BJ Kirshenbaum
I come from a family of goofballs—and that’s a good thing. Growing up chronically ill, I learned very quickly that laughter truly is the best medicine.
Finding humor in tough times was essential to my healing—and laughter is still one of my favorite tools as an adult. It's why I’ve dedicated my life to helping others experience more joy through food, fun and fundraising!
Every kid needs a hobby. For me it was between soap carving, beetle fighting, extreme ironing and magic. While it was a tight race, magic won! And while magic requires much practice and sharpening of skills, making people laugh has always came naturally to me.
In my later teen years, like many magicians I sharpened my skills performing close-up magic in restaurants multiple nights a week. Soon I went on to entertain casino, corporate and private event audiences. Since 2019 I've had the pleasure of being a resident magician at the Chicago Magic Lounge performing at tables, on stage and in the 654 club.
Comedy Magician
Having turned my hobby into a career, I needed a new hobby. Tree shaping caught my interest and duck herding was also atop the list but as I love to cook and used to frequently go to Pizzeria Due with a fellow performer after gigs, I decided deep dish pizza making was the winner!
With the help of the chef at the original Pizzeria Due, a couple of professional chef friends, a renowned pizza chef in NYC (yes New York!) and my more than willing taste testing family and friends, I perfected my deep dish pizza recipe.
In 2014 I did it again! I had an "a ha!" moment and combined pizza making with my comedy magic show to create Magic By The Slice!
pizza maestro
In 2016, I donated Magic By The Slice to a non-profit live auction. As I watched the bidding unfold, I felt the item deserved to raise significantly more.
Having taught myself to chant like an auctioneer years prior for my on-man-show, the wheels started turning. Coincidentally, a colleague’s friend was looking for an in-house auctioneer for her event activation business.
I quickly learned the ins and outs of the charity gala industry, earned my Illinois auctioneer license, and just like that, my new career was off and running.
charity auctioneer
When I'm not cooking or entertaining, you'll likely find me in the kitchen, out running, riding my bike and or watching my favorite Chicago sports teams try not to suck!