Magician performs tricks, provides laughs at Elkader library show
Magician Mikayla Oz performs one of her vanishing and reappearing flower tricks at the Elkader Public Library show on June 7. (Photo by Willis Patenaude)
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
It was quite the turnout for the June 7 magic show at the Elkader Public Library, as about 70 people showed up for magician Mikayla Oz’s “high energy, interactive magic show with lots of audience participation, modern music and hilarious comedy.”
The turnout was a pleasant surprise for Elkader Library Director Lisa Wilke Pope. “Everyone loves magicians, so I thought it would be a hit, [and] many people who attended thanked the library for it. I thought she related to the children very well, and I would love to schedule her again in the future,” Pope added.
Oz, a Des Moines native, has been interested in magic since she saw a magician perform—also at a library—when she was four. That prompted her and her mom to check out every book on magic tricks from the library, which led to Oz creating her own tricks. She now works as a full-time magician, doing around 200 to 300 shows per year across the Midwest, including 80 libraries already in 2022.
The performance at the Elkader Library was actually Oz’s idea. Since she was already planning to be in Decorah, she contacted the library about adding a show and was enthusiastic about the turnout.
“The turnout was fantastic. Also, I loved Elkader. It was so cute and I loved the main street area. I didn’t get to explore much past that, but did stop in the library. It was such a great library, and you all are very lucky to have such a supportive community of the library for a small town,” Oz said.
While Oz performs shows for all ages and groups, the kids and family audience is an admitted favorite.
“Getting the kids worked up is one of my favorite parts of my job. Hearing their joy and laughter from the silly, funny and magical moments during the show makes the long drives, late nights and early mornings completely worth it,” she said.
During the performance, Oz did several card tricks and made an abundance of objects appear, vanish, change, teleport and float around, while telling numerous jokes and eliciting amazed reactions and countless smiles and laughs. There was even an appearance by Bubbles the Bird, a highly trained magic bird who appears and vanishes throughout the show.
“I want to make sure every child has a positive experience, as I realize I am most likely the first magician they have seen…so I try to make the kids feel welcome and know that we are here to have fun and see some amazing magic,” Oz said.
