MAGICAL JOHN PARTICIPATES IN GIANT BALLOON INSTALLATION

Magical John on a previous Airigami project

For Immediate Release:  January 14, 2016
Media Contact: John Wolfson mail@magicaljohn.com
Airigami info: airigami.com, airigamiadventure.com, facebook.com/airigami, twitter.com/airigami, youtube.com/larrycmoss  


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​ ROCHESTER MAGICIAN PARTICIPATES IN GIANT BALLOON INSTALLATION "Magical John" Wolfson helps build Airigami Balloon Adventure in Rochester, NY
Crew of 70 uses 40,000 balloons for five-story Journey on the Genesee   Rochester, NY – John Wolfson, aka Magical John is one of 60 artists and volunteers from all over the U.S. and from as far away as the Netherlands who will build a massive balloon art installation in Rochester, NY this January. Airigami Balloon Adventure: Journey on the Genesee is produced by Rochester’s Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle of AirigamiTM (“the fine art of folding air”), who are world-renowned for their incredible, full-blown installations. The five-story, 50-foot sculpture will be constructed from more than 40,000 compostable balloons over four days (January 25-28), and on display from January 29-February 7 in Rochester’s historic, downtown Sibley Building (250 E. Main St., 14604). This will be Airigami’s seventh such giant Rochester art installation (formerly titled Balloon Manor); 2015’s Amazing Air-filled Undersea Adventure drew more than 30,000 visitors.  

“Working with this amazing team is a one-of-a-kind experience” says Wolfson, who is a full time family entertainer (he dazzles audiences at birthdays, school shows, festivals, and private events.) “Larry and Kelly are amazing teachers, and it is so special to be part of this incredible project!"

Wolfson is the latest entertainer to perform "How to Catch a Mouse- simple machines at work" a fun and educational school show written and produced by Larry Moss that teaches the nature and structure of simple machines .

Both the build and the finished installation will be on display to the public free of charge through Sunday, February 7 (9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. daily), when the installation will be deflated during its traditional Popping Party (tickets available at airigamiadventure.com/tickets).  

​“We are incredibly excited to recreate nature with balloons – the river, waterfalls, animals, plants – inside, in the middle of winter,” says Airigami Artistic Director and Founder Larry Moss. “And we're doing it all in an environmentally sound way, generating almost no waste, and composting the remains.”  

This year’s presenting partners, the Seneca Park Zoo Society and the YMCA of Greater Rochester, are both keen to reach the community regarding important education programs: My Genesee, the Zoo Society’s effort to explore the biodiversity of the Genesee River and promote its sustainability; and the Y’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum. Airigami is offering its own community learning experiences this year as well: Airigami Balloon Adventure Crew Experience(youth-adult), Group Talk & Twist (kindergarten & up), and Experiment! Balloon Breakdown (ages 8 & up).  

Adventure visitors will also be treated to free, live entertainment by artists including Rochester storyteller Jay Stetzer, Magical John, Flower City Vaudeville, and groups from Spectrum Creative Arts. Information about community classes and an evolving entertainment schedule are available at airigamiadventure.com, where parking information is also located.   Journey on the Genesee is sponsored by the Seneca Park Zoo Society, the YMCA of Greater Rochester, Qualatex Balloons, Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown, the City of Rochester, Visit Rochester, The Sibley Building and WinnCompanies, 13 WHAM, Kids Out and About.com, City Newspaper, Immaginé, Spectrum Creative Arts, and more. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; please visit airigamiadventure.com/sponsors.   More about Airigami: Rochester artists and Airigami partners Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle are world renowned for their incredible full-blown installations, whether it’s a giant Acrocanthosaurus for the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the world’s first piloted balloon sculpture (Fantastic Flying Octopus), or one of their many Balloon Manors. Airigami has earned two Guinness World’s Records, along with AP, CNN Headline, PBS and other international and national news coverage. They’ve also made multiple appearances on The Martha Stewart Show, Good Morning America, the Today show, and at the White House.    Media please note:  High-resolution images and other media assets for Airigami Balloon Adventure are available at airigamiadventure.com/press, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged.  

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