By Stephanie Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — Caroline Johnson wasn’t sure how the kids turned the bunny — named ‘Fraidy Cat — white simply by yelling “Boo!” But she sure did like it.
The 4-year-old Hamlet resident said that was her favorite part of the 75-minute performance of magicians Chris and Neal in Rock Star Magic Wednesday morning at Thomas Leath Memorial Library in downtown Rockingham. The program ended the Rockingham library’s summer reading program.
Stephanie Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Emma, 6, floats in the air supported – somehow – but Rock Star Magic gurus Chris and Neal.
How did he do that?
“I don’t know,” Caroline said.
Chris said it was all rather simple.
“If you scream ‘Boo!,” ‘Fraidy Cat turns white, he said. “If you scream “Oob!,” ‘Fraidy Cat turns black again.”
Believe it or not, it worked — and thus the goal of making kids use their imagination and believe in a little make-believe was accomplished. It was the only guest of the library all summer that discouraged kids from reading.
“Do NOT check out books on magic,” Chris said. “You’ll learn our secrets.”
Deborah Knight, coordinator, said she was excited for the kids to experience Rock Star Magic but it was bittersweet, as the program marked the end of the Rockingham library’s summer reading program.
The comedic routine was full of head scratchers. Chris told the audience, which packed the library’s conference room, to clap if they saw a magic trick they loved. And if the trick stunk?
Stephanie Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
The audience squealed with delight and surprise for Rock Star Magic on Wednesday at Thomas Leath Memorial Library.
“Clap even louder,” said Chris, defying ordinary consumer protocol.
The performance thrived on audience participation — some voluntarily, others not so much. Knight fell into the latter category to sit on a stool. The magicians gave her goggles and earmuffs as they argued who could blow off a roll of toilet paper the faster. Inevitably, of course, the toilet paper ended up all over Knight.
Cody, 9, had a turn at the front. He donned a tuxedo and sprouted a second set of arms — Chris’ arms — and “forced” to do a number of involuntarily actions, including flirting with a young girl in the audience.
“They clap, they scream and it’s all for you,” Neal told Cody.
Emma, 6, was thrilled to be chosen as the last volunteer. Somehow or another, Chris and Neal managed to get her to float in the air — something she’d never done before.
Was she scared?
“No,” she said. Neither was she nervous.
Stephanie Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Emma Wilson, 4, of Mount Olive Baptist Church day care program, practices her own magic trick of making her thumb disappear and reappear.
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Taylor Steele
