Close-up magic or a stage show: which suits our event?

Close-up suits a reception or the gaps in a dinner, when people are standing or talking in small groups. A stage show suits a seated room with a clear view of the stage. Many events use close-up early and a short stage set later.

Does a close-up magician need a stage or a sound system?

No. Close-up magic is performed for a few guests at a time during a reception or between courses, and it needs no stage and no sound system. A stage show needs clear sightlines, a microphone and an open patch of stage.

How long does a close-up magician perform for?

It depends on the guest count and how long people are mingling. Tell us both and we will suggest a length, or a second performer for a large room, so everyone sees something.

Is the act suitable for a corporate audience?

Tell us who is in the room and the tone you want. We pass that on, and we look for a performer whose act fits a workplace audience. More on entertainment for corporate events.

Can a magician perform at a wedding?

Yes. A close-up magician suits a wedding cocktail hour, when guests are standing and talking in small groups, and needs no stage.

Do you keep magicians on a roster?

No. Magicians are arranged on request, like all of our specialty entertainment. Tell us what you have in mind and we will look for the right performer, and find out who is free for your date.

Magicians and illusionists for events in Calgary

Shaw Entertainment arranges magicians, illusionists and mentalists on request for corporate events, weddings, galas and private parties in Calgary and across Canada. Tell us the room and the guests and we look for the right performer for your date.

A magician's hands fanning a deck of cards for guests holding champagne

Magic works because it happens right in front of you.

A close-up magician turns a reception full of strangers into small groups of people laughing together. A stage act gives a seated room one thing to watch.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958

Three ways magic works

A magician showing a card trick to a group of guests as one of them gasps

Close-up, in the crowd: Cards, coins and borrowed objects, performed for a few guests at a time during a reception or between courses. It needs no stage and no sound system.
On stage: A set for the whole room, usually after dinner. It needs clear sightlines, a microphone and an open patch of stage.
Mentalism and hypnosis: Acts built on volunteers from the audience. They suit a seated room that is ready to pay attention, and a crowd that knows each other.

A magician in a three-piece suit seated on a vintage sofa

Ask us about

Arranged on request. This is a list of ideas, and we look for the performer once we know your date.

Close-up and strolling magic, Table magic through dinner, Stage magic and illusion shows, Mentalists and mind readers, Comedy magic, Hypnotists.

Occasions it suits

What to tell us

Four things let us match the act to the event. If you don't know one of them yet, say so and we will work with what you have. Booking more than one act? See how we plan the entertainment around your agenda.

The room: Standing reception or seated tables, and whether there is a stage with sightlines from every seat.
Guest count: It decides whether one performer can reach everyone or whether a second makes sense.
The audience: Colleagues, clients, family. Tell us who is in the room and the tone you want.
The programme: Through the reception, between courses, or as one featured spot after dinner.

What affects the cost of hiring a magician?

Whether you want close-up magic among the guests or a stage show, how long the performer is on, how many performers the guest count calls for, the date and the season, and any travel. Tell us the room and the guests and we will come back with a quote for your event.

Questions people ask

Close-up magic or a stage show: which suits our event?: Close-up suits a reception or the gaps in a dinner, when people are standing or talking in small groups. A stage show suits a seated room with a clear view of the stage. Many events use close-up early and a short stage set later.
Does a close-up magician need a stage or a sound system?: No. Close-up magic is performed for a few guests at a time during a reception or between courses, and it needs no stage and no sound system. A stage show needs clear sightlines, a microphone and an open patch of stage.
How long does a close-up magician perform for?: It depends on the guest count and how long people are mingling. Tell us both and we will suggest a length, or a second performer for a large room, so everyone sees something.
Is the act suitable for a corporate audience?: Tell us who is in the room and the tone you want. We pass that on, and we look for a performer whose act fits a workplace audience. More on entertainment for corporate events.
Can a magician perform at a wedding?: Yes. A close-up magician suits a wedding cocktail hour, when guests are standing and talking in small groups, and needs no stage.
Do you keep magicians on a roster?: No. Magicians are arranged on request, like all of our specialty entertainment. Tell us what you have in mind and we will look for the right performer, and find out who is free for your date.

Tell us about your night

Choose the occasion and what you are looking for. It takes a few minutes and gives us a proper brief to work from.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958