Michael Breggar Live: Know Brainer Book Release & Mini Lecture at Smoke & Mirrors, Glenside (July 22, 2026)

On a summer evening in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Smoke & Mirrors Theater at The House of Magic (101 S. Easton Rd) becomes a compact stage for close-up mystery and practical showmanship. Attend Michael Breggar’s book release and mini lecture on Thursday, July 22: doors open at 7:00 pm and the program starts at 7:30 pm. This event mixes performance, instruction, and laugh-out-loud routines—ideal for anyone who wants to see how professional mentalism can be performed with ordinary objects and an irreverent sense of humor. The setup is a defining feature. The theater’s low stage and tight seating create an intimate parlor environment where audience reaction becomes part of the act. Expect clear sightlines, hands-on demonstrations, and a visible stash of props and printed aids that illustrate how effects in Know Brainer are built from inexpensive, everyday materials rather than bespoke apparatus. Key elements of the evening include the live lecture performance, free lecture notes for attendees, a discounted hardbound copy of Know Brainer, and light refreshments (soft drinks and pretzels). Why this night matters: Michael Breggar is a Philadelphia-born creator with an international following and a long track record of publishing accessible, funny material for lay audiences and performers alike. Know Brainer is a 471-page compendium of mentalist routines for close-up, parlor, and stand-up settings; at this lecture he will perform routines, reveal approaches to building effects, and present material not yet printed. The format rewards participation—there is audience voting, interactive choices, and plenty of moments designed to leave people laughing and scratching their heads. Practical details are straightforward. The meeting point is Smoke & Mirrors Theater @ The House of Magic, 101 S. Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038. Minimum age is 16. Admission includes a $15 ticket that covers the lecture, refreshments, free lecture notes, and the option to buy the book at a discounted price. Plan on roughly an hour to 90 minutes for the lecture plus a signing or meet-and-greet afterward. Accessibility information is not provided in the listing; contact the venue if you require accommodations. For visitors exploring the greater Philadelphia region, this show is a compact cultural add-on to a day of local trails, coffee shops, and neighborhood browsing. It’s a rare opportunity to watch a working author-performer break routines down in real time, and to take home both the book and the building blocks to create your own crowd-pleasing routines. Expect clever, low-tech effects—many routines use Dollar Store items, printed aids, or common household objects—so the lecture demystifies how to build routines at minimal cost. Seats are limited in a small venue; if you want front-row interaction or a signed copy of Know Brainer, reserve early through the event booking page and arrive before doors.