Chavez Studio of Magic

10/14/2026

Ta-Da!

A new (homemade) addition to the magical garden of mystery at the Chavez Studio of Magic!

These faces were built from reclaimed wood found in the neighborhood after a storm, and now add a mysterious (and festive) look to the landscape!

The first three are about 7-8 feet tall and the fourth stands just over 12 feet!

10/10/2026

Houdini on my mind!

October 31, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Harry Houdini.

In three weeks, on Halloween is National Magic Day, which in the beginning (1927) was in the summer-time and started out as being called “Houdini Day." It officially became National Magic Day in 1938 and recognized October 31 as the offical date in honor of Houdini's passing.

Since then, the The Society of American Magicians (SAM), a Magic fraternity with Houdini as the founding president, proclaimed the last week of October (25th through the 31st) as National Magic Week.

According to SAM's official web page, "the intent and purpose of National Magic Week is to celebrate the charitable contributions, good deeds and good work done by S.A.M. Assemblies and members ALL YEAR LONG."

Pictured is one if the many magic themed license plates on display at the Chavez Studio of Magic, which represents a magician whose very name became a word in the dictionary!

10/08/2026

Remembering magician, friend, and brother in Christ, Howard Herbkersman, born this day, 99 years ago 1927.

Howard had a personality that was bigger than life filled with hope and grace who graduated from the Chavez Studio of Magic in 1949 and was one of Neil Foster’s earliest students!

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan you can see more about Howard and his time at the Chavez Studio of Magic along with materials highlighting Neil Foster in their Chavez display on the second floor!

Howard influenced and encouraged many regarding the Art of Magic and more importantly led many more to Christ with his distinctive approach of blending the Gospel message with the entertaining components of magic.

Thank you Howard for being you!

10/07/2026

The latest addition to the cabinet of eclitic magical oddities on display at the Chavez Studio of Magic - a ceramic Balloon-Dog Skeleton statue!

10/03/2026

Remembering . . .
. . Dante - aka Harry Jansen.

Considered the last of the Golden Age of Magic master magician's, Danish-born American entertainer was born this day, October 3, 1883.

Dante was known throughout the world and worked in vaudeville, burlesque, legitimate theatre, films, and in later years, television.

Dante's troupe flucuated between 25 and 40 performers, and made several global trips and appeared in many U.S. theaters.

His stage trademark was to say, "Sim Sala Bim" as his magic words. It is said that this was an adaptation from the lyrics of the Danish children's song Højt på en gren en krage, which contains the words "simsaladim bamba saladu saladim."

Pictured is my favorite poster of Dante from a 1939 run in Berlin's Scala Theater with Swiss clown Novi.

The historical context of this poster was that these shows happened just prior of having to abandoning his show and leaving the country due to a n**i uprising at the start of WW2.

You can see brief clips of Dante in action in Laurel and Hardy's 1942 movie, "A Haunting We Will Go."

10/02/2026

Remembering Bud!

Comedian Bud Abbott, of Abbott & Costello fame, was born this day (October 2nd) in 1897!

Pictured here is Bud Abbott along with Lou Costello and the founder of the Chavez Studio of Magic, Ben Chavez, on the set of the 1948 movie Mexican Hayride.

09/27/2026

Remembering magician Harry Blackstone Sr. who was born this day (September 27th) 1885, in Chicago, Illinois.

Born Henry Bouton, eventually landed on the stage name of Blackstone, was a famed stage magician and illusionist who performed at theaters across the country during the first half of the 20th century as well as throughout World War II entertaining troops through the efforts of the USO.

Upon his passing, Harry was laid to rest at Lakeside Cementary in Colon, Michigan. Over the years since Harry's internment, this cementary has become known as the final resting place of more magicians than any other cemetery in the world.

Pictured is an early 1-sheet (30×40 inch) asvertisment poster that is over 100 years old in Larry Wirtz collection at the Chavez Studio of Magic.

09/23/2026