Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

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Dustin Stinett
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Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

Postby Dustin Stinett » February 1st, 2016, 5:15 pm

Short on Days, Long on Content

The month of February at The Magic Castle is packed with perks and special events, to wit …

Perks, Lots of Perks

Puzzle nuts are going to love the “Puzzle Hunt” that will be held on February 2. New York Times crossword constructor (and AMA Magician Member) David Kwong will be leading the “hunt.”

“Who’s That?” On the ninth, Joan Lawton will lead a tour around the Castle for all members who would like to know more about the many portraits that grace the house’s wall. Each has a story, and that is good knowledge to have when giving your guests tours of your clubhouse.

The first Street Magic Perk (the busking kind, in case anyone still equates “street magic” with something that it’s not) was a success, so “Part Duex” will be held on February 22. (This one is for Magician Members only.)

March 1 is “As If” which will have Steve Valentine and Andrew Hill Newman—Doug Henning’s understudy for the show “Merlin”—talking about acting and scripting for magicians. (Andrew could sing Doug’s parts, Doug could not: ask him to do one of the songs the way Doug did as it is more than worth the time!)

Inside the Walls

If your calendar isn’t full enough, consider these event that will be held in the clubhouse:

Super Bowl 50 viewing: $25/person ($15/age 12 and under) gets you “tailgate” goodies—with vegan options—and of course the big game.

Rob Zabrecky brings us the special Valentines’ night non-dining Houdini Séances—“’til Death Do Us Part”—on February 11. 6, 8, 9:45, and 11PM. $35/person (contact Josh Stern at jstern[at]magiccastle[dot]com or at extension 303.

“Love Potion” (which is alarmingly vodka-like) is The Magic Castle’s theme for our Valentines’ Day (2/14) celebration. Book your reservations NOW, this annual special event fills up fast.

Oscars viewing: a preshow buffet, games, prizes, and Chris Rock and the rest of Hollywood’s ‘A’ list—such that it is—on the big screen is what you get for your $37. Always a grand time.

Outside the Walls

There are several shows being mounted by Castle regulars in the LA area, and AMA members get discounts to these fine shows. See the February Newsletter for discount codes and links to tickets.

Currently running through March 11 at the Pacific Resident Theatre is AMA Magician Member Orson Bean’s well-reviewed one-man show “Safe at Home.” Bean is a fine comedic actor, raconteur, and even does a little magic in the autobiographical show. The regular price is $25. AMA Member cost, $15.

If you have not seen Lindsay Benner’s complete “Book of Love” show, go see her on Valentines’ Day at the Cinefamily Silent Movie Theater (and you will also see Chaplin’s “City Lights”). Members get 20 percent discount. What you have seen her do at the Castle is just a small portion of her incredible one-woman show. It’s in the afternoon, so you can still make your dinner reservations at The Magic Castle!

Genii’s own Helder Guimarães’ show, “Borrowed Time,” commences on February 3 and runs through the 21st of this month. The first two nights are sold out. The show is being held in a “secret location” in Los Angeles. AMA Members’ discount is 20-percent.

Arthur Trace will be mounting his one-man show, “The Artful Deceiver,” on March 26 and again on June 25 in Pasadena. AMA Member discount is 10-percent. (This reporter’s humble opinion: Mr. Trace has one of the best turns in all of magic and that is just one part of his terrific repertoire.)

The Academy has a cool partnership with the Pantages Theatre, and in March The Illusionists will be appearing there. A hybrid event, dinner at the Castle and orchestra seats for the show will held on March 2 and March 9. There is a limited number of seats for each night, so don’t delay (see the newsletter for the link and appropriate code). $120 includes dinner, a shuttle bus to the theater, and the show.

New Toys

The Castle’s Gift Shop has the new Academy of Magical Arts playing cards in stock (in-house and online). Manufactured by USPC, they are beauties and just $10 a pack. http://www.magiccastle.com/gift_shop/

McComb the Mysterious

Think you know everything about Billy McComb? Bet you don’t. The February Newsletter has a couple of never before published factoids about the World’s Largest Leprechaun and an image of something that has not been seen since 1934 on its final page (AKA “–30–”).

Gotta Love the Lecture Lineup (after all, this is the “month of love”)

2/6 (Saturday) – Michael Rubinstein
2/14 – Oscar Muñoz
2/21 – Keith Fields
2/28 – Richard Turner

February’s Member Menu

A reminder that these special are only about $20 and members get an additional discount. How can you afford not to partake in these specials meant just for you? (Oh