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| | | be. ZEEE EE we Ce RN TR 8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, March 27, 1984 by Cathy Robb Surprise! Stew Gar- land is allergic to rabbits. Which is why he doesn't pull the furry 'critters out of tall black hats, although he could, if he wanted to risk a sneezing attack on stage. So Tibbar the French Lop rabbit who occupies more than his fair share of space in the Garland basement (along with nine doves), isn't includ- ed in many of the Black- stock magician's tricks. Instead, the tall, dark and handsome 38-year- old magician uses an enormous German Shepherd named Schaeffer (which is the German word for Shep- herd), a multitude of doves, cards, balls, magic wands, silk scarves and various other props add mystery to his portfolio of about 150 tricks. Officially, Stew is a full-time employee of Ontario Hydro, where he makes enough money to support his wife Cathy and newborn son Keith in the Blackstock home they moved into from Bowmanville in January. Unofficially, Stew is a part-time magician who makes his rounds from birthday parties lo hospital children's wards, from scout meet- ings to the Magic Car restaurant in Oshawa, where he runs a magic show (either in person or with other magicians) every Sun- day. He's also performed at Rosie's in the Gen- osha Hotel, the Ontario Hydro Christmas party for kids, various Holi- day Inns, public parks, and every year (except one) for the past seven, he's filled the children's ward at Oshawa General Hospital with laughter at Christmas time. "It doesn't really matter what the age group is in the audience. the DISTINCTIVE "WEDDING INVITATIONS Contact our office for complete details stor 235 Queen St., Port Perry Call 985-7383 People of all ages like to be amazed," he says, grinning. "But kids sure pick up some tricks fast- er than adults can. It's like adults want to be amazed." Fooling the audience is the number one prior- ity of any magician, whether it's through a simple card trick or making a hefty German Shepherd appear out of thin air. Stew's repor- \ toire of tricks is wide- ranging, including the infamous ouch trick, where swords are in- serted through a box containing a real, live person, or the less serious much more port- able magic wand that turns into a bouquet of flowers. Stew is never at a loss for a trick and always carries a few tricks up his sleeve (or in his - pocket) when he goes to parties--just in. case someone asks him for a trick. As they usually do. His penchant for magic originated eight years ago on a trip he took to Florida. While touring the sunny south he dropped in at the Magic Shop, where he purchased his first card trick. He's been hooked ever since. "I was always kind of shy when I was young and if you had of told me I would be standing in front of an audience doing a show, I'd have said you were crazy," he says. He still gets nervous before a show but as soon as he sees the faces in an audience light up with giggles, he relaxes. Of course, there's always a chance some- one might figure out his tricks but practise ensures that his hand is quicker than the eye. He also never does the same trick twice in one show, even though children often demand to see the same trick over and over. '""The kids never tire," he explains. "They've been to the Magic Car before but 90 per cent of the time they want to see the trick again." At the Magic Car, the magic is performed at * Making Blackstock magic the customer's table, which doubly amazes them. When a trick is performed on stage or on television, people like to explain the magic away saying "it's done with mirrors," or 'It's done with lights." "When you see it right there, right in front of you, you know there's no lights or cameras invol- ved," he says, a sneaky smile playing around the corners of his moustache. 'They know it can't be done, but it's being done!" Although he thorough- ly enjoys his part-time magic, he's not sure he wants to make it a full- time proposition. Because of the money he invests in expensive tricks, magic isn't a paying job, and besides, full-time magic would mean a lot of travelling away from his family. But in the meantime, he's more than willing to perform at birthday parties, office parties or any other special events. Just give him a call at 986-0045. And remember, he's allergic to rabbits. Tibbar is a rather enormous French Lop It's hard to believe, but magician Stew Garland can make his hefty German Shepherd Schaeffer appear out of thin air. This is a particularly useful trick when it comes fo scaring burglars. closer look at the magic rabbit while Stew who endears himself to people of all ages (who is allergic to rabbits) hangs back at a when he appears in Stew Garland's magic safe distance. shows. Above, Stew's niece Karen gefs a FRANKS RESTAURANT presents ... T.). Fraser & Fraser CAESAREA 986-5553 ORT AUTO GLASS ERRY & TRIM ! ® Windshields ® Complete Upholstery ® Body Mouldings & Pinstripes ® Sunroofs 3 ® Boat Tops ® Boat Seats =: 3 139 WATER STREET, PORT PERRY Call for your appointment ... 985-8507 LR \ a ONG A On li