It?s not everyday a son outshines his father.
In 2007 Ken Horsman, co-manager and owner of the new Illusions Magic Bar & Lounge, moved the family?s magic shop next-door to make room for a partnership that would continue a tradition from father to son.
Born and raised into the entertainment business in Baltimore, Ken?s son Spencer Horsman, 21, is now the co-manager and featured entertainer of the bar.
Both of Spencer?s parents were former circus clowns and have owned and operated their magic shop in Baltimore for more than two decades.
“I started learning magic when I was 4,” Spencer said. “At 6 I was demo-ing and selling magic in my dad?s shop. I basically lived there, practicing all the time.”
Spencer?s dad was the first to introduce his son to magical ventriloquism at age 8. Since then, Spencer has appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Jerry Springer Show, CNN, and performed with David Copperfield in Las Vegas.
The duo wanted Spencer to be able to solidify his routines on a consistent basis, so they decided to build their own performance space as a home-base.
“We brought back a concept, not just a bar,” said Ken of their new endeavor. “We wanted to create a space where people could sit and enjoy the magic.”
Having come a long way since being mentored by his father, Spencer?s performances now range from hanging upside down in a straight-jacket in the middle of the bar to pulling cards out of his mouth.
The average cost to perform a standard illusion show is almost $3,000, according to Philip and Henry Productions, a national entertainment company.
“I feel like I walked into a 1940s Hollywood movie set ?because it?s so classy,” said Liz Perkins, owner of Le Petit Cochon gift shop, and a resident of Federal Hill. “There?s nothing like it in our neighborhood. Most of the bars are catering to a much younger crowd.”
