Illusions by Vick Resume 2017

Illusions by Vick
Vick Dias Gisin

Ellicott City, Maryland
(C) 443-540-9631
Shows@illusionsbyvick.com
http://www.illusionsbyvick.com

Mission Statement - As an artist and entertainer called by the art of magic it is my mission to craft, share and accompany you, the audience on a one of a kind journey into a world of amazing entertainment. An experience that engages the imagination, touches the heart and tickles the funny bone. Enabling audiences to think and feel, to experience art, perhaps even to challenge your perspectives but most of to be entertained and to have fun. Sharing something unique that audiences take with them after the performance to help create great memories. All from a place where anything can happen and the seemingly ordinary can become the incredible.

Experience - 17+ years professional performing experience and intense study in the art of magic. Have been extremely fortunate to perform over 3,500 public and private shows.

  A small sample of clients and venues include Bally's Atlantic City, Oracle, Hewlett Packard, John Hopkins *, Mercedes Benz *, The Smithsonian *, the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, D.o.D. (Department of Defense) *, the British Embassy, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the University of Maryland *, D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Goucher College, Toyota Motors of North America, The National Zoo *, The Maryland Zoo *, Alliance Francaise *, Spirit Cruises *, Odessy Cruises *, The George Washington Masonic Theater, Towson University *, Hillwood Museum, Veuve Clicquot, The Harmon Center for the Arts *, Everest Wealth Management, Towers Watson, B & O Railroad Museum *, Wiley Rein *, Baltimore Harborplace Amphitheater, Cox Farms "Fields of Fear" Halloween attraction *, The Chestertown Harry Potter Festival, Colonial Beach Rock N Blues Festival *, Herndon Festival *, Magooby's Joke House, the Gaylord National *, The W *, Aloft Hotels*, The Four Seasons *, The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington DC, plus numerous public auditoriums, Fund Raisers, Trade Shows, banquets, nightclubs, theaters and private events.
Illusions by Vick was featured in a commercial for a car dealership as a magician in 2017.
* = repeat clients and venues with multiple performances
  In 2017 am thrilled to be performing the Illusions by Vick show (stage and parlor) 200+ times at public and private events and venues. Run time is approximately 45 minutes.

  Professional performing experience early in my career included some very challenging and rewarding situations. For 3 years I was the lead entertainer at Muvico Theaters (now Cinemark) a 24 screen multiplex with an approximately 6,400 patron seating capacity in Arundel Mills, Maryland. Was featured warming up and entertaining movie going patrons before the feature film began, performing up to 25 times a day, 3 days a week. The entertainment was magic based and included skits, stand up comedy, character acting and story telling. Many leading characters from featured movies were brought to life for patron's entertainment including Professor Snape, Willie Wonka, Captain Hook, Pirates and various medieval characters. We created all our own material including scripts, costuming and staging. While it was a great experience I left after 3 years as I had accomplished all I felt I could in that venue.

  For 6 months in 2008 I was the featured illusionist for the Golden Triangle Cabaret on M Street at Club Ozio in Washington DC. The Golden Triangle Cabaret is a 1940's theme Burlesque Review. While the show was being performed weekly I was performing two or three 10 to 12 minutes spots of magic during each performance. The featured burlesque artist left and the show moved to a monthly performance schedule. At that time I chose to leave the ensemble.

  These challenging venues were instrumental in developing abilities and learning to provide the best entertainment for an audience in unique situations.


A short description of self, study and influences- Unique (aren't we all), resourceful, responsible, honest, determined, hardworking, adventurous, occasionally charming and reasonably well spoken. I'm driven by a sincere desire to share unique entertainment experiences while elevating the art of magic. To help return the art to the lofty standards and high regard it was once held in. Am always learning and eager to learn more. The works of Sam H. Sharpe have been a huge influence on my magic and performing (as well as the Fitzkie Trilogy, "Our Magic", the works of Tommy Wonder, Robert-Houdin and Henning Nelms "Magic and Showmanship". There are many schools of thought and great ideas.
  Have been incredibly fortunate to be given guidance by an enigmatic figure (an actual card man) whose name I obviously cannot mention and to whom I am extremely grateful. Also the very talented and respected Denny Haney has been kind enough to assist with direction in the art (and putting up with my questions). As part of my continuing education I regularly attend lectures, some of my favorites being Joanie Spina, Michael Weber, Richard Osterlind, Banachek, John Carney (twice), Darwin Ortiz, Michael Ammar, Axel Hecklau, Howie Schwartzman, Christopher Bolter, and Christian Painter. Was extremely fortunate to have worked briefly with Joanie Spina as a director. She made a huge, positive impact on my work, enhanced how I create and view the art of magic. She was an amazing talent, director, teacher and humanitarian.
  Most of the influences on my work and performing come from outside of the world of magic and include film, literature and music. Create something that engages minds, enables viewers to think and feel and you have created art.

