PRESS
LAKE ANDES WAVE ~ November 5, 2014
Article announcing Jarol Martin performance at Fort Randall Casino
SEVEN WEEKLY MAGAZINE ~ August 2011
Freedom Seekers
by Michelle Alejandra
THE ARRIVAL: April 2007
THE JOB: Sales associate and stylist at John Varvatos, an upscale clothing store at the Hard Rock Hotel. He also works as a magician, opening for Jeff McBride at the Olive Mediterranean Grill.
THE STORY: Jarol Martin (a.k.a. Harold Martinez), was a magician in Cuba, working in hotels and resorts. The job was a privilege. People had to audition for admission to a training school for future hotel employees. Few graduated, but the payoff was well worth it. “At the hotels we made more than engineers or doctors because of all the tips we got,” he says. But he also got too much knowledge of the outside world. “We had people coming from France and Canada. They would talk about traveling and their own politics, and they seemed so free and happy,” he says. And while life at work was enjoyable, the outside world was stressful. “I had friends who went to jail for making comments about the government,” he says. “You can never trust anyone.”
* Gratitude to Checko Salgado, who took this picture in real-time, using his own techniques, with NO effects, processing, or editing.
THE MESSAGE: Martin has become something of a political junkie. Not in the way most people here love it these days—with that dark ferocity—but with awe of appreciation and curiosity. “I love that there are two parties and we can decide which one is better,” he says. “Communism sounds good—it’s pretty. But in life people are hungry,” he says. “You have to live with your parents forever because you can’t buy a house.” Martin misses his country—the beauty and joy of the island—but he now has a daughter, and he says he is excited about providing her all that American life has to offer. “Here we are free, we can do everything we want to do and spend our money on what we want to. And you don’t have to be afraid.
NEWS 5 BELIZE ~ February 2007
Magic Show to benefit children's home
[ transcript of LIVE NEWS broadcast ]
There’s nothing like a good magic trick to arouse a sense of wonder in young and old alike. Next weekend that rare art will be on display for Belizeans … and the best part is that it’s all for a worthy cause.
William Neal, Director, ICA:
“Jarol “The Professional Magician” is really, really good when it comes to levitation. I have seen him perform a number of tricks that includes using globes, roses, and really moving them over, up, down, all around and it’s really fascinating to see the work that he does.”
Kendra Griffith, Reporting:
"Twenty-eight year old Jarol Martin hails from Cuba and has been performing his magic for fourteen years."
William Neal:
“I think it’s going to be a really good show because he’s very interactive. He has tricks that will dazzle people of all ages; children as well as "children at heart," and think it’s really a great opportunity for anybody to come and support a worthy cause.”
Kendra Griffith:
"The worthy causes are ICA’s Arts in Schools program and the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center."
William Neal:
“Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre does a really wonderful job. They have over fifty children there and their programs are really varied. Generally we visit these places when something negative happens, but they are doing a really good job on a day to day basis and we thought that it would be a good opportunity for people to go there and see what they are doing, thus the press conference there. And at the same time, we thought it would be a good shot in the arm to give some of the funds to better some of their programs.”
Kendra Griffith:
"This afternoon, Harold was at the child care center and put on a mini-show for the kids. The magician is scheduled to perform three shows next weekend."
William Neal:
“On Friday, February 16th, at 7:00, we have a show for high school students. On Saturday, February 17th, we have one at 3:00 for children, and then at 7:00 in the evening we have one for adults.”
Kendra Griffith:
"Ticket prices are $10 for children under 18 years and $15 for adults. ICA Director William Neal says they are hoping to embark on a school tour next week to raise awareness for the shows."