PERFORMER FACTS & FICTION

KERRY POLLOCK (Cleveland) Kerry is a professional comedian/magician who has headlined resorts and casinos as well as corporate events throughout the country for over two centuries. (He doesn’t look that old) His clean, original approach to the art has contributed to a refreshing and very entertaining show. Audience participation is the icing on the cake and better still, every piece is a corner piece. Kerry’s goal is to keep them laughing, have them wondering, and be 100% comfortable with his performance as if his mom were in the audience. A former engineer and founder of Wireless Wizardry Inc., Kerry has combined his expertise in electronics with his showmanship to create props and illusions for names such as Disney, Penn and Teller, Harry Anderson, Hermann Carr, Lance Burton, Amazing Jonathon and others. We are delighted to have Kerry MC our Palace Theatre‘Big Headliner Show’ and present his latest outstanding lecture. Dick Cheney says, “I’d never miss Kerry”.

JOHN CARNEY (Hollywood) John Carney is acclaimed as one of the finest magicians in the world. He is no ordinary “magician”. His approach is smart, engaging, and always surprising. He is widely acknowledged as one of the top sleight of hand magicians in the world, always unique and often hilarious. Hollywood’s Magic Castle has awarded Carney more awards than anyone in their history, the only performer to win in every category.  He has performed in casinos in Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and West Virginia. Television appearances include the Late Show with David Letterman, the Jerry Seinfeld HBO special, and appearances on Spin Cityand Two and a Half Men. Whether you are an amateur or professional you will derive both knowledge and inspiration from his lecture. “An expert in pure sleight of hand” says Dai Vernon.  In addition to his lecture, John will also be performing on the ‘Grand Close-up Show’ and will be featured on the ‘Big Headliner Show’ at the Palace Theatre.

JASON HUDY (Michigan) “Who is Jason Hudy”? Winner of several awards in the field of magic for performance excellence, Jason Hudy provides impossible magic and first-class entertainment in a one-of-a-kind magical production. A seasoned professional of over 5000 performances, Jason is one of the busiest professional magicians in the world today. He has performed for organizations such as Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Six Flag theme parks, ESPN, Lego and cruise ships (Jason once performed a thumb tip trick for a waitress at iHop). Whether he is reading someone’s mind or making an audience member the star of the show, with Jason you can see the impossible and be entertained. His show features grand illusions, audience participation, special effects, music comedy and more. In addition to being his assistant, the beautiful Amber Albert’s Aerial Silk routine will astound you. This will be Jason and Amber’s first appearance at the ‘Battle’ and we are excited to have them on our ‘Big Headliner Show.

ERIC BUSS (Los Angeles) Known as the ‘Comedy Imaginator’, Eric is a clever and funny person who imagines crazy concepts and inventions, turns them into reality, and performs them for an audience with hilarious results. Eric Buss was born in Tucson, Arizona.  When he was born the doctors all laughed at him, which gave Eric a rush...or it could have been the snipping of the umbilical cord... Either way, at the age of 7 seconds he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. At 16, probably after ingesting some paint chips, he decided to make day dreaming and performing comedy magic a career. He never looked back.  His high energy and hilarious act has been called “Pure Art, PureMadness!” It combines pogo sticks, wigs, frozen turkeys, dancing licorice, impaled rabbits and 375 spring snakes into a non-stop ride of mischief and magical gadgetry. Eric not only imagined it, but he turned it into an award-winning act that he has performed around the world and on the “Late Show with David Letterman”. In fact Letterman called his act “Tremendous, sensational, beautiful and a real crowd pleaser”.  This ‘Stage Champion of the Year’ award winner has performed on 5 continents and on TV in 6 countries. Besides being a hit on our ‘Big Headliner Show’, Eric will be presenting his wild and crazy lecture. You’re gonna love Eric Buss.

JEFF BIBIK (Chicago) People often ask...”What is a Jeff Bibik”?  Well, he’s been a magician his whole life. In fact his first appearance was totally unexpected according to his parents, and he’s been a source of mystery ever since.  Jeff gave his first public show at the age of 9.  By high school Jeff was getting paid to perform and in college he rounded out his theatrical training with a degree in speech and theatre. In the magic world, Bibik is a well-known character and is recognized as a lecturer, author and inventor of magic effects.  A close-up award winner at the Society of American Magician’sConvention, Jeff’s writings have appeared in both the Linking Ring and Magic magazines. In June of 2002, due to some heavy bribing, Bibik was on the cover of MUM and authored a feature article.  Whether it’s cruise ships, television, comedy clubs or just driving around with a soft drink container on the roof of his car, Jeff causes havoc wherever he goes. He’s just funny and will make you laugh at this year’s ‘Battle’.

