Fifteen years ago, I fell in love with the artistry and history of close-up magic and became a magician member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. I was lucky enough to study with many legends of slight-of-hand magic. Since then, I have performed close-up magic as Mysterious Watkins at private and corporate events.

I've been delighted to perform in my home town of Sister Bay twice this summer! I had a great time performing several sets at Northern Door Pride's Circus themed event at the Sister Bay Village Hall on June 13th, and then at the Sister Bay Library on July 18th. See some photos below.

And you can see The Mysterious Watkins in Fish Creek on October 28th for their Jack O' Lantern Days Halloween celebration! 

On September 28th, I was honored and delighted to be part of the centennial celebration of the newly restored Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. The MacDonald family, who have owned the beloved bar since 1975, recently removed the ‘70s-era mansard roof to reveal and restore the original facade of the historic building, which was originally a school house, then an ice cream and soda parlor, a pool hall, Bill’s Tavern in 1934, eventually becoming the Bayside Tavern.

I played 1920s jazz on 78rpm records and the Cherryland A’s brought out their awesome collection of Model A cars. There were historic photos and artifacts and great stories that illustrated how the building and the tavern have been the heart of the community as a gathering place for many generations.

Thanks so much to the Bayside Tavern, Bobby MacDonald, Town of Gibraltar Historical Society, and everyone who came out to celebrate 100 years of the Bayside Tavern building. It was a truly fun and heartwarming event!

David Watkins DJ playing 1920s jazz at the Bayside Tavern Centennial with a 1920s Model A from the Cherryland A’s