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KIDS SPELLBOUND BY LIBRARY MAGICIAN
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photo By Keith Hagarty Magician and illusionist Ken Northridge kept the capacity-filled crowd of kids guessing in wonderment during his Wednesday performance at the Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library. |
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Abracadabra!
Whether it was pulling a dove or his pal, Bingo the Bunny, out of the thin air, or making his seemingly empty hat conjure up a bounty of surprises, magician and illusionist Ken Northridge had the children at the Jackson Library mesmerized by his tricks.
"When I do my magic, I want you to know I don't do real magic, I just do tricks and illusions and puzzles for the mind- some people even call it slight of hand," he told the kids during the Wednesday performance. "So see if you can figure out how I do what
may seem to be impossible."
Northridge has been performing magic for over 30 years, with over 300 shows under his belt, including appearances in Atlantic City casinos, family restaurants, corporate affairs, community events and schools.
Bringing her 6-year old niece, Melissa, to the show, Susan Price said she remembers her first time seeing a magician first hand.
"I think I must've been like around her age or so, and our school brought a magician in and I was awe-struck," she said. "I remember getting picked by him to go up on stage, which I thought was the greatest, and he gave me a rabbit to hold. I thought I was like the luckiest kid ever."
Price was hoping her niece experienced the
same fun and amazement she did.
"I thought she'd have some fun," said Price. "The magician seems like he's got a lot of great
energy and personality. But now, of course, she's going to keep asking me, 'how did he do that? How did he do that?' the whole drive home."
Northridge's appeal to a family-wide audience made him an ideal candidate for the library's showcase, said Mimi Koerner, the youth services librarian for the Jackson branch.
"He's really good," she said. "It's just great to see the kids sitting there so excited as he does his tricks."
While magic and illusions are always a hit with the kids, Northridge places high importance on being able to educate the children and help build their self esteem and confidence as a motivational speaker.
Telling the children about his first ever time on stage for his own magic show, Northridge said he was so nervous on the drive to the venue that he nearly turned his car around and went home. His decision to press on and ultimately have a successful performance was all because he persevered, a lesson he imparts to the kids in each show.
"I have some advice for you, some magic
words," he told his captive young audience. "The magic words are: I can do it. I know it
sounds simple, but that's the way the mind works. If you think you can, you really can."
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