Neil Tobin
Encyclopedia
Neil Tobin is a performer of magical and psychic entertainment.
Since his performance material often involves themes of spirit contact—in addition to demonstrations of telepathy, precognition, magic, and even divination—he often performs as "Neil Tobin, Necromancer."
of February 2004, Tobin has been performing Supernatural Chicago
at the Excalibur nightclub
in Chicago. He wrote, produced, directed, and is the sole performer of the show.
Tobin has served as Medium of the Houdini Seance at Excalibur nightclub
annually since October 2001. This event is presented on behalf of the Chicago Assembly of the Society of American Magicians
during the last week of October to commemorate the late magician's death; Houdini helped found the Chicago Assembly in 1919.
For private and corporate engagements, he performs a psychic-themed feature-length show called "A Necromantic Evening." He also entertains as a palmist and tarot reader at cocktail parties.
). He has appeared on "Haunted Places" on The Travel Channel
, and "Dead Famous" on The History Channel
. He can also be seen in the documentary feature "Hearing Is Believing" on the DVD release of the movie White Noise
. He is the author and narrator of a Halloween-themed narrative for Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
, entitled Peter and the Werewolf; the work appears on a CD with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
.
, M-U-M, Magicol, and Oracle.
; in this capacity, he has chaired the Chicago Magic Competition every summer at Navy Pier
since 2005. Additionally, he is a member of the Psychic Entertainers Association.
Since his performance material often involves themes of spirit contact—in addition to demonstrations of telepathy, precognition, magic, and even divination—he often performs as "Neil Tobin, Necromancer."
Live Performance
Since Friday the 13thFriday the 13th
Friday the 13th occurs when the thirteenth day of a month falls on a Friday, which superstition holds to be a day of bad luck. In the Gregorian calendar, this day occurs at least once, but at most three times a year...
of February 2004, Tobin has been performing Supernatural Chicago
Supernatural Chicago
Supernatural Chicago, currently in its seventh year of performances, has become a mainstay of the Chicago theater scene. The show opened on the appropriately superstition-tinged date of Friday the 13th in February 2004, and continues in an open-ended run....
at the Excalibur nightclub
Excalibur (nightclub)
The Excalibur nightclub in Chicago was first opened in 1989. It is located in the former Chicago Historical Society building which is a Chicago historical landmark...
in Chicago. He wrote, produced, directed, and is the sole performer of the show.
Tobin has served as Medium of the Houdini Seance at Excalibur nightclub
Excalibur (nightclub)
The Excalibur nightclub in Chicago was first opened in 1989. It is located in the former Chicago Historical Society building which is a Chicago historical landmark...
annually since October 2001. This event is presented on behalf of the Chicago Assembly of the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
during the last week of October to commemorate the late magician's death; Houdini helped found the Chicago Assembly in 1919.
For private and corporate engagements, he performs a psychic-themed feature-length show called "A Necromantic Evening." He also entertains as a palmist and tarot reader at cocktail parties.
Performance: Other Media
Tobin has performed on broadcasts for WCKG-FM, KISS-FM, and WGN-TV (opposite Gary SiniseGary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
). He has appeared on "Haunted Places" on The Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
, and "Dead Famous" on The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
. He can also be seen in the documentary feature "Hearing Is Believing" on the DVD release of the movie White Noise
White Noise (film)
White Noise is a 2005 supernatural horror film, directed by Geoffrey Sax. The title refers to electronic voice phenomena , where voices, which some believe to be from the "other side," can be heard on audio recordings...
. He is the author and narrator of a Halloween-themed narrative for Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
Peter and the Wolf
Peter and the Wolf , Op. 67, is a composition written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936 in the USSR. It is a children's story , spoken by a narrator accompanied by the orchestra....
, entitled Peter and the Werewolf; the work appears on a CD with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
.
Writing
Tobin is co-writer and editor of Unspeakable Acts: Three Lives and Countless Legends of Tom Palmer/Tony Andruzzi/Masklyn ye Mage, which is available directly from the publisher and at magic shops throughout the world. For the general public, he wrote "Magical History Tour," a temporary exhibit focused on Chicago's contribution to the world of magical performance for the Elmhurst Historical Museum, which ran June 2010–January 2011. He has also contributed material to several magicians' publications, including Genii (magazine)Genii (magazine)
Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine is the longest-running independent magazine devoted to magic and magicians in the history of the art. It was founded by William Larsen, Sr. in 1936, and run by his descendents until 1998, when it was sold to The Genii Corporation, headed by well-known magic author...
, M-U-M, Magicol, and Oracle.
Affiliations
Neil Tobin is the President for the Chicago Assembly of the Society of American MagiciansSociety of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
; in this capacity, he has chaired the Chicago Magic Competition every summer at Navy Pier
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million, equivalent to $ today. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and...
since 2005. Additionally, he is a member of the Psychic Entertainers Association.
Sources
- Official Site: Neil Tobin, Necromancer
- Official Site: Supernatural Chicago
- Official Site: Chicago Assembly of the Society of American Magicians
- Official Site: Peter and the Werewolf
- Isn't It Necromantic? from the Wednesday Journal, October 23, 2007
- House Of Historical Horrors from Time Out, Issue 136, October 4–10, 2007
- Haunting Tales Fill Late-Night Haunt from the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, October 27, 2005 - Houdini's Halloween from WGN-TVWGN-TVWGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
and Red Eye, October 28, 2005 - Show Combines Psychic With Magical from Pioneer Press, October 31, 2007
- Joe Gets Paranormal, a comedy short for Current TVCurrent TVCurrent TV, or Current, is a media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt. Comcast owns a ten percent stake of Current's parent company, Current Media LLC....
(airing since October 22, 2005) - Joe Gets Goth, a comedy short for Current TVCurrent TVCurrent TV, or Current, is a media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt. Comcast owns a ten percent stake of Current's parent company, Current Media LLC....
(airing since November 23, 2007) - Mind Games from the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, February 23, 2006 - Table of Contents for Genii (magazine)Genii (magazine)Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine is the longest-running independent magazine devoted to magic and magicians in the history of the art. It was founded by William Larsen, Sr. in 1936, and run by his descendents until 1998, when it was sold to The Genii Corporation, headed by well-known magic author...
, January 2008 - Rogues Gallery of contributors to Oracle