The master illusionist, Lance Burton, performs in one of the grandest theaters in Vegas – his own multi-million dollar theater named after himself, which was designed perfectly to his own specifications and houses 1200 seats that are full of fans that leave the theater with their jaws dropped down into their laps in awe every night. Yet it’s the man behind the bright lights that Las Vegans are so blessed to call their own. This grand performer is a humble and charming gentleman with a heart.

As part of the staging for one fund-raiser after another, the magic that is performed by this great magician is no illusion when it comes to his generosity. Burton has been voted “Favorite Male Las Vegan” over the years, and it’s no wonder, in light of his generous contributions to community charities. From entertaining children to performing for the benefit of animal rescue foundations, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Shriners, The Variety Club, New Vista Ranch and more, this talented gentleman is even more than the top in his field of magic – he’s much more. The man behind the magic is one of Vegas’ best known humanitarians, even as he continues to be the city’s premier star performer of magic on the Strip.

Though Lance gives to an enormous variety of causes, the humble performer shrugs it off while onstage—presenting his “Lance Burton Magic Shop’s” proceeds to be used to “buy beer,” he jokes, rather than its true donation—a portion of the profits that benefit the Shriners Zelzah Temple Transportation Fund to buy 15-seat vans equipped with wheelchair lifts to take physically disabled children to the Shriner’s Hospital in Los Angeles for care.

Children’s charities are held close to Burton’s heart. Variety Club Tent 39 that helps children with special needs, as well as is dedicated to helping and assisting all children’s charities, has been aiding special needs children since 1950. The Club heralds Lance as its celebrity member and special ambassador. He generously donates to Sunshine Coaches and Variety’s causes. Lance visits and supports the Variety Day Home, as well as both schools which care for 500 mentally and physically challenged children: Variety Special School and John F. Miller School.

Lance’s love for children began 24 years ago when he had his own son. Now a grandfather, Lance shares his time with both his granddaughter and thousands of other children – from many walks of life.

“There’s a magician’s convention that meets here in Vegas every year for the past 30 years. For the last 15 years or so, I’ve sponsored the youth program which started out with just a lunch with the young magicians. We’d have a dozen kids and I’d invite some of my friends who are professional magicians. We’d just sit and have lunch and talk magic. It’s grown every year. Now it’s a three-day event. Last time we had 75-100 young people, twelve to eighteen years old, with workshops and lectures and lunch. It’s been a very successful program and several of the ones who came up through the program have gone on to become professional magicians. I like working with the young people, they’re so enthusiastic and full of energy, and it’s kind of contagious. I look at them and I see myself at their age.”

When Burton is not performing onstage and not at a benefit for children, you can find him looking out for the well-being of animals. Made an honorary member of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) in Las Vegas, in addition, Burton has performed magic for animal causes, most recently the Funny Bone fundraiser. Being strapped into a straightjacket by fellow performer and comedian George Wallace, Burton and many other Vegas entertainers enjoyed a laugh while they raised money for the good of all animal rescue organizations.

Burton’s adopted Golden Retriever, Monte, precipitated the “Master Magician’s” love for the Animal Foundation of Nevada, an organization that helps find homes for stray cats and dogs. Burton adopted him as a puppy and he now hangs out backstage with the showgirls! Tough life for a stray pooch…

Monte is not the only pet living the good life at the Burton home. Fellow pets include a flock of birds that all share the stage with Lance. There are about fifty or sixty pigeons, seven or eight ducks, seven doves, a couple of geese, and a “parakeet in a pear tree”… You could call it the “Twelve Birds of Burton”. Each has their separate dressing room! All perform nightly alongside Burton, except for Monte. Burton calls him “the mascot”.

The flock usually performs impeccably, but once in awhile, something can go wrong…

“Oh, we’ve had everything go wrong. I’ve had ducks and geese jump into the audience. I’ve had kids start crying during the show. I’ve split my pants and I’ve slipped and fallen… everything you can imagine and many things you cannot imagine.”

Donating hundreds of pairs of his show tickets annually for good causes, there certainly must be something spiritual about a magical man that gives so much of himself.

“I do believe (my talent) must be a gift from God, although in magic, that may be a misnomer that it happens in the hands because it really happens in the head. There are many, many people who have great hands, who have great technique, who will never be successful as a magician. It’s in the head and maybe in the heart, too. But (the talent lies) in the head.” SLV

Issue 45 featuring: Capri Anderson, Felix Vicious & Jayme Langford and Jenna Haze