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Magician
Lambert likes to
get close to audience
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
(July 2008) – Most magicians can pull
any old rabbit out of a hat. But for Gregg Lambert, the trick
holds special meaning each time he performs it.
“My grandfather showed me the trick when I was a 3-year-old,”
said Lambert. A magic trick with a little rabbit is one he
has never forgotten. “I do it regularly in my show. It’s
a wonderful memory of my grandfather.”
Audiences will get to see Lambert’s up
close magic tricks when he performs on July 19 on Oldham County
Day. He will be performing a casual, laid-back children’s
show before the children’s games at noon at the Project
Guild’s gazebo.
Acts such as Lambert are chosen for the Oldham County Day
entertainment lineup so that local performers can showcase
themselves and their talent, said Victoria Motyka, secretary
for Project Guild of La Grange, the entity that organizes
the event. On average, about 12 to 15 entertainers are scheduled
each year.
Motyka said Oldham County Day is unique because the talent
is always local. “Sometimes they’re young and just
starting out,” she said. Others, like the Oldham County
Community Band, “play because they want to.”
Project Guild members say they are excited to have Lambert
perform this year. There is a lot of audience involvement
in one of his shows as he does “a little bit of everything,”
he said.
For the past 25 years, Lambert has entertained audiences across
the country, performing everywhere from Washington, D.C.,
to Las Vegas. He performs both children and corporate shows,
having performed at such venues as restaurants, weddings,
trade shows and private parties.
He is a member of the Louisville Magic Club, which he said
has helped him tremendously in his magic career. Magic is
like anything else, he said. If you put effort into it, like
learning to sing or play a musical instrument, you’ll
be successful.
Lambert formed Louisville Magic to offer his performances
plus additional services including other magicians and variety
acts. He has performed his sleight of hand tricks for the
likes of Jerry Seinfeld, D. Wayne Lucas, Ed McMahon and Fuzzy
Zoeller.
For a time, Lambert worked at a Louisville area magic shop,
going on to perform regular shows at Kunz’s Restaurant,
Caesar’s Palace Casino, Max and Erma’s, Actor’s
Theatre and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. He currently
performs at the Galt House in Louisville on Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays. Nelson brings his style of up close magic to
customers’ tables to entertain them while they are eating
or waiting for their meal.
The quality that sets Lambert’s performance apart from
other magicians is the fact that “I like to be as close
to the audience as I can,” he said. He described his
performances as “fun, interactive family magic.”
Originally from the Louisville area, Lambert said his magic
“is designed for kids, but it may fool the adults as
well. You are guaranteed a good time at one of my shows.”
The Oldham County Day entertainment lineup actually begins
on the previous evening, Friday, Aug. 18, beginning at 7:30.
La Grange residents Bobby Bramblett and his wife, Diane, will
perform a variety of music from rock and roll to gospel on
the Second Street Stage.
Also a part of the Friday night lineup is Elvis impersonator
Todd Bodenheimer. Performances will conclude on this stage
at 11:30 p.m.
The City of La Grange schedules the Friday night entertainment.
“We like to use locals,” said Debbie Pollard, organizer
for the Friday night performance. “It gives them a chance
to spread their wings.”
John Manning and the Thrillers will close down Oldham County
Day on Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with their Big
Band sound. There is always something for every age and musical
taste on Oldham County Day.
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