Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (September 2014)

[Dustin Stinett]

THE MAGIC CASTLE IS CLOSED!

Heart skipped a beat, didn’t it? Just for today, Monday September 1, the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts offices are closed in observance of Labor Day.

Work It, Work It … !

The FREE (to Magician Members) Joe Monti Session for September is on the 3rd at 8PM in the Peller Theatre. Bring whatever you are working on and workshop it with Joe and your fellow performers.

No Golf Balls in the Gravy So Far …

The Magic Castle has a new Executive Chef: Jason Sperber. His 18-plus year background is working at two area country clubs. (I like that it is just two institutions; that shows me some long-term loyalty and, while some consider it “arcane” in this day and age, I still place a value on that.) I have not had the opportunity to partake in the product of his expertise, but I’ve already heard good things. Welcome Chef Sperber!

And He’ll Have Our Own Vegies to Cook With …
Or …
Green Greens that Save Us Some Green

Under the direction of our General Manager, Joe Furlow, the Academy is installing a “sustainable garden” that will produce our own produce (herbs, vegetables, and fruit) for use in the kitchen.

And Chef Sperber is Serving Up the Following “Member Only Pin Special” Menu in September

8, 9, 10 – Grilled Scottish Salmon
15, 16, 17 – Port Wine Braised Short Rib
22, 23, 24 – Academy Brined & Roasted Chicken
29, 30, 10/1 – Pan-Seared Rainbow Trout

Ready … Set …

Monday Night Football starts again on September 8 at 4PM down in the Hat & Hare Pub. All you can eat hot dogs all you can drink soft drinks for just $10. … HIKE!

Such a Deal …

The fall swap meet is on Saturday the 13th. Doors open at 9AM. Nonmembers may enter for a measly entry fee of $8. Member parking is the usual $3, but guest parking is only $5; so non-members: just $13 gets you into the Castle where you can shop till you drop (and check out the joint as well!). See you there.

Take a Stroll Around the Inner Circle

The next “Strolling Magic Showdown” takes place on September 16. Perform, judge, or just spectate; the participatory level is your choice. Contestants and judges must register by 7PM and the Showdown starts at 8. (Members only: Magician Members only are allowed to compete or judge.)

One Night Only!

Veronin will be performing one night only on Sunday September 28 in the Palace Theatre. The only way to guarantee a seat is to make dinner reservations, so book now (if it’s not already too late)!

September Lecture Lineup

Check out the stellar group of stars lecturing for the Academy members this month:

9/07 – Dan Fleshman
9/14 – Daryl Easton
9/21 – Kainoa Harbottle
9/28 – John Archer and Andi Gladwin

Aloha …

There are many faces that one grows used to seeing at the Magic Castle. Because they are always there, you start to take them for granted; we call them “fixtures.” That was Doug Slater; a fixture at the Magic Castle. Doug was an affable man and he shuffled off from this mortal coil peacefully—but much too soon—in early August. Rest easy Doug; you will be missed.

Ogling October

—The club will be closed for a buyout on October 2.
—Women in Magic Week starts on the 6th. (See the “Sneak Peek” for just a few names.)
—Shimada: Two nights only; the 20th & 21st. A dinner reservation is the only way to assure a seat.
—And make your reservations for Halloween week NOW. (The 29th is the Members Only Party.)

A Nod Toward November

—Pop Haydn’s “School for Scoundrels” is coming this November 22 and 23. Pop, Chef Anton, and Bob Sheets(!) make up the faculty. Contact magill [at] pophaydn [dot] com for details (space is limited, so don’t wait!).

A Royal Birthday

Princess Irene Larsen’s 36th birthday (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, and even if it does make our president a teenager, I’m okay with that) is on the 25th. If you see her around the club wish her a happy one!

They’re All at the Top of the Bill …

Here is this week’s performer’s schedule (starting September 2):

The Close-Up Gallery
Dan Fleshman
Johnny Ace Palmer
Brian Markenson (5-7 p.m. Thursday - Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Titou
Jay Scott Berry

