Rhode Island Magician Ventriloquist Steve Zany

October 15, 2009 — Steve Zany of Attleboro, Mass., one of New England’s only professional magicians and ventriloquists, has been named Best Kids Party Entertainer locally in Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Picks Awards. Zany is the first children’s entertainer in the region to ever receive the award.

For more than two decades, Zany has been performing his magic show for all ages at kids parties, family functions and children’s events throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. According to Nickelodeon’s Web site, Zany is described as “the best magician” to entertain “super-sugar-high kids.”

A native of West Warwick, R.I., Zany was the top pick by area parents based on the number of online votes received at Nickelodeon’s ‘Parents Connect’ Web site. Parents also could vote for their favorite family-friendly businesses in various categories.

Zany, a parent of two children and a self-professed clown who is having trouble growing up, became a magician in RI at age six after being inspired by library books on the subjects. He turned his hobby into a business at age 14 with his parents as his chauffeurs. While in college, he paid for his higher education by performing magic and ventriloquism at kids birthday parties, youth group functions and festivals.

He has performed thousands of shows during his career for kids gatherings and family events as small as a half-dozen to as large as 20,000. His credentials include performing at every imaginable type of function–from a kids birthday party to a cruise ship; from corporate events and school festivals to the White House in Washington, D.C.

Zany is perhaps best known for sharing the spotlight with children during his interactive comedy magic show and empowering them to become “stars” in their own right. However, audiences often say Zany is outshined by his cast of ventriloquist characters which include a talking dinosaur named Darryl, the world’s only Stupidosaurus, and a purple-haired, blue-skinned Muppet-like character named Noodle who would rather be surfing.

Zany also has a reputation for putting words in people’s mouths when he brings a self-drawn cartoon of an audience member to life and turns an audience volunteer into a life-size ventriloquist doll–all by throwing his voice.

“I’m humbled and flattered to be acknowledged as a local favorite by Nickelodeon and grateful to every mom and dad who voted for me as Best Kids Party Entertainer,” Zany said. “Of course, earning such a recognition means I must now strive even more to exceed kids’ and parents’ expectations when it comes to family entertainment. That’s sure to make my magic shows even zanier.”

For further information about Steve Zany, visit zanymagic.com.

Providence, RI July 1, 2009 — Steve Zany of Attleboro, Mass., a professional children’s magician and ventriloquist who has been entertaining families throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New England for more than two decades, has been nominated for a Nickelodeon Parents’ Picks Award.

Steve Zany, a native of West Warwick, R.I., is a nominee for Best Party Entertainer in the Providence, R.I. area based on recommendations from Nickelodeon’s local city editors, in conjunction with online feedback.

The winner will be chosen based on the number of online votes received from area parents at Nickelodeon’s ‘Parents Connect’ Web site. Parents can quickly and easily vote for the area’s best family entertainer once every day through July 15 as well as make their “top picks” in 29 other categories.

Nickelodeon will announce the winner on August 17, 2009.

A parent of two children, Steve Zany has performed for children of all ages at thousands of kids parties, corporate events and organization functions, as well as at the White House in Washington, D.C.

For additional information about Steve Zany, including video excerpts of his kids magic shows, visit http://www.zanymagic.com.

I saw a video clip of this child performing on the Today Show. I love it. It shows the innocence of youth and the limitless potential of children. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Dec. 1, 2009 — I am often asked by parents “how long should my kids party be?” My recommendation is to keep your child’s birthday party tightly scheduled. Two hours for a kids party works out very well and provides many advantages.

If you’ll be having kids party entertainment, schedule the magician or children’s entertainer for either the first or second hour of the party. Consider spending the other hour providing cake and ice cream followed by the opening of presents. Perhaps add a game if time allows.

Especially when you plan to have kids entertainment at your child’s party,such as a magic show, what more do you need to do for a memorable party? I would suggest that’s plenty of activity.

The well-planned birthday party will ensure your child has a memorable time without becoming too over-stimulated. Plus, your party guests will have an unforgettable time as well.

And, if you’ll be having your kids party in your home, keeping it structured ensures you keep the kids exactly where you want them and doing what you want them to do the entire time. What mom or dad doesn’t want such piece of mind?

Nov. 28, 2009 — As a kids party magician in Rhode Island for nearly 25 years, parents often ask me what’s the best tip I can provide them to make their child’s party the best ever. Well today I performed at two birthday parties. One parent took my advice. The other did not.

At each kids party both birthday children were five year olds. I gave both moms who hired me the same advice at the time they scheduled my magic show: Take their child’s age, multiply it by two and that would provide them with the ideal number of children their child could appreciate without their child and other kids becoming overwhelmed (at least based on my experience). Well here’s what happened…

There were about 10 kids at the first kids party. By all accounts, it was a smashing success right from the start. The birthday child really seemed to enjoy her time with her friends and mom and dad had the party well handled, relaxed and was able to enjoy the show with other parents.

At kids party #2, I walked in the door to somewhat of a chaotic event. The mom was faced with managing at least 20 children plus trying to host at least 20 adults. I felt for the birthday child, and her parents. The birthday child was clearly overwhelmed at her party, not to mention her parents who seemed exhausted.

As hard as it may be to do, I suggest parents try to avoid the urge to invite their child’s entire school class. Many parents find that their child and other children are often better behaved at the birthday party when the above formula is used. Plus, their house and sanity remain intact.

While my shows are magical, the formula isn’t. It’s grounded in child psychology. Try it and you may see your child has more vivid memories of their next party than ever before.