David Minkin is a renowned magician based in California. Known for his incredible sleight of hand and mind-bending illusions, he has captivated audiences around the world with his mesmerizing performances. Minkin's journey in magic began at a young age, when he received a magic kit as a gift. Fascinated by the art form, he spent hours practicing and perfecting his techniques. As he grew older, Minkin honed his skills by studying under renowned magicians and experts in the field, further refining his craft. What sets Minkin apart from other magicians is his unique approach to magic.
Meet David Minkin | Los Angeles Magician
We had the good fortune of connecting with David Minkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi David, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is essential for artists. The greatest magicians I know failed early and often. A fear of failure is probably the most limiting trait a magician could possess, aside from satisfaction with mediocrity.
Early in my career, I remember watching the documentary, “Comedian” starring Jerry Seinfeld. It showed his struggle and ultimate success climbing his way back into stand up comedy after he left TV. I watched him fail and shrug it off, and that inspired me to go try more things, fail at some, and dust myself off and keep growing.
The phrase “failing your way forward’ is what best describes my early days as a magician. When you watch any performer who is really polished, believe me… they earned that.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To me, there is no greater feeling than showing an audience something that is technically impossible in our reality. It elicits a moment of wonder for them that is rare in our modern world. How often do you “pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe”, as Einstein put it? I, too, am guilty of being lulled into the monotony of daily life.
My magic aims to reconnect people (myself included) to that sense of awe that we often experienced as children. I do it by combining magic and narratives in a way that bypasses the logical mind and allows us to transcend reality.
I’m fortunate to have been offered several TV and film projects. If you have Amazon Prime, you can see our documentary, “Magicians: Life In The Impossible” there. They filmed my life and career for nearly five years to make that film, and I was really proud of my magic that opened and closed the film.
The thing that excites me the most, is the next TV project that I’m pitching around. My dream would be to work with Morgan Freeman… I know… random, but it would make sense if you knew the nature of the project. Hoping to cross paths with him soon somehow!
I’ve also had a live weekly show in LA for almost 15 years, called “Magic And Wine” which, as the name implies, involves wine tasting and an evening show. It’s the longest-running magic show in Los Angeles.
Being a magician means that you have to make your living from various places, including my weekly show, the Magic Castle, a TV project, or even a private party. I perform magic at numerous corporate events in Los Angeles and worldwide each year. That is the most lucrative part of being a magician, and also the hardest since you have to constantly adapt when you arrive at each performing location. Sometimes, you can’t create your set list until you see the venue.
I recently did my first keynote speech that combined magic and inspiration for a life insurance convention. Despite what that sounds like, it was surprisingly fun. So, I may begin adding more of those gigs to my calendar as well. But seriously, if any of you know Morgan Freeman… 😉
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have a lot of favorite spots in LA, since I’ve lived here for my entire life. There are the obvious things to do like Disneyland and Universal Studios, but I’m a big hiker so I’d take out of town visitors on some of my favorite trails and maybe do an evening photography tour of downtown. I love photography and filmmaking.
The Magic Castle is sort of a no brainer for me, since everyone from everywhere seems to have heard of it, and it’s probably my favorite place in LA where I know a lot of people. The best magicians in Los Angeles hang out there an any given night. Other favorite places for me are the Santa Monica pier and 3rd street, and out of town guests always love the weirdness of Venice Beach.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my girlfriend, Jessica Jane, who is a phenomenal magician and historian of magic, as well as Michael Gingras, former GM of the Magic Castle who introduced me to most of my celebrity clients over the years. I’d also like to thank Ron Bell for introducing me to the art of magic. And, my parents and family have been massively supportive of my less-than-traditional career path.
Image Credits
James Chism Aimee Stewart Marisa Leigh Jason Okuma Christoph Baaden
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Magic Show Information:
About this event:
Los Angeles magician, David Minkin performs his weekly shows, "Magic And Wine" and "Magic At The Majestic" for audiences of 100 guests. This show is appropriate for all guests 6 years of age and older. Join us at the Majestic Garden Hotel in Anaheim, CA for an unforgettable experience!
Magic & Wine With David Minkin - David Minkin: Magic At The Majestic
What sets Minkin apart from other magicians is his unique approach to magic. Instead of relying on elaborate props and theatrical effects, he focuses on the pure art of sleight of hand. His dexterity and precision are truly astonishing, leaving spectators astounded and wondering how he accomplishes his tricks.
Join David Minkin, International Champion of Magic, for 75 minutes of magical artistry performed by one of the world's premier close-up magicians.
