Grade 10 student Jason VernersB次元官网网址� friends canB次元官网网址檛 stand magic.

The thing is, Verners, 15, has practised and performed magic since he was seven years old. He has a wide variety of original tricks to his name, has played gigs all over North America and still finds time to attend Belmont secondary school.

And his friends are guinea pigs for new material.

B次元官网网址淭hey hate magic now, thatB次元官网网址檚 the best way to put it,B次元官网网址� Verners laughs. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 like B次元官网网址楥an I do this? What did you not like? Hey, let me show you again,B次元官网网址� for three hours and theyB次元官网网址檙e like B次元官网网址榃hat are you kidding me?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The bug started for Verners when, so heB次元官网网址檚 told, he was trotted up on a stage in front of a crowd at a Christmas party and loved the attention. Two years later he received a magic kit and began performing for his family. He was hooked.

Now with shows in Las Vegas, Florida, Toronto, Vancouver and Greater Victoria under his belt, Verners is a veteran of the stage. He speaks of corporate gigs, fundraisers and palling around with famous magicians and musicians, yet he also worries about being late for class and finding a ride home.

Magic is an outlet for Verners, who said as an only child found a lot of free time on his hands while growing up.

B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 good at hockey, I wasnB次元官网网址檛 good at soccer. I tried them and I was so bad. Magic was just this space where I was like B次元官网网址業 do something that no one else can.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

In his performances Verners acts a perhaps exaggerated version of himself, rather than some persona. He said he admires magicians who can put on a whole extravagant character, but he simply canB次元官网网址檛 be anything but himself.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 this little teenage boy who likes wearing button-up shirts all the way,B次元官网网址� Verners said, shrugging. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like a professional teenager, in a way.B次元官网网址�

While magic is an important aspect, Verners ultimate goal is to put on a good show. He revolves his tricks around stories, jokes and music to fill out the experience, and uses audience participation throughout.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 sometimes when youB次元官网网址檙e in a show and youB次元官网网址檙e talking to someone B次元官网网址�  and something so funny happens,B次元官网网址� Verners said. B次元官网网址淭he people make the show good.B次元官网网址�

The use of technology is another gimmick perhaps setting Verners apart from his older peers. He has a whole host of tricks revolving around cellphones and iPods, using audience memberB次元官网网址檚 devices to complete the gag.

Having good people skills and an outgoing personality are the greatest tools a magician can have, Verners said. Once you nail that, anyone can learn tricks, he believes.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 not to say itB次元官网网址檚 simple. It takes practice and dedication, hours spent working with a deck of cards while watching TV or using the computer. Even then, Verners always strives to move beyond basic tricks into areas truly amazing, bringing creativity into the mix.

B次元官网网址淚 hate clever. I donB次元官网网址檛 want it to be clever, I want it to be magical,B次元官网网址� Verners said.

With a show this Thursday, Dec. 5 at Al Smith Studio (660 Discovery St.) at 7:30 p.m., Verners will unveil a batch of new tricks, along with a couple of classics, in a small intimate setting of about 60 people.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nerve-wracking but itB次元官网网址檚 so exciting,B次元官网网址� Verners said.

Tickets for the show are $20 plus fees and available at brownpapertickets.com.