Nothing Here Was Real
CLOSING A SHOW IS HARD
My public show, "Nothing Here Is Real" ran for over a year at Oxbow Tavern on 73rd and Columbus in NYC. It was one of my favorite projects because I poured way more personal information into it than I do for private appearances. Telling stories about my grandparents while interweaving illusions was an activity that filled me with joy. Then, right when we were about to ramp up the quantity of shows, Covid struck.
I'm only thinking of this now because I was going through boxes in my dusty garage, and to my surprise, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of hundreds of old postcards that were once used to promote the show. The memories of the past flooded back, reminding me of the excitement and anticipation that surrounded the show's opening night.
I had a similar experience with RedBull. I hardly ever drink it, but it became a routine to have one on show days. It ended up being over a year before I drank one again, and was instantly transported back to my show-prepping mindframe.
I can have a RedBull whenever I'd like, but I couldn't help but realize that it made sense to part ways with the postcards. The venue where the show took place no longer exists, a relic of the past, and therefore, the postcards couldn't be reused to promote any potential future runs.
Yet, amidst the bittersweet feelings, I couldn't help but ponder another aspect of the show that was deeply intertwined with the venue's essence - a beautiful antique pool table which served as a focal point for a large portion of the show, captivating the audience with its timeless allure and adding an element of sophistication to the performances.
Finding another venue with something like that would be so difficult that I almost don't want to start looking. So, as I stood there in my garage, surrounded by boxes and memories, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy mixed with gratitude. I'm so proud of the show and everyone who was able to come out and see it. Here's an interview I did about the show, as well as one of my favorite shots with some magic friends:
