“To see things that seem to be overwhelmingly impossible, you either have to go all the way to space, or you have to see a really good magic trick.”
Richard Garriot (astronaut, retired)
Presenting the walkaround magic of Steven Goldstein.
Your guests are arriving; they grab a drink, and begin mingling with others, engaging in light conversation, enjoying the moment.
Just then, a person unknown to them comes up to their group.
“Excuse me, folks; sorry to interrupt … My name is Steve, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in seeing a brief demonstration of several … curious, and unusual, things.”
Magic is afoot.
Amazement and amusement.
But mostly amazement.
These are not your grandfather’s card tricks.
Whether at a cocktail reception or a private party, the short bursts of cool and sophisticated magic that Steve performs are precisely what contemporary partygoers want and like: fun little impossibilities that fit in perfectly with today’s refined, intelligent, and adult sensibilities.
Throughout his engagements, Steve tries always to balance the lighthearted nature of his work with the more serious, underlying sense of astonishment that must be at the heart of all good magic.
“Do you like card tricks?"
"No, I hate card tricks," I answered.
“Well, I`ll just show you this one."
He showed me three.
W. Somerset Maugham, collected Short Stories
Wonderment, unlooked for.
Strolling magic is not a “performance,” in the traditional sense of the term. Nor is it often even a highlighted — much less an announced — feature of the evening’s program.
Think of it instead as magic by stealth: where the marvel is not merely the set of tricks themselves, but also the very surprise of the encounter — which tends to double the beauty of the experience.
Within that experience, by doing only a few select tricks for each group, Steve allows just enough time for people to become immersed in a little miracle or two, but not so long for them to feel as though their evening has been overly “interrupted.”
The result is an unexpected, yet pleasing, component of the larger experience of the event.
“We hired Steve to provide strolling magic at our awards luncheon last spring. It was the highlight of the event. We all totally enjoyed the amazing, up-close, and personal performance of captivating tricks that were fun, smart, and engaging. We would highly recommend Steve for your next event.”
Stephanie S., Danville
“Steve's strolling magic was the highlight of my party. Even though we had 50 guests in a sprawling venue, Steve captivated and beguiled them all, from dazzling small crowds gathered around him in a circle to mesmerizing couples sitting on the sidelines. His strolling magic is fantastic!”
Ronald H., Berkeley
Hidden Persuader.
What better preparation for a life in magic than a career in the sinister arts of advertising?
In his career as an advertising writer and creative director, Steve acquired what would eventually deepen into a profound understanding of audience perceptions and how to influence them — a development that perfectly aligned with his growing interest in the magical arts.
Further, Steve’s delayed entry into performing, postponed until his adult years, has given him an acute eye for what contemporary audiences want and like, as well as a sharp filter for the kinds of effects that suit his style and personality.
In addition to performing at private functions around the Bay Area, Steve can often be found doing close-up magic on weekends at the California Magic Dinner Theater in Martinez.
Sleightly cool.
An evolving showcase of curious, and unusual, topics.
But you shouldn’t.
If you don’t want to miss making your next party or reception even more magical, send me an email, or fill out the form to the right. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible to discuss the details of your event.
Thanks for your interest.
Magically,
“Son, no matter how far you travel, or how smart you get, always remember this: someday, somewhere, a guy is going to come to you and show you a deck of cards on which the seal has never been broken, and this guy is going to offer to bet you that the Jack of Spades will jump out of the deck and squirt cider in your ear. But, son, do not bet him, for as sure as you do, you are going to get an earful of cider.”
Damon Runyon, The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown