Thank you for joining us for the most magical event of the year!
If you missed the livestream of our Only in America celebration of Harry Houdini and David Copperfield, click on the image below to watch a replay of the live show. The event begins at the 5 min 40 second mark.
Missed our magical “buy now” rewards during the event? Don’t worry! We’ve opened a virtual auction for our remaining items–from posters and playing cards to trips and experiences. Register and bid now and you could be the lucky winner!
*CLICK HERE* to join our email list to make sure you receive not-to-miss updates about other exciting NMAJH events
This event occurs in the past
When
Saturday, December 12 at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT
What
Join us as we are transported from Independence Mall in Philadelphia to Las Vegas and straight into your living rooms, coast to coast, for a magical online event celebrating Harry Houdini and David Copperfield as they are inducted into our Ed Snider Only in America Gallery®/Hall of Fame.
David Copperfield, the world’s best magician, will accept the award from his International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, which houses the largest collection of Houdini artifacts in the world.
*Just Announced* The emcee for this magical event is none other than David Copperfield’s longtime fan and friend, Emmy and SAG-Award winning actor, comedian, and writer, Brad Garrett! This prolific TV actor is well-known for his role as Robert Barone on the iconic television series Everybody Loves Raymond, for which he won three Emmys.
Other presenters include 2019 Academy of Magical Arts Winners Lucy Darling and Asi Wind, and remarks from Houdini relatives George Hardeen, and Jeff and Debbie Blood.
This family-friendly event is free and open to everyone…tell your friends! Tune in for special telethon-style donation opportunities night-of (every dollar helps) and you can help to unlock bonus content and illusions that will appear before your very eyes.
How
Our special events platform is now live! This is the only link you’ll need.
This mesmerizing evening will also stream live online on Facebook, YouTube, and right here on the Museum’s website. (The static image above will be replaced with the embedded livestream.)
Visit our FAQ for more information on how to access the event in the way that works best for you.
Tickets
This event is free and open to the public! We’ll keep posting details to this page as well as sending them to our email subscribers to make sure you know how to access the event. All you need to know will be right here on this page. Click here and sign up for our email list to receive updates!
Magical Extras
Sponsorship: If you’re interested in exclusive extras such as a magic box, cocktails and dessert packages delivered to your home, private breakout rooms so you can watch together virtually with the group of your choosing, and more, we’ve conjured up some special packages beginning at just $250. Click here for the full list of packages and sponsorship opportunities, or simply click here to make a donation in any amount in support of this very special event. *The deadline for sponsorship to take full advantage of benefits–such as having your magic box delivered in time for the event–is December 8*
Rewards: An impressive line-up of buy-now rewards is now magically available for purchase as well! Click here to peruse and purchase items such as commemorative posters, signed sports memorabilia, a virtual cooking class, tickets to a taping of The Daily Show, and more! Find ‘buy now’ rewards at prices from $25 and up. Look for the blue box with the star at the top of the page that says “Rewards.”
Sponsorship inquiries and questions: nmajh-gala@nmajh.org
FAQs
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions
About the inductees
To date, David Copperfield has earned 21 Emmy Awards, 11 Guinness World Records, is a recipient of the Living Legend honor by The Library of Congress, and has sold more tickets than any solo performer in history. Born David Seth Kotkin in New Jersey, his mother came from Israel and his father’s parents were born in Russia. Copperfield was invited to join the Society of American Magicians at just 12 years old—its youngest member ever. One of David’s proudest achievements is Project Magic, a program that uses magic as therapy in 1,000 hospitals in 30 countries worldwide. This medically certified program motivates patients to regain their dexterity, coordination, and cognitive skills by learning simple magic and sleight of hand.
During the virtual event, Copperfield will himself induct Harry Houdini. Born Erik Weisz in Hungary in 1874, Houdini came to America when he was just four years old. He toiled at odd jobs as a young man and son of a Rabbi who struggled to make ends meet for his family before becoming the legendary illusionist we know today, touring across America and Europe and drawing audiences of thousands. He had little in the way of formal education and self-educated himself on the history of magic, amassing a large collection, and confronting the scams of his day with historical evidence. His death-defying feats and daring work as an escape-artist set him apart from all other performers of his time. He continues to inspire generations of magicians.
