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The Magic Castle has a new owner, and he’s on the cover of the May issue. Read all about how Randy Pitchford became the Academy of Magical Arts’ new landlord. Dr. Will Houstoun, Dr. Richard Wiseman, and David Britland tell us the story behind story decks (you know, routines like “Sam the Bellhop”). David Regal does some coin and do-it-yourself work in “Material Concessions,” while Jim Steinmeyer gets poetic in “Conjuring.” In “Dealing with It,” John Bannon serves up a multi-effect showpiece with cards. Jon Racherbaumer unearths an almost self-working card trick in “Exhumations,” and this month’s “Magicana” has three items, including one that’s guaranteed no FUSS.
It turns out that Hannibal wanted to play the guitar. Fortunately for us he plays a deck of cards far better; read about it in “Happiness is the Road.” Krystyn Lambert shares a chance meeting with Paul Harris in “Stage as Studio.” It’s all about firsts in this month’s “Knights at The Magic Castle” with Shawn McMaster. Vanessa Armstrong casts “The Eye” of Genii on magic’s news. Finally, our reviewers in “Light from the Lamp” this month are Tom Frame with books, Brad Henderson on tricks, and Bill Wells discusses videos. We remember three fine men of magic in this issue: Pressley Guitar, Peter Galinskas, and David Goodsell. All that and more is on the inside. In the meantime, the countdown to MAGIC Live is on. We hope to see you there.
Amazing swell guy, billionaire, owner of Genii magazine, magician, and Gearbox Software genius Randy Pitchford has purchased The Magic Castle in Hollywood. For the very first time, the building, land, and intellectual property are owned by a single entity, saving the famous private club from almost certain doom in the coming years. Great things are coming! Read more at the links below.
Here’s who’s performing at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, a private club for magicians. How do you get in? We’ll be publishing an article about that shortly.
“Pop Haydn is not originally from this century, himself,” reads Pop Haydn’s website. “He is a Victorian gentleman who was suddenly transported into the 21st Century by accident–not entirely his fault–along with a bunch of other maroons stranded here from that time.”
Watching him perform in the video above, I’m almost inclined to believe that claim. Looking like he just wandered in from a saloon, possibly after taking part in a gunfight, Haydn entertained an audience at the Magic Castle with an absolutely immaculate take on All Backs, a routine popularised by Dai Vernon. Presented with easy patter throughout, the trick is an obvious hit with the crowd and especially the two volunteers Haydn has at the table. But of course it is – the trick is apparently irresistible to women, according to a slightly dubious passage in Expert Card Technique (1950):
“Magicians know only too well that women, generally speaking, are allergic to card tricks. This trick is an exception to the rule. Mr. Vernon has used it before all kinds of audiences, even those comprised exclusively of women and with complete success. The women are intrigued by it. It is one trick that they remember and talk about and invariably when another occasion arises it is the one trick they request to see again.”
At least the trick has aged incredibly well.
The Magic Castle has long been a fixture of the Los Angeles magic community, as well as a place where illusionists from all over the world come to show off their skills. For the first time in its decades-long existence, the Magic Castle will be spreading its roots and opening up a second location in China, according to a report from Variety.
The new location will be built in conjunction with Chinese tech and entertainment firm The Novaex Group and team led by magician Andrew Goldenhersch. Novaex has exclusive rights to the Magic Castle brand and intellectual property for use in hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues in Hong Kong, China, Macau, and Taiwan, and, according to the report, “will create a new style of magic experience, with state of the art technology playing a major part in the development.”
“We are looking forward to the creation of this first project together with NOVAEX that will showcase the over 55-year legacy of The Magic Castle and the long history of magic in China,” said Magic Castle founder Milt Larsen at the launch event on Friday.
This is huge news for the Chinese and international magic community, especially considering that the biggest show in the country (seen by over 270 million viewers) is a variety show titled The Amazing Magicians.
There’s always a wealth of comedy magic at the Magic Castle any given week, but this week you can go check out John Carney’s inventive blend of comedy and sleight of hand in the Palace of Mystery, alongside Jay Johnson and Miss Katalin.
Performances take place every evening from May 21 – May 27 unless otherwise noted, and include:
Close-up Gallery
Norman Beck: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15
Toto: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:30
David Stryker: 5:00 – 7:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Martin Lewis: 7:15, 8:15, 9:15
Wes Mathison: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30
Palace of Mystery
John Carney: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Jay Johnson: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Miss Katalin: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
W.C. Fields Bar
Ron Bell: 7:30 – 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
The Peller Theatre
Greg Otto: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
J. Neal: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Members Only Friday Lunch
Norman Beck: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Parlour Kids’ Shows by The Amazing Geebo: 11:30a, 12:15, 1:00, 2:15
For more information on what’s in store at the Magic Castle this week, as well as details on how to become a member, be sure to visit the official site for the Academy of Magical Arts.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: I could listen to Hannibal talk about anything. If you’re going to the Magic Castle this week, you’ll be able to watch him work his “unique inspirational theater” in the W.C. Fields Bar.
