How to Hire a Magician or Mentalist for an Event in Monterey

Updated

Santiago's Magic, based in Santa Cruz, serves the Monterey Peninsula and books magic and mentalism for corporate events, private parties, weddings, restaurant appearances, and stage or community shows. To hire well, match the format to your occasion, confirm that the performer travels to Monterey and what that costs, and lock down availability, space needs, and pricing terms before you commit. Call (831) 239-9862 to check dates.

Match the show format to your event

The same performer offers very different experiences. Pick the format first; everything else follows from it.

Your situation Best-fit format What it looks like
Cocktail hour, reception, dinner party Close-up or table-side magic and mentalism Roaming or table-side performance that works while guests mingle and eat
Corporate party, conference, networking event Corporate magic and mentalism A crafted performance to impress clients and energize a team
Birthday, milestone, family gathering Private party show Stunning magic and mentalism built around the celebration
Wedding cocktail hour Wedding magic and mentalism Elegant close-up work that sets the mood for the day
Restaurant booking Table-side magic and mentalism Wows diners and keeps guests talking after the check arrives
Gala, theater, formal seated audience Theatrical/stage show or "Mysterious Connections" A seated mind-reading and psychological illusion show, 45–75 minutes, built to fit the room
Festival, civic group, lodge Community show Engaging performance for community gatherings
Team-building, teens, hands-on group The Magic Workshop 15 minutes of close-up, then up to an hour of teaching; about 1 hour 15 minutes total; adults and teens; 5–15 people; $150 per person

Two formats are worth calling out because they are easy to overlook. The Magic Workshop is participatory: your group learns to perform a few things properly rather than just watching. Mysterious Connections is a formal seated show for an audience that has come to watch rather than mingle — it has played Poe's Magic Theater in Baltimore, whose owner said, "Santiago is a brilliant performer! Everyone was amazed, and we will always have him back!"

Confirm travel to the Monterey Peninsula

Santiago's Magic is based in Santa Cruz and explicitly serves the Monterey Peninsula alongside Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. That makes Monterey a served area, but distance still matters for scheduling and cost. Ask directly:

  • Do you travel to my venue in Monterey, and is there a travel fee or minimum booking for the Peninsula?
  • How early do you need to arrive for setup, and does that change the quote?
  • For a restaurant or multi-stop event, how many hours of performance are included?

Get the answer in writing in the quote so there are no surprises.

Questions to ask before you book

Use this as a checklist when you call or email:

  1. Availability — Is my date and time open? For weddings and corporate events, ask how far ahead you should book.
  2. Show length — How long is the performance? (The seated show runs 45–75 minutes; the workshop about 1 hour 15 minutes.)
  3. Audience size — What group size works best for this format? (The workshop caps at 5–15 people.)
  4. Space and setup — What room, stage, table, or sound requirements does the show have? For a seated mentalism show, share the room dimensions and seating plan.
  5. Pricing structure — What is included in the quoted rate, and how are deposit and cancellation handled? The workshop is listed at $150 per person; ask for a quote on the other formats rather than assuming a rate.
  6. Experience with your venue type — Has the performer worked corporate events, weddings, private parties, or restaurants like yours? Ask for references or video.
  7. Content fit — Will the material suit your audience (family, clients, mixed ages)?

Verify before you commit

  • Watch performance video or ask for references from an event similar to yours — a corporate client if you're booking a company party, a couple if it's a wedding.
  • Confirm the contract covers date, time, location, format, length, fee, travel, deposit, and cancellation.
  • Reconfirm logistics a week out: arrival time, parking or load-in, and who on your side meets the performer.

Common pitfalls

  • Booking a seated show for a mingling crowd (or vice versa). A 45–75 minute seated mentalism show needs an audience that has come to watch; a cocktail hour needs close-up work that moves among guests.
  • Forgetting the workshop headcount limit. The workshop is designed for 5–15 people at $150 per person — a larger group needs a different format.
  • Leaving travel unconfirmed. Monterey is served, but confirm the fee and timing rather than assuming it's included.
  • Skipping the space conversation. Room layout and seating affect a seated show; share details early.

To start, call (831) 239-9862 with your date, venue, guest count, and the format you're leaning toward. If you're considering the seated mentalism show, you can also join the email list for notice of upcoming public performances — a low-risk way to see the style before booking it for your own event.