Images: David Copperfield, DCDI; Harry Houdini, The National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian Institution
About the presenters
Brad Garrett is an Emmy and SAG-Award winning actor, comedian, and writer. A prolific TV actor, he also guest stars in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, and Season 2 of the Jim Carrey series I’M DYING UP HERE, both for Showtime. Other credits include a dramatic turn in Season 2 of FX’s FARGO. On the feature side, Garrett most recently starred opposite Julianne Moore in GLORIA BELL for A24, directed by Academy Award-Winner Sebastian Lelio, which received rave reviews. He was also nominated for an Emmy and a SAG Award for his portrayal of Jackie Gleason the telefilm GLEASON in 2002. Garrett’s trademark deep voice has been heard in over 20 films, including the contemporary classics FINDING NEMO, RATATOUILLE, TANGLED, and CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. In 2006, he appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE. Garrett is well known for his role as ‘Robert Barone’ on the iconic television series EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, for which he won three Emmys. Garrett runs his own comedy club at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
L
ucy Darling, the Mistress of Magic. Known the world over for her wit, her charm, and her exceptionally good hair, Lucy’s shows are a wonderful mix of playful improvisational comedy, hilarious witty writing, and impossible magical feats. Miss Darling is an 10-time Award-Winning Entertainer featured in the Guinness Book of World Records (2014), Ripley’s Believe it or Not (2015) and the star of the Super Channel documentary Carisa Hendrix: Girl on Fire, which tells the true story of the struggle to create her 2016 Las Vegas magic show. In 2019 she was the recipient of the prestigious Allan Slaight award and voted Stage Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle. She is considered one of magic’s most exciting rising stars.
Photo by Jon-Christian Ashby
NYC based corporate mentalist (mind reader) Asi Wind is one of magic’s most influential thinkers and performers. Magicians all over the world study and perform his creations. He was presented with the Merlin Award for the most original show (previously given to Penn & Teller and David Copperfield). Wind’s off-Broadway show, “Concert of the Mind,” completely sold out, extended its run, and received rave reviews and critical acclaim. Asi Wind was born and raised in Tel Aviv, where he was voted “Best Magician in Israel.” He currently resides in New York City and spends most of his year performing across the globe.
Press
This page is updated regularly.
Last update: 12/13/20
Thank you to our supporters
Event co-chairs: Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum
Presented By
Metamorphosis Sponsor
Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum
Levitation Sponsors
Betsy and Phil Darivoff
Samuel P. Mandell Foundation
Lyn M. Ross
Marcia and Ron Rubin
Robert Saligman Charitable Foundation
Jane and Stuart Weitzman
Joseph S. Zuritsky, Chairman, Parkway Corporation
Misdirection Sponsors
Hallee and David Adelman
Ruth and Theodore Baum
Rita and Charles Bronfman
Sandy and Steve Cozen
The Jill and Mark Fishman Foundation
Susan and Richard Friedman
Elaine Lindy and Lon Palitz
The Morgan Family
Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joseph Neubauer
The Edward John and Patricia Rosenwald Foundation
Erica and Eric Schwartz
The Erving and Joyce Wolf Foundation
Sleight of Hand Sponsors
Susanna Lachs Adler and Dean Adler
Peter and Devon Briger
Diana and Erik Cohen
Amy Fox and Dan Wheeler
Jennifer Mendel and Fred Fox
Dr. Misha and Alisa Galperin
Shirley and Richard Hahn
Ken and Teri Hertz, Hertz Family Fund
Claire and William Houlihan
The Lazarus Charitable Trust
Stacy and Mark Levy
Sondra and David Mack
Sherrie R. Savett
Mimi and Allan Schneirov
The Phyllis and Irving Smith Foundation
Robbi and Bruce Toll
Ace of Spades Sponsors
Harold Berger and Flora Becker
Eli and Edye Broad
Sharon and Jon Corzine
Pamela and Alec Ellison
Sheila R. Fine
Robin and Michael Gordon
Carolyn Hirsh and Alan Lindy
Penn Charter
Penn & Teller
Sandra Bloch and Dan Promislo
Yael and Brett Rhode
Leesa and Leon Wagner
JoAnn and Howard Wurzak
Elena and Drew Zager
Abracadabra Sponsors
Terri and Scott Akman
Ann Ames
Arthur Berkowitz
Seth Berkowitz
Bruce Bierman and William Secord
Penni and Mark Blaskey
Gail and Ira Brodsky
Abby Joseph Cohen and David Cohen
Rachel and Kipp Cohen
Suzanne and Norman Cohn
The Comisky Family
Julie Fisher Cummings
The Curtis Family Foundation
Vicki and Gary Erlbaum
Phyllis and Gary Finkelstein
Phyllis and Howard Fischer
Brad and Izzy Garrett
Judy and John Glick
Gwen Goodman
Carl Goldberg
Wendy Goldstein
Allan Hamer and Itai Tsur
The Samuel F. and Ronnie J. Heyman Philanthropic Fund
Ruth and Richard Horowitz
Marjie and Robert Kargman
The Kassen Family
Stephen Katzman
Jackie and Andrew Klaber
Steven Klinghoffer
Harvey and Barbara Kroiz Family Foundation
Roz and Howard Kroplick
Linda Landis
The Levitties Foundation
Allan Levow
Cindy Leibovitch
Fran and Leon L. Levy
Yana Lukeman
Lundy Law Foundation
Stanton and Miriam Meltzer
Ross Miller
Gail and Elliot Norry
Ellen and Mark Oster
Bob Pincus
The Powell Family Foundation
Rita and Sandy Reichlin
Katie and Amnon Rodan
