Today we’d like to introduce you to David Farr.
Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into magic began with a fortunate accident at age 10. My father worked as a movie buyer for Target Corporation in Minneapolis, which meant our house was filled with VHS tapes of unreleased films. One day, while my friend and I were hunting through his collection for something to watch, we stumbled upon a “How to Do Magic” double box set – one box contained the instructional tape, the other held the actual tricks.
That discovery changed everything. We learned every trick on that tape and started performing for friends and family. The amazement and joy on people’s faces was addictive. What started as childhood curiosity quickly became my calling – and my livelihood. By age 10, I wasn’t just performing magic; I was getting paid for it.
I consider myself incredibly blessed – I’ve never had a “real job” in my entire life. Instead, I’ve spent my career doing what I love most: making people happy and creating moments of wonder at special events and parties. My performances have taken me across the country, from the bright lights of Las Vegas to stages in Orlando, Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, and New York, though my heart remains in the Midwest, particularly here in the Twin Cities.
In 1998, I saw another kind of magic happening – the internet revolution. While other magicians were still relying on Yellow Pages ads and word-of-mouth, I became one of the first magicians in the world to build a website. I was also among the first to advertise on Google Ads when it launched. This early adoption of digital marketing didn’t just grow my performance business – it sparked a passion for helping other magicians harness these same tools.
Today, I’m fortunate to share this journey with my beautiful wife Christina, who serves as my office manager. She’s the wizard behind the curtain, booking all my gigs and making sure this absent-minded magician actually shows up at the right place at the right time!
Alright, 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?
Like many entertainers, I’ve learned that we’re often seen as “nice to have” rather than “must have” – especially when budgets get tight. Economic downturns and recessions can be challenging for our industry, but I’ve always found ways to adapt and thrive.
The COVID pandemic, however, presented an entirely different challenge. Overnight, my entire industry vanished. Magicians across the country were canceling gigs left and right, watching months of bookings disappear. At first, many of us felt lost – how do you perform magic when you can’t be in the same room as your audience?
Then we started hearing whispers about “virtual magic shows.” I’ll be honest – I was skeptical. My initial thought was, “Who wants to watch a magician on a screen? That’s just like watching YouTube.” But after a few months of mounting pressure, I reluctantly decided to explore this new frontier.
What I discovered surprised me completely. Virtual magic shows, when done right, aren’t passive viewing experiences at all. The key was making them interactive – engaging the audience, bringing them into the performance, creating genuine moments of connection despite the digital barrier. Once I cracked that code, virtual shows became genuinely entertaining and fun.
For most of 2020 and much of 2021, virtual performances became my entire business. And I have to admit, there was something appealing about having the world’s shortest commute to every gig! While I haven’t performed virtually in a year or two now that live events have returned, that experience taught me invaluable lessons about adaptation and finding opportunity in adversity.
This experience also reinforced why I’m so passionate about helping fellow magicians with their marketing and business strategies. Having multiple income streams and the ability to pivot quickly isn’t just smart business – it’s essential for long-term success in our industry.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional comedy magician and mentalist based in Minneapolis, specializing in high-impact entertainment for corporate events, private celebrations, and trade shows. For over 30 years, I’ve been creating unforgettable experiences that blend fast-paced, interactive magic with humor and audience participation.
I’m best known for my ability to connect with diverse audiences—whether it’s mingling during a cocktail hour, energizing a corporate dinner, or stopping trade show attendees in their tracks. My performances are designed not just to amaze, but to spark conversations, break the ice, and create lasting memories.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the number of clients who bring me back year after year, and the fact that I’m often told my show was the highlight of their event. I’ve had the honor of performing for companies like Target, Medtronic, and General Mills, as well as countless private clients who wanted their guests to experience something truly unique.
What sets me apart is my focus on making each event feel personal and special. I customize my material to fit the audience, incorporate the client’s message or brand when appropriate, and create moments that get talked about long after the event ends. It’s not just about the tricks—it’s about the connection, laughter, and memories that make the magic stick.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
**I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of live entertainment, especially magic, over the next 5-10 years.** We’re witnessing a fascinating cultural shift that’s creating unprecedented opportunities for performers like us.
**People are experiencing digital fatigue like never before.** After years of being bombarded with AI-generated content, endless social media scrolling, and screen-based entertainment, audiences are craving something real, something authentic, something they can’t get from their devices. They want genuine human connection and shared experiences that create lasting memories.
**The COVID pandemic actually accelerated this hunger for in-person experiences.** While we initially thought it might hurt our industry permanently, it’s had the opposite long-term effect. People now deeply appreciate what they took for granted before – the irreplaceable magic of being in the same room, sharing the same moment, experiencing wonder together.
**Magic is perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand.** Unlike passive entertainment, magic is inherently interactive and communal. When I perform, I’m not just entertaining individuals – I’m creating shared experiences that bond people together. Whether it’s colleagues at a corporate event or family members at a celebration, magic breaks down barriers and creates those “Did you see that?!” moments that people talk about for years.
**The beauty of live magic is that it can never be replicated digitally.** No AI can recreate the energy of a live performance, the spontaneous interactions, or that moment when someone realizes the impossible just happened right in front of their eyes. In an increasingly digital world, that makes live entertainment – and especially interactive magic – more valuable than ever.
**I believe we’re entering a golden age for performers who understand how to create genuine connection and authentic experiences.** The magicians who thrive will be those who recognize that they’re not just performing tricks – they’re providing something our digital age desperately needs: real human moments of wonder and connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davidfarr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidfarrmagic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidfarrmagic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-farr-magic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIJixbDZFXv8Esq-MRa0pQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/david-farr-magic-crystal-2
