Magic is lingering in the air and those passing through downtown State College might happen to encounter some of the performers who have taken their talents to the streets for all to enjoy.

The Downtown State College Improvement District is aiming to make street performing a tradition on the sidewalks of downtown. Its 2003 Public Performance Program offers permits to entertainers from magicians to comedians to jugglers who have proved a certain degree of skill, as well as the desire to share it.

One member of the program is 14-year-old Steve Moore, who has been practicing magic for 10 years.

Like many magic entertainers, Moore doesn't like to call himself a "magician" because it would associate him with pulling cute white bunny rabbits out of top hats.

Instead, he prefers the title "techno mage."

"Techno" means futuristic and "mage" is a medieval word for magician.

Moore works professionally doing stage shows but often takes his act to College Avenue to surprise unsuspecting passerbys with mind-boggling manipulation of cards, coins and other ordinary objects.

"People get frustrated," Moore said. "But then frustration turns into amazement. I think they leave feeling happier."

All of the street performers gladly accept tips, but Moore said he is primarily out there for the pleasure of doing magic and making people smile.

"It takes people away from reality into a new, fancy world for a little while," he said. "That's why I do it."

Another entertainer, Chris Chelko, said street performing works well for his three-person act, Three Street, which incorporates magic, juggling, sideshow and comedy.

"Street magic is more intimate because it happens just inches from the person's face," Chelko said. "I think it's the most powerful form of magic."

Chelko said the group often draws a large crowd, but in order to get people to stop and watch it's important to capture their attention within the first three seconds.

"We're out there for the experience and the fun," he said. "You don't get better by sitting around doing nothing."

Chelko has been doing magic for 15 years and has been performing professionally for the past six years. Besides performing downtown, Three Street travels all over the country doing shows. Longtime magicians John Blake and Ben Salinas are the co-owners of Magic, Music and More, 244 E. Calder Way. Many of State College's magicians can often be found hanging out at the store when they're not performing downtown. Blake has connections with every big name in the magic world and owned one of the world's largest magic stores in New York City before he moved to State College.

"Magic is an addiction but it's a good addiction," Blake said. "Even though I've been doing it forever I still practice every day. If you don't you'll lose it."

Blake and Salinas said some of the kids have shown a lot of promise and often give the young magicians pointers on their technique.

"We're on a crusade to make sure anyone that's associated with us is doing it right," he said. "Sometimes we're cruel about it but in the end they'll thank us."

Salinas, who founded the Penn State Performing Magicians in 1996, said the trick to performing on the street is to be loud, flashy and boisterous. "You have to stand out, and, once you get a crowd, involve as many people as possible in every aspect of the trick," Salinas said.

"Magic is very hands on. If it isn't interactive, it's nothing."