His fans call him Ice because he is so darn cool.
It’s not every day that a man wakes up to find out that he just became a nation’s first African-American to become the president of its Society of American Magicians. Life has never been the same for Kenrick “Ice” McDonald, since the big announcement.
Already a step ahead as a man of color in a usually not so traditional field that is magic, McDonald is quite comfortable with things that are literally now you see them, now you don’t. As some may or may not know, magic has been often associated with the occult, which includes spirits, demons, goblins, Ouija boards and anything else that can be conjured up without human consent, although our participation is often necessary.
The 1997 movie “Wishmaster,” wherein Wes Craven focused his main characters ability to produce wishes merely out of human desire, often involved the evils of man and his more devious side. Two years before prior Clive Barker’s “Lord of Illusions” gave an even more definite description of the cruel and often devastating results of making illusion a reality.
However, in 2013 writers changed the approach and modernized the craft to make it cute with the movie, “Now You See Me,” which tells the story of four young illusionist, an FBI agent and an Interpol detective who tracks the four. The brilliant foursome is so good at creating illusion, that they manage to pull off a major bank heist, while seemingly performing live on stage, in front of a daunting audience. Then there was the “Illusionist” starring Ed Norton and Jennifer Biel, was mystically romantic. It was complicated but charming, and again Hollywood’s way of touching upon a subject, that eludes our capability of understanding.
So, what is a magician and why does a magician perform magic? Is it just about a person that specializes in delighting the visual senses? Is it just about someone highly gifted at presenting delusion and tricking people into thinking that their eyes are deceiving them? Or, is it just about a person’s ability to take us out of the sometimes dreariness of living and into a world of escape and fantasy?
By definition, a magician is a practitioner of magic, an entertainer who performs magic by creating an illusion for the impossible or supernatural feats. Also known as, stage magician or Illusionist.
McDonald talked about his journey in the practice of magic at the age of 10, when his father gifted him with his first magic kit. Self-trained, SAM’s new president can relate to racism and indifference in a specialized medium like magic. Often there are misunderstandings about magic, magicians, and their personal credibility. Similar to actors, a magician creates an illusion, a second or third dimensional platform of visual images. Actors, create that same illusion when portraying a character. This involves taking on the persona, mannerisms and anything that defines the experience of that specific character in a multi-layered script, film, play or daytime soap.
Outside of Vegas and the famed “Magic Castle,” the art of magic can be considered controversial, except for when “Ice” performs. “Ice” carries such a comfortable yet majestic aura in his style of performing, that upon observation, one knows not how it all happened.
Using a concrete level of authority, he seems to surprise and dazzle the eyes and has developed throughout his lifelong career the ability to manage a few different roles. This management allows him to balance being SAM’s president, as well as continue to perform and titillate audiences from around the world. It takes focus, commitment and the right to create an illusion for those who seek to be bedazzled.
McDonald’s life includes a balance between his trade, his spiritual side and Christian-based beliefs as well as the obligations as President of SAM. Each year the members of SAM make the visit to New York in order to visit the gravesite of Harry Houdini. Houdini held the post of President for the Society of American Magicians from 1917 until he passed in 1926. McDonald works closely with the Houdini Gravesite Restoration Committee to insure the safety and security of the famed icon’s final resting place.
This year as a new president, “Ice” cut his teeth learning new skills about being a leader, meeting and greeting fans and keeping track of his magical repertoire. It is at the Magic Castle, a clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, designed to house the honorable and dedicated group of professionals wherein people are able to see “Ice” in action.
The historical society enforces a strict dress code and doors are open to members and their guest only. In addition, the Castle offers a 30-day trial membership to the public.
As McDonald continues to share his coolness performing in cities like New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta and all world the over, his popularity and fame continue to thrill, chill and delight. The greats like Houdini, smile, skirting floating black shiners from side to side, amongst themselves they clap three times, then there appears a white winged Dove, and that my friend, is pure magic.
For more information on “Ice” McDonald and his current tour schedule, persons interested can contact Allison Queen at Queen Publicity by calling (310) 849-3820 or by emailing allisonqueen@sbcglobal.net. Persons can also visit www.ice.mcdonald.net or http://magicsam.com.
