Meet Brian Kirshenbaum

I've always loved making people laugh. And that's what it's all about for me, the laughs. At 8 yrs old - give or take a year - while growing up in West Rogers Park, I met a comedy magician on our family vacation in Wisconsin and said, "That's what I want to do!" His name is Hobson and to this day, he continues to be a great friend and mentor to me. As a chronically ill child from 10 1/2 - 17, I learned how valuable a tool laughter is to bring joy to people's lives! Making other people (patients, doctors, nurses, staff) laugh made everyone feel better,
including me!

In the 90's I began entertaining at private parties, in restaurants and booked my first corporate event. I actually entertained a group on a bus ride from Grand Rapids, MI to Traverse City, MI as they were on their way to a retreat! I've since been entertaining corporate and private audiences coast to coast (not on a bus)!

​In 2013 I produced my own one-man-show "Sleightly Funny" for which I taught myself to chant like an auctioneer. The show ran for about 2 years in both Evanston and Chicago.

In 2014 I took yet another passion of mine, pizza making and created Magic by the Slice. I mean what's more Chicago than hosting a party with a Chicago native cooking deep dish pizza and performing comedy magic all in one night?!

Fast forward to 2016, I donated Magic by the Slice to an auction at a charity gala and was mildly impressed with how it was sold. So I connected with the right people, got my auctioneer license, put my nonsense to good use and have since been helping organizations raise money!
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​In 2019 I began performing regularly at the Chicago Magic Lounge and oh wow, what a treat! Talk about the ideal place to perform as comedian that does magic! Every time I perform there I feel like the performer I always wanted to be when I was a smart ass kid. Not to mention I've met and worked with some of
​Chicago's finest performers!

​I've learned that making people laugh is my greatest gift and a most valuable tool to be used in all the work I do. What am I doing when I'm not entertaining? Wow you're nosy! Likely writing material, making pizza from scratch and or watching my favorite Chicago sports teams try not to suck!