
“Sometimes the reality is, the greatest talent is borne from the greatest difficulties,” he said. “If Harry Houdini was able to do a double escape from a straight jacket, we can escape this.”
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