2021 Atlanta Harvest Incredible Talent

Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride, recently completed a 2-month tour with Magic Stars of Las Vegas throughout China, for which he is also a co-producer, even as he was seen back in the US fooling Penn & Teller on their popular TV show, Fool Us. McBride is a three-time award winner at the International Grand Prix of Magic in Monte Carlo and was named Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle). His unique combination of masks, mime, mythic story and world-class sleight of hand earned him wide recognition as a foremost innovator and one of the most exciting performers in contemporary magic. Naming him “Vegas’ Best” Magician several years ago, the Las Vegas Review Journal wrote:  He recently toured South America with the world’s largest magic show, The Illusionists, and his McBride’s Wonderground magic nightclub has just completed its ninth year of performances in Las Vegas.

Michael Ammar

In 1982, Ammar competed with magicians from 30 countries to win the “Gold Medal in Close-up Magic” at Lausanne, Switzerland.

During the 1980s he developed a close friendship with his mentor, Dai Vernon (“The Professor”), whose influence is apparent in Ammar’s performances.

Michael Ammar has many television credits. He was the magic week finale on Late Night with David Letterman in 2010. He has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show.  He moved to Los Angeles – where he became a regular performer at the Playboy Mansion, and made appearances on the Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show, CNN, and Travel Channel.

Ammar appeared at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. By 1990, the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood had awarded him its “Oscar” in six separate categories (the maximum number of awards for which he is eligible).

He appeared on NBC’s 1998 “Worlds Greatest Magic 5” special,  and has been a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman

 

Stephen Bargatze 

With over 25 years of stage experience with audiences from around the world at theaters, casino showrooms, performing arts centers, cruise ships, and corporate events as well as colleges and high schools.  He’s performed throughout the United States, Canada, England, and Austraila. 

Stephen Bargatze is a rare talent among entertainers.  His genuine personality endears him to any audience, and he quickly develops a strong, positive relationship with the crowd. No longer merely spectators, audiences find themselves caught up in the comedy and amazement of Stephen’s zany performance.  Stephen is also a Past President for the International Brotherhood Of Magicians!

 

 

Dr. Steve Bedwell

After realizing that he was helping far too many people, Dr. Steve Bedwell left his medical career at a top London teaching hospital to become a full-time magician. Following this life-change from medical doctor to unemployed – a transition his ex-wife calls “bait and switch” – Dr. Steve has continued to make questionable choices.

He spent two years creating an entire act using a Sony Walkman just as it was disappearing from popular culture. Fortunately, just before retiring this brand new act, he won several international awards including the IBM Gold Cups. Steve’s also the only magician who, after winning all these prestigious awards, has never been featured on the cover of Genii, Magic Magazine or even the friggin’ Linking Ring!

These days he ekes out a meager living presenting a speech called: “How To Screw Up, Stress Out & Get Nothing Done!” This revolutionary program has transformed the workplace culture at Blockbuster Video, Toys-R-Us and Radio Shack.

 Bizarrely, as Steve continues to fumble through life making poor choices and procrastinating like a pro, his tricks have been featured by world-renowned magicians including Justin Willman, Cyril Takayama and Penn & Teller. And, after seeing Steve perform and lecture, just like Criss Angel, Derren Brown and David Blaine, you too might decide never to perform any of his routines.

 

Bizzaro

In a world full of reality TV and lackluster entertainment, Bizzaro. The Optical Illusionist strives to prove that “normal” is just the setting on a dryer.
Bizzaro’s magic has been seen in over a dozen countries and has appeared on FOX, NBC, America’s got Talent, CW’s Master’s of Illusion and the Travel Channelís Extreme Conventions. He is a regular performer at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
He also creates original magic that is sold across the world. His creations have even been seen on TV shows such as Ellen, Magic For Humans on netlfix, The Late, Late Show, The Carbanaro Effect, and Wizard Wars on Syfy. He specializes in fabricating magic for other entertainers (including David Copperfield and Gallagher) and is a creative director and lecturer.

 

Matt Baker

A two-time winner of the Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year Award, Matt studied with Juan Tamariz and has performed three times at the invitation-only Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic. Matt has recorded both a Penguin Live Act and a Murphy’s “At the Table” lecture, and in 2019 he published his first book of original magic, “The Buena Vista Shuffle Club”, which Joshua Jay has called “an excellent, funny, and personal collection of magic that is a joy to read.” Matt’s innovative routines have also been featured in publications such as Genii and The Linking Ring. Matt specializes in close-up card magic but also performs parlor magic and mentalism. When he’s not baffling and entertaining with his magic, Matt keeps busy with a full-time job as a math professor and associate dean at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

 

 

Chad Long

Chad Long has performed & lectured all over the world.  He’s worked professionally in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, private parties, corporate functions, trade shows and cruise-ships.  His debut performance at the Magic Castle received rave reviews, and he performed regularly at Malone’s Magic Bar in South Florida. His convention appearances include the IBM, SAM, The Cape Cod Conclave, British IBM, Magi-Fest, A-1, Abbott’s, Blackpool, SCAM, PCAM, SEAM, FISM and the Tokyo Close-up Convention, to name just a few. In December of ’98, Chad took 1st place in Ron McMillan’s “International Close-Up Competition” in London, England and, in May of ’99, Chad was featured on the cover of Magic Magazine.

His material has been published in MAGIC, Linking Ring, M.O., Arcane, Trapdoor, The Looking Glass and M.U.M.  He’s also contributed effects to several books and videos, including “Magic for Dummies”, as well as the “Art of Astonishment” trilogy and the “Astonishment Project” DVDs by Paul Harris.

Chad’s fast-paced lecture combines a high-energy performance along with humorous explanations to bring an enjoyable experience to all. It’s filled with both close-up and stand-up effects using everyday objects such as cards, coins, dart guns, pens, rubber bands, keys, envelopes, menus, spray paint, finger rings, lint brushes, matches, spaghetti and more! This material has been honed by years of performance and there is truly something for everyone!

 

 

Puck

 Puck is a regular performer at Monday Night Magic, New York’s longest running magic show as well as the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.  He’s been featured on Penn & Teller’s hit television show Fool Us and was a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent.  

 

 

 

Brent Braun

Brent Braun is consistently regarded as one of the top creators working today and has created some of the top selling magic of the last two decades including Torched & Restored, Position Impossible as well as his five-star rated Decks and Deceptions. Brent is available to lecture at your magic club, shop. or convention where he will share powerful, real-world material by blending practical methods with sound theory, presentation, and showmanship. This is your chance to learn not only how Brent’s magic works but why it works.