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5/21/2025 Most people assume I’m from Chicago. I mean, I live in the suburbs now, I perform in the city every week, and I’ve got enough black T-shirts and show flyers to qualify as local. But truth is—I’m from what I lovingly call “almost Iowa.” Rock Island, Illinois. The far west side of the state. Right on the Mississippi. A river town with good people, backyard fireworks, and a deep affection for midwestern diners. It wasn’t exactly a magic capital, but it had what mattered: Passion. Curiosity. And a handful of people who kept showing up—to clubs, to shows, to libraries and school gyms—to keep the mystery alive. How I Caught the Bug I was raised on TV magic. If you remember The Bozo Show, The World’s Greatest Magic, or David Copperfield’s annual specials, you know what I mean. I didn’t watch those shows like most kids. I watched them like they were sacred texts. I studied every gesture, every pause, every dramatic flourish with fog and lasers. And when Copperfield came to perform live — not in Vegas, but in Davenport, Iowa—it hit me like lightning. Magic wasn’t just something you watched. Magic was something you could do. And if you had a microphone, a story, a deck of cards—you could hold an entire room in your hands. That was the real trick. And I was hooked.  The Magic Club at the Hasty Tasty
Every Saturday, a group of local magicians would gather at the Hasty Tasty Food Shop in Moline. Just a big table full of bigger personalities. I was the youngest one there by a long shot, but I didn’t care. I showed up. Week after week. I soaked up stories, lectures, card tricks, and diner coffee (lots of it). Eventually, I worked at the local magic shop. I joined a water ski show team (yep, really). I got into high school theater. Started learning how to really connect with an audience — not just fool them, but move them. And slowly, all those pieces came together. I may not have been the slickest or most technical magician -- but I always showed up prepared, present, and ready to delight. Why Am I Telling You This? Because I meet a lot of people—performers, artists, creatives, kids who love magic—who say they’ll show up once they feel perfectly ready. But here’s the truth: You’ll never be perfectly ready. I mean, yes—you have to be ready. You rehearse, you pack, you prepare. But what matters even more is showing up enthusiastically ready to give people a great time. Every show I do is the result of hours of work behind the scenes—scripting, packing, rehearsing, resetting, refining. I don’t just walk in and wing it. I show up polished and dialed in—because that’s what your guests deserve. You become ready by showing up consistently — and doing the work. Not the other way around. That’s the real trick. And honestly? It works. Comfort Food Magic I’m not the fanciest magician in the world. I’m not trying to be. I’m the comfort food of magic—the grilled cheese and tomato soup. Dependable, well-rehearsed, and here to make your night memorable. I’m the kind of magician who shows up on time, brings the joy, reads the room, and makes sure every spectator feels like a VIP. I’m not here to impress other magicians or go viral. I’m here to give you—and your guests—a show worth remembering. If You’re Still Reading… Maybe you’ve got a dream you’ve paused. A hobby you’ve let slide. A creative part of you that’s been waiting for the “right moment.” This is your nudge. Show up. Practice. Prepare. Perform. Even when it’s messy. Even when it feels imperfect. That’s where the magic—and the real growth—begins. —Ryan Comments are closed.
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