Now You See Him: Magician/Mentalist Mark Zacharia Appearing (So to Speak) in Avalon
Kara Buono is always thinking about new and different events to present at the Avalon Free Public Library. As the assistant director of programming and engagement, she thinks about things she’s always been interested in and wonders if the community would be interested as well.
Recently, Buono thought about presenting an event featuring a mentalist and — what do you know —mentalist Mark Zacharia contacted the library to introduce himself and tell her about his show.
Hmmm. Was that just an uncanny coincidence—or did Mark read Kara’s mind?
Nah. He didn’t.
Zacharia is quick to tell you that he doesn’t possess any otherworldly abilities, but he does have a few tricks up his sleeve. Zacharia is a magician, and mentalism, he explains, “is a branch of magic wherein you are appearing to intuit the thoughts of others or influence the thoughts of others. I make it clear in every performance that I don’t pretend to have any special powers; it’s just that I use theater, psychology, and the five typical senses to give the appearance of a sixth sense.”
So, Zacharia isn’t a mind reader, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be amazed, and also amused, by his upcoming performance at the Avalon Library. Its provocative title: “Just Imagine: What if a man could read your mind or influence you without your knowing it? Would any secret be safe?”
Zacharia has honed his craft over the course of a 30-year career with the support of mentors, colleagues, and peers in the world of magic. He was recently accepted into the Psychic Entertainers Association, a worldwide, 200-member organization “with a serious and vested interest in the ethical performance of psychic entertainment.” Zacharia was required to perform for association members to prove his mettle, and he characterizes his acceptance as a badge of honor.
“I can engage you with sleight-of-hand magic,” says the veteran magician, “and access the inner kid in you and when you lean in and go, ‘Wow, what else you got?’ then I’m able to say, ‘Hey, do you want to try something rather interesting because here’s what I’ve noticed about you.’ And I can get a read on somebody and tell them a little bit about themselves and then that will help me decide what I’m going to do next. I work off the people in my audience. I go with the audience flow.”
Zacharia suggests it would be more accurate to describe him as a thought reader: “I am all about performing with people, not at them. I’m interested in entertaining people who are willing to suspend disbelief,” he observes, “and that makes for the best audience member or subject. People come to a show like mine with a predisposition to want to have fun.
“I do some warmup where I get to learn how people think and they get to learn how I think, and then what I’m doing is asking them to walk in lockstep with me. Come with me, don’t come with me — it’s up to you how much you want to enjoy the show. I have to be the guy they want to trust. Otherwise, it becomes a battle, and there’s only one winner in a battle — and I want everyone to win.”
Zacharia performs at a variety of venues throughout the year, but he’s no stranger to working in libraries. As a young magician, he often performed at library summer reading programs. Then he went on to create library workshops where he taught magic to teens and tweens. And for adults, he offered a memory master class. Ultimately, Zacharia decided to present his magic and mind-reading and hypnosis shows at libraries as well. And the response has been enthusiastic.
“It has to be entertaining,” Zacharia declares, “this is not a science class. This is intended to be fun! When the audience walks out of his show, no matter where it’s presented, Zacharia wants to hear people say: “Wow, I can’t believe how he did that, and I’d love to see him again.”
“That,” says Zacharia, “is what I want my audience to say.”
The Avalon Library presents Mark Zacharia’s “Just Imagine” on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2pm. Registration is required. Avalon property owners may register beginning Aug. 23. All others may register beginning Sept. 6. To register, call the library at 609-967-7155 or stop by the circulation desk. Space is limited. To learn more about magician/mentalist Mark Zacharia, visit zmentalist.com.
What’s Coming Up at the Avalon Library?
The Avalon Library staff has some unique events planned for the fall including the Jigsaw Puzzle Swap in October! The Spring “Swap” got a huge response and come October, folks can once again trade in puzzles they’ve solved for puzzles that are new to them. Also on the schedule:
Genealogy & DNA Workshop, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Striper Fishing Lecture, Saturday, Oct. 7.
Vintage Music Concert—The Moon, Stars & You: Kevin Lelen plays vintage guitars and performs classic romantic ballads, Saturday, Nov. 4
Terrarium Class, scheduled for December.
For more information, contact the library at 609-967-7155 or stop by the circulation desk.