What you receive when hiring Illusions by Vick - First and foremost, working (with you) to create an amazing, fun and unique entertainment experience. An experience the audience will always remember. A performance that will meet and exceed your expectations. All my experience, determination, heart and talent go into creating, performing and providing you and your guests with a unique, fun, sophisticated and amazing entertainment experience.
  Every performance is more than just my dream and career, it's my name and reputation on the line. More than that it's yours. How well I perform, the fun and amazement the show shares is the art. How well you and your guests enjoy it and will have Illusions by Vick back next year, the years after and recommend Illusions by Vick is part of the business. I understand the importance of both the entertainment/artistic side and the business side and am able bring them together. I have to succeed at both for us to be satisfied. When you pull back the curtain and peek you see that sometimes show business = 10% show + 90% business.

Accolades
- Named by CBS Local as a top 5 magician
- Top rated magician in DC, MD and VA by the Gigmasters talent website since 2010.
- Awarded Best of by the Gigmasters talent website in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
- Top rated magician for adults and all age audiences in MD, DC and VA by the Thumbtack talent website since 2012.
- Only magician recognized by the Maryland State Arts Council.

  The accolades are very nice but what means the most are the happy audiences and clients, all the wonderful emails, reviews, gifts and longtime friendships with clients. Am very fortunate to have clients who bring me back year after year to share in their special events.
  Please feel free to Google Illusions by Vick and read the reviews clients have posted all over the internet.

                                               New Website is Here

Resume 2016

Illusions by Vick
Vick Dias Gisin

Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
(C) 443-540-9631
Shows@illusionsbyvick.com
http://www.illusionsbyvick.com

Mission Statement – As an artist and entertainer called by the art of magic it is my mission to craft, share and accompany you, the audience on a one of a kind journey into a world of amazing entertainment. An experience that engages the imagination, touches the heart and tickles the funny bone. Enabling audiences to think and feel, to experience art, perhaps even to challenge your perspectives. Sharing something unique that audiences take with them after the performance to help create great memories. All from a place where anything can happen and the seemingly ordinary can become the incredible.

Experience – 16+ years professional performing experience and intense study in the art of magic. Have been extremely fortunate to perform over 3,200 public and private shows.

  A small sample of clients and venues include Bally's Atlantic City, the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington, Oracle, Hewlett Packard, Mercedes Benz *, D.o.D. (Department of Defense) *, the British Embassy, The Smithsonian *, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the University of Maryland *, D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Goucher College, Alliance Française *, Spirit Cruises *, The George Washington Masonic Theater, Towson University *, Hillwood Museum, Veuve Clicquot, The Harmon Center for the Arts *, Everest Wealth Management, John Hopkins *,  Baltimore Harborplace Amphitheater, Cox Farms "Fields of Fear" Halloween attraction *, the Gaylord National *, The W *, The Four Seasons *, The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington DC, The Chestertown Harry Potter Festival, Colonial Beach Rock N’ Blues Festival *, Herndon Festival * plus numerous public auditoriums, Fund Raisers, Trade Shows, banquets, nightclubs, theaters and private events.
* = repeat clients and venues with multiple performances

  In 2016 am thrilled to be performing the Illusions by Vick show (stage and parlor) 175+ times at public and private events and venues. Run time is approximately 45 minutes.

