Simo and Kirsti Aalto have a long history as a married and working couple. One phone call changed the direction of a career.
– I wish I could do something similar someday, the six-year-old dreamed Simo Aalto seeing a magician on black and white TV.
The magic box brought by his father had also made a great impression on him.
Now 63-year-old Simo has a lot of awards and accolades, including the world championship in the prestigious close-up series.
The Internet did not help Simon when he began to seriously pursue a career as a magician at the age of 15. Simo is only grateful for that afterwards.
– That has been my trump card. I’ve had to think about my case in a more difficult way, says Simo.
Encountering AIDS tests
Simon’s wife Kirsti is an equally familiar sight on stages. In April, the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a romantic vacation.
Simo and Kirsti dated as teenagers, but later both started their own families. Simon and Kirsti’s paths met in the fall of 1991 in a market frenzy. Kirsti had watched her ex-boyfriend’s career on TV with a side eye.
Kirsti went with her three daughters to accompany a friend to buy “the best cabbage rolls in the world” from a familiar seller.
Soon the loudspeakers announced that the magic show was about to begin. The children were excited, Kirsti was not. Kirsti realized that it was Simo.
– I thought, oh no, I hope Simo doesn’t recognize me. I was wearing a windbreaker and no makeup. Of course Simo recognized me, Kirsti laughs.
Kirsti and Simon’s paths crossed again when both had already started families. Jenni Gästgivar
After his gig, Simo asked Kirsti to chat for a while. The five-minute was revolutionary. Kirsti still remembers her friend’s words when they left the market.
– He said that “you’re walking on air, come down from there”, Kirsti smiles.
Simo didn’t stay idle when he wanted to get into Kirsti’s stories again. Not even Kirsti’s secret phone number was an obstacle. Simo read about the AIDS support center in Oulu in the newspaper – and at the same time found out that Kirsti also works there.
Simo made an appointment for an AIDS test anonymously.
– The door opened and there was Simo. I was like, oh my God, why are you coming here! It turned out that he came to pick me up from there. We took that test too, Kirsti laughs.
A year later, the couple was married.
Simo needed an assistant for his presentations. Kirsti was seen at concerts, among other things, floating and doing a brave sword trick.
The new family had seven children and Lama went to school in Finland. However, Kirsti left her day job.
– We had such a strong feeling that we could make this work, says Kirsti.
A game-changing call
The couple remembers how they performed six shows a day in the early days at Wasalandia. One phone call changed the direction of the couple’s life.
– At first we thought it was some kind of prank call. It was impossible to understand the man’s speech, Simo begins.
On the end of the phone it was said that Kirsti and Simo were wanted in the large Varkaus hall to perform. The requirement was an hour-long show.
– I said no talk. Half an hour is the maximum that can be required of children under school age, so that they can concentrate. He still wanted it, to which I replied that it was terribly expensive. I thought I could freeze him. I said a price I’ve never said: many tons. They answered that yes it will! Simo remembers.
Simo and Kirsti developed a fairy tale around illusion tricks, where Kirsti was a princess and Simo was a knight. The musical parts helped support the show for an hour.
– We realized that this is what we should do, says Simo.
– That popularity exploded, says Kirsti.
The couple’s visions had been different, but demand dictated the direction.
– It was my dream David Copperfield -style, I had glitter clothes, there was smoke and big illusions. We set out to do that seriously, but the children chose us, says Simo.
At that time, Simo was already known from TV, where he had been seen in children’s programs. Simo still does gigs for adults today, and close-up magic is his specialty. Still, the shows aimed at children have kept the family alive.
Simo and Kirsti Aalto have entertained many generations. Jenni Gästgivar
Kirsti’s role has become clearer over the years. Kirsti jumped into the show world without a background in performing. At first, Kirsti even did the opening lines from behind the curtain – that was how much she was nervous.
– The children shout where Kirsti is if she is not seen, Simo knows how to say with years of experience.
A surprise hit in the back room
Animals have been part of the performances of the Jokeri Pokeri Box magician. In previous years, a dog and a parrot were also seen on stage, now only a bird and a rabbit.
Simo and Kirsti are aware of the discussion about the use of animals in the entertainment business. Dogs, rabbits, domestic pigeons, mocking pigeons, and parrots are all allowed animals in circuses and traveling animal shows, although critical feedback has been directed at their use, especially in the circus industry.
Simo and Kirsti have never received any complaints about it. Once, a veterinarian who was watching the show made a sneaky inspection raid in the back room.
– He asked if he could come and admire the animals. We said sure! He said afterwards that he was a veterinarian. He gave his business card and said that you can call him anytime and ask if there is anything related to our animals. He stated that the animals are in very good condition and are treated very well. They are our coworkers, our most important stars, says Simo.
– The animals are hidden until the last bit and are brought out. Kirsti takes them away immediately. They don’t have to squat in any tight places, Simo continues.
Simo and Kirsti have not received any complaints regarding animals. STUDIO TIMO HEIKKALA OY
Famous daughter
In the fall, Simo and Kirsti will go on an extensive Jokeri Pokeri Box DeLuxe Show tour to celebrate their 45th anniversary.
Simon’s daughter, a ventriloquist, will be seen as a special guest on the tour Sari Aalto. More than five million pairs of eyes follow Saria on Tiktok, she has also presented her ventriloquist skills, among other things Talentin the program.
– Sarista saw from an early age that she would become a performer of some kind, Kirsti describes.
– It cannot be prevented. It’s worth trying, but that fire comes from within. Then you just have to encourage when you can’t do anything else, Simo smiles.
Simokin has taken over social media. You can follow Simon’s magic school on YouTube. Although there are tricks everywhere, Simon’s biggest audience on YouTube is young adult men.
– If people learned that way too. The industry is quite small, and we probably won’t last another 30 years either, Kirsti says and looks at Simo questioningly.
– I have said that the 90th anniversary tour will be done. That’s the goal, then let’s loosen up, Simo grins.