Thomas Wiese the Close-Up Magician has a magically reappearing career.
Wiese moved to Carson Valley two years ago to retire after performing magic for seven years in restaurants at Mammoth Mountain Resort, but decided he couldn't retire for long. He started doing magic again and performs table-side magic every Friday and Saturday night at Barone & Reed Food Co. in Minden.
"My wife and I loved to travel in the RV, but I knew I was going to get back into it," he said. "After you have something in you, it's hard not to do it."
Wiese, 56, said he has earned a living performing magic for 34 years.
"My forte is micro-magic, close-up work," said Wiese. "My show is personal. I like the closeness - dealing with people just a few inches away."
When he was 12, Wiese was "bitten by the magic bug" after he saw Mark Wilson's "Magic Land of AllaKazam" television show in the 1960s.
He sent away for a magic catalog he saw advertised in the back of comic books and eventually worked his way from doing children's shows around his neighborhood to performing for a chain of restaurants in Los Angeles.
Wiese became a member of the Brotherhood of Magicians and Hollywood's Magic Castle in 1979 and would make 75-85 trips a year traveling all over the U.S. doing his magic act.
Wiese uses the everyday objects on the restaurant tables as props for his act.
"I use rings, ropes, coins, strings - something on the table," he said. "I float things on the table. My magic act is free of charge to patrons of Barone & Reed. They can request me when they're there.
"The whole purpose of being a magician is to entertain the spectators and, from a magical standpoint, to leave them in a state of amazement," Wiese said.
Thomas the Close-Up Magician is available to do magic for restaurants, hospitality suites, corporate and private parties. He performs from 6-8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays at Barone & Reed, 1599 Esmeralda Ave., in Minden. For more information, call 782-0017.
What: Thomas - Close-Up Magician
Where: Currently performing at Barone & Reed Food Co., 1599 Esmeralda Ave., Minden
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: 782-0017