Performances take place every evening from May 14 – May 20 unless otherwise noted, and include:
Close-up Gallery
TC Tahoe: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15
Jimmy Ichihana: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:30
Kayla Drescher: 5:00 – 7:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Dale Hindman: 7:15, 8:15, 9:15
Derek Hughes: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30
Palace of Mystery
The Evasons: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Mondre: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
John Ferrentino: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
W.C. Fields Bar
Hannibal: 7:30 – 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
The Peller Theatre
Steve Hamilton: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Alfonso: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Members Only Friday Lunch
TC Tahoe: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Parlour Kids’ Shows by Steve Hamilton: 11:30a, 12:15, 1:00, 2:15
For more information on what’s in store at the Magic Castle this week, as well as details on how to become a member, be sure to visit the official site for the Academy of Magical Arts.
Back in 2015, Horret Wu and Shin Lim both took home first prize for their respective card magic routines, and you’ll be able to see Wu perform a the Magic Castle this week in the Close-up Gallery. Check out the video below for his incredible prize-winning routine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYnmFWIK6AQ
Performances take place every evening from May 7 – May 13 unless otherwise noted, and include:
Close-up Gallery
Gianfranco Preverino: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15
Horret Wu: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:30
Mark Furey: 5:00 – 7:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Aurelio Paviato: 7:15, 8:15, 9:15
Frank Deville: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30
Palace of Mystery
Joseph Gabriel: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Anson Lee: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
W.C. Fields Bar
Danny Magic: 7:30 – 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
The Peller Theatre
Joseph Tran: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Scot Nery: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Members Only Friday Lunch
Gianfranco Preverino: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Parlour Kids’ Shows by Scott Green: 11:30a, 12:15, 1:00, 2:15
For more information on what’s in store at the Magic Castle this week, as well as details on how to become a member, be sure to visit the official site for the Academy of Magical Arts.
There’s a duo of great card magicians coming to the Magic Castle this week all the way from Germany. In the Close-Up Gallery, Denis Behr brings some of the magic that’s found its way into his recent instructional DVD set, Magic On Tap:
Pit Hartling is also stopping by the Parlour of Prestidigitation, and his incredible card magic has to be seen to be believed:
Performances take place every evening from April 30 – May 6 unless otherwise noted, and include:
Close-up Gallery
Denis Behr: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15
John Accardo: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:30
Tyler Rabbit: 5:00 – 7:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Pit Hartling: 7:15, 8:15, 9:15
Henok Negash: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30
Palace of Mystery
Scott & Puck: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Denny Haney: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
W.C. Fields Bar
Robert Ramirez: 7:30 – 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
The Peller Theatre
Dave Cox: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
The Bornsteins: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Members Only Friday Lunch
Denis Behr: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Parlour Kids’ Shows: 11:30a, 12:15, 1:00, 2:15
For more information on what’s in store at the Magic Castle this week, as well as details on how to become a member, be sure to visit the official site for the Academy of Magical Arts.
The Palace of Mystery is being taken over this week by four of the best magic acts out of Japan. On Monday and Tuesday, you can see the operatic stylings of recent Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Shimada:
Joining him in the Palace (and performing the rest of the week) are the comedy duo Caramel Machine:
The AMA’s 2003 Close-up Magician of the Year and 2018 Stage Magician of the Year, Shoot Ogawa:
And the high-flying, acrobatic juggling of Tempei:
Performances take place every evening from April 23 – April 29 unless otherwise noted, and include:
Close-up gallery
Paul Green: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15
John Steiner: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:30
Frankie Foti: 5:00 – 7:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Oscar Munoz: 7:15, 8:15, 9:15
Tim Shegitz: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30
Palace of Mystery
Shimada: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Monday – Tuesday)
Shoot Ogawa: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Caramel Machine: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
Tempei: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30
W.C. Fields Bar
Doc Eason: 7:30 – 11:30 (Wednesday – Saturday)
Chris Korn: 7:30 – 11:30 (Sunday)
The Peller Theatre
Richard Raven: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
MIGZ: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30 (Thursday – Sunday)
Members Only Friday Lunch
Paul Green: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Parlour Kids’ Shows: 11:30a, 12:15, 1:00, 2:15
For more information on what’s in store at the Magic Castle this week, as well as details on how to become a member, be sure to visit the official site for the Academy of Magical Arts.