Now You See Him: New Magician Trying Out Tricks on Tri-Valley

By Autumn Johnson

Illusionist Alvin Lui says there is a formula required to properly amaze an audience with magic.

"Knowing how to perform the magic accounts for only 10 percent of the trick, 90 percent is presentation," Lui said. "It is about connecting to the audience. You have to be likable and personable and have some experience other than just magic."

Lui added, "You have to be flawless."

Restaurant guests at Stacy's in Pleasanton can likely vouch for Lui's flawlessness when he performs. Diners lunching on Friday enjoyed an impromptu magic show, courtesy of Lui, who performed tricks with cards and rubber bands.

Lui's style of "intimate and close-up magic" is designed to be astonishing not only to a crowd but also on a personal level.

Alvin Lui, 39, who feels the terms "magician" and "illusionist" are interchangeable, says he has loved magic since he was 14-years-old. 

"My dad brought home a VHS tape of David Copperfield," Lui said. "I saw it and fell in love with the art of magic."

According to Lui, he took a brief hiatus from magic when he was about 24 so he could try different things. Lui was drawn back his first love about two years later.

"When I was a teen it was all about tricks," Lui said. "When I came back to magic, I did it differently. Now it relates to people."

When asked about revealing secrets, Lui confessed he would consider teaching someone a trick— if they meet certain criteria. 

"It has to be someone who has a true passion for magic and wants to learn," Lui said with a sly smile.

Eight years ago, Lui started performing his illusions professionally. Lui recently moved from San Francisco to Dublin and has performances scheduled around the East Bay. Lui recently performed for a large group at Barone's on July 6 and can be seen on Aug. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Winemaker's Pour House in Livermore.

On Aug. 10, Lui will be in Sunnyvale at Pure Lounge performing at 10 p.m. Lui will perform on Tuesday for a neighborhood party in Dublin for National Night Out.

Follow Lui on Facebook and Twitter.