  Professional performing experience early in my career included some very challenging and rewarding situations. For 3 years I was the lead entertainer at Muvico Theaters (now Cinemark) a 24 screen multiplex with an approximately 6,400 patron seating capacity in Arundel Mills, Maryland. Was featured warming up and entertaining movie going patrons before the feature film began, performing up to 25 times a day, 3 days a week. The entertainment was magic based and included skits, stand up comedy, character acting and story telling. Many leading characters from featured movies were brought to life for patron's entertainment including Professor Snape, Willie Wonka, Captain Hook, Pirates and various medieval characters. We created all our own material including scripts, costuming and staging. While it was a great experience I left after 3 years as I had accomplished all I felt I could in that venue.

  For 6 months in 2008 I was the featured illusionist for the Golden Triangle Cabaret on M Street at Club Ozio in Washington DC. The Golden Triangle Cabaret is a 1940’s theme Burlesque Review. While the show was being performed weekly I was performing two or three 10 to 12 minutes spots of magic during each performance. The featured burlesque artist left and the show moved to a monthly performance schedule. At that time I chose to leave the ensemble.

  These challenging venues were instrumental in developing abilities and learning to provide the best entertainment for an audience in unique situations.

A short description of self, study and influences- Unique (aren't we all), resourceful, responsible, honest, determined, hardworking, adventurous, occasionally charming and reasonably well spoken. I’m driven by a sincere desire to share unique entertainment experiences while elevating the art of magic. To help return the art to the lofty standards and high regard it was once held in. Am always learning and eager to learn more. The works of Sam H. Sharpe have been a huge influence on my magic and performing (as well as the Fitzkie Trilogy, "Our Magic", the works of Tommy Wonder, Robert-Houdin and Henning Nelms "Magic and Showmanship". There are many schools of thought and great ideas.
  Have been incredibly fortunate to be given guidance by an enigmatic figure (an actual card man) whose name I obviously cannot mention and to whom I am extremely grateful. Also the very talented and respected Denny Haney has been kind enough to assist with direction in the art (and putting up with my questions). As part of my continuing education I regularly attend lectures, some of my favorites being Joanie Spina, Michael Weber, Richard Osterlind, Banachek, John Carney (twice), Darwin Ortiz, Michael Ammar, Axel Hecklau, Howie Schwartzman, Christopher Bolter, and Christian Painter. Was extremely fortunate to have worked briefly with Joanie Spina as a director. She made a huge, positive impact on my work, enhanced how I create and view the art of magic. She was an amazing talent, director, teacher and humanitarian.
  Most of the influences on my work and performing come from outside of the world of magic and include film, literature and music. Create something that engages minds, enables viewers to think and feel and you have created art.

What you receive when hiring Illusions by Vick – First and foremost, working (with you) to create an amazing, fun and unique entertainment experience. An experience the audience will always remember. A performance that will meet and exceed your expectations. All my experience, determination, heart and talent go into creating, performing and providing you and your guests with a unique, fun, sophisticated and amazing entertainment experience.
  Every performance is more than just my dream, it’s my name and reputation on the line. More than that it’s yours. How well I perform and the fun and amazement around the show is the art. How well you and your guests enjoy it and will have Illusions by Vick back next year, the years after and recommend Illusions by Vick is part of the business. I understand the importance of both the entertainment/artistic side and the business side and am able bring them together. I have to succeed at both for us to be satisfied. When you pull back the curtain and peek you see that sometimes show business = 10% show + 90% business.

Accolades
– Named by CBS Local as a top 5 magician
–Top rated magician in DC, MD and VA by the Gigmasters talent website since 2010.
–Awarded Best of by the Gigmasters talent website in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
–Top rated magician for adults and all age audiences in MD, DC and VA by the Thumbtack talent website since 2012.
–Only magician recognized by the Maryland State Arts Council.

  The accolades are very nice but what means the most are the happy audiences and clients, all the wonderful emails, reviews, gifts and longtime friendships with clients. Am very fortunate to have clients who bring me back year after year to share in their special events.
  Please feel free to Google Illusions by Vick and read the reviews clients have posted all over the internet.

http://www.illusionsbyvick.com

Wildest place or circumstances ever worked as a magician

A discussion came up about the wildest place or circumstances ever worked as a magician, below is my response ....

Hmmmm .... performing under challenging circumstances will make you a better performer. When starting out I sought out challenging circumstances.

