Talking to Juan Estrella, Cuenca’s world-class magician

By Frances A. Hogg

Did you know that a world-class magician lives among us? Juan Estrella, born in Cuenca, is an internationally known magician and teacher of magic. He is a member of the Magic Circle in London, England, the prestigious Mundial de Mágico, and Cali Mágico, and he has performed at many international magic events. He was chosen twice to present TED talks about the use of psychology in magic. Additionally, a documentary is in the works about a motorcycle trip that Juan undertook in 2017 through 2018, when Juan rode from Cuenca all the way to Alaska, performing magic to people living on remote islands and areas who had never seen live magic performed.

I sat down with Juan at the business his family has owned and operated since 1933, the Raymipampa restaurant on Parque Calderone, to discuss his upcoming performance this Saturday in support of Hearts of Gold/Corazónes de Oro. We talked about the difficulty Cuenca charitable foundations and organizations are having raising funds and I thanked him for his continued support of our foundation.

Juan, the last time you performed for us, we invited children from our various programs and partner organizations such as “All Children Deserve to Dream,” The Nova School, El Arenal and CETAP-Lucy. As entertaining as it was to watch you, it might have been more fun watching the children watch you! This time we have reserved a large block of tickets for children again. Do you prefer performing magic for children or adults better?

I don’t have a preference, but they are different audiences. I like to bring children on stage because they aren’t shy and can be hysterically funny. Children don’t hold back. When a magician makes a mistake and unintentionally exposes the secret behind a trick, it’s called a “flash.” It happens to all magicians from time to time. Adults might whisper to one another, “I know how he did that!” but children yell at and laugh and point out the error. They can be brutal.

Adult audiences can be more focused on technique and how the trick is performed.

Is your Saturday performance going to be aimed at children?

No, but it will include children. I perform family magic, as it is understandable by people of all ages. I also perform in both Spanish and English, so everyone can be drawn in.

My style of magic is known as parlor magic, which doesn‘t rely on big special effects. It is a story told with small props. In parlor magic, storytelling is everything: more important than technique. I feed off the reaction of the audience and often make up the story as I go. Sometimes people will tell me, “I loved the one you did about your grandfather!” and I don’t remember it!

I enjoy giving other people the same sense of wonder and surprise that I experienced when I saw my first magic trick when I was 14. I knew then that all I ever wanted was to be a magician! In a sense, when I perform, I am performing for myself.

Juan, when I am selling tickets to your events, people sometimes tell me they don’t like magicians. Men seem more likely to be frustrated. They feel they are being tricked.

Most people who dislike magic likely saw a poor magician. A magician is different than a trickster. Just because you can play a guitar doesn’t mean you’re a musician. So, leave your prior disappointing experiences at the door and come to Common Grounds on Saturday in support of Hearts of Gold and its member organizations.

Your performances for us over the past four years have always been a big hit, but all Cuenca charities are having trouble raising funds since the Covid shutdown and cancellation of support of USAID. Our donors are stretched to the limit, so we are trying to make sure that our events are fun, and not just a money ask. Do you have any advice?

My show lasts nearly two hours so the audience will get good value for the price of their ticket. I’ll make sure they are pleasantly amazed and amused, knowing they are supporting something important!

Juan will perform an all-new funny and fantastic show on Saturday, March 7, from 3 to 5 pm, at Common Grounds Sports Bar & Grill as a fundraiser for the Hearts of Gold foundation. Tickets are $20.00 and can be reserved by texting WhatsApp +593939297017 or emailing info@heartsofgoldfoundation.org. Please leave your name and contact information. You can also pay at the door.
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Frances A. Hogg is a 13-year resident of Cuenca, active in supporting various charitable foundations. She is the author of What’s Cookin’, Cuenca? A gringo guide to buying and preparing food in Ecuador and is the founder of the Cuenca Writers Collective.