“Hira also offered an inspirational message, stemming from an auto accident he had 11 years ago. After almost being killed by a car, Hira said it took all the doctors, nurses, lab technicians, janitors and cafeteria workers to help him recover. They all worked together to help him and other patients, he said. And that is what the chamber members would have to do if they wanted to remain strong.”
-Kirk Dickey
News Editor Today Newspaper-Cedar Hill

 
“ David Hira brought laughter to our day and the staff is still talking about him.  He was both entertaining and uplifting and I would definitely recommend his him as a speaker for any occasion.  He has a delightful personality and it only takes a few minutes after he starts speaking before you feel like an old friend.”
  -Darlene Pleiner
Baylor Research Institute

Mr. Hira's Book Available January 2008

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DAVID HIRA LECTURES FOR HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF MAGICIANS – JANUARY 2004
By Scott Wells

“ For your audience to be enthusiastic about you, you must be enthusiastic about them.”

This was more than a quote but an underlying theme for David Hira’s recent lecture.  He practiced what he preached as he maintained a perpetual yet sincere smile throughout the entire evening.  He genuinely seemed to enjoy sharing with us some of his knowledge and experience gained over his last 30 years as one of the busiest performing magicians in Texas; hence, the name of his lecture, “Neat Things I Know.”  David was quick to point out that that he was not teaching “neat things he invented” but rather showed what worked for him and how he made it uniquely his by wrapping his personality around the tricks.

The tricks themselves were easily within the grasp of myriad levels of expertise of the 30 plus attendees.  And all seemed to take something away from the experience.  One of the things that made this lecture unique was that David gave away props to everyone so we could work through the tricks as we followed along with his instructions.  This was definitely not a dealer show or dealer demo.  David did not come to sell a lot of dealer items but rather to give back to the magic community some of what it has given him.  All he had to sell was a video (of the trick portion of his lecture) and some lecture notes (on the showmanship aspect of his lecture) for a special package price of $35.00. 

In the style of a motivational speaker, David maintained interest throughout the evening and kept people in their seats (or on the edge of them) for nearly three hours.  He explained in the beginning what was going to happen, what tricks would be taught and how long each portion of the lecture would last.  David’s lecture was really two lectures but not intertwined.  The first half was all about tricks and the second on costuming, showmanship and make-up.  The second half included essential requirements for those who want their show to be more professional.  He kept the lectures separate so those who just wanted to learn some cool tricks could get what they wanted then leave before the discussion of showmanship.  As mentioned, no one left the building…and were they glad they stayed.

The second lecture was about the real “meat-and-potatoes” of magic.  This is an area too often ignored by every other lecturer we have had come through.  It was the kind of information that one could expect from a theatrical or drama class on a collegiate level.  It is what magicians need to know but have not adequately studied.  Although he discussed it for an hour, it was something that could have gone on for much longer.  In fact, it was during this session that attendees asked the most questions.

Flattering compliments are easily given and often insincere, but the accolades David received after the lecture were straight from the hearts of many of the attendees.  David Hira’s goal as a lecturer is not necessarily to be the best that any club would ever have, but to be at least in the top three or four.  Certainly many in the club that night have put him in that category.

Do you believe in magic? Community?
By KIRK DICKEY
News Editor, Today Newspapers
January 2004

Seeming to materialize out of a simple pad of sketching paper, the ball made a loud thump as it hit the stage, causing several people to jump and then applaud.

It was a bit of a shock, but that was just the opening act. There were a lot more surprises to come at the Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Ball, held at Oak Cliff Country Club Jan. 23, when chamber members and community-minded residents gathered to honor one another.

David Hira, an area magician and chamber member, provided the entertainment for the evening, performing several illusions and a few jokes that left audience members scratching their heads.

Hira also offered an inspirational message, stemming from an auto accident he had 11 years ago. After almost being killed by a car, Hira said it took all the doctors, nurses, lab technicians, janitors and cafeteria workers to help him recover. They all worked together to help him and other patients, he said. And that is what the chamber members would have to do if they wanted to remain strong.

“Before we let the community die, before we let a school go downhill, before we we let a business fail, we must all come together,” he said.

That seemed to be a theme for the evening, with several award recipients wanting to share credit with co-workers, friends and family.

Before passing on the gavel of chamber chairmanship to Amanda Hinton, outgoing chair Charles Peyton said a few words about the accomplishments of the past year. Peyton talked about the first ever Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, several Chamber Night Out meet-and-greet events and the more than 1,000 people who came to the annual Taste of Cedar Hill Business Expo.

David Hira lectured for The Houston Association of Magicians/S.A.M. Assembly #19
Thursday, January 22, 2004.
Bill Palmer MIMC
http://www.themagiccafe.com
http://www.billpalmer.com/

David is a past president of the Texas Association of Magicians and has been a full-time working professional for several years now. Last year he booked more than 400 shows.

His lecture consisted of two parts. The first part was basically tricks that have a high impact on the audience. He gave us two openers, several "middle of the act" tricks, and ONLY two card tricks. Some of the material was impromptu. All of it was easy, workable and very high impact for the audience for which it was targeted. The lecture notes were actually a VHS videotape, which contained three bonus effects.

The second half of the lecture was on showmanship and professionalism. This was the real meat of the lecture. The two people who missed this part of the lecture missed the best part. He covered costuming, makeup, more selection of material, handling emergencies, getting on and off stage, and a host of other things that it took me years to learn.

This is a lecture that NOBODY should miss. It is delivered and received with a great deal of enthusiasm.