about

Magic Malka

Originally from Spain, Alvaro Argente (aka Magic Malka) showed a natural talent for showmanship as a teenager, when he started busking as a fire juggler.

He attended UAM to study Social Psychology and his interest in the application of psychology in performing arts led him to study Ascanio’s material about the topic. It was at this point he began to practice magic as a hobby. However, it was only after meeting Juan Tamariz (considered one of the last living legends of close-up card magic) at a dive bar that he decided to take the leap to professional magic.

Deeply influenced by Juan Tamariz,  Arturo de Ascanio, Pepe Carroll and Rene Lavand, and combining his circus background with his studies in Social Psychology,  Malka developed his own style with a focus on what he calls “intimate magic”. His style involves fast-paced effects with high audience participation and interaction, and “on the hands” effects. His work is deeply influenced by jazz improvisation, with a “give and take” relationship with his audience.

Malka started his magic career busking all across Spain. Soon he was performing at restaurants, bars and clubs in Madrid. In particular, he was the first to bring magic entertainment to Lunch Box and Viva Las Vegas Club for his first residencies in 2008, as well as at music festivals such as SOS 4.8.

Since moving to the UK in 2012, Malka has joined both Illusions Magic Bar and Smoke and Mirrors, two popular magic venues located in Bristol as resident magician, as well as headlining his own shows and festivals all over the world; from Glastonbury to Faqra Club in Lebanon, in some cases working with the famous circus collective The Invisible Circus. He also performed in all kinds of private hires – from weddings to funerals!

After 2 years residency at Illusions and Smoke & Mirrors, Malka decided to start his own project, #Properbeer & #Propermagic, in collaboration with Brewdog, The Old Bookshop, Bristol Eats, The Three Tuns, Small Bar and Left Handed Giant. Eventually, the project involved more than 30 independent pubs and breweries all over the UK.

In recent years, Malka has become a well known Bristol magic icon, performing in some of the best established clubs and bars around the city. Since 2021 he has been one of the main resident performers at The Raven Bristol. 

Malka has won multiple international awards for his innovative approach to card magic and collaborated with multiple universities around the world in studies involving psychology and magic.