Catalina Island Magician | David Malek

Catalina Island has a charm all its own—Avalon’s harbor lights, hillside villas, historic venues, and the feeling of truly stepping away from the mainland. When a company chooses Catalina for a retreat, conference, or special gathering, it’s because they want the event to stand out. Your guests made the trip by boat, small plane or helicopter; the experience should reward that effort from start to finish.

I’m David Malek, a full-time professional magician specializing in sophisticated, interactive entertainment for corporate and upscale events. My magic is designed to fit the “Catalina vibe” perfectly: it’s intimate, high-impact, and tailored for executives, teams, and clients who expect something beyond the ordinary.

Why Magic Is a Perfect Fit for Catalina Events

Catalina is already an experience: the voyage over, the harbor views, the feeling of being in a resort village rather than a business district. Magic amplifies that sense of wonder by giving your guests impossible moments they can share together.

Instead of distant entertainment, they passively watch, I bring the magic right into the middle of the party. Guests make choices, sign cards, lend personal objects, and then watch as those decisions lead to outcomes that simply should not be possible. Those shared reactions—laughter, amazement, and “you have to see this” moments—transform a nice evening into a story people will tell long after they’re back on the mainland.

Company Retreats, Incentive Trips, and Offsites

Many organizations choose Catalina for leadership retreats, incentive trips, and off-site meetings. Days are filled with sessions, excursions, and activities; evenings are when everyone comes together to relax and connect. That’s where my magic fits in.

I can present a focused after-dinner performance for your entire group in a hotel ballroom, club room, or private space, or I can provide strolling close-up magic during a casual reception. Either way, the goal is the same: to give your team or clients a shared experience they would never get in a conference room back home.

Because the material is clean and business-friendly, it works beautifully for mixed groups—executives, staff, spouses, clients, and partners all included.

Harborfront Venues, Historic Spaces, and Private Villas

Events on Catalina often take place in distinctive locations: harbor-view restaurants, historic buildings, private rental homes, and outdoor terraces overlooking the water. These spaces are chosen for their atmosphere, not for a big stage and lighting grid.

My performances are built to adapt. For a stand-up show, I need only a modest area with decent sightlines. For strolling magic, I simply move where your guests naturally gather—on the balcony, near the bar, around the tables, or in a courtyard. There’s no need to rearrange the room or interrupt the flow of the evening; the magic blends into the environment you’ve already created.

Client Receptions and VIP Hospitality in Avalon

Catalina is an unforgettable backdrop for client appreciation events and VIP hospitality. Bringing key clients, partners, or investors to the island sends a clear message: they matter to your organization. The entertainment you choose should echo that level of care.

For these events, my magic is conversational, elegant, and designed to support your relationships. Guests experience impossible moments with their own belongings—business cards, phones, small objects—and see apparent mind-reading based on their choices. The tone is sophisticated and relaxed, giving your clients the feeling that they’ve been treated to something special without overshadowing the opportunity for meaningful conversation.

Cruise Excursions and Group Shore Events

Many corporate groups visit Catalina as part of a larger cruise itinerary. In those cases, time on the island is limited and precious. A well-planned entertainment segment can turn a short window ashore into the highlight of the trip.

Whether you’ve reserved a space in Avalon for a private lunch, cocktail reception, or short program, I can deliver compact, high-impact magic that fits comfortably within your schedule. The material is visual, portable, and easy to set up, making it ideal for cruise-related events where timing and logistics are especially important.

Professionalism from Port of Call to Curtain Call

Hosting an event on Catalina requires coordination—boats, ferries, shuttles, and schedules all have to line up. Your entertainment should be the easiest part of that puzzle, not another headache.

With years of experience performing for corporations and associations across Southern California, I bring a professional, reliable approach to every engagement. I arrive early, coordinate with you personally, your planner or venue contact. I dress to match your event’s dress code, and keep the material appropriate for sophisticated adult audiences. You can focus on your guests and your agenda, knowing the entertainment is fully handled.

Custom-Tailored Magic for Your Event

No two events are exactly the same. Some are intimate dinners for a small leadership team; others are larger celebrations that fill a room in cities like Avalon. Before your event, we’ll discuss your goals, schedule, venue, and guest list.

From there, I’ll design the ideal format for you—strolling close-up magic, a featured stand-up show, or a combination of both—so the entertainment supports exactly the experience you want your guests to have.

For companies and firms that want their time on Catalina to feel truly extraordinary, a live magic experience with David Malek offers an effortless way to turn a beautiful setting into an event your guests will remember long after the Catalina Flyer docks back on shore.