From Birthday Parties to Nightclubs: The Untold Story of My Crazy Childhood in Magic

So let me tell ya… when I was like 12, my cousin Tony—Anthony, you know Italians, gotta use the full name—he was almost 15, and all of a sudden he’s into magic.

His mom, my Auntie, she’s tryin’ to keep him outta trouble, so she’s like, “Focus on the magic, Anthony!”

And my cuz? A natural. I mean, he’s got doves poppin’ out of hankerchiefs, cards disappearin’… it was like he found his calling.

Now, we didn’t exactly live around the corner from each other as kids – we were like an hour apart. But that didn’t stop us. Oh no, cuz started writing up magic shows, complete with song lists—yes, song lists!

We’d get on the phone, talkin’ about the tricks like we were planning a heist, and I’m there writin’ ‘em down like a secretary. “Alright, we’ll start with the disappearing coin, then the floating card. Got it!” It was ridiculous.

When we got together at these family parties—you know the ones, sausage and peppers on the table, kids runnin’ around, Auntie yellin’ at somebody—we’d be in the back, practicing our magic act. And then, boom! We’re doin’ kids’ birthday parties! Yeah, talent shows, the whole deal.

And then we’re hittin’ up these magic shops, browsin’ the tricks like we’re in some kinda secret magician mafia. “I’ll take the rings, you grab the silks.”

To save money, we roped in the whole family—friends, uncles, the guy down the street, everybody—to help build these illusions from scratch. I’m talkin’ wood, nails, paint. You’d walk into his apartment—like, “What are we buildin’ here, a birdhouse or a saw-the-lady-in-half box?”

Oh yeah, we had real doves, like actual birds. There was this one dove, we called it “HeShe” ‘cause we had no clue if it was a boy or a girl.

We’re performin’ these tricks where Tony’s sawin’ me in half, and I’m holdin’ up pans with fire in ‘em. Then boom—out comes a dove, just flappin’ its wings like we were professionals. I mean, it was something.

Next thing ya know, we win our first talent show in Skokie Illinois! That win got us booked at the Skokie Country Fair. We’re performin’ for like 20,000 people! There’s a talent scout there, no big deal. We’re feelin’ like big shots, like we’re gonna be the next Siegfried & Roy.

And we kept doin’ magic shows for like, the next couple years, still on the phone talkin’ tricks, then meetin’ up to practice ‘em like clockwork.

Then, the big time: we got a manager. Yeah, us! And suddenly we’re performin’ in nightclubs. Picture this—13 years old, and I’m backstage drinkin’ a 7/7 ‘cause I’m “in the show!” Like, who does that?! Our family’s packin’ the cars with our magic props, showin’ up like some kinda traveling circus. Auntie’s sewing rhinestones on our costumes, painting our faces up like it’s Broadway. No, not the blue eyeshadow!

Tony’s playin’ at the legendary “Devil’s Inn” in Chicago, he’s got his face on a freakin’ portrait—someone actually painted this guy.

And my dad? He’s was a printer for like 30 years, so of course, he’s makin’ Tony’s business cards like we’re a legit operation.

But man, the best trick we ever had? The “Dancing Cane.” It was our pièce de résistance. We practiced for hours, days. It was gonna be epic. Never got to perform it together, but he was known for it.

One summer, we’re at our great-grandma’s for the 4th of July—in Fox River Grove, Illinois, small town. There’s this old castle, now called the Bettendorf Castle we were always fascinated by, so of course, Tony and I, we gotta go check it out. We’re peekin’ in the windows, tryin’ to get a look inside, but it’s gated, and no dice. We’re walkin’ back, and Tony, bein’ Tony, he’s got a handful of M-80s, just throwin’ ‘em in garbage cans like a lunatic. Well, one had a short wick—BOOM—blows up in his hand. We get back to Grandma’s, and his thumb is just hangin’ on by a thread. My dad? He’s holdin’ it together—literally—on the way to the hospital. They saved the thumb, but the magic? Never the same.

We always dreamed of doin’ a big Vegas show. Tony got to see Siegfried and Roy—lucky him. Me? Not so much. And get this—the very day and time (Oct 3, 2003) I move to Vegas, I hear on the radio that Roy gets attacked by his tiger. I’m like, “Really? I move here, and now this happens?” But hey, I did get to see Siegfried havin’ lunch once at the Bali Hai Club, so there’s that.

Cuz also met Doug Henning, who was a beloved magician from the 70-80s.

He also met Harry Blackstone Jr., and even performed for David Copperfield before David was famous.

We did get to see Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo together. It was like old times.

Anyway, I’ll never forget bein’ a magician’s assistant.

I saved our last written show. Here it is:

Last Magic Show

Star Wars, Dancing Cane, Music Ends

Loves Theme Swat, Hat Loader, Bangle Net, Phantom Tube, Dove Bag, Silk Cylinder, Dove and Balloon, Dove Pan, Indian Dove Chest, Music Ends

Brainwave Deck, Beethoven, Color Changing Cane, Candle, Square Circle, Music Ends

Side Walk Shuffle, Floating Lady, Close Encounters

If you like to see more photos of our Skokie talent show competition, visit Web Design Island's blog!

If you have a unique story about your life, comment below. I would love to hear about it.

Love T