Swiss will be hosting two events: A magic show titled Heavy Mental at 7:00 p.m. and a workshop from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. called Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship.  The workshop also features Point of Inquiry host D.J. Grothe and Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited Rick Maue.

Swiss has appeared on tons of shows including Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular. Check him out:

More details and CFI’s full press release after the jump.

WHO: Jamy Ian Swiss, world-renowned magician and mentalist

D.J. Grothe, magician, skeptic, and host of Point of Inquiry

Rick Maue, Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited

WHAT: “HEAVY MENTAL,” a baffling show of “mind-reading” phenomena, and

“Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship,” an afternoon workshop.

WHEN: Saturday, November 1, 2008, Workshop 1:00-5:00 p.m., Show: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Science Stage, Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh

COST: Workshop: General Admission: $30, Students/CFI Friends: $20, Carnegie Members: FREE

Show: General Admission: $15, Students/CFI Friends/Carnegie Members: $10

PITTSBURGH, PA.—On Saturday, November 1, the Center for Inquiry Community of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Science Center will welcome magician and mentalist Jamy Ian Swiss to Pittsburgh. Mr. Swiss will be here to host a workshop on “Science, Magic and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship” and to present his new magic show, “HEAVY MENTAL,” a performance of baffling, unnerving, “mind reading” phenomena accomplished with pure psychology, deft illusion, and a healthy dose of deception.

Mr. Swiss has performed magic throughout the United States and in 13 countries. He has appeared on CBS 48 Hours, PBS Nova, the PBS documentary The Art of Magic, and Comedy Central. 

An expert in sensory deception, Jamy Ian Swiss is also a long-time skeptic who often lectures to scientific, academic, and university audiences about deception and the paranormal. Why is a professional magician concerned about the misuses of deception? 

“I want to highlight the line between illusion and reality,” Mr. Swiss explains. “The fantasy world I create as a magician is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”

Mr. Swiss will be joined by D.J. Grothe, an amateur magician and the host of the Center for Inquiry radio show and podcast Point of Inquiry, and Rick Maue, Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited, for the afternoon workshop that will examine the paralllels between magic and skepticism, and explain how the conjuring arts can inform the skeptical movement. 

In this remarkable lecture/demonstration Mr. Swiss defines the four kinds of paranormal events — telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance and psychokinesis — declares them to be non-existent, and then proceeds to demonstrate all of them and more, proving that even the most intelligent and wary of audiences can be fooled by a determined charlatan. A stunning, informative and entertaining lesson in critical thinking.

The workshop will also include segments about the history of magic in skepticism, the illusion of psychic powers, and a question and answer session about the relationship between magic, skepticism, science and reason.

“Whether or not you believe in psychics or the paranormal, you should attend this program,” said Bill Kaszycki, president of CFIC-Pittsburgh. “Even if you believe in the paranormal, you cannot deny that there are crooks and con-men out there trying to take advantage of the honest beliefs of a sincere and trusting public. We hope that seeing Mr. Swiss in action will inoculate you against these criminals and their fraudulent use of magic to deceive.”

In the evening, Mr. Swiss, an acclaimed master of the art of sleight of hand, will present, HEAVY MENTAL, a program of baffling and unnerving “mind reading” phenomena — accomplished with pure psychology, subtle influence, deft illusion, uncanny intuition, and a healthy dose of downright deception — what he calls “sleight of mind.”

Both events are open to the public. The workshop, “Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship,” runs from 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 1. “HEAVY MENTAL” will start at 7:00 PM. Both workshop and show will be held on the Science Stage at the Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh. Admission for the workshop is $30.00 for the general public, $20.00 for students and CFI Friends, and free for Carnegie Members. Admission for HEAVY MENTAL is $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for students, CFI Friends and Carnegie Members.

For more information, please visit www.centerforinquiry.net/pgh, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org, and www.jamyianswiss.com.

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The Center for Inquiry Community of Pittsburgh (CFIC-Pittsburgh) was founded in 2004 to provide a social support network for freethinkers of western Pennsylvania. For more information, check out CFIC-Pittsburgh’s web site at www.centerforinquiry.net/pgh#.

CFIC-Pittsburgh is associated with the Center for Inquiry/Transnational – a nonprofit, educational, advocacy, and scientific-research think tank based in Amherst, New York. The Center for Inquiry/Transnational’s web site is www.centerforinquiry.net.