A magic show about the illusions we live inside
20 Seats. Close up. Free black coffee.
The Show
You think of a number. Pick a card. Choose a photo.
You’ll say Hayden wins – but who is writing the rules?
Urban Illusions is a close-up magic show created by Hayden Childress. Every weekend, 20 people sit in a basement on East 7th Street and leave unable to explain what happened — not just because the tricks were clever, but because the tricks were about something.
Sleight of hand, mentalism, analog objects, original music. No stage. No distance. Three feet away the entire time.
And if that all sounds too art school pretentious for your taste – he’s a damn good close up magician!
“We’re constantly sold a version of reality daily. It’s like a magic trick. The dangerous part is forgetting it’s all a trick.”
Tickets from $95. Artist-run and independent.
The Space
East Village, New York City.
This underground space seats 20 guests. Black walls. TV static.
“I built everything from hand – the shelves are crooked, the artwork is hand painted. The props are both garbage and sacred. You’re not stepping into a classic magic theater. You’re entering a dream.” -Hayden
95 E 7th Street, BSMT, New York, NY 10009
The Magician
Hayden Childress
Hayden Childress grew up in North Carolina doing magic at a fish camp restaurant at 13. His teenage years were split between mastering sleight of hand technique and engaging with alternative art, music, and movies. He was drawn not just to deception but to distortion — the surreal, the broken, the off-kilter.
He composes all the music for the show, paints the artwork on the walls, and built the shelves himself.
He’s appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, performed privately for Google, and done close-up magic at the Super Bowl.
His real obsession is Urban Illusions.
From the Guest Book
Reality is what you perceive
Are you the deceiver?
Or are you the deceived?
Reality is what you perceive
Are you the deceiver?
Or are you the deceived?
Questions?
We keep it small on purpose. Urban Illusions is designed to be up close, personal, and real – every seat is close to the action. Think of it like a house show for art and magic – not a stage show with binoculars.
We sell bottled water at the door. And… free black coffee.
We are also BYOB – keep it chill.
Urban Illusions is recommended for ages 18+.
85 minutes with no intermission. It builds gradually and ends hard. Try to stay present.
Because it’s a magic show born from modern life: surveillance, capitalism, algorithms, nostalgia, optimization culture. The show isn’t just about deception – it’s about how we live inside of illusions every day.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. But we are selective.
Tell us a little more about your group – info@urbanillusionsnyc.com
All ticket sales are final. Please ensure you purchase tickets for the correct date/time.