Event hosted by: David Minkin.
Type of event: Magic Show.
Type of audience: General audience.
Event Date: Sept 17 - Oct 14- Nov 26, 2022.
Event Time: 7:00PM.
Location: Majestic Garden Hotel . 900 South Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA. 92802 - - PARKING is free at the hotel - ATTIRE: Relaxed cocktail - (Dressy but no tie necessary).
Event Fee: $75 and up.
Tickets & Information: https://davidminkin.com/magic-show-tickets/.
Discount tickets for this event: No.
Discount tickets disclaimer: The organizer for this event may offer discount tickets for this event. NOTE: It is only at the organizer's discretion that tickets might be discounted, including the amount or percent discounted, the number of available discount tickets and terms and regulations. Check with the event organizer's website for information about the discount tickets for this event . https://davidminkin.com.
Live local shows & events in Anaheim! Magician David Minkin Los Angeles Magician performing Magic Show for General audience November 11, 2021 - Majestic Garden Hotel. 900 South Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA. 92802. September 17 - October 14 - November 26, 2022.
David Minkin – Magic & Wine
Growing up in Los Angeles, the one thing you learn to accept is that very few things stay the same. You’re hard pressed to find a venue that has been there for decades upon decades – at least the way you remember it. However in Los Angeles, there is a wonderful movement to restore the once glistening city rich in venues, bars, restaurants, and entertainment. That said, my favorite period in time is the 1920s-1940s. The style, the design, the mentality, the music, the art – all of it makes perfect sense to me. And once upon a time those old Hollywood clubs not only had great music and cocktails, they had entertainment. REAL entertainment. Thankfully I continue to discover more places they pay a proud homage to the days past. One such place is Bardot Hollywood. Beautiful and under-the-radar, Bardot is a venue that invites you into another time. Tonight, however is even more spectacular than that.
“David Minkin’s show is filled with original, breathtaking magic and delivered in an elegant and artful style. The show is the longest running one-man magic show in Los Angeles, with five years of rave reviews.
It is interactive, involving various members of the audience, and at times, borrowed objects that are seen to do impossible things.
In 2007, David’s close-up magic won First Place from the world’s largest organization of magicians, with over 13,000 members in 73 countries.
Now, he performs his show just inches from you, as he welcomes you into a unique world of infinite possibilities.
The show will forever change your definition of magic.”
The night begins as I enter through a covered entry with just one man, vintage lamps adorning the brick wall, and a clipboard resting on a black cocktail table. I feel like I need Bugsy with me. I like it. I walk up the ascending stairs and turn to my right, to my right again and soon enter into a room roaming in tones of deep reds with decorated corners, booths tufted with velvet, worn time, and elegance and I am shown to my table. Luckily I am sat with 4 others who make this evening even more unforgettable. Heather, our MC for the evening takes us through the wine list of reds and whites. As we happily sip, David Minkin comes to our table. David Minkin is the reason we’re all here tonight. He is a truly gifted magician with a palate for wine and so, as a natural consequence, his show embodies a very tried and true sense of all things magical. He makes his way around the room being sure to say hello to everyone (this is why he is so good at what he does – he genuinely cares). Before the last wines are poured, David brings over two of his Reserve wines but it’s one that really takes me over: LXV. The smoothness, the bold rupture of flavor, the sensual blend of berry and coffee – it is perfection. Soon after the wine is poured the announcement is made that it’s time to go into the next room for the primary attraction: Mr. David Minkin.
The room fills with bodies all happily fed and palates entices by 4 different kinds of wine. Four of the following are chosen on any given night:
2005 Convento San Francisco Ribera Del Duero
2010 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier
David enters the room and situates himself no more than 2 feet away from the audience. He is up close and personal and without a beat, greets us all in his relaxed and warm way and voila! The magic begins. Literally. It muse be said – again – that I’m a cynic and an overthinker. I pride myself on wanting to know how everything works. However, I do enjoy a healthy dose of intrigue followed by unexplainable mystery. I mean, I AM a writer after all. That said, when it comes to magic I just think it’s clever sleight of hand – but David is going to prove me wrong. Saying precisely that, ‘most people think this is just sleight of hand, I’m going to roll up my sleeves so there’s nothing in the way”. And he does. And I’m now paying close attention. David begins with cards. I’m still not a believer though I am incredibly impressed. And then he asks for all the cynics to raise their hands. Mine goes up almost involuntarily as do a very shy 4 or 5 others. He chooses me. He asks me to think of a card. I think of the 7 of clubs. Why? No idea. He pauses for a moment after focusing his attentions on me and then says, “You don’t know anyone by the name of Andy, do you? That name just keeps popping up.” I say, “No” – or rather shake my head because in my mind I’m about to stump him. And then he says, “So I give all of my cards a name.” And he proceeds to unload the deck of cards on to the table where every card has a name on the backside of it: John, Mike, etc. And then he comes to a card that says: ANDY. Guess what card it was. Yep. Seven of clubs. Damnit! And the night goes on and I continue to shed my armor of disbelief. The way David produces magic is not in some overdramatic fashion. It’s relaxed as if you’re sitting with a friend who just wants to show you something really cool. You fall in love with his approach.
