Wine and Magic Experience at CV Marketplace

The Charismatic Conjuror (man at center of group) and Terri Wamsley's group of friends for a night of Wine and Magic. Terri Wamsley stands third from the left.

Castro Valley resident Terri Wamsley and her seven best friends wanted a relaxing evening to decompress and unwind. Wamsley, a Breast cancer survivor, thought what could be better than a lady's night out with a bottle of wine. 

The group settled on “The Wine & Magic Experience: An Indulgence of Fine Wine and Sophisticated Magic” in the Cordial Bottle Shop at the Castro Valley Marketplace on August 17.  

Vicki Olivera, Wamsley's friend who organized this outing, attended the event last year and thought she would introduce it to her tribe to celebrate Wamsley’s successful remission.

On stage, Castro Valley resident Douglas McCay took the audience on a wine-tasting journey with three custom-selected wines and a regal blend of his passion for close-up sleight-of-hand magic to wow and stupefy. 

With his experience in the wine industry, McCay says his show is a "symphony of sophistication, where the artistry of wine blends seamlessly with the allure of magic.”  

With his peppy finger snaps and crooked grin of confidence and poise, McCay “curates an evening of enchantment, where every sip and trick combine to create a truly unforgettable moment.” 

McCay told the Forum that magic and the art of sleight of hand are so powerful because they unleash “our primordial need for a sense of wonder.” 

As the night aged, the more the audience unlocked their capacity to be kids again, looking at life as if they weren’t in the driver's seat but along for the ride. It was a beautiful moment of smiles and laughs, magic and wine, healing and renewal.

“It was a magical night,” Wamsley said. “My favorite part was the card tricks. I couldn’t figure out how he did it. I had a great time celebrating with all my friends.” 

For more information on McCay's performance visit: https://www.thecharismaticconjuror.com/