The Palace of Mystery
Larry Wilson
Lady Mystina
Dimmare

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday – Sunday)
Chef Anton

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
David Gerard
Colin Cloud

Friday Lunch
Dan Fleshman

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Chuck Jones

Sunday Lecture
(9/7) Dan Fleshman

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Suzanne (Close-Up: wk/of 9-8)
Steve Valentine (Close-Up: wk/of 9-8)
Daryl Easton (Parlour: wk/of 9-8 – Early and Late shifts: Brunch Shows also)
Chuck Jones and Company (palace: wk/of 9-8)
Doc Eason (WC Fields Bar, 9-11 thru 14 and 9-18 thru 21)
Kainoa Harbottle (Close-Up: wk/of 9-15)
Eric Buss (Parlour: wk/of 9-15)
Jonathan Pendragon (Peller: 9-19 thru 21)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: 9-25 thru 28)
Andi Gladwin (Close-Up: wk/of 9-22)
John Archer (Palace: wk/of 9-22)
Eric Jones (Close-Up: wk/of 9-29)
Handsome Jack (Close-Up: 10-2 thru 10-5)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 9-29)
Mike Caveney (Palace: wk/of 9-29 & Lecture 10-5)
Lupe Nielsen (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6)
Rachel Colombini (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6 & Lecture 10-12)
Lisa Cousins (Parlour: wk/of 10-6)
Sisuepahn (Close-Up: 10-9 thru 10-12)
Kimberly Bornstein (Peller: 10-10 thru 10-12)
Mark Wilson and the Lovely Nani Darnell (Close-Up: 10-16 thru 10-19)
Frances Menotti (Parlour: wk/of 10-13)
Eric Buss (Palace: wk/of 10-13)
Bill Goodwin (Close-Up: 10-20 thru 10-23 & 11-1 thru 11-2)
Shimada (Palace: 10-20 and 10-21 only)
Rob Zabrecky (Close-Up: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Georges-Robert (Parlour: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Greg Wilson’s “Golden Age of Horror” (Palace: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Paul Draper (Peller: 10-24 thru 10-26)

Or check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/schedule/

Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Dustin Stinett]

The Castle’s Cavalcade of Commerce

The fall swap meet is upon us. This Saturday the 13th. Doors open at 9AM. Non-members need only cough up a pittance for entry: $8 (though the receptionist would prefer it to come out of your wallet). See you there.

Now Playing

This is a hum-dinger of a week. The Castle has been reaching capacity quickly the last few weeks, and this week should be no different (if not worse). Be sure to call ahead or check out the Academy’s Facebook site for “Club Broadcasts” regarding capacity and parking updates especially if you do not have dinner reservations.

The performers’ schedule commencing September 8:

The Close-Up Gallery
Suzanne
Steve Valentine
Steven Himmel (5-7 p.m. Thursday - Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Daryl (both shifts)

The Palace of Mystery
Chuck Jones and Company

W.C. Fields Bar (Wednesday – Sunday)
Doc Eason

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Mark Furey
Lou Serrano

Friday Lunch
Daryl

Sunday Brunch
Daryl

Sunday Lecture
(9/14) Daryl

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Doc Eason (WC Fields Bar: 9-18 thru 21)
Kainoa Harbottle (Close-Up: wk/of 9-15)
Eric Buss (Parlour: wk/of 9-15)
David and Leeman (Palace: wk/of 9-15)
Jonathan Pendragon (Peller: 9-19 thru 21)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: 9-25 thru 28)
Andi Gladwin (Close-Up: wk/of 9-22)
John Archer (Palace: wk/of 9-22)
Eric Jones (Close-Up: wk/of 9-29)
Handsome Jack (Close-Up: 10-2 thru 10-5)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 9-29)
Mike Caveney (Palace: wk/of 9-29 & Lecture 10-5)
Lupe Nielsen (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6)
Rachel Colombini (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6 & Lecture 10-12)
Lisa Cousins (Parlour: wk/of 10-6)
Sisuepahn (Close-Up: 10-9 thru 10-12)
Kimberly Bornstein (Peller: 10-10 thru 10-12)
Mark Wilson and the Lovely Nani Darnell (Close-Up: 10-16 thru 10-19)
Frances Menotti (Parlour: wk/of 10-13)
Eric Buss (Palace: wk/of 10-13)
Bill Goodwin (Close-Up: 10-20 thru 10-23 & 11-1 thru 11-2)
Shimada (Palace: 10-20 and 10-21 only)
Rob Zabrecky (Close-Up: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Georges-Robert (Parlour: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Greg Wilson’s “Golden Age of Horror” (Palace: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Paul Draper (Peller: 10-24 thru 10-26)


Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Dustin Stinett]

Amble, Mosey, Saunter, Roam, Wander … or You Can Stroll

The “Strolling Magic Showdown” is tomorrow (September 16). You can perform, judge, or just spectate (watch, observe, view, monitor … ); how you participate is your choice. Contestants and judges must register by 7PM and the Showdown starts at 8. (Members only: Magician Members only are allowed to compete or judge.)

