Magic After Hours

03/30/2024

This guy’s great grandfather was Harlan Tarbell!!!!

02/29/2024

I would never make it as a cruise ship act. (Photo )

12/04/2023

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/platform-magic-tickets-723788720547?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Saturday, December 16th, at 7:33 PM, I’ll be doing an entirely new magic show at the Hudson Valley Writer’s Center. It’s a zero-minute walk from the Philipse Manor MetroNorth station, so you have no excuse for not coming. Please bring a set of keys.

An evening of interactive magic at the Hudson Valley Writer's Center. Presented by Noah Levine.

11/10/2023

During a show this week I scaled a card over my shoulder and it landed in a drawer five feet away. I was oblivious until someone pointed it out after the show, at which point I took full credit for the remarkable feat.

09/27/2023

Very special private show last night for two. They were at a recent public show, so as a personal challenge I did a completely different set. What fun.

09/26/2023

07/19/2023

This week’s performances are sold out. Hope to see you soon

03/28/2023

No shows this week because I’m making my debut at the fancy house in Hollywood. This is particularly exciting because I’m performing alongside some of my favorite people from Tannen’s Magic Camp

03/17/2023

Tonight’s show is sold out. Here are two green things.

03/15/2023

Close-up or bust. Come to the show tonight at 8 and bring a date.

01/30/2023

During this show, I tell a lot of stories about the Mysto magic kits sold by the A.C. Gilbert Company until the 1960s. Last week, after the show, someone told me that as a child he lived near the A.C. Gilbert factory. He also told me that in addition to magic sets, Gilbert sold an atomic energy science kit that came with a Geiger counter and JARS OF URANIUM ORE. Thankfully it sold very poorly and was discontinued after a year., while the magic kits were wildly successful for decades. I think the moral of this story is clear.

01/14/2023

Magic is often referred to as a “variety” art. It is treated as an eccentric cousin within the family of more traditional disciplines like music, poetry, dance, etc. I think this occurs because magic is upfront about being artificial whereas other art forms SEEM to place more emphasis on expression and authenticity. This distinction itself is something of a trick. Everyone uses a bit of sleight-of-hand. I always pay attention when mainstream performers or artists talk about how magic has influenced their work, even in small ways. Here are a few cases, with more to come.

1. In this passage from Bruce Springsteen’s book he’s quite upfront about the deceptive nature of his everyman persona. I love that he compares his performances to a magic trick, and it only makes me more curious about him (and magic tricks).

2. Harry Lorayne is a memory expert and one of the most prolific magic authors alive. His book Close-Up Card Magic has inspired hundreds if not thousands of young card magicians. One of his quirks as a writer is that he has some celebrity friends and mentions them in almost every book he’s ever written. I laughed out loud when I found HIS name being dropped by no less than Bob Dylan.

Wordsworth said that "poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings,” and even though that was a bajillion years ago, we still kind of buy into the myth. It is, therefore, very interesting to see a great poet turning to the world of magic and related arts in order to cultivate his image. 

3. Nobody looks at a Robert Maplethorpe photo and says “I bet he had a fun childhood.” Yet here he is allowing memories of a childhood magic kit to enter into his practice. There is probably a much darker and more complex way of interpreting this anecdote, but let’s keep it simple for now.

01/05/2023

I've spent countless hours with friends talking about the qualities of a great magic trick. This passage from a book review absolutely nails it.

01/03/2023

I worked behind the counter at for many years. The priority was to help other people be amazing. It was not uncommon to sell someone a magic trick to perform at a talent show, or on a date. On more than one occasion someone came in and asked one of us to recommend a favorite new trick. A week later we'd see them performing it on TV.

One time I had a big important show coming up (a retirement community in Freehold, New Jersey) and asked if I could stay after the store closed and use it as a rehearsal space. I spent hours running through my material in full performance mode, trying to project my voice, and making up names for my invisible volunteers. From that point on I would often stay after closing time and leave around 2:00 or 3:00 AM.

At some point, I had the rather crazy notion that it could be fun to give a public performance in this secret space. I figured I'd do it once or twice. Seven years and over five hundred performances later, I am continually delighted at the stream of people who want to hang out at the magic shop after closing time. If you haven't already, I hope you'll pay a visit!

(photo by )

12/16/2022

Seems like every book I read has some passing reference to magic. Here's a few to start.

11/08/2021

Hi all,

I’m looking to hire a regular assistant or two to help with this show. If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested, please shoot an email to [email protected]
Thanks in advance. I promise it'll be fun!