Today we’re excited to be connecting with Dal Sanders again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Dal, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
I’m an entertainer with over four decades of experience performing the art of magic. With a passion on for the craft and a commitment to excellence, I have performed for audiences across Texas, the United States and the world. I’ve headlined my own shows, shared the stage with some of the biggest names in entertainment and produced magic showcases, competitions and conventions. I feel that I’ve made a name for myself as a versatile performer, combining close-up magic, stand-up comedy, and illusions to create an unforgettable experience.
I am a dedicated member of the magic community, served as the president of The Society of American Magicians and while working alongside of Mayor Eric Hogue of Wylie, TX, was instrumental in having the United States House of Representatives recognize magic as an art. I am a Life member of The Society of American Magicians, a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle), The Magic Circle in London and The Texas Association of Magicians. I’ve received several prestigious awards, including the degree of M.I.M.C. with Gold Star from The Magic Circle in London, and the Order of Willard with The Texas Association of Magicians. In 2019, he awarded an Award of Merit Fellowship from The Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle. I am Past President of The Society of American Magicians AND The Texas Association of Magicians and was Co-Producer of the TAOM-SAM Combined Convention, hosting the FISM North American Championship of Magic.
My career has included television, film, and specials, I’ve appeared on Comedy Central and have starred in TV commercials and films. Currently, along with wife Cinde, host the internationally syndicated television show “Kartoon Circus,” where we perform magic for a live studio audience.
Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
A Few months before our original interview in 2017, My wife Cinde and I established the Dallas Magic Academy and in just a few short years have grown to host multiple magic summer camps across the metroplex where we teach over 500 kids the art of magic every year. In 2022 we received the Discover Magic “Nielson True Magician Award” for our innovative approach toward teaching the Discover Magic course to 8 to 12-year-olds in North Texas. We have since expanded our reach with a special new course designed for 5 to 7 year olds and soon we expect to begin adult magic classes too.
In addition to introducing new people to the art of magic, I have also committed to helping other magicians improve their acts by establishing showcases where they can perform their craft in front of live audiences.
In 2019 I received an Award of Merit from The Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle in Hollywood. This was primarily for the work that Eric Hogue and I did alongside Congressman Pete Sessions to have Magic Recognized as an art. This Congressional recognition is very important. In the past, magic in the U-S had been seen as a hobby or at best, a craft. Since it was previously not considered an art, it was not considered for grants.
In 2021 I became a representative to The International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques). Since then, I have also qualified to be a FISM Judge, and I am certified to judge the World Championship of Magic as well as any FISM competition. I am one of 6 qualified judges in the United States and one of 79 worldwide.
Also in 2021, I was named Dean of the Dallas Magic Club. Throughout the 100 years of the DMC, there have only been two deans of the club. My responsibility is to help guide the club with my council and expertise.
In 2024 I Co-Produced the FISM North American Championship of Magic here in North Texas with Mark Weidhaas. This 5 Day Magic Competition and Convention brought the best magicians in the world to the DFW Metroplex and the winners of that contest will go on to represent North America in the World Championship in Italy later in 2025.
I still perform regularly, and I love to make people laugh and say WOW, but I have also developed into a kind of “magical life coach” over the past few years.
Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.
- Favorite Movie: ET
- Favorite Book: The Lord of the Rings
- Favorite TV Show: Northern Exposure
- Favorite Band or Artist: The Rolling Stones
- Sweet or Savory: Yes (both please)
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Baseball
- Favorite Sport (to play): Ha, I’m a magician…playing sports isn’t my thing
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Swimming
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: I wanted to be an Astronaut, Doctor, Magician (all 3 at the same time.)
- French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhodes
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Bugs Bunny (my favorite cartoon as an adult is Animaniacs)
- Favorite Childhood movie: Wizard of Oz
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Bacon & Eggs (with Hashbrowns and Biscuits)
Was there a moment in your career that you can tell us about that illustrates or demonstrates the kind of person you are, your approach, ethos, etc.
I have come to the conclusion that I have the coolest job in the world. This isn’t something that I just realized through some sort of sudden revelation. It wasn’t a moment in my career that I came to this realization. It is something that I have come to appreciate over time. I have had quite a few cool jobs over the years. I have been everything from a warehouse manager to a record store clerk (and later manager). I have been the “rock reviewer” for an entertainment newspaper and a youth minister for the United Methodist Church. I have been an actor, a singer and a rock & roll deejay. I have even had some un-cool jobs…I worked in construction, in a grocery store and delivered oilfield supplies. Today I am a magical entertainer.
When I went to my thirtieth High School Reunion, I got the chance to hang out with people that I thought I would never see again…and some people I never wanted to see again. It was amazing to see the many directions that our little class of 67 people had gone. It was like the children’s rhyme; “Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief, Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief”. As we sat and talked about the things that we had done over the years I realized that even though a few of my classmates actually made more money than I did, no one loved their job as much as I did. Not one of them gets up every morning and says, “Wow…I get to go to work today”.
Along the way I have discovered that magic matters. It has an impact on people. It started when I was pulled aside after a show and told about the little boy who had laughed so hard. He hadn’t laughed at all since his Mommy had died earlier that year. Another time a group of kids in a hospital show wouldn’t let me leave until they all had a chance to draw me pictures of my show for my refrigerator. As they drew a nurse told me that for the most part they did not open up to many adults since it was the doctors and the nurses who always “hurt” them with their needles and procedures. At that point I looked again and for the first time I realized that they were all bald. I can’t tell you how many times a teacher has come up to me after a show to thank me for using this boy or that girl. Some of the kids were so shy that the teacher thought they would never participate other times they were thrilled that I chose some “special needs” child.
It’s not just children who respond like that. Many times I have seen adults turn into kids with my performances. I have often said that everyone turns seven when they see a magician. It’s not just me who has these experiences. If you talk to anyone who performs magic you will find that they have similar stories. What we do often has meaning and impact far beyond what we understand.
Being a magician is more than just a job. It is a calling similar to the calling that preachers have in the church. It is a calling to excellence. We have a responsibility to be the very best entertainer we can be. We should always push ourselves to raise the bar of our art. We (hopefully) get paid a fair price for doing something that we love and even though others might have more cash on hand than we do, we are in reality, wealthy beyond our wildest dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stagemagic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalsanders/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dal.sanders
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DalSanders
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DalSandersMagic
- Other: http://www.amazingattractions.com/
