Charlotte close-up magic · Dinner parties & private gatherings
Charlotte close-up
& dinner party magician.
Some people bring wine.
I bring things that should have stayed buried.
I'm Timothy Starnes. I bring sleight-of-hand, con games, and dark comedy to dinner parties and intimate gatherings for adults 18+. You handle the dinner. I'll supply the questionable company.
Charlotte, NC · Private entertainment for adults 18+
Folks are still asking about when the next magic show will happen.
A private magic show, up close
At your table.
Under your skin.
Dinner brings people to the table. Magic gives them something better to talk about than the traffic. My close-up magic for private parties in Charlotte mixes fast hands, strange objects, and the kind of humor you probably shouldn't put on a place card.
An intimate performance can work around a table; other gatherings may suit a dedicated performance spot. Tell me how your guests will be seated or moving through the evening, and we'll agree on a setup that lets them follow the action. Close-up means your guests can follow every move and still have no sensible explanation.
For a more haunted evening, ask about Timothy Starnes & His Many Night Visitors, my signature comedy séance show. Spirit magic, mind reading, and haunted storytelling take a darkly comic trip through séances and spiritualism. This is theatrical entertainment, not a mediumship reading. The mystery is part of the show.
Before we conjure anything
The room matters. So does dinner.
Before booking a dinner party magician, let's discuss how the performance fits the space and the rest of your evening.
What you can book
Comedy magic with props and cards, con-game swindles, bar bets, dice magic, and more are available. A séance can be part of the night, or you can book a traditional-style magic show with no séance at all. Tell me if it’s dinner with friends, a birthday, or another private celebration, and what makes your guests laugh.
Dinner, timing & guests
Performance lengths are adjustable; I usually spend one to two hours at a client party. A séance requires two hours. I can perform for events of any size. For a séance, I suggest 10–15 guests, or as many as your dining table can comfortably accommodate. Share your meal timing and any speeches; the soup deserves its own moment.
A station, or walkaround?
Walkaround-style magic is available. I generally recommend a dedicated performance station so guests can join me on their own terms throughout the party. We can plan the performance around the table or a dedicated spot that suits your evening.
The room & the setup
I ask for three chairs and a table to work from, or a coffee table with ample audience seating in front and to the sides. I do not use a sound system. We’ll confirm arrival and setup timing before booking. A crumbling ancestral mansion is optional.
A few perfectly reasonable questions
Before you
invite me in.
Can you perform close-up magic in my home?
Yes. I perform for private gatherings with adults 18 and up. I ask for three chairs and a table, or a coffee table with ample audience seating in front and to the sides. I do not use a sound system. For a restaurant or hired venue, include the venue name and check arrangements with its team; we’ll confirm arrival and setup timing before booking.
Do you perform while people eat?
Tell me your dinner schedule and how you imagine the evening unfolding. We'll discuss performance timing and setup before booking, including how to fit the magic around the meal and other plans.
How many guests can you perform for, and how long is the show?
Performance lengths are adjustable; I usually spend one to two hours at a client party. A séance requires two hours. I can perform for events of any size. For a séance, I suggest 10–15 guests, or as many as your dining table can comfortably accommodate. Send your guest count, room details, and schedule so we can plan how the performance fits your event.
How much does a close-up magician cost in Charlotte?
$500 per hour. Parties outside the Charlotte, NC area have a two-hour minimum. Text or call with your date, venue, and guest count for availability and your booking total. I also travel regularly across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia; share your city so we can discuss travel arrangements.
Can I book close-up magic without a séance?
Yes. You can book a traditional-style magic show with comedy, props, cards, con-game swindles, bar bets, and dice magic. A séance can be part of the night or left out entirely. If you include a séance, allow two hours.
Let's conjure the dead
Set the table.
Question everything.
Text your date, city or venue, guest count, and dinner plans. Tell me about the room, the people, and how strange you want the evening to get. No blood oath required.
$500 per hour. Parties outside the Charlotte, NC area have a two-hour minimum.
Séances require two hours. Text your venue to confirm whether it’s within the Charlotte area.
Text messages welcome. No voicemail séance required.
Want help putting the details together?