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! 

Happy New Year! 2018 ended on a high note with a flurry of great gigs, and I’m looking forward to more in 2019. First of all, I have the coolest clients. It’s always a blast to create sets for their unique events.

I was honored to close out 2018 at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, spinning swinging tunes at their New Year’s Eve party. The theme was Casino Royale and I had great fun creating an all-vinyl set of 1960s soundtracks from classic spy films. Of course, I had to wear my gold 60s suit jacket and Sansabelt slacks while I played Goldfinger! The set was so well received, I’ve added it to my list of offerings. (Plus a new one called Rhythm & Burlesque. Check them both out here.)

Perhaps equally thrilling was being invited to create a soundtrack for Charles Phoenix’s annual Holiday Show. I provided a series of weird and wonderful Christmas tunes to open and close his famously fun retro slide show.

It’s become an annual holiday tradition to bring my collection of rare Christmas music to Amoeba Music in Hollywood. See photo below!

In November, I brought my dueling victrolas to the Topanga Vintage Market to entertain the holiday shoppers at their last show of the year. I love playing for other vintage enthusiasts, who always have great questions about my equipment and 78s, and lots of knowledge to share.

Thanks so much to everyone who invited me to their events. Here’s to more musical adventures in 2019!

Spinning a Casino Royale themed set at The Magic Castle on New Year’e Eve. Photo by Taylor Wong.

I rang in the New Year in my straw boater with the Great Cardini playing a four hour all-78rpm set from the 1920s at one of my very favorite places in the world -- the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood -- for their roaring 20's New Year's Eve celebration. What a way to begin 2018! 

Photo by AMA photographer Taylor Wong.