You Could Go Out for Dinner Again. Or You Could Have Your Minds Read.
Somebody in the group chat just asked, "What should we do this weekend?" Here is an answer nobody has suggested yet. Sound Minds is dinner, drinks and a live jazz ensemble with mind-reading afterwards, all in one room at a neighborhood restaurant in Philadelphia. You eat, you listen, you laugh, and then Gentry, The Intellectual's Illusionist, starts telling people at your table what they are thinking.
It is the kind of night you talk about on the way home.
See upcoming dates and get tickets
Dinner. Drinks. Live Jazz. Mind Reading.
A good night out with friends usually comes down to four things: something good to eat, something good to drink, people you like, and a reason to stay at the table. Sound Minds puts all four in one place, in the right order, so nobody has to figure out where to go next. Bring your friends. Bring a date. Bring your skepticism.
How the Night Unfolds
Arrive and settle in
Doors open half an hour before the music starts. Find your table, order a drink and let the room fill up around you. Gentry works the room as guests arrive, so a few tables get an early taste of what is coming before the band plays a note.
Dinner and drinks, ordered your way
Food and drink come from the restaurant's own menu, so everyone at the table orders exactly what they like. Share plates, split a bottle, take your time.
Live jazz, with Gentry on bass
Through dinner, a live jazz ensemble plays elegant, recognizable music at a level that lets your table keep talking. Gentry plays bass in the band. He is a working Philadelphia jazz bassist, and that is the reason this evening exists at all.
Then the mind reading
After a short intermission, the music gives way to the feature: live mind reading with guests from the audience. Gentry reveals what people in the room are thinking, up close and in plain view. Painting a canvas is something you each do on your own. When Gentry reveals what is on your friend's mind, the whole table is in it together, and the conversation starts before the applause ends.
Stay for the conversation
When the show ends, the room keeps going. People linger over the last round, retell the best moments to each other and keep talking about it on the way to the car.
Cognitive Analysis, after the show
For some guests, the most memorable part of the night comes afterward. Gentry also offers Cognitive Analysis, a focused one-on-one conversation about a real decision in your life. As he puts it: "There's something you keep thinking about. Bring me the problem." Guests can sit down with him after the show, and sessions are also available on their own.
See upcoming dates and get tickets
Why It Works for a Group of Friends
Everyone ends up in the same story. The moment Gentry names what your friend was thinking becomes the story your group tells for months.
One ticket, one room, one evening. Dinner, drinks and entertainment happen at the same table, so the night keeps its momentum.
It suits every personality. The outgoing friend can volunteer, and the quiet one can enjoy every minute from their seat.
It is something different. You already know what dinner feels like. This is dinner with a second act.
It gives you something to talk about. Jazz sets the mood for conversation, and the mind reading gives the conversation somewhere to go.
Why It Works for a Date
Whether it is a third date or a twentieth anniversary, Sound Minds does the hardest part of a night out for you: it gives two people something new to share. The music keeps things relaxed through dinner, and the mind reading hands you a better topic than work or the weather. It is a date night idea in Philadelphia that neither of you has done before, and you will still be comparing notes over breakfast.
Who Is Gentry?
Nicholas Gentry performs as Gentry, The Intellectual's Illusionist. He is a Philadelphia mentalist and jazz bassist who has taught at four universities: Carnegie Mellon, Temple, Duquesne and the University of Pittsburgh. He holds an MA in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon, gave the TEDx talk "Faking It IS Making It," and performs for corporate audiences whose names include NBC, FOX, CBS, AWS, MassMutual and DuPont. His work comes from rhetoric, philosophy, the classroom and years of live performance, and it shows in a show that respects the intelligence of everyone in the room.
Watch Gentry at work, read what audiences and clients say, or learn more about Gentry.
Plan Your Night Out
Pick a date on the events page.
Buy tickets for your whole group in one order so you arrive on the same booking.
Arrive when doors open so everyone can sit together and order before the music starts.
Enjoy dinner, jazz and the mind reading, then stay as long as the conversation lasts.
Not ready to pick a date? Hear about the next one and get first word when new dates are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sound Minds?
Sound Minds is an evening of dinner, drinks and a live jazz ensemble with mind-reading afterwards, led by Philadelphia mentalist and bassist Gentry, The Intellectual's Illusionist. It runs about two and a half hours at a Philadelphia restaurant venue.
Where is Sound Minds held?
Sound Minds is currently presented at Malelani Café, 6734 Germantown Avenue, in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia. The events page always lists the venue for each date.
What time does it start, and how long does it run?
At Malelani Café, doors open at 6:30 PM and the evening runs from 7:00 to 9:30 PM: dinner and live jazz first, then a short intermission, then the mind reading.
Is dinner included in the ticket?
Your ticket covers the show. Food and drink are ordered from the restaurant's own menu, so everyone at the table chooses what they like.
How much are tickets?
Advance tickets are $25 for general admission and $30 for preferred seating. Tickets at the door are $35, subject to availability.
How does seating work?
Seating is first come, first served, so arrive when doors open if your group wants to sit together. Preferred seating gives the clearest sightlines, and a few seats in the room have a partial view of the performance area.
Is Sound Minds a good night out for a group of friends?
Yes. It combines dinner, drinks, live music and a shared experience in one room, which makes it an easy plan for a group. Buy your group's tickets in one order on the events page.
Is it a good date night in Philadelphia?
Yes. The jazz keeps dinner relaxed and conversational, and the mind reading gives the two of you something new to talk about long after the show.
Do I have to go up on stage?
Participation is always an invitation. Many guests enjoy the whole evening from their seats, and the people who join Gentry at the front come away looking sharp.
How old do you need to be to attend?
Sound Minds is for ages 12 and up.
Where do we park?
Paid parking is available nearby.
What is Cognitive Analysis?
Cognitive Analysis is a focused one-on-one conversation with Gentry about a decision you are weighing: a sharp, independent mind with no stake in your answer, giving the problem its full attention. Guests can book a session after the show or on its own through the Cognitive Analysis page.
What is the refund policy?
Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.
Can we book Gentry for a private party instead?
Yes. Gentry performs private events for groups as small as five, with the option of live jazz from his band. Send your date through the Check availability page.
Your Table Is Waiting
You could go out for dinner again. Or you could have dinner, live jazz and an evening of mind reading your friends will still be talking about next month.