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In San Diego, politicians aren't the only ones performing sleight of hand

By David Moye

February 20, 2006

San Diego--While San Diego politicians have a knack for making money disappear, San Diego magicians are developing a reputation for more benign trickery.

At least that’s the impression conjured up by Michael Johnson, a San Marcos-based magician who also publishes San Diego Magic News, a monthly newsletter dedicated to spelling out all the magic shows occurring in the San Diego and Temecula areas.

“San Diego is actually a very creative hub for the magic world,” says the 47-year-old Johnson, who has been practicing magic for more than 30 years and making a living at it for 12. “There are lots of people based here who sell, create and perform magic tricks all over the world.”

SD is already a hub of fiscal trickery

Johnson specializes in doing escape magic and while he may engage in onstage trickery he’s under no illusion that San Diego’s magic scene is as big as Las Vegas or Los Angeles. He says a San Diego magic-head can enjoy magic seven nights a week if he or she chooses—and that’s not counting the many magicians who work in Tijuana and Baja California.

For instance, he says there’s a world-class magician named J.C. Wagner who pours drinks at the Little Bar in Coronado every Saturday afternoon just so he can perfect his card tricks.

Johnson says that while San Diego is spread out, the magicians are close-knit. In fact, many of them hang out together on their off-hours at The Gathering restaurant in Mission Hills, which hires magicians to perform regularly.

Another spot where the magicians like to sit for a spell is at Jack’s Magic Place at 4275 University Avenue. Once a month, the members of Ring 77 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians meet to discuss magic and other topics and show each other tricks and the public is welcome.

But while a lot of magicians are real cards, Johnson says there is more to them than meets the eye. “The type of people who are magicians are those who like to keep deep secrets and there are some mind-blowing philosophical discussions.”

Johnson figures that’s because magic is a performing art that gives the implication that anything is possible.

He says even though the magicians know how the tricks are done, the more you get into it, the more interesting it becomes.

“Even when we know the secret to a trick, we’ll look at it closely to see how the magician recovers if he makes a mistake. And sometimes interesting things happen that go beyond what is expected. I’ve taken chances during a card trick where I will ask the audience not to think of a specific card but to just open their minds—and everyone will somehow focus on the same card.”

Johnson says the magic scene is strong but predicts it will only get stronger when San Diego’s casino industry takes a tip from Las Vegas and starts hiring magic acts as headliners.

“Magic is the performing art that reaches the largest number of people. It doesn’t require people to speak the same language and people can enjoy the tricks no matter their age or ethnic background.”

Besides building up San Diego’s magic scene, Johnson has some tricks up his sleeve regarding tricks he’d like to do locally.

“I’m working on a card trick where I guess what card a stealth fighter pilot is holding—even when the cockpit is closed.”

For more information on San Diego’s magic scene, check out www.sandiegomagicnews.com.

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