For a year I was a hawker for Magic Zone, basically a kiosk (in malls and heavy traffic tourist areas) selling D-Lites, UFO's, sponge balls plus a few other items. I was getting paid to rehearse 8 hours a day, I learned to draw a crowd there.

After that for 3 years I was part of the live entertainment at a Movie Theater Multi-plex (24 screens). The theater complex was very popular but had patrons waiting upwards of an hour to see their movie. The theater thought live entertainment would be a good idea. We (myself, another magician and 2 stand up comics) did some crazy stuff. At first it was incredibly challenging, walking into a theater of 500 who have been waiting in their seats for 20 minutes for the film to start, they have no idea what you are there for and then try entertaining. After 6 months we were (somewhat of) a hit (patrons would come in and ask for us and the company tried to replicate what we were doing in their other multi-plexes). For the next 2.5 years it was just myself and 1 stand up comic. We created characters and played characters from hit films (launching a side business of appearing as Professor Snape). We were given free rein to preform what we wanted. We wrote our own scripts, became more skilled at improv and did our own costuming. There is nothing like the experience of performing a new routine 25+ times a day, 3 days a week for live audiences. On top of that we had to keep the material fresh as there were patrons who came to the theater every week.

For 6 months I was the featured Illusionist in a 1940's theme weekly burlesque review at a nightclub in Washington, DC. Imagine being the magician on before the very popular featured burlesque artist, in front of inebriated patrons, in a DC nightclub where patrons are paying $40 for a seat. 2- 3 times nightly. I was lucky and it went well.

None of those 3 positions paid extremely well but .....

The key thing is, these challenging situations gave me great experience that you can't get any other way.

Wild? ... maybe ... Rewarding? ... beyond measure

a Magican's Resume

Just updated so I thought to post it here

Illusions by Vick
Vick Dias Gisin



Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
(C) 443-540-9631
Shows AT illusionsbyvick.com
http://www.illusionsbyvick.com


Mission Statement - An artist and entertainer who’s chosen medium is performing magic. It’s my calling (and profession) to accompany you on a one of a kind journey, creating astonishment while delivering enchantments for you to contemplate and appreciate. To create an experience that engages you and encourages you to think and feel. To share something that touches you in the now and leaves you with you something to consider in the future. From a place where anything can happen and the ordinary can become the incredible. Wrapping interesting and intriguing stories around incredible effects thereby creating the experience we call magic (all while a smile plays around your lips).

Experience – 11+ years professional performing experience and intense study in the art of magic. Have been extremely fortunate to perform numerous public and private shows. A small sampling of recent clients include the British Embassy, B & O Railroad Museum, Mercedes Benz, The National Zoo, Alliance Française of Washington, Mechanical Contractors Association of Maryland, 20’s & 30’s Going Out Group, Herndon Festival, IDT Telecom, World Battery Recycle Trade Forum, Southern Maryland Hospital Center and John Hopkins.

Professional performing experience includes some very challenging and rewarding performance situations. For 3 years I was the lead entertainer at Muvico Theaters (now Cinemark) a 24 screen multiplex with an approximately 6,400 patron seating capacity in Arundel Mills, Maryland. Was featured doing warm up with movie going patrons, performing up to 25 times a day, 3 days a week. The entertainment was magic based and included skits, stand up comedy, character acting and story telling. I brought to life many leading characters from featured movies for patrons’ entertainment including Professor Snape, Willie Wonka, Captain Hook, Pirates and various medieval characters. We created all our own material including scripts, costuming and staging. While it was a great experience I left after 3 years as I had accomplished all I felt I could in that venue.

For 6 months of 2008 I was the featured illusionist for the Golden Triangle Cabaret on M Street at Club Ozio in Washington DC. The Golden Triangle Cabaret is a 1940’s theme Burlesque Review. While the show was being performed weekly I was performing two or three 10 to12 minutes spots of magic during each performance. The featured burlesque artist left and the show moved to a monthly performance schedule so I chose to leave the ensemble.

In 2011 am most often performing the Illusions by Vick stage or parlor show at various venues both public and private. Run time is approximately 45 minutes.

