WESTLAKE, Ohio -- It was a new chapter for Westlake Porter Public Library as it welcomed a magic show to its still-new pavilion across the driveway from the building’s front door. It was a beautiful, sunny day Aug. 11 as Rick Smith Jr.
began his act, which included a good deal of humor and audience participation. His techniques make the audience sit up and take notice. All ages were charmed and enthralled.
At least 100 spectators crossed over the “paver” trail to reach the pavilion. Residents who paid $125 per paver have donated a total of $30,000 to the cost of the pavilion. Julie Fenton of Westlake brought her children, from left, Lucy, Elizabeth and Jack, to watch magician Rick Smith Jr.
perform at the Westlake Porter Public Library pavilion. Linda Gandee, special to cleveland.com Magic show attendees filled the green lawn to watch Smith, noted as “Cleveland’s Premier Magician.
” Smith had a good time inviting some of the older children up to stand beside him while he performed mostly card tricks. Those sleights of hand easily blew some minds, as he moved along very quickly from one trick to another. His hands were incredibly fast, and he “threw” cards to emphasize his tricks such as, for example, chopping vegetables by throwing cards.
The Smith biography speaks of several records for throwing cards up to 92 mph. He is even mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records, beginning in 2002. “I was a baseball player, and we’re from Cleveland, so we go to different Cleveland (baseball) games.
I played baseball up until a couple years ago, after (which) I had an elbow injury, where I had to have surgery, which was both baseball and card-throwing-related,” Smith said. “So, I gave up baseball.” Smith says he “works a lot” and appears in many schools as well as at events.
For more information or to book Smith, visit Rick Smith Jr Illusionist & Event Entertainer , send him a letter at P.O. Box 470169 Broadview Heights, OH 44147 or call at 440-821-9549.
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