Charles Vincent Amaral Jr.

The Magic of Charles and The Lady

Magicians, Charles and Kathleen Amaral

About Us…

Born in 1958, Charles grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Since the age of 12 Charles has been studying the Art of Magic. When a school friend showed him how to do a card trick he caught the magic bug.  Being a very shy child, magic gave him a way of expressing himself. Taking lessons at The Magic Shop of Paris in Hayward, CA (owned by Ralph Arbitell “Siroco”), reading every book he could get his hands on, practicing,  and performing for family and friends. Charles had his first stage performance in the senior show at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, CA.  Charles had the honor to study with Tony Slydinni and spent one year as a tutor for his lecture circuit in the west coast.  Also studying with Arnold First, Jay Marlborough, Arthur Murata and Don Wilson at The Magic Cellar in San Francisco, CA.  Charles was a member and past president of Society of American Magicians Circle 80 in San Leandro, CA.

After High School Charles’s goal was to take on magic as a profession. While attending Chabot College and San Francisco State University, performing magic became his side job.  Most of his friends worked in fast food joints and odd jobs, Charles did magic shows on the weekends. After College he was making more money at magic than his major, so he continued on with the profession of Magical Entertainment.  Charles met Kathy Metz at his Magic Shop (C & C Magic Studio) in San Leandro, CA. His college friend Randy introduced Charles to his sister. Charles asked her to pick a card and she did, Charles! Since that day they were barely apart and were married one year later in August of 1980. Kathy became Charles assistant and partner in business and in life. They formed The Magic of Charles and The Lady and took on magic as a full time profession.  Later having three children Heather, Chelsea and David, who all grew up on the road.  Since they were born the family has never been apart.

AWARD WINNING MAGICIAN

                Through the Magic Worlds competitions circuit in the late 70’s and early 80’s Charles & The Lady were awarded; 1st Place Stage Award from The Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. Winners of The Silver Medal from The Society of American Magicians, The Magician of The Year from The Bay Area Association of Magicians, 1st place Stage award from The Oakland Magic Circle.

After these achievements Charles became a member and regular performer at The Academy of Magical Arts, Hollywood, CA (Magic Castle). Bill Larsen (president and co-founder founder of The Magic Castle) saw the performance at the competitions and hired Charles & The Lady to work at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.   At his years at The Magic Castle he met the magician’s he admired the most.  Famous magicians like Mark & Nani Wilson, Harry Blackstone Jr., Marvin and Carol Roy, Billy Mc Comb, Peter Pit, Ron Wilson, and others helped the duo refine their act.   Also being featured for years at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, Magic Island in Houston, TX and Hermosa Beach, CA, Harvey’s Resort & Cason Lake Tahoe, NV and many clubs throughout the nation.

                Ready to take his magic to the mass public on the road, Charles & The Lady traveled throughout the Untied States and Canada entertaining audiences with thrills, chills and comedy. On cruise ships, revue shows, colleges, fairs, corporate events, trade shows, and private parties Charles & The Lady is excited to share their magical fun & spectacular productions. 

Charles and The Lady have been the opening act for such stars as Jerry Seinfeld, Dennis Miller, Larry Miller, Henny Youngman, Patty Andrews, Tony Martin, Julio LaRosa, Julio Iglesias, The Coasters, Harry Anderson, and more.  Charles and his family have managed to work their magic in just about every venue possible and all conditions good and bad. 

In the year 2000 Charles found out that his wife Kathy had breast cancer.  It changed the whole families life.  Kathy had to go through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  The family decided to leave the Circus and went home to California for a year while Kathy went through the treatments.  Charles toured with two small productions on the road to keep the money coming as a magician and announcer.  A year later the family returned to the circus for two years.  After failed negotiations on a partnership agreement for the show the family decided to leave the circus for good.  The 24-hour 7-day a week life style did not produce the quality of life and financial reward they were looking for.  So Charles and his family returned to producing their own magic show again, where they started. Their show currently features Charles, his wife Kathy, and his two daughters Heather (20) & Chelsea (18), a true family act that thrills and entertains audiences all over the country.  Kathy is currently in remission of the cancer, that’s the real blessing and magic in our lives.