Most of what I do happens behind closed doors. A company party in Oak Brook, a fiftieth birthday in a Naperville living room, a cocktail hour in Orland Park. The guests have a great night, and then one of them finds me on the way out and asks the same question: where can I see you again?
The answer now is a public show. I perform ticketed evenings of mentalism and magic at bookstores, wine bars, and restaurants across the southwest suburbs, and anyone can buy a seat. This page lists the next dates, explains what actually happens at a live mentalism show, and helps you pick the night that fits. I update it as new shows are added.
Live Mentalism Show Guide: What’s Inside
Upcoming Live Mentalism Shows
Here are the next public dates. For the always-current schedule, check the upcoming live magic and mentalism shows page.
Sunday, October 18: Book Bar, Mokena
A return visit to one of my favorite rooms. Book Bar is exactly what it sounds like: shelves of books, a real bar, and a crowd that shows up already curious. It is the night I would pick if you love a good mystery novel, because the whole evening is built on the same thing a good thriller is: a question you cannot stop thinking about.
Where: Book Bar Mokena, 19060 Everett Blvd, Mokena, IL 60448
When: Sunday, October 18, 5:00 PM
Tickets: $30, includes your choice of drink
Saturday, October 24: Dinner & Mentalism at Fire Pit Bar & Grill, Peotone
The full-evening option. A dinner buffet runs from 6:00 to 6:45 and the show from 7:00 to 8:00. One ticket covers dinner, a drink, and the show, which makes it the easiest night to organize for a group. Nobody has to pick a restaurant, split a check, or rush to make a curtain time.
Where: Fire Pit Bar & Grill, 306 N Harlem Ave, Peotone, IL 60468
When: Saturday, October 24. Dinner 6:00 PM, show 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35, includes dinner buffet and one drink. 21 and over.
Thursday, October 29: Wine, Mentalism & Magic at Sip Wine Bar, Tinley Park
Halloween week, a wine bar, and an hour of mind reading. If you want an October date night that is not another haunted house, this is the one. Come early for Sip’s food and wine list, then settle in for a one-hour interactive show that mixes mentalism with close-up sleight of hand.
Where: Sip Wine Bar, 17424 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL 60477
When: Thursday, October 29, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20. 21 and over.
If you catch me on WGN’s Spotlight Chicago on October 16, these are the shows I will be talking about.
What Happens at a Live Mentalism Show
A mentalism show is built around the audience rather than props. Over about an hour you will see impossible predictions, thoughts that should not be knowable revealed out loud, and psychological illusions that happen in volunteers’ hands rather than on a distant stage. There is a lot of laughter in between. The best moments usually belong to whoever was brave enough to raise a hand.
You can be as involved as you want. Some people love being the one on the spot. Others would rather watch a friend squirm. Both are welcome.
What It Is Not
It is not a children’s magic show. There are no balloon animals and no rabbits. It is also not a psychic reading. I do not claim supernatural powers, and I think the show is better for it. What you see is built on psychology, observation, suggestion, and a lot of rehearsal, and the fun is trying to figure out where the line is. More on that in psychic entertainer or mentalist: what’s the difference.
Bookstore, Dinner Show, or Wine Bar: Picking the Right Night
Every venue changes the feel of the show, so the room matters as much as the date.
- Bookstore shows are the most intimate. Great for book clubs, a relaxed weekend afternoon, or anyone who loves a mystery. See why bookstore magic and mentalism nights draw a crowd.
- Dinner shows are the easiest for groups. Food, a drink, and the show for one price, with nothing to coordinate.
- Wine bar shows are the best date night value. A seated, relaxed crowd is ideal for close-up mentalism, which is why wine bar entertainment works so well.
Recent Shows
The most recent public show was at Plot Twist Books in Lockport in September. A few moments from that night:
See more photos and venues on the past live mentalism and magic shows page.
Tips for Show Night
- Buy ahead. Seating is limited at every venue, and tickets are sold through Eventbrite.
- Buy together. If you are coming as a group, one order keeps you seated together.
- Arrive early. Most venues serve food and drinks before the show, and the best seats go first.
- Check the age limit. Most shows are 21 and over. The listing always says.
- Plan around the season. Fall weekends fill fast in the southwest suburbs. My guide to adult fall party ideas in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Lemont and Frankfort covers the calendar crunch.
Own a Bookstore, Bar, or Restaurant?
A ticketed mentalism night fills seats on a slow weeknight and gives regulars a reason to bring friends. If you would like to host a show at your venue, get in touch. Banquet and event managers may also find how banquet managers partner with a magician to boost sales useful.
Want This at Your Own Event?
Plenty of people come to a public show to see what the fuss is about before booking something private. That is a smart way to do it. I perform at private parties, adult birthday parties, corporate events, and weddings throughout the Chicago suburbs, including Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Naperville, and Oak Brook. Check availability for your date and I will respond within 24 hours.
Looking for a night out this month? See these October date night ideas in the Chicago suburbs. Planning a library program instead? Here’s why magic and mentalism draw a crowd at library events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a live mentalism show?
About an hour. Dinner shows add time before the performance for the meal.
Are the shows kid-friendly?
No. These are adult shows, and most are 21 and over. Each ticket listing states the age limit.
Where do I buy tickets?
All public shows are ticketed through Eventbrite. Current links are above and on the upcoming shows page.
How do I hear about new dates?
Join the email list to hear about new shows first. More venues are in the works.
Is there a show near me?
Public shows rotate through the southwest and western suburbs, including Mokena, Lockport, Peotone, and Tinley Park. If there is not one near you yet, a private show might be the answer. See my FAQ on hiring a magician or mentalist.
See You at a Show
Pick the night that fits your week, grab a seat before they are gone, and come ready to question what you think you know.