Dan Dan the Magic Man can stretch a piece of chewing gum about 12 feet and make a live rabbit appear in an empty cage. But magician Dan Heath’s greatest trick may be the way he can hold the attention of a young audience for the better part of an hour.
Dan Dan finished his 2014 season Wednesday with a science-themed performance at the Great Bend Public Library. It’s his 12th season of performing for Kansas summer library programs. He limits himself to about 25 performances each summer, and started the season several weeks ago at Claflin’s Independent Township Library.
During the school year, the Magic Man is Dan Heath, Great Bend High School drama instructor and part owner of A440 Musical Instruments store. But during the summer, his Dan Dan persona shines.
“I’ve been Dan Dan the Magic Man since the seventh grade,” Heath said. But the touring didn’t begin until he became a teacher.
“We were living in Wellington and the library was looking for a program for summer reading,” Heath said. “It was so much fun my wife and I decided to contact other libraries.”
Eleven years ago Dan and wife Kim Heath moved to Great Bend, and the magic show moved with them. Kim teaches freshman English at GBHS, and literacy is important to both of them, he said.
But there’s another reason Heath spends most of his summer performing.
“More than anything, it’s a way for me to do my summer job with my children,” he said. Over the years, all of his children have gotten into the act.
This year, 12-year-old Patrick Heath was his stage assistant, “Robot Patrick.” Heath told the children his assistant looked human but was really an android. That way they could work a few robot jokes into the show patter. Heath’s 6-year-old son Quinton made a cameo appearance toward the end of the show. Son Kary, now 19, and daughter Ashton, 15, have also been in the show in previous years.
Great Bend Children’s Librarian Amanda Moran-Jones said all of the library’s children’s shows have been well attended this year. The library’s summer program is drawing to a close, the with final party taking place on Aug. 1. On Wednesday, July 30, children through sixth grade can attend one of two “Fizz & Boom Experiments” programs, at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
For his final trick, Dan Dan the Magic Man did make a rabbit appear, and promised kids they could stick around to pet the bunny. He also reminded them to check out a book or two before leaving the library. “Reading is where the magic really happens,” Heath said.