If you can make it here you can make it anywhere.

In keeping with the theme of this column, I am writing today about a magician who I have known of for years. Maritess is a wonderfully talented magician. Originally from Chicago, she moved and lived in Las Vegas for seven years, today she is on her way to the Big Apple. A student of magic and art she attended the Art Institute of Chicago while there.

I met Maritess online about five years ago. I was impressed by her site and invited her to join the webring I run. We e-mailed occasionally and chatted about things but it was never more then that.

Well you know I had to go see Maritess at work. If for nothing else to give her moral support. It was a fine show of mentalism and she did a fine job at it, given the tough NY audience. If you can make it here you can make it anywhere.

So many of you never heard of Maritess? Lets get the skinny on her.

She will not tell me her age, well that is her choice, so I can't complain. On some other topics I questioned her online, hey am I a man of the 00's or what. Here is the online interview we shared.

Me: Who was the first magician you remember growing up?

Maritess: It was this clown that showed up at my school, he made eggs appear out of his mouth one after another, and he got on the news because he was the clown with cancer. I really liked the clown, so I asked my parents to book him for my 2nd birthday party. He had a low gravelly cigarette voice. I thought he was enigmatic.

Me: Was that a major influence in you doing magic today?

Maritess: Not really. My big influences are all those magic specials in the 70's which include watching Doug Henning, David Copperfield, and those cheesy UFO shows and shows like "That's Incredible." I am a product of television.

Me: Are you planning on working as a magician in the NYC area full time?

Maritess: Absolutely. I plan on performing my mentalism show on the college circuit. Currently I am artist in residence at Harvestworks Media Center, a very well known organization in the New York art world. They are supporting my efforts on producing a new performance piece called "Film to Life" based on Horace Goldin's idea around the turn of the century.

The effect is that the performer actually melts into a projected image, and the projected 2D images are able to cross over into the 3D world. Many artists and magicians are supportive and very excited about this concept.

I already have many opportunities in several performance spaces in New York and it is very exciting. I also hope to incorporate my manipulation act into the show.

Me: Did your parents give you support in your becoming a magician?

Maritess: They thought it was a wacky phase, but once I started making excellent money, meeting celebrities, flying to different countries, staying in five star hotels, etc, they warmed up to the idea and have been extremely supportive.

My sisters have been instrumental in my success as they have been my directors, fashion consultants, set designers, managers, producers, lighting booth operators ... from every production I have been in which ranges from family Christmas parties to my full evening production show.

Well from what I read Maritess is going to be a hit when she gets to New York. I can tell from my own experience with Maritess she is a force to be reckoned with. Keep your eyes open for her around town.

It's just a matter of time till she takes Manhattan.

It will be great having another fine Magician here in the Big Apple.

Welcome Maritess.

Till next time ...