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Jace Hoppes

This week, buzz sat down with a magical guy — literally. Jace Hoppes is co-owner of Psychic Joker, an entertainment bookings company providing all your magical needs, including classes, tarot card readings, a magic shop and overall updates on upcoming events. Tarot card readings can also be booked on a one-on-one basis. Hoppes has been performing readings for almost eight years in Champaign-Urbana. Hoppes is familiar with Gnostic studies and has gone to India to research Hinduism. His resarch in these fields, as well as his education in comparative religion, psychology and philosophy from Milikin University, has served him well to deal with people whether they are religious or not.

Hoppes will perform a séance this Halloween at Sylvia’s Irish Inn at 312 W. Green St. in Urbana. The séance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $35. Space is limited to the first 20 people.

buzz: Who do you look up to in your work?

Jace Hoppes: Andy Dallas and the staff at Dallas and Company. I owe them a lot of thanks.

buzz: What is some advice you’d give people who are just starting out with magic or tarot card readings?

JH: They are fun and good for parties, but you’ll get really good by sticking with it if you’re doing it for years. Anybody can do it with practice, but you also have to know something about people and how to read and communicate with them.

buzz: With Tarot card readings or séances, how do you stay focused with the matter at hand and eliminate or distractions?

JH: You try to relate to people while still having a level of detachment. If you’re too detached from the person and their situation, people will close down. You have to walk a fine line.

buzz: What are some of the obstacles you face with Tarot readings, séances or magic shows?

JH: People will try to mess with you or are very closed off to the idea. With hecklers at any of the shows you try to put them in their place without being too mean, people are still there to enjoy the show.

buzz: What are your thoughts on legitimate magic and illusion?

JH: One way to tell if something is legitimate or not, especially with readings, is to get a bit specific.

buzz: What are you future goals for Psychic Joker?

JH: I’d like to see Psychic Joker expand and go fully national, preferably international. I’d also like to see people turn to Psychic Joker to get entertainment for anything. We could also help to get contacts for those who can fill any entertainment need if we can’t.

buzz: What do you think about Champaign-Urbana?

JH: People in the area just don’t know that magicians are in the area.