All American Magic

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Mark Benthimer's journey through magic has taken him from a kid working the children s party circuit in California, to opening for rock legend Sammy Hagar at his new millennium concert in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to headlining in casinos as the star of his own illusion show. But this magic shop owner and former Marlboro Magician's career almost ended at age 13 when he became the FBI's most wanted magician. Unaware that direct mail advertising and use of mailboxes are federally regulated, young Mark set out stuffing business cards and brochures into neighborhood mailboxes. His address on the cards made him easy enough to find, but when the FBI knocked on his door they were surprised to find their lawbreaker was barely past puberty. They let him off with a warning and his promise to find a new way to advertise. He did and the rest is history. A professional magician since age 19, Mark has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico performing close-up magic and stage illusions. His clients include Coke, Nike, Intel, HP, NBC, Microsoft, Panasonic, The Portland Trailblazers, Mentor Graphics, Phillip Morris, Chinook Winds Casino, IBM, and many more. He also produced and promoted Magic Fest, a huge magic festival featuring over a dozen magicians on five stages. Magic Fest had a run of many sold out performances where Mark shared the spotlight with World Champion Juliana Chen, World champion and IBM Champion Joe Givan, Amos Levkovitch and magic legend Paul Harris. Mark has since shared the stage with other greats of magic including Billy McComb, John Carney, Mark Wilson, Stan Kramien and Ali Bongo. He was also chosen to hire talent and schedule all events when the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians awarded Portland, Oregon the honor of hosting its annual convention in 2000. It was the highest attended ever. When not performing, Mark can be found mentoring at his Magic Fest magic shops in Portland, Oregon and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. As well as being one of Portland s premiere magic shops; Magic Fest is Oregon's #1 host of lectures from the world's greatest magicians and teachers of magic.