Ryan ChartrandNot every man could stop a bullet with his hand, but Curtis Adams is an exception.
The Las Vegas headliner who performs using a mix of illusions, death defying stunts and dance will entertain at the Performing Arts Center’s Harman Hall at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Adams described his show “Magic That Rocks” as having the electricity and pace of a rock concert.
“It’s like a Justin Timberlake concert meets David Copperfield meets AC DC,” Adams said. “It’s doing magic and dancing and stunts at the same time. It’s upping the bar on what a magician has to be.”
The magician will teleport and clone himself, catch six bullets from an AR-15 machine gun and perform various other stunts in his self-described “pyrotechnic rock extravaganza.”
Adams is 25 years old and started performing when he was 10. Much of his inspiration came from a David Copperfield magic show and a natural love for dancing.
“My dad took my sister and I to see David Copperfield when I was 7 and at that moment, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” Adams recalled. “I’d never seen magic, period. I went and saw the best at the time and it was an incredible miracle. The next day I went out and got my first magic kit and the rest is history.”
At 13, Adams began doing illusions at cabaret shows. Doors opened when, at 17, he was selected by magician Lance Burton to appear on Fox’s “Young Magicians Showcase.”
Around that same time, Adams said that he became unimpressed with the mediocrity of most magic shows and began looking to the live shows of musical artists like Coldplay for inspiration.
“You can’t have anyone take notice of anything if you don’t stand out from the rest and do your own thing,” Adams said. “Musical artists performing live are in a special place. You get goosebumps watching them. They started becoming a huge influence on how I wanted to perform.”
Adams said that whether you like magic or not, his show has something for everyone.
“Magic That Rocks” is free of nudity and profanity. And although much of the magic industry has gone dark to draw crowds, Adams said that his show is more personality-driven.
“We want to be the hero and through magic, restore people’s faith in the impossible,” Adams said.
When Adams is not busy performing on the road, he said that his goal is to give back to people. He often visits children’s hospitals and takes the magic to them. Recently he performed some large illusions at a small theater in North Las Vegas for underprivileged children.
“I want to get out there and make a difference,” Adams said. “I’m an advocate of young people achieving their dreams.”
Tickets are $32.50 for adults, $25 for children under 12 when purchased with an adult ticket, and discounted $5 for students. To purchase, call 756-2787 or toll free at (888) 233-2787 or go to www.pacslo.org.