Third-generation magician and mind reader Dennis Watkins recently announced his popular virtual offering, “The Magic Parlour at Home,” will continue through April 30, 2021. Audiences can experience Watkins’ world-class mind reading and interactive magic directly in their homes with these new spring performance dates. Perfect for a family spring break activity or Easter celebration, the show is a joyful way for viewers to gather and experience community while spending time physically apart.
What began as a temporary pivot in response to the pandemic has now run for more than eight straight months. During that time, Watkins and his team have produced nearly 400 live virtual shows for ticketed audiences, corporate events and private gatherings all over the world.
“I’m not sure everyone realizes, but there is magic I perform in my virtual shows that I am actually unable to perform during in-person shows! Once I mastered the logistical and production elements needed to execute my show virtually, I felt my creativity open up and have been able to continue growing my craft,” said Watkins. “While I look forward to returning to in-person performances when it is safe to do so, it has been very special for me to bring people together during this time when togetherness is so meaningful.”
Tickets are now available for $49 and can be purchased online at themagicparlourchicago.com. A maximum of 30 tickets will be sold for each performance. Designed for family and group viewing, each ticket admits one “household” or “group.” All performances will take place via Zoom and require a computer with a functioning camera and microphone to participate as well as a high-speed internet connection. After tickets are purchased, patrons will receive an email containing instructions and a link to access the performance.
“The Magic Parlour at Home” is recommended for adult audiences. Guests ages 10 and up are welcome to join, while guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a fully immersive experience, guests are recommended to sport cocktail attire and bring their own deck of cards.
A complete list of spring performance dates is below.
- Friday, March 5 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, March 13 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, March 20 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, April 2 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, April 3 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, April 9 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, April 10 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, April 16 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, April 17 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, April 23 at 8 p.m. CST
- Saturday, April 24 at 8 p.m. CST
- Friday, April 30 at 8 p.m. CST
For complete details and information on “The Magic Parlour at Home” and Watkins’ other virtual experiences including corporate and private events, please visit: themagicparlourchicago.com
About Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour
The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. Guests to this intimate, magic-packed evening gather at Potter's in the Palmer House lobby before Watkins personally escorts them to the performance space. Once inside, the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, unbelievable mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather.
Since opening at the Palmer House on New Year’s Eve of 2011, Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour has enjoyed phenomenal success and unimagined growth. With fewer than 50 seats available per show, The Magic Parlour has entertained over 45,000 guests in its decade-long run. Additionally, it has hosted more than 1,300 ticketed audiences and dozens of private groups, facilitated three truly magical wedding proposals, and has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).