Ed the Wizard explains the science behind a magic trick, while volunteer Ryann Levesque levitates a ping pong ball. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Ed the Wizard spent much of the day at Munger Hill Elementary School on Thursday, performing magic based on science and a love of reading at four shows for students in kindergarten through grade 4.
Before his performance of “Alchemy Laboratory” to the third graders, Munger Hill Principal Salvatore Frieri introduced Ed the Wizard, commenting that the wizard’s beard was even longer than his own. Dressed a la Dumbledore his hero, Ed the Wizard said he was so inspired after reading the first Harry Potter book, “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” that he rekindled his love of magic, and began his wizardry full-time 21 years ago.
Principal Salvatore Frieri introduces Ed the Wizard to students. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Ed the Wizard showed several tricks to the students, explaining the science behind them, and bringing up volunteers from the audience. For the first trick, which he called Verite, he worked with a transfiguration cauldron to change liquid water into ice and gas. He also revealed all of his secrets, so the students could try to amaze their friends and families at home. If they forgot how to do it, he said his books “Reading is Magic!” and “Alchemy Laboratory!” would be available to study at the Westfield Athenaeum.
Munger Hill third grader Ryann Levesque focuses on levitating a ping pong ball. (Photo by Amy Porter)
The most visually intriguing trick he did involved a ping pong ball and a hair dryer. Ed the Wizard explained that he could levitate the ball over the hair dryer, due to the suction in the air flow which pulled the ping pong ball up. Volunteer Ryann Levesque kept the ball in the air, while Ed the Wizard asked the students what would happen if he interrupted the air flow from above with a tube. Sure enough, the tube sucked in the air and the ping pong ball popped through it and flew before falling, to everyone’s delight.
Children surround Ed the Wizard after the show. (Photo by Amy Porter)
After the performance, several children surrounded Ed the Wizard to get a closer look at the “beastie” on his shoulder, and to ask him how he learned his magic.
Ed the Wizard said he was able to come and perform for the children thanks to a grant from the Westfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. More information may be found on EdtheWizard.com.
