Bronson Chadwick brings magic to the Breckenridge Library
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
With color-changing handkerchiefs, a floating magic ball, a card trick and more, Bronson Chadwick brought his world of illusions to the Breckenridge Library last week with his “Magic in the Library” show for the summer reading program.
Blanton McNabb, left, and Drake Bearden, right, help magician Bronson Chadwick with a card trick on Wednesday, June 12, at the Breckenridge Library. Click here to see more photos from the show. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Chadwick entertained a crowd of about 50 kids and adults with magic tricks, while also sharing information about the joy of reading and visiting libraries.
The son of comedy magician Bruce Chadwick, Bronson has been performing magic tricks for most of his life. He is a regional vice president with the Society of American Magicians and was the president of the Texas Association of Magicians in 2021-2022. Based in Midland, Chadwick travels around Texas, as well as to other states, performing magic shows. “Magic in the Library” was recently recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts and included on the TCA’s 2024-2026 touring roster.
On Wednesday, June 12, at the Breckenridge Library, as Chadwick performed magic ring tricks and pulled seemingly never-ending scarves from what looked like an empty tube, he talked to the kids about the STAAR test, about a book from his childhood, “My First Magic Book,” and about the many different genres of books that can be found in the library, such as history, space, love stories, fiction, non-fiction, etc.
Magician Bronson Chadwick teaches Trinity Haley and the other kids at the library the “Jumping Bands Trick” after the magic show was over. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
“Do you know what? Not every genre goes with every person. Some genres? Well, they’re for certain people. But you can find the genres that speak to you by thinking about what you like to do and learn about in real life. And that’s usually your favorite genre calling your name,” Chadwick said. “But you know what, some people they make a huge mistake. They go to the library and they say, ‘Well, there’s nothing for me there.’ That’s because they haven’t found the right genres yet.
“When you find your favorite genres to read, you unlock all kinds of adventures,” he continued. “Sometimes a book will fall into more than one genre at a time. Those are my favorite stories right there. Don’t be the person that goes to the library and says, ‘Well, a library is just a collection of old, musty books.’ You know, that makes me sad when people say that because when you find a good book, it allows you to do something crazy. You can go anywhere, be anyone and do anything. That, my friends, is the magic of the library.”
Throughout the show, Chadwick brought children from the audience up to help him with the illusions. And, after Chadwick wrapped up the magic show with his “Merlin and the Magic Ball” trick, he taught the “Jumping Bands Trick” to the kids and adults who could stay a few minutes longer. For those who couldn’t stay or who forgot the instructions, Chadwick offers the explanation on his website (click here).
The Magic in the Library website also has a Resources page with information such as tips for making a good grade on a test or for becoming a “Reading Wizard.”
The Breckenridge Library’s Summer Reading Program continues with a story time and activity for kids in third grade and younger at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays through July 16 at the library, 209 N. Breckenridge Ave.
On Thursday, June 20, Breckenridge Library and the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center will host the Creature Teacher for two sessions, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. All ages welcome to attend one of the sessions in the large gallery at The Breckenridge Fine Arts, 207 N. Breckenridge Ave.
For more information, call the library at 254-559-5505.
Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the “Magic in the Library” event.
Magician Bronson Chadwick poses for a picture with some of the kids who attended the “Magic in the Library” show last week. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Jocee Dossey waves the magic wand to help Bronson Chadwick with his “Changing Handkerchief” trick at the Breckenridge Library on June 12. The program is part of the library’s summer reading program. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