That evening, a bunch of media and friends of David’s went to dinner at Delphine’s Hollywood located inside the W Hotel off of Sunset. We sit down and they turn to me to order. I immediately order brussel sprouts, burgers, and tuna tartare. It sounds simply but the flavors are worth blending. As we’re sitting at the table, David must have gotten the sense that I still didn’t totally believe – so he asks me if he can borrow a ring on my finger. I have a stack of gold bands from China. They are thin and perfectly circled. I give him one. He rests it on his hand, arranges a few things on the table, and in seconds my ring is now levitating above his hand! That’s it! I believe! Sure it took this random act of spontaneous magic but now I know that David is the real deal. The show he performs at Bardot is exquisite. Not only are you transported to a time when Hollywood was pure bliss but you get to be a part of something truly authentic: David Minkin’s magic.
The moral of the story: be cynical but then be prepared to have your mind blown! That’s David. Oh, and he can create raindrops – water pouring from hands without any sleight of hand. Really.
Thanks to David Minkin for suspending disbelief and giving me a reason to give in to my whims of utilizing imagination and indulging in pure awe. You can purchase tickets to any of David’s performances by visiting: MAGIC & WINE
David also was a guest on my Radio Show. You can listen and watch it live here: A Taste of Dawn RADIO – Episode 3
One of Minkin's most famous feats is his signature trick, "The Twilight Show." This mind-boggling illusion involves Minkin reading the minds of audience members and accurately predicting their chosen cards. The audience is left in awe as Minkin flawlessly executes each move, seemingly defying the laws of physics. In addition to his live performances, Minkin has also appeared on various television shows, further solidifying his status as a master magician. He has been featured on shows like "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" and "Masters of Illusion," where he has showcased his exceptional skill and left both the audience and judges amazed. Beyond his magical prowess, Minkin is also known for his charismatic stage presence and ability to connect with his audience. He creates an immersive experience, drawing spectators into his world of enchantment and wonder. His performances are not just about the tricks themselves, but also about the emotions and reactions they evoke in the audience. David Minkin's magic is truly an art form. Through his skillful sleight of hand, he transports his audiences into a realm of mystery and enchantment. Whether it's a small intimate gathering or a large theater, Minkin's performances leave a lasting impression on all who have the privilege of witnessing his magic in action..
Reviews for "The Art of Sleight of Hand: David Minkin's Techniques Revealed"
1. Mary Smith - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with David Minkin's magic show. The tricks were predictable and lacked creativity. I felt like I had seen it all before. The overall performance was underwhelming, and the audience's reaction seemed forced. I was expecting to be amazed and entertained, but I left feeling bored and unimpressed. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this show.
2. John Johnson - 1 out of 5 stars - I attended David Minkin's magic show and it was a complete letdown. The tricks were basic and poorly executed. There was no sense of wonder or excitement throughout the entire performance. The magician's stage presence was lacking, and it felt like he was just going through the motions. I expected to be amazed and transported into a world of illusion, but instead, I found myself counting down the minutes until it was over. Save your money and find a better magic show elsewhere.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars - David Minkin's magic show fell short of my expectations. The tricks were overly complicated, and it was difficult to follow what was happening. The pacing of the show was off, with long periods of silence between each trick. The magician's attempts at humor also fell flat. I Was hoping for an engaging and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this show left me feeling disconnected and unimpressed. I wouldn't recommend attending this magic show unless you are a die-hard fan of David Minkin.
4. Michael Williams - 3 out of 5 stars - I was not entirely impressed with David Minkin's magic show. While some tricks were impressive and well-executed, others seemed quite ordinary. The pacing of the show could have been better, as some moments dragged on and caused a loss of interest. The overall experience was average, with nothing truly unique or mind-blowing. If you're a casual fan of magic, you may find this show entertaining, but if you're looking for something extraordinary, I would suggest exploring other options.