Marcelo Insua (Mr. Tango) brings a tight, practical lecture of card, coin, and mentalism routines to The House of Magic in Glenside. Designed for performers who want usable material and presentation principles you can use the next day.
Marcelo Insua (Mr. Tango) brings a tight, practical lecture of card, coin, and mentalism routines to The House of Magic in Glenside. Designed for performers who want usable material and presentation principles you can use the next day.
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Operated by Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater · Glenside, Pennsylvania
On December 16th at 7:30 pm, Marcelo Insua—better known as Mr. Tango—returns to The House of Magic for a Magicians Only lecture that compresses decades of practical close‑up theory into a single, fast-paced evening. The House of Magic - 101 S. Easton Rd, Glenside Pa, 19038, is a compact, focused venue where working professionals and hobbyists trade techniques, props, and candid performance notes in an environment built for learning and trying material. Mr. Tango’s set blends coin work, card routines, and mentalism into a show-and-teach format. Expect routines that use regular coins alongside Tango Magic’s TUC gimmick, plus a handful of coin effects that emphasize timing and misdirection rather than complex sleights. The card content centers on approachable, high-impact material: a full card act presented without advanced sleight of hand, an automatic Out of This World, and a clean Oil and Water sequencing that runs under real-world pacing. What makes this lecture distinctive is the focus on usable principles rather than pure novelty. Marcelo lays out ideas from his new book, The Curly Secret, demonstrating a practical system that recreates the impact of memorized-deck routines—mem-deck style effects—without the commitment to memorization. For mentalism he teaches Tango ACAAN, the watch routine Now is the Time, and Shared Dreams, his streamlined version of Confabulation. Each segment is framed for close-up, parlor, and small-stage contexts so performers can slot material into real gigs. This event is an asset to the Philadelphia-area magic community because it bridges product familiarity and performancecraft. Tango Magic props are common in local sets; here you’ll see the same tools used for elegant, minimal-fuss presentation. For new performers, the lecture offers immediate, repeatable items to add to walkaround and table-hopping sets. For experienced pros, Marcelo’s handling and presentation touches serve as a prompt to refine timing and patter. Attending is also a networking opportunity: after the lecture, performers often linger to test handlings, swap patter lines, and troubleshoot subtleties with Marcelo and fellow attendees. If you perform professionally, bring business cards or promo material —casual meetups in the lobby can lead to booking leads The compact format rewards focused attention; expect to leave with specific routines ready to practice and deploy on your next gig. Practical notes: doors open at 7:00 pm, show at 7:30 pm; tickets are $25.00. Bring your own working deck, any favored gimmicks, and a notebook; expect live demonstration and handlings you can copy at the table. The format is demonstration plus teaching, with Q&A time to explore subtleties. Whether you’re chasing fresh close-up material, interested in Tango’s handling of classic effects, or looking for performance principles you can adapt immediately, this one-night lecture promises compact, practical instruction in a venue that makes experimentation easy.
easy.
1.5–2 hours.
No physical fitness required; suitable for seated, indoor learning.
Any close-up, parlor, or small-stage performer looking for immediately usable card, coin, and mentalism material; hobbyists and professionals alike are welcome.
Yes — the lecture lists tickets at $25.00 and doors open at 7:00 pm with a 7:30 pm start.
No age or accessibility details were provided in the listing; contact The House of Magic directly for specific accommodations.
Recording policies vary by presenter; ask for permission at check-in — many lecturers restrict recording to protect their material.
Bring your own deck and any small gimmicks if you want to follow handlings and practice; a notebook is also recommended.
The format includes demonstration and teaching with a Q&A window to ask about handling and presentation details.
Glenside is a long-established Philadelphia suburb with an active local arts and performance scene that supports small venues like The House of Magic.
Consider carpooling or using transit to reduce local congestion; small indoor events benefit from waste reduction and mindful use of printed materials.
Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater in Glenside, Pennsylvania, is a dedicated performance venue presenting professional magic shows and variety acts. The theater programs a rotating calendar of headline performances and themed evenings featuring national and international magicians, mentalists, and comedy-illusionists. Shows combine stage production and close-up magic in a custom-built theatre space that hosts limited-seating performances and ticketed events. Past and upcoming performers include internationally recognized artists such as Jay Scott Berry, Eric DeCamps, Jon Stetson, Will Fern, Kody Hildebrand, Ran'D Shine, Joe Garsetti, Gino Mozzarella, and others. Ticket prices for listed events typically range from $35 to $45, with specific events and dates published in advance. The venue stages special programs like "The Ladies Only Psychic Party," family traditions, dual-headliner nights, and award-winning solo shows. Smoke & Mirrors emphasizes audience engagement, storytelling, and professional stagecraft to create memorable, entertaining evenings for diverse audiences. The theater maintains credibility by booking performers with documented national appearances and industry recognition, including venues like The Magic Castle and televised showcases referenced by artists. Located in Glenside, the theater provides an intimate alternative to larger regional venues, appealing to local residents and visitors seeking curated magic experiences. Season schedules are announced well in advance.
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