The Fifth Avenue senior independent living community opened up their dining room to the public and residents for a free performance of “The Magic of Rich – the CEO of Magic” last week.
Rich, who doesn’t use a last name professionally, warmed up the crowd with humour and self-deprecating tricks that turned into stunners, including a display of pseudo-psychic powers.
The Huegel family from Battleground, Wa., provided six of the awestruck children in attendance. They said that it was a lucky coincidence for them, as they were riding their bikes past The Fifth Avenue and saw the sign. Every year, the family — two grandparents, seven grown children and their spouses and 28 grandchildren — gather in Sequim for a family vacation.
Three of the children participated in the show and after most of the more than 50 guests left, stayed behind for table tricks with Rich.
“Magic Rich” moved to Port Angeles from Southern California, where he was a member of the famed Magic Castle, the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts. He said that he “started as a kid with a magic kit” after seeing a magician at a county fair.
When he asked the children how many of them had magic kits, none of them raised their hands.
Staff at The Fifth Avenue said that the event, “went really well — we had a good turnout from the public.”