GYULA CZILI (Budapest) Gyula is the president of the Budapest I.B.M. Ring.  He won 1st place in the close-up category in a Hungarian magic contest as well as 2nd and 3rd place awards at various International competitions. He has lectured in Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S.  He is featured on the World MagicSeminar DVD, and is one of the performers on the International Magician’s Society Platinum Collection lecture DVD. Gyula is a regular on Hungarian television. (He has also been chosen Man of the Year at his local Elks Club Lodge.) He founded his own company, Joker Magic, 25 years ago and it rapidly grew into one of the largest manufacturers of magic tricks in Europe.  He has invented over 65 magic effects and exports his goods to over 25 countries. A featured entertainer on our ‘Grand Close-upShow’, Gyula will also be performing and lecturing plus operating his Dealer’s room at this year’s ‘Battle’. Obie said “I really like this guy” and so will you.

AL CALLUS (New Jersey/Florida) When he was 15, Al worked the street corners in Time Square on weekends.  He performed the medical pitch, did a little magic and passed around the hat, telling the assembled crowd how he needed the money to care for his poor sick dying mother. “ She was very healthy,” Callus now admits with a guilty grin.  The magical, medical pitch blends comedy, magic and showmanship.  The act demands a specific skill, a unique charm and a certain something. Whatever it is, Callus has it. (He hopes to cure it soon).  The jokes in his act are older than his 77 years, but Callus gets the laughs. He speaks swiftly and convincingly, punctuating the potential of his pitch, with silly claims and sillier puns, but after a few minutes, you might be tempted to slap down a few bucks and take a swig of ‘Dr. Killum’s U-Sic-Um’ magical elixir. After all it is guaranteed to cure most ills. Al’s act will be a big hit on this year’s “All Star Extravaganza Show”. Don’t miss this really unique showman.

TRIGG WATSON (Dallas)  Since moving from his hometown of Townsville, Australia to the United States Trigg has traveled the globe with his award-winning act.  At 22 years old audiences from London to Las Vegas have praised him for his original magic stage presence. This gifted entertainer is a first place teen champion from the Florida State Magic Convention, a two time performer in the Society of American Magicians ‘Stars of Tomorrow Show’, international finalist at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, winner of the Texas Association of Magicians senior stage contest, and won 1st place in the jelly competition at the Texas State Fair. We know this rising star in magic will be a huge hit when he performs on the ‘Big Headliner Show’ at the Palace Theatre.  You’ll leave the theatre talking about this amazing act.

THE ANGELONIS (Louisville)  For over 25 years Tim and Pauline have magically entertained their way into the hearts of thousands with their sophisticated magic.  From television appearances on Fox to theatres across the nation, from urban malls to rural county fairs, from lavish banquets to benefit performances for ailing children, from dogfights to Amway conventions, the Angelonis continue to enjoy a variety of wonderful audiences. Tim has appeared onstage with the Fabulous Boxtops, The Drifters, country stars Joe Diffie and B.J. Thomas, and acts from the Ringling Brother’s Circus, including several albino midgets. Tim and Pauline will be a big hit!

GEOFF WILLIAMS (Florida) Once a Minnesotan, but now relocated to Florida, Jeff has won over 2 dozen magic and comedy awards, in both stage and close-up, in the 27 years he has been performing for corporate and family audiences.  His ‘Miracles For Mortals’ DVD set (produced by Kozmo Magic) has garnered rave reviews worldwide. His DVD single “The ‘I Hate David Copperfield’ Trick”, was on Penguin Magic’s bestseller list for almost a year. His ‘I Sorta Like Bob Little’ trick is still in production. He has performed and lectured throughout Europe, South America and all over the U.S. He is a frequent performer at the Magic Castle and is known for his outrageous, family-friendly comedy mixed with a heavy dose of stunning sleight of hand illusions. Get ready to have some fun at Geoff’s first appearance at the ‘Battle’.

MR MYSTO (Parts Unknown)  From out of the darkness, the kid shows, the supermarket openings...comes a force so disturbing, so twisted...it’s hilarious. Mr. Mysto, an eccentric and magical savant, will make you howl while he performs the impossible; drawing a picture that comes to life or baking a cake in a man’s shoe. Always a sensation, his appearance on our ‘Big Headliner Show’ will be a wild ride. Keep your hands and feet inside the car and hold on. 

AMBER ALBERTS (Pittsburgh) Amber is an accomplished dancer, aerialist and magician’s assistant. She started dancing when she was only 2 years old. (One year more than Bob Filips) She has studied dance at some of the country’s most prestigious schools including the Carnegie Performing Arts Center.  She has worked with 4 different magicians and has been the main assistant for Jason Hudy for the past 5 years. Be prepared to be dazzled as Amber creates graceful poses high above your head during her aerial ballerina act on this year’s ‘Big Headliner Show’ at the Palace Theatre.