Anything can be taught from a book
Even magic is just a trick picked up in how-to books. At least reading is how Jeff Evans learned his magic.
Claire Whitley | Argonaut
Jeff Evans, a magician from Olympia, Washington, performed at East City Park June 18. His performance was part of Moscow’s Entertainment in the Park series, which takes place Thursdays at 6 p.m. June through July 9.
Evans, from Olympia, Washington, performed his magic show, Adventures of a Super Reader, on June 18 at the Entertainment in the Park event, a part of the Summer Reading Program. The program is aimed at getting children between 1-18 years old interested in reading over the summer, said DJ Scallorn, City of Moscow arts assistant.
Scallorn said Entertainment in the Park features a children’s entertainment series followed by a band every Thursday during the months of June and July. The last performance of the year will take place July 9 and will feature the Oddball Juggler.
“The events have a little something for everyone and appeal to the young and the young at heart,” Scallorn said.
Evans said he started becoming interested in magic when he was 12 years old and has been performing for audiences as a young magician since 1991. He has performed at school assemblies, grad parties and summer reading programs all over the area he grew up, anything within a few hours of his home, he said.
“Magic is fascinating and it’s fun learning all the secrets,” Evans said. “It’s addictive. It is really true that you can learn anything from a book. If people want to learn more, 98.3 is the section (on magic) at the library.”
Evans enjoys performing magic because he likes seeing the reaction of wonder and surprise on the faces of his audiences, he said. Any person of any age could be in awe of his work, and there are always different reactions.
His favorite trick, and one he performed several variations of during Entertainment in the Park, is a rope trick — the first trick Evans said he ever learned. It is a fun trick that people of all ages enjoy, he said.
“Entertainment in the Park is a family friendly summer event that has something for everyone,” Scallorn said. “It features live children’s entertainment with a menagerie of characters and a live multi-piece band performing big band and orchestra pieces.”
Entertainment in the Park offers a full evening of entertainment, and Evans said he has seen families in the past bring picnic dinners and make a full evening of fun out of the event.
The following event on Thursday will host the Idaho Repertory Theatre for Youth performing “Swan Boy,” a story of a girl who learns sign language in order to remove a curse on her brother, and the Moscow Arts Commission Band. It starts at 6 p.m. at East City Park and is over at 8 p.m., Scallorn said. Attendance is free and families are welcome to bring a picnic dinner to the location.
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24