Welcome to my blog! My name is Jeff Evans and I’m a professional magician. My business partner Rick Anderson and I created EduMazement Productions to provide top-quality motivational-magic shows for kids at schools and libraries.
I began my first blog in July 2009. This blog, hosted on the EduMazement website rather than at WordPress.com, is designed for easier navigation between the blog and website.
Learn more about my various programs from reading to science to bully prevention at www.edumazement.com. Contact me in Olympia, Washington direct at (360) 412-5064, toll-free (877) 412-5064, or send e-mail to jeff@edumazement.com.
A Brief History
My career in magic began from a book of coin tricks that I found at my grandparents’ house. It was T. Nelson Down’s Modern Coin Manipulation, and I was immediately hooked. I went to the Lacey Library and checked out all of the books I could on magic. Interestingly, about four years later, I performed magic shows for my three local libraries – the Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater Timberland Libraries – beginning what has become a long relationship with libraries across the state and beyond.
Motivational-Magic School Assemblies
In college I did magic as much as I could, working everything from children’s birthday parties to holiday parties and, slowly but surely, more libraries. About 1998 the King County Library System was looking for programs with a science theme. I created my Science Magic show and enjoyed combining two things that interested me. After honing it at dozens of libraries I added to the educational content and began offering it to schools. It is hugely popular as a kickoff for school science fairs and feedback from teachers and staff tells me that it does get students pumped up to participate.
This became a pattern: my programs that were created and dialed in for libraries could be tweaked and presented for schools. Reading Magic was a natural; not only had my original inspiration to perform magic come from a book, but I’ve used books to solve problems, learn new skills, and entertain myself since winning the Read-a-Thon at Lakes Elementary in the 4th grade! Today I encourage kids to turn off the television and pick up a book to celebrate Read Across America, National Children’s Book Week, as a reward for reading programs, and more.
Mission: Possible began as a positive attitude and success motivation program for libraries. However, schools wanted more of a bully prevention assembly. I modified some of the lessons, cut and added material, and interviewed a counselor and principal to find out what specific messages they wanted included. In mid 2010 my partner Rick Anderson and I purchased part of a national program called “BAND Together: Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” and have the exclusive rights for the Pacific Northwest. Ask for details about this new show.
Magic Programs for Libraries
Libraries hold a special place in my heart. Every time I check out a book, book on CD, or DVD I feel like I’m getting something for free. (Now that I pay taxes I know that’s not true, but I am a huge supporter of libraries.) Each summer I visit dozens and dozens of libraries as part of their Summer Reading Program. If you live in western Washington, chances are good that I’ve been to your local library. Frequently I’ll build a new show to fit the program’s theme. I’ve been Bug Boy, Aquifer Man, and other reincarnations of myself over the years.
Many of my library clients have worked with me for over a decade. And, I’ve performed for each of the Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater Timberland Libraries nearly every single year since my first visit in 1992!
Video Course in Magic
Over the years I have presented numerous magic workshops for kids (and adults) through school enrichment programs, parks and recreation departments, and artist-in-residence programs. I sifted through many beginning magic books over the years, taking the best item from here and there to teach. With this background I teamed up with magic enthusiast George Ford to create the Magic Tricks and Secrets series of DVDs in 2009. This video course in magic teaches kids (and kids at heart) easy-to-do magic using everyday items. You can find the DVDs at most of the library systems in western Washington where I’ve performed. I love it when someone comes up to me after a show and says, “I’ve learned tricks from your DVD!”
Connect with Jeff
What’s on your mind? Send e-mail to jeff@edumazement.com, friend me on Facebook, following me on Twitter, watch my YouTube videos, or read -or write!- an online review. And often times phone is the best; call me in Olympia toll-free (877) 412-5064.