The Illusions by Vick show has been fortunate to play many venues which include but are not limited to the Oakland Mills Auditorium, Hillwood Museum, Harmon Center for the Arts, B & O Railroad Museum, Baltimore Harborplace Amphitheater, Grand Atrium, Magooby's Joke House and numerous public auditoriums, nightclubs and theaters. Everywhere from Mercedes Benz Dealerships to the Great Ape House in the National Zoo, beautiful assisted living communities with excellent theaters that easily seat 200 guests to performing as Professor Snape in the "dungeon" at the Annapolis Bookstore.

A short description of self, study and influences- Unique (aren't we all), resourceful, responsible, truthful, determined, hardworking, adventurous, occasionally charming and reasonably well spoken. I’m driven by a sincere desire to elevate the art of magic and to help return the art to the lofty standards and high regard it was once held in. Am always learning and eager to learn more. The works of Sam H. Sharpe have been a huge influence on my thought process regarding magic and performing (as well as the Fitzkie Trilogy, "Our Magic", Tommy Wonder, Robert-Houdin and Henning Nelms "Magic and Showmanship"). There are many schools of thought and great ideas.

Have been incredibly fortunate to be given guidance by an enigmatic figure (an actual card man) whose name I obviously cannot mention and to whom I owe a huge debt and gratitude. Also the very talented and respected Denny Haney has been kind enough to assist with direction in the art (and putting up with my questions). Jeff McBride was generous enough to help with one of my pieces. As part of my continuing education I often attend lectures, some of my favorites being Joanie Spina, Banachek, John Carney (twice), Darwin Ortiz, Michael Ammar, Howie Schwartzman, Christian Painter and David London. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked briefly with Joanie Spina and she made a huge, positive impact on my work. She is an amazing talent, director, teacher and humanitarian.

Much of the influences on my performing come from outside of the world of magic and include film, literature and music. Create something that engages minds so they think and feel and you have created art


What you receive when hiring Illusions by Vick – All the experience, determination and talent go into creating, performing and providing you and your guests with a unique, sophisticated and unparalleled entertainment experience. Every performance is more than just my dream; it’s my name and reputation on the line. More than that it’s also yours. How well I perform and the enchantment around the effects is the art. How well you and your guests enjoy it and will have Illusions by Vick back next year, the years after that and recommend Illusions by Vick is part of the business. I understand the importance of both the entertainment/artistic side and the business side and am able bring them together. I have to succeed at both for us to be satisfied. Anything less is unacceptable. When you pull back the curtain and peek you see that sometimes show business = 10% show + 90% business.

Another day, another good show. Good performance in a great situation. Here's to Sunday's upcoming show and the "Rites of Spring" being performed live for the first time.

It's another example of what a "magician" (that's what they are, I try to be a entertainer) could be if they really tried, applied themselves. How can any one not give the art all it deserves. To create, not imitate

Am extremely fortunate.

Meanwhile hard at work on the fund raiser for Cradlerock Elementary. Getting good assistance and support on the PTA's end.

Worn out now but got to get ready

April 16th 2010 Illusion & Magic Entertainment Event

Am fortunate to be working on a very special show that will play April 16, 2010

Will keep you up to date as it progresses but for now suffice to say am hard at work on it and hopefully will be premiering new performance pieces that will provide astonishment and entertain while touching you emotionally and sharing something you will take with you to consider and will bring a smile to your face in the days after

WOW

Wow, what a difference a great show can make!!!

Haven't blogged lately mostly because there's not much positive to say about magic in general and magicians specifically.

A friend recently said "Magic would be great, if not for magicians" and he's spot on!!

Over 90% of self proclaimed magicians are terrible!! What's worse is they don't realize it, won't consider or seek constructive criticism or read the books and materials that could help them.
Now I've gotten that out of the way, well not really as I could go on but .......

Today at a private show in Virginia I had the pleasure of performing for a great audinece. Great people, well mannered, intelligent, interesting and everything you could ever want in an audinece.

All the newer pieces went over great and were well very received.
Case in point, a very short version of the new closing act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8EKIKc5vDU

About 80% of the show is original materiel and it's the greatest feeling when the original pieces are the best received. Validates all the work, thought, effort and time put it.