Dana Daniels has been called one the funniest comedy magic acts working today. In fact, he was the very first magician to receive the Comedy Magician of the Year award from the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
Dana always keeps the laughs going at a speedy clip using his trusty side kick, Luigi the Psychic Parrot. In-between Dana's outrageously funny sight gags and poking fun at magicians, he sets out to prove that his little green friend is truly clairvoyant. Together they perform such miracles as finding chosen cards, reading the mind of somebody on a cell phone and turning an audience member’s $100 bill into bird food, only to have it reappear inside an egg laid by Luigi—a tough trick for a male bird!
With Dana as the comedian and Luigi as the “straight bird”, they perform off-the-wall magic blended with rapid-fire clean comedy and audience participation, making the duo perfect to deliver your keynote message.
Dana’s many television appearances include Evening at the Improv, the CBS morning show, Masters of Illusions and Lance Burton's Taking it to the Streets. Dana has also opened for such stars as Charo, Tony Orlando, Amy Grant & Vince Gill.
Dana’s testimony tells of a childhood accident that led him to discover stage illusion. His performances began at age 12 and grew to include full-time strolling programs at Disneyland. He says church audiences are among his favorite venues because “they are the most positive, upbeat audiences you could ask for—always a delight…at the last church I went to, the pastor mentioned they had a lot of non-believers there who commented that they didn't know Christians could be so funny. Then they show up to church the next Sunday. If it changes one person's life, it's well-worth it and so fulfilling.”
"Dana did a great job of entertaining our K-6th graders. We had 100+ kids and they were all very engaged by his program. He even ad-libbed when the adult service went about 15 minutes too long. Kudos to him and to Outreach Events for helping to make this event a big success." - Children's Director, Laurelglen Bible Church
I was in a car accident when I was 10 and broke both my legs. I was in the hospital for several months in traction and a body cast - I had to go to physical therapy for several months. A magician came to the children's ward-it was the first time I ever saw a magician in person. At the end of the show I noticed that he had a handkerchief sticking out of his pocket that he'd never used-so I asked him what it was for. As he walked out, he took the handkerchief and turned it into a cane-it was amazing. I told my mom that I wanted to learn how to do that too. So she took me to a magic shop and they said it was a fairly advanced trick. They suggested taking magic lessons-so I signed up for them. I also joined a juniors’ magic club that competed and helped each other learn.
By the time I was 12 I was entertaining at kids' birthday parties and did that all throughout school. When I got old enough I started doing night clubs and cruise ships-then started doing it full-time professionally in 1983 (I was 22) at Disneyland. I performed strolling magic tricks and entertained for private parties-this is also when I started performing with a parrot. Later on at Disneyland I met my wife who also worked there (she drove the floats in the parade). She is a beautiful Christian woman who brought me to know the Lord.
I now find church audiences to be my favorite venues. They are the most positive, upbeat audiences you could ask for-always a delight. I used to struggle with how to incorporate my show with a message while keeping the show's integrity--I'm used to getting so many laughs per minute, that something tugging on the heartstrings kind of scared me at first. But now I feel like it adds such an incredible depth, and people get to know me now a little bit too. It has turned out to be a really fulfilling experience. The last church I went to the pastor mentioned that they had a lot of non-believers there who commented that they didn't know Christians could be so funny. Then they show up to church the next Sunday. If it changes one person's life, it's well-worth it and so fulfilling.
My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 16:9 - We can make our plans but God directs our lives. I think it kind of encapsulates my life and how I came to know the Lord. I didn't plan any of this, but the way it happened was such a design. And to be doing shows for churches and giving a message - I never thought I would be doing any of this, but God had other plans.