Magic Fills Seekonk Library with Entranced Kids

Bruce Kalver wowed a packed room with magic at Thursday night, Feb. 24.

The Cranston-based magician has been a frequent presence at the library, performing in years passed. This particular night he came prepared with performing fleas, color-changing scarves and magic wands varying from hand-length to twice the height of eight-year-old assistant Autumn.

Audience participation was a must for the show as Kalver encouraged youngsters to contribute to the magic at hand.

“Would everyone please raise their right foot and repeat after me. . .” said Kalver, 54, leading the kids with humor through the Magician’s Oath of Secrecy.

For all of the jokes and silliness taking place on stage, the New Balance-clad magician derived his tricks from the 1800s and some from even earlier, including a hypnotic wheel designed after Aristotle’s.

“This wheel paid for my son’s tuition,” said the magician about which was modified eighteen times before being perfected.

The nearly 30 captivated kids were eager to participate whenever the opportunity presented itself.

“I need someone who’s safe with a pair of scissors.” Kalver said.

“This guy right here!” shouted a boy while pointing at his friend to stand out in the crowd.

Kalver had kids and their parents stare at the spinning wheel for a 10-count. At “ten” they were instructed to quickly shift their focus to his head which appeared to shrink in size after staring at the black and white spiral. A mix of gasps and applause quickly followed this illusion.

“[Kids] live in a world of magic. . .” said storyteller Carolyn Martino to Kalver as they connected after the performance.”

Traveling worldwide teaching and performing magic has kept Kalver busy, rendering him a satellite to the library’s list of performers. Each year, Kalver’s magical mettle is truly tested at the Magic Castle in Hollywood as he performs in front of and along side other famous magicians including actor and fellow magician Neil Patrick Harris. 

“People in the Northeast see magic as something for kids. On the west coast people expect to be amazed,” said Kalver.

For his coup de grace, Kalver elected Aram and Katie to help with his finale. Large silver rings were humorously linked and unlinked as Kalver passed them rapid-fire between the two kids. Kalver casually asked Aram to unlink two of the locked rings, which the eight-year-old could have easily fit through.

Aram’s futile effort at unlocking seemingly unlockable rings was truncated when Kalver collected the rings, all of which were magically linked in a long chain eliciting an equally long crescendo of applause. 

Kalver’s final words for the evening divulged a very magic number, 793.8, also known as the magic section of the library.

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