Magical science

University of California, Santa Barbara graduate Jason Latimer isn't a normal magician. The 33-year-old illusionist earned a degree in economics and mathematics, but was more interested in attending applied physics and perceptual psychology classes to further his budding magic career. His versatile science-backed style was reflected in his haul of awards from the 2003 International Federation of Magic Societies World Championships: Grand Prix for close-up magic, Invention (first place) and Micromagic (first place). More recently, the magician won the second season of British reality show The Magicians in 2012. He's also known for inventing a magic trick where he appears to manipulate a laser as a solid object. That's right, a laser. And you don't even have to drive all the way down to Vegas to see him. Jason Latimer, $20; 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Cache Creek Casino Resort, 14455 Highway 16 in Brooks; (530) 796-3118; www.cachecreek.com.