(Originally published in The Frederick News-Post, August 7, 2009)
Matt Wood closes his eyes and is able to correctly guess a girl’s phone number from across the room. Â While this may sound like a scene in a bar, it’s actually a trick in a magic show.
Magicians Matt and Peter Wood, performing as “Shazam Magic,†are taking the stage at the Howard County Fair on August 8th to present their new show, “Magic of the Mind.† For over a decade, the Wood Brothers have been feature performers at the Fair, this year presenting magic that happens in the minds of their audience.
“A lot of performers insist that this is real, that they have some sort of paranormal ability,†Peter explains.  “But we’ll let our audience decide for themselves.â€
As for the genesis of the show, Matt explains that “magic already involves psychology and the mind, so it was a natural fit.  Honestly, the hardest part was choosing which tricks to present because we had too many cool ideas.  They’ll have to wait for another show.â€
The performance features mind reading miracles, such as the phone number trick, as well as optical illusions, demonstrations of telekinesis, and lots of audience interaction. Â Toss in the energy and situational comedy Matt and Peter are known for, and you have a show that’s entertaining for a wide audience.
“Our goal is entertainment first.  We hope to fool you in the process, but it’s less about ’solving the puzzle’ and more about having a great time watching a magic show with your family†Peter noted.
“Magic of the Mind†runs August 8 – 15 at the Howard County Fair, located on I-70 between Frederick and Baltimore.  For more information about the Wood Brothers, including their performance schedule at the Fair, visit their web site: www.ShazamMagic.com
