Dale Salwak

Dale (Francis) Salwak (b. February 7) is a professor of English at Citrus College in California and an internationally-known magician who has performed throughout the world.

Dale Salwak is well known as "The Gentleman of Magic." One London reviewer said of him, "He doesn't just do magic; he is magic!" His lifelong dedication to his art has been his ticket for traveling the world including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 2009 (and again in 2011) as a guest of the government as the only American magician to perform at the country's Spring Friendship Arts Festival. In April 2012 he returned with a delegation of American magicians.

Director of the Chavez Studio of Magic since 1978, Dale Salwak works hard to impart the highest standard of artistic values to his students. Since 1974 he has appeared in and produced for audiences across America his annual "International Stars of Magic" - for which he received an Award of Merit from the Academy of Magical Arts. He has served as Entertainment Director at the Hollywood Magic Castle (1996-98), Talent Chairman/Executive Producer of Shows for the I.B.M. Annual Convention (since 1995), and as a member of the jury for magic competitions in over thirty countries. He is also a member of London's Magic Circle (MIMC) for which he is currently serving as an American representative. His writings on the history, theory, and practice of magic appear regularly in all of the magical publications worldwide. Currently he is also serving as the I.B.M.’s International Relations Officer.

AWARDS

Stage Magician of the Year Nomination (three times), Academy of Magic Arts; Jack Gwynne Award for Excellence in Magic; Chavez Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Manipulation; Bill Baird Memorial Award for Manipulative Magic; Lecturer of the Year Award, Academy of Magical Arts; Award of Merit, Academy of Magical Arts; Presidential Citation (three times), International Brotherhood of Magicians; International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 264, Best Lecture; Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame; Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, London; Official Service Award, I.B.M./S.A.M. Combined Convention; I.B.M. Linking Ring Award for Best Article, 2010

REVIEWS

My own personal favorite Magician was Dale Salwak, whose style reminds me of a Magical Fred Astaire. He was suave sophisticated, cool, and quite elegant. Stephanie Karponai, 2010 “Masters of Illusion,” FOX-TV

“This was truly an act of immaculate style and presence.” Keith Cooper, The Budget, 2010 Magic Circle Christmas Show

“Next, smooth as a Californian seashore pebble, came the legendary Dale Salwak. Immaculate in dress and style, he performed in a way that we all dreamed of in our first fumblings in magic. Again it proved that good magic well-performed is not dated and has as much appeal today as when T. Nelson Downs and others amazed their audiences a hundreds years ago.” John Derris, The Magic Circular, 2010 Magic Circle Christmas Show

“Dale Salwak's act is a veritable course in how classical magic should be performed. And the audience reactions is proof that . . . style and charm is still king. A beautiful act!” Christina Nyman, President, Magica Club Luxembourg

Dale Salwak
Born	February 07, 1947 Amherst, Massachusetts

Salwak continues to perform as a magician in supper clubs, theaters, and on television beginning in 1965. He is producer of Stars of Magic, an annual magic show featuring internationally known magicians that has toured colleges and universities since 1974.

A common link between his two professions is teaching. Salwak has received numerous awards for teaching at the university and he also instructs apprentice magicians through the Chavez College of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation.

In 1978, Salwak become the co-owners (with Neil Foster) of the Chavez school. In 1988 Neil Foster passed away and he has continued at the West Coast branch.

References

• Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2009