......was a free outdoor installation/performance piece held during the 2003 Philadelphia Fringe Festival at Bird Park, seen here, Third and Arch Streets next to Gallery Joe. Parlor Tricks played for two weekends. The first weekend, audience participated in painting the parlor with the assistance of artist Joan Menapace while avant garde musician and composer Robert Berry performed original music on the electric bass and cello.

The second weekend, Berry performed additional music and lead the audience in favorite parlor tricks, such as The Bubble Trick, The Balloon Trick, and Levitation. As it got dark, he changed persona and treated everyone to a Sylvia Plath reading. Menapace did card tricks with the audience, paper doll cutouts and with the accompaniement of Berry and guitar player, Nick Winter, performed "O Death" in spoken word.

The music you hear is from the CD "Johnny One Note" which Berry composed and performed especially for this piece. It is available by email.

Scroll down for photos which will give you the flavor of the event. Run your mouse over the photos to see another view.

Nick Winter performing on his acoustic 12-string, above, and Rober Berry attempting the bubble trick with the help of Mary Tomlinson to the delight of a visitor to the parlor. Below, the bubble trick and mask trick.