Ya know, Sally, that is a good question. Seems there are many opinions on this. It's like saying "who is the best MALE magician"? And, "favorite" is subjective, also. Everyone has a favorite performer. And it's a matter of taste.

I have my favorites, and they are the ones that get my attention >The girls who are beautiful and graceful, and perform excellent magic. Not necessarily in that order, though. And ya know? It's really unfair. Why should being beautiful make a difference, if a girl's magic is done gracefully and fools the audience?

Not every man sees beauty in the same way. However. Magic is a specific art. You have to be good. You have to perform with routines that keep rapt attention. You have to perform unique effects and routines. Is that what is known as the best? Hard to say. How would ANYONE become "the best"?

Then, we ask, "The best WHAT?" Coin magician? Card Magician? Closeup magician? Stage? Mentalist? It gets bogged down. You have asked a very good question, Sally. I really don't know the answer to that. ~Sheesh~ Now I'm gonna be up all night thinking about that! (laughing) Darn! There is no fair answer. I would advise you to practice, and strive to be the BEST you can BE! Is that an OK answer?

Doug

How about Becky Blaney? She grew up in a magic family, her father being Walter "Zaney" Blaney, and has been a steady, hard working pro for years; comedy clubs, corporate events, TV, one of the house magicians at Magic Island Houston and I believe she worked as a teenager at the old Houston AstroWorld Amusment park.

http://www.beckyblaney.com/

JU

My little girl shows me magical things every day.

I would say Melinda First Lady of Magic

I saw Julie Eng from Toronto a few years ago at Magi Fest and was very impressed with her artistic story telling style.

I only recently became involved with magic club - last November to be exact. On the third month, the theme was to "Impersonate our Favorite Magician". Well... Becky Blaney is hilarious and I fell in love watching her.. so that is the Magician I selected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5bvR-Vp1jY

Now mind you I started in November this was done a few months later. lol

I will always have hold highest respect for her.

Hi Doug

I'm still here as well! Thanks so much for the kind words.

Chrystal

Took my daughter to the magic castle today and 2 of the 3 performers we say were female, and one wad 15 years old. so she's my favorite

Oh! Chrystal! There you are! Great to see you! Sure did miss ya! I hope you still perform...I have always thought of you as kind, and thoughtful, and imagine your magic performance to be "class A"! I am so glad to see you are still a part of this wonderful group of people! Hugs!

Doug

I don't know why Charlotte Pendragon has not been mentioned here. An award winning performer and talented magical entertainer on her own.

Charlotte is performing on her OWN now? I did not know that. She is one tough lady to bounce back after her ordeal! Glad to hear it! I would love to see what she's doing now!

Doug

The First Lady of Magic: http://www.charlottependragon.com/

We all love Char!

I thought Melinda was the first lady of Magic.

I still do not have a favorite one but I am learning a lot from this interesting thread.

You all have overlooked the first female magician to win "Best Close up Magician" at the Magic Castle.... Suzanne!
She does an amazing job at weaving a story into something we've all seen done before. Her cups and balls routine is fantastic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H2yrkH6nRQ

I'd also have to say Luna Shemada and her parasol routine too... always beautifully done.

Hi all...
Too the best of my knowledge, Dorothy Dietrich was actually the first women to be called "The First Lady of Magic" at the very start of her career as a teenager. And continued to be called so many years thereafter.

She has dozens of magazine and newspaper articles to attest to this fact. It is just not worth taking time from her busy performing schedule to follow up on the people who try to usurp the title. Three national television shows this coming season, including an appearance on on "Mysteries at the Museum" on The Travel Channel Houdini's Mirror Cuff Escape as a Houdini expert and founder of Scranton's Houdini Museum. Just got a lifetime achievement award from Metro Magic, was the only escape artist booked to perform onstage at the Houdini exhibit at The Jewish Museum in NY, to a standing ovation by the way. Also the only woman to be invited and booked there to speak on Houdini on a panel with George Schindler, Dean of the Society of American Magicians, and Kenneth Silverman author of the excellent bio on Houdini.

When not doing a TV shoot, appearing most days of the year somewhere. Mostly on the East Coast, NY, Fla, PA, as she likes to be near home to be with her family and friends..

Regardz
Dick Brookz

Very nice picks and there were a bunch of new names for me! My favorite has always been Luna Shimada, who has been mentioned in this thread multiple times. I also like the style of Roxanne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XHAmm0M6wA

If I would ever end up doing magic professionally, I would do something similar. Tell a story enhanced with magic. Sadly she isn't doing anything like that anymore, it seems.

I haven't seen many female magicians in person, but the one that really stood out to me was about 40 years ago when I saw Suzi Wandas perform at Ring 22's annual show. She must have been in her 80's, but still showed poise and grace in her stage routine.

Gary