Hiring a Magician in Portland, Oregon? Here Are 5 Things to Look For in a Great Close-Up Magician

Whether you're planning a corporate event, private party, or wedding in Portland, there's one way to elevate your gathering from good to unforgettable—hire a close-up magician. But not just any magician will do. Portland is full of creative talent, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference in creating a magical, engaging experience your guests will rave about.

Here are five essential qualities to look for when hiring a close-up magician in Portland, Oregon:

1. Strong Audience Interaction Skills

Close-up magic is all about connection. It’s not just tricks—it’s how the magician interacts with your guests. A great close-up magician knows how to break the ice, spark conversations, and make everyone feel comfortable and involved. Look for someone who can read the room, charm a crowd, and create laughter and amazement on the spot.

2. Professionalism and Experience

You want someone who shows up early, is well-prepared, and understands the flow of an event. A magician who’s worked corporate functions, weddings, and private parties knows how to blend seamlessly into the evening, working around catering schedules, speeches, and other entertainment. Ask about past clients—bonus points if they’ve worked with reputable companies or venues in the Portland area.

3. Modern, Engaging Material

Magic has evolved. Today’s audiences want smart, surprising, and fresh effects—no pulling rabbits out of hats. The best magicians perform visually stunning magic, often using borrowed objects or even phones to keep things relatable and exciting. If the magic happens in your guests’ hands, even better—it makes the experience unforgettable.

4. Local Knowledge & Style

Hiring a Portland-based magician means hiring someone who understands the unique vibe of the city. Whether your event is at a downtown venue, a quirky Eastside warehouse, or a vineyard in the Willamette Valley, a local magician brings a personal touch and style that fits the Portland crowd. They’ll also likely have relationships with venues and event planners in the area.

5. Customization and Flexibility

Every event is different. A skilled magician will work with you to customize the performance—whether that means branded effects for a company, a themed routine for a wedding, or a combination of close-up mingling and a short stage show. Flexibility shows they care about your event’s success—not just doing the same show for every crowd.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a close-up magician in Portland is a fantastic way to bring energy, excitement, and a little mystery to your event. Just be sure to choose someone who blends professionalism with personality, and who truly cares about making your event a success.

Looking for a magician who checks all those boxes? I’d love to chat about your event and how we can make it unforgettable.

What do Skydiving and Performing Magic have in common?

I have several passions in life. Two of them are skydiving and performing magic. These seem to be two completely opposite things: skydiving is jumping out a plane with your friends for a thrill and performing magic is sharing a trick with someone to give them a sense of wonder and joy.

Around thirty years ago, I was in my height of skydiving. I was making hundreds of skydives per year. Most importantly, I was working as a skydiving instructor doing tandem skydives to pay my way through college. What a great way to pay for school! I got to skydive and be able to afford tuition.

Taking someone on a tandem skydive was an amazing and very personal experience. Most people come to make a tandem skydive are doing it only once. It’s a bucket list thing to do. But, it’s also a very significant and memorable thing for anybody to jump out of a plane over two miles up. I was the person harnessed to them entrusted to give them that once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was there to share their joy.

There was actually a problem with this really cool job. No matter how cool something is, once you do it enough, a job is a job. I loved tandem skydives, but at the end of a long , hot week in the summer I may have made fifty skydives. Sometimes, I was okay if I didn’t make that last jump in the afternoon.

However, for every person that climbed in to that plane with me, it was their special experience. I cared deeply that they got to safely enjoy what I was so passionate about, even if it felt like Groundhog’s Day to me.

So how does this relate to me performing magic? I have seen tons of magic. I watch other magicians perform. I watch videos. I read books. I have a steady diet of magic in my life. I often ask people if they have ever seen a magician live. Similar to most people never jumping out of a plane before, most people have never seen a magician live. Even fewer have seen close-up magic where the magic happens in their hands with the magician in front of them.

This is where, for me, skydiving and magic have something in common. No matter how many times I’ve done a magic trick, the person in front of me has probably never had magic happen in their hands. I want them to experience that sense of wonder and joy, even if I have seen the magic fifty times this week.