Now Playing

The performers’ schedule commencing September 15:

The Close-Up Gallery
Kainoa Harbottle
Ice McDonald
Joe Skilton (5-7 p.m. Thursday - Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Robert Dorian
Eric Buss

The Palace of Mystery
David and Leeman
Mondre

W.C. Fields Bar (Wednesday – Sunday)
Doc Eason

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Jonathan Pendragon
Crow Garrett

Friday Lunch
Kainoa Harbottle

Sunday Brunch
Aye Jaye

Sunday Lecture
(9/21) Kainoa Harbottle

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Chris Korn (Close-Up: 9-25 thru 28)
Andi Gladwin (Close-Up: wk/of 9-22)
John Archer (Palace: wk/of 9-22)
Eric Jones (Close-Up: wk/of 9-29)
Handsome Jack (Close-Up: 10-2 thru 10-5)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 9-29)
Mike Caveney (Palace: wk/of 9-29 & Lecture 10-5)
Lupe Nielsen (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6)
Rachel Colombini (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6 & Lecture 10-12)
Lisa Cousins (Parlour: wk/of 10-6)
Sisuepahn (Close-Up: 10-9 thru 10-12)
Kimberly Bornstein (Peller: 10-10 thru 10-12)
Mark Wilson and the Lovely Nani Darnell (Close-Up: 10-16 thru 10-19)
Frances Menotti (Parlour: wk/of 10-13)
Eric Buss (Palace: wk/of 10-13)
Bill Goodwin (Close-Up: 10-20 thru 10-23 & 11-1 thru 11-2)
Shimada (Palace: 10-20 and 10-21 only)
Rob Zabrecky (Close-Up: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Georges-Robert (Parlour: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Greg Wilson’s “Golden Age of Horror” (Palace: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Paul Draper (Peller: 10-24 thru 10-26)


Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Dustin Stinett]

The recent episode of ABC's Nightline included a segment on the Magic Castle and the audition process for aspiring magicians to gain membership into the Academy. Please to enjoy:

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/n ... h-25586940

[Dustin Stinett]

Strolling Showdown Winners

The strolling champs from the latest Showdown are …

Third – Kabir Khan
Runner Up – Georges-Robert
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner – Steven Himmel

Congratulations!

Now Playing

The performers’ schedule commencing September 22:

The Close-Up Gallery
Andi Gladwin
Noel Qualter
Chris Korn (5-7 p.m. Thursday - Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Rob James
Alan Hudson

The Palace of Mystery
John Archer
Kevin Johnson
Dan Birch
Voronin (Sunday 9/28 ONLY)

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday – Sunday)
Gregory Wilson

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Brian Gillis
George Tovar

Friday Lunch
Andi Gladwin

Sunday Brunch
William Perron

Sunday Lecture
(9/28) Andi Gladwin and John Archer

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Eric Jones (Close-Up: wk/of 9-29)
Handsome Jack (Close-Up: 10-2 thru 10-5)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 9-29)
Mike Caveney (Palace: wk/of 9-29 & Lecture 10-5)
Lupe Nielsen (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6)
Rachel Colombini (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6 & Lecture 10-12)
Lisa Cousins (Parlour: wk/of 10-6)
Sisuepahn (Close-Up: 10-9 thru 10-12)
Kimberly Bornstein (Peller: 10-10 thru 10-12)
Mark Wilson and the Lovely Nani Darnell (Close-Up: 10-16 thru 10-19)
Frances Menotti (Parlour: wk/of 10-13)
Eric Buss (Palace: wk/of 10-13)
Bill Goodwin (Close-Up: 10-20 thru 10-23 & 11-1 thru 11-2)
Shimada (Palace: 10-20 and 10-21 only)
Rob Zabrecky (Close-Up: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Georges-Robert (Parlour: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Greg Wilson’s “Golden Age of Horror” (Palace: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Paul Draper (Peller: 10-24 thru 10-26)


Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Dustin Stinett]

FYI …

The Castle will be closed this Thursday (10/2) for a buyout.

Now Playing

The performers’ schedule commencing September 29:

The Close-Up Gallery
Etienne Pradier
Eric Jones
John Lovick (5-7 p.m. Thursday - Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Robert Baxt
Tim Shegitz

The Palace of Mystery
John Carney
Jorge Blass
Mike Caveney & Carter's Spirit Cabinet

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday – Sunday)
Jack Medlevine

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Jon Armstrong
Rob Gould

Friday Lunch
Etienne Pradier

Sunday Brunch
Wacko

Sunday Lecture
(10/5) Mike Caveney

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Lupe Nielsen (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6)
Rachel Colombini (Close-Up: wk/of 10-6 & Lecture 10-12)
Lisa Cousins (Parlour: wk/of 10-6)
Sisuepahn (Close-Up: 10-9 thru 10-12)
Kimberly Bornstein (Peller: 10-10 thru 10-12)
Mark Wilson and the Lovely Nani Darnell (Close-Up: 10-16 thru 10-19)
Frances Menotti (Parlour: wk/of 10-13)
Eric Buss (Palace: wk/of 10-13)
Bill Goodwin (Close-Up: 10-20 thru 10-23 & 11-1 thru 11-2)
Shimada (Palace: 10-20 and 10-21 only)
Rob Zabrecky (Close-Up: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Georges-Robert (Parlour: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Greg Wilson’s “Golden Age of Horror” (Palace: 10-24 thru 10-31)
Paul Draper (Peller: 10-24 thru 10-26)


Schedule is subject to change without notice