Meet Dal Sanders of The Pure Magic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dal Sanders.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
While I’ve been interested in magic since I was a child, I didn’t really consider it to be my passion or life calling. I saw myself as an actor, I did my first TV commercial at 13 and my first play when I was 15. The thing that I found interesting about magic was the puzzle aspect. I enjoyed figuring out how things worked but didn’t think of magic as a theatrical art until I began to work in radio. My station kept sending me out to do live remotes and when people would come out to see me, I felt like I should entertain them. I pulled out my magic and started performing simple tricks with cards and coins. Soon I was getting more remotes and I was being billed as the “Magical DJ.” After a couple of years, I decided to take the plunge and take magic full time.

Primarily, I was performing close-up magic and stand-up comedy magic. I still had not combined my magic with my theatrical background. That would change when I toured as the opening act for The Grassroots, a rock band that was on a reunion tour in 1980.

While in Boston I went to see “Le Grand David and His Spectacular Magic Company.” They presented their magic as theater and suddenly my eyes were open. Magic was more than just tricks and jokes. Magic was an art, a theatrical art.

Since that time, I have been a serious student of the art of magic and I have been performing full time across the country and the world. I have performed my stage show in 49 of the 50 States (still waiting to go to Alaska) and overseas in China, Portugal, The United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico and Brazil. I have headlined my own illusion shows and shared the stage with many top acts including The Beach Boys, The Dixie Chicks, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight and more.

I served as National President of The Society of American Magicians from 2013-2014.

The S.A.M. is the oldest and most prestigious magic organization in the world and includes Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston and other famous magicians as Past National Presidents. I am also a member of London’s Magic Circle and has achieved its highest level, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star. In addition to that I have been awarded The Order of Willard for T.A.O.M., a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians, a member of The Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) and a Charter Member of KIDabra International.

I have performed on international television as a feature performer on several Ms. International Beauty Pageants, television commercials and was recently featured on a Comedy Central Special. I will be seen performing magic in the upcoming feature comedy film Hidden in the Heart of Texas. In 2016 my wife Cinde and I became hosts of the nationally syndicated television show Kartoon Circus where we perform and teach magic for a live studio audience.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been easy. Magic’s biggest drawback is the preconceived notion that magic is a hobby or at best a craft when it should be recognized as an art. In addition to that, many people think of a magician as only a “children’s performer”. Although I do love working with families and children, I also perform for corporate events, trade shows, etc. That is one of the amazing things about the art of Magic. It has such a wide range of performance opportunities.

But, this preconceived notion of being a kid’s entertainer is extremely challenging for a professional magician. That’s why I worked so hard to get the state and national government to recognize magic as an art. In 2013, I began working with Eric Hogue, a friend who was a magician and as Mayor of the City of Wylie, Texas, was also a politician.

On April 28th, 2014, Congressman Pete Sessions recognized Magic as an Art on the floor of The House of Representatives. This document has been applauded by magicians across the United States including David Copperfield, Chris Kenner, Jeff McBride and others. Pete Sessions and other members of congress, have pledged their help in taking the next step, a resolution that will be passed by both houses of congress and signed by the President. They will help magicians obtain grants and explore how to draft resolutions that can protect our intellectual property from theft and gratuitous exposure.

I have always done my best to elevate and advance the art of magic. I did this by performing in and producing great shows for corporations, theatrical productions, television and yes, even those kids and families that already love magic.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Pure Magic of Dal Sanders – what should we know?
In addition to presenting thoughtful, theatrical comedy magic, I am often hired to write and produce corporate magic shows that showcase a company or product. My corporate clients include Sherwin-Williams, Hewlett-Packard, American Airlines, Raytheon, Tandy Corporation, M&Ms/Mars, McDonald’s, Panasonic, U.S. Sprint, Southwest Airlines, IBM, Zales, Avis, County Seat, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Mercedes Benz, Neiman Marcus and more.

I am also well known for my educational school shows on a number of subjects including Reading, Character Building, Leadership, Self Esteem, Science, Drug Prevention, Ecology and Being a Good Friend…Not a Bully. In fact, there are many entertainers worldwide who regularly perform my routines in their own educational shows.

In addition to performing across the United States and around the world, I am frequently asked to lecture and conduct workshops for other performers. These lectures include my unique and original magic, routines and illusions.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The fact that I am fun and innovative has certainly helped build my business over the years. My extensive background in magic has also been helpful. This however isn’t enough; many magicians share these characteristics. The thing that sets me apart is that fact that I never say no. When a client comes to me with an idea, no matter how outlandish it is or impossible it would be to perform I always find a way to make their concepts come to life in a magical way.

I have been asked to produce a car in a showroom while completely surrounded by customers and make jewelry float in the air. I have transformed a retiring CEO into his replacement in front of 3,000 company employees, produced a magical fashion show where the clothes the models wore changed instantly onstage and made candy change in people’s hands. I have created a magical Haunted House for large country clubs and when Sherwin Williams asked me to demonstrate their wide range of colors, I produced a silk rainbow from an empty paint can. I’ve made Santa appear and birthday children float in the air. Given enough time to create the illusion, I never say no to a dream.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://stagemagic.com/
• Phone: 214-720-2260
• Email: Dal@stagemagic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalsanders/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicianDalSanders/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DalSanders
• Other: http://www.amazingattractions.com/

Image Credit:
Aaron Stone
Mike Carrano
Scott Yale
Cinde Sanders

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