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Magi-Whirl 2020 Lecturers

International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 50: The National Capital Ring

Magi-Whirl 2020 provides a unique opportunity to learn from some of magic’s best teachers.  We’re thrilled to host four amazing lectures, covering a variety of genres and styles. Convention registration includes all lectures, the Dealers Hall, and one Gala Show ticket. 

There’s something for everyone at Magi-Whirl 2020, so be sure to register now to take advantage of advance pricing!

Note:  These are educational lectures for magicians only.  They are not entertainment performances for the public.


Lucy Darling Mario the Maker Magician Mahdi Gilbert Paul Richards Doug Gorman

Carisa Hendrix

Character Development & Presentation

Mario the Maker Magician

Hands-on Magic for Children

Mahdi Gilbert

Expert Card Handling

Paul Richards

Real-World Magic

Doug Gorman

Storytelling & Custom Props


Lucy Darling

Carisa Hendrix

Magician and variety artist Carisa Hendrix is a 8-time Award-Winning Entertainer featured in the
Guinness Book of World Records (2014)Ripley’s Believe it or Not (2015) and the star of the Super Channel documentary Carisa Hendrix: Girl on Fire, which tells the true story behind her 2016 Las Vegas magic show.

Recipient of the prestigious Allan Slaight award and recently nominated for Stage Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle, Carisa is best known for her beloved comedy magic character Lucy Darling. With Lucy and a host of her other characters, Carisa has been delighting audiences internationally for the past 16 years with her signature blend of classy, sassy comedy entertainment. Carisa is also the co-host of the Shezam Podcast, a weekly feminist podcast about the world of magic and variety entertainment.


Mario the Maker MagicianMario the Maker Magician

Mario “the Maker Magician” Marchese is a New York based, touring family performer known for his DIY robotic creations, upcycled props, and new school slapstick character. It’s magic through the lens of the Maker Movement! He’s been on Sesame Street, Sprout, and live on tour with David Blaine, who called him “the best kids magician in the world!!”

Mario’s show is an upbeat, hilarious, and very interactive experience that leaves children and families inspired to nurture their own creative paths. Mario works alongside his wife and manager, Katie. They travel the country together along with their two young children.


Mahdi GilbertMahdi Gilbert

Mahdi Gilbert has appeared on national television in Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Portugal, South Korea and the United Kingdom. He fooled Penn & Teller on their hit show “Fool Us!”

The Academy of Magical Arts invited Mahdi to perform his close-up card magic at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. He is one of the only magicians in the world to hold an open invitation to perform whenever he would like.

Mahdi Gilbert is the only magician in the world without hands and feet since the renowned 17th century conjuror, Matthias Buchinger. Mahdi was awarded the Allan Slaight Award for being the first Canadian Rising Star in magic and the Jay Marshall Award by Magicana. Through Mahdi’s ministry, Overcoming The World, and his secular motivational speaking organization, Living The Impossible, he speaks to audiences all over the world.


Paul RichardsPaul Richards

Paul Richards has entertained and amazed audiences at corporate functions, trade shows, private gatherings, and comedy clubs, as well as doing promotional magic for radio and television. His energetic and highly visual form of magical entertainment is in high demand and never fails to create unique, long lasting memories.

Paul has brought his award winning magic to hundreds of venues across the United States, including appearances in major cities like New York City, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Houston, San Diego, and Los Angeles. He has also amazed and dazzled audiences in nearly a dozen countries.

Paul Richards also creates, develops, and markets magic that is used by leading magicians worldwide. He is also in high demand as a speaker and lecturer at conferences for professionals in his field. Paul is truly a magical entrepreneur! His varied, vast knowledge of magic and business gives him a unique perspective and performing style seldom found in his field.


Doug GormanDoug Gorman

Doug Gorman has been performing magic professionally for over 25 years. This lecture focuses on demonstrating how a good story makes a big difference in the impact of your magic. After showing two well-known effects with no story, Doug will repeat the effects with strong stories that truly enhance the magical experience of the audience and make those effects much more memorable. The lecture then proceeds with a number of original effects, each with a compelling story and strong magic.

Many of Doug’s effects make use of hand-made props Doug has fashioned on his own.
During the lecture, he will show how some of the props were made and teach how homemade props often enhance an already captivating story. While a number of Doug’s original effects will be for sale (each including the story that makes them memorable), you will be inspired to create stories and effects of your own!