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Community Corner

Tinley Magician Takes Illusions to the Streets in a House of Magic on Wheels

Dirk Spence also known as, Mr. D, has been spotted doing illusions this summer in downtown Tinley Park.

If you've lived in for a while, you've probably caught a glimpse of a green 1945 Chevy truck adorned with everything from photos to a scooter and even a rubber duck.

Looking like a vagabond circus from the early 1940s, local magician Dirk Spence is known for his one-man magic shows and illusions. He drives his truck—a house of magic on wheels—from place to place performing "Mr. D's Magic Show." He has even traveled all the way to Europe with his "box of tricks."

Meet Mr. D and Watch an Illusion he Performs Especially for our Readers at Tinley Park Pach.

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"I fell in love with the art of magic when I was 8 years old," said the lifelong Tinley Park resident, adding that he became a professional illusionist in 1982.

At the time, he left a factory job to do tricks—like turning paper into money—and get paid for them.

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"My favorite illusion I like to do is suspend a child in the air at the end of a chair," he said. "I've added my own twist, which makes it unique."

In the past few years, Spence said he's performed at the Taste of Roselle, Itasca Festival, Palos Festival, Homewood Fest, Braidwood and many more.

"I have done shows at schools, block parties, picnics, churches, hospitals even weddings ... everything," he said.

Now, can he make the disappear?  

"I don't do big boxes," he said, with a smile. "I like to do illusions I can do by myself, where I don't need an assistant."

Spence likes to change his shows to "keep them fresh," he said. But he does pull out some of the old, tried and true tricks people enjoy seeing time and time again.

He came up with a new illusion just for us here at Tinley Park Patch. Watch the video to see him make a patch of grass disappear and then reappear. 

For more information on Mr. D's Magic Show, contact him at 708-532-0827.

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