When I walked into the Hobby store in 1973, the guy behind the magic counter was wearing a robe. With long hair and a cool robe, Eddie Goldstein was a full-blown Hippie and would become one of my best friends. Sam Kent, the owner of the magic counter also became a good friend. Between the 2 of them, I gained a respectable knowledge of magic. It was Sam who talked me into attending my first Mile High Magicians meeting. Earl Reum was the President. I had such a great time I decided to join the club. It was an important moment in my life.
I have made so many friends as a part of this club and it has been an enormous part of my life. I have been lucky enough to serve as President of the club 4 times*, Vice President twice, and as Secretary, Treasurer, and Newsletter editor. The club has allowed me to meet and spend some serious time with some of the greats of magic, including the late Mark Wilson. What a treat it was spending time with my childhood magic hero. It was my partner Connie, who I also met at the club, that arranged for Mark and Nani to come to Colorado and lecture our club.
My career in magic began in 1974 when I began performing magic in schools in a show sponsored by AAA Colorado. Every year for 6 years my show was seen by 200,000 children. A young Steve Spangler, Past President, and Science Guru was in the audience at one of the schools in which I performed.
In the late 1970’s I used magic to earn a bachelor’s degree, in theater, from UNC. After leaving Greeley I spent four years in radio before returning to magic as a career. Leaving radio, I worked with club member Larry Campbell aka Zeezo the Clown. I managed and then owned and operated Zeezo’s Magic Castle from 1982 to 1989.
From the mid-1980s into the mid-1990’s I was the house Magician at Denver Landmark Casa Bonita. When Zeezo’s closed, I started busking on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. This led to performances in The Downtown Denver International Buskerfest and The Colorado Performing Arts Festival.
On television my magic allowed me to become a featured extra on Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke. I also was the emcee for Kid TalentQuest for Showtime Pay TV and I was featured in a national television commercial for Big Sur Waterbeds. On Starz/Encore Love Stories Channel I romanced a girl with magic.
I am proud of what I have been a part of over the years, and that includes my long association with the Mile High Magicians. I am looking forward to the time we can get back together in person.
*Editors note: Dave is the only member who’s been elected President of the club 4 times.
Dave Elstuns Website: https://www.MagicInDenvrer.com