Oceanside magician and elementary physical education teacher Ari Bisk is set to charm young minds and families with his upcoming card tricks program at the Island Park Library, running from March 20 through April 10. The show, designed for children ages 7 to 17, promises to unlock the world of magic while nurturing creativity, confidence, and public speaking skills. Bisk’s journey into the world of magic began unexpectedly.
“I saw a David Blaine documentary… I thought that this is a skill that could be learned. I learned one of his tricks on YouTube, and then I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole,” he recalled.
Growing up in Malverne and later settling in Oceanside in 2016, Bisk’s fascination with magic evolved into a full-fledged passion, leading him to perform at libraries across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Bisk’s teaching style is as captivating as the tricks themselves. His library sessions involve performing a trick for the audience before revealing its secret step-by-step.
“I first perform the trick, then I teach everyone the secret,” he said. “We walk through the trick step by step as a group. Then I give everyone a chance to practice on their own while I walk around and help out. Each session typically covers three different tricks, incorporating not only cards but also everyday items like paper and pen to keep the learning experience varied and engaging.
By day, Bisk is a dedicated physical education teacher in Bellmore, a role that complements his magical pursuits. Although he keeps his magic career and teaching separate, he occasionally weaves little bits of magic into his classroom lessons.
“I typically keep my magic and my phys ed life separate… but I do little things, like making a scarf appear and disappear when introducing juggling scarves,” he said.
His dual roles allow him to inspire his students and his audience, sparking curiosity in unexpected places. One of the unique aspects of Bisk’s programs is the involvement of families.
“It’s cool to see the parents working with their kids, and, you know, doing the magic together,” he noted about his performance at
Oceanside Library on March 13.
Bisk’s classes often evolve into recurring sessions where he can observe the progress of returning students, further deepening the community connection. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many performers to rethink their craft, and Brisk was no exception.
“When the world went virtual in 2020, all of my performance jobs were gone. So I saw gyms doing virtual programs, and I got the idea to offer a show to libraries,” he explained.
The transition to online performances eventually paved the way for his return to in-person events, blending his educational background with his passion for magic in a way that continues to delight audiences.
Bisk’s enthusiasm for magic extends into his personal life as well. Married with a five-year-old son, he’s already noticing the magic taking root in his own family.
“I was worried my wife would say, ‘You’re ruining the magic for him,’ but he really wants to know,” Bisk said. “It’s cool to see—it’s kind of soaked into him.”
As Ari Bisk prepares for his upcoming sessions at Island Park and other local libraries, his goal remains clear: to share the wonder of magic with as many children as possible.
“It’s fun to let the kids into the world of how simple and how clever magic can be,” he said.
For families interested in signing up for his engaging program, registration details can be found on the
Island Park library website.
