Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Liberty Magic season
Magic is coming back.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Tuesday announced its 2020-21 Liberty Magic season, which begins in September. The performances take place at 811 Liberty Ave. in Downtown Pittsburgh, beside the Harris Theater.
”What makes Liberty Magic a unique experience is its roots in parlor magic – a type of magic performed in an intimate space without a stage, breaking down the barrier between performer and audience and bringing out the inexplicable and fantastic in the interaction between them,” said Scott Shiller, vice president of artistic planning for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and producer of Liberty Magic. “After these times of isolation, it is easy to lose the magic in everyday life and in everyday connections, and that is what Liberty Magic will bring us all back to.”
Until guests can physically attend shows, Liberty Magic is offering a series of free livestreamed shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays on the Cultural Trust’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. The sessions will be hosted by Zoe Ruth, venue manager.
Here are the performers for the 2020-21 season, as described by the Cultural Trust:
Sept. 16-Oct. 25 — Chris Capehart in “Journey of the Master” is an accomplished master, who has performed in the world’s most prominent theaters, become an accomplished street performer, created routines for the biggest names in magic, and conquered the ancient techniques behind the linking rings.
Oct. 29-Nov. 29 – Lee Terbosic in “The Life and Death of Harry Houdini,” is a Pittsburgh guy who is widely considered one of the foremost magical experts on Houdini and will create some of the late legend’s most magical moments.
Dec. 2 – Jan. 3— Jon Tai in “Zen & The Art of Mystery,” is a Pittsburgher who has studied the craft of magic, mystery, and mindreading. He includes storytelling in his performances.
Jan. 6-Feb. 14 — Alba in “Conexiones (Spanish for ‘connections’),” is the first female magician from South America to appear at Hollywood’s Magic Castle.
Feb. 17-March 28 –Henry Evans in “The Enchanted Cards of Buenos Aires,” is nicknamed “Argentina’s merry magician,” for his original and self-choreographed card routines.
March 31-May 9—Steve Valentine in “Life & Other Deceptions,” has starred in NBC’s “Crossing Jordan,” Disney’s “I’m in The Band,” “Major Crimes,” “The Big Bang Theory,” Mike and Molly,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “Anger Management.” He is known as “one of the greatest sleight-of-hand artists in the world and performed in “The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays” at Heinz Hall.
May 12-May 23—Paul Gertner in “Steel City Sleight of Hand,” has won first place at what’s considered the Olympics of magic in Madrid, Spain. The Pittsburgh native has performed in 40 countries.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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