Chicago is a Magic City
Magician Jeanette Andrews will perform in the city of magic at the HCL Fall Benefit on Nov. 10. Tickets support the ongoing work of High Concept Labs.
“Chicago is the birthplace of close-up magic, and has long been a hub for magicians, magic shops, and the invention of magic tricks.”
This is what Gabe Fajuri tells us as President of Chicago’s Potter and Potter Auctions— the world’s leading source for magicana (the industry's term for magic artifacts). He goes on to remark that “close up magic… which originated in saloons, bars, and restaurants here in Chicago, has become a widely-accepted form of casual entertainment that originated in our town.”
Chicago is a city sitting on secrets, home to what Fajuri fondly calls the “golden age” of magic. It is only natural, then, that Jeanette Andrews, the world’s leading experimental illusionist, should also come from this city! In conversation about her practice, Andrews says: “I'm always so grateful that I grew up in Chicago… Magic, like any other type of performance, has regional cultural influence.”
She goes on to, in her own words, “wax poetic” about a beloved mentor and influential figure on the scene: “a phenomenal man named Eugene Burger.” The Chicago magician shaped her practice, promoting a unique sense of “respect and kindness towards [his] audience” that was uncommon at the time. This mentality is foundational to Andrews’ creative approach today.
If the characteristically Chicagoan art form that is magic has piqued your interest, we invite you to join High Concept Labs for an exclusive evening with Jeanette Andrews on November 10th at the Smart Museum of Art. HCL is proud to be a part of what Fajuri notes is a resurgence in magic as a performing art. Don’t miss out on the magic— join us for an opportunity to support the artistic community that makes our city special.
To read more about Jeanette Andrews, her practice, and what exactly experimental illusionism is, check out the rest of our articles in the Jeanette Andrews Series!
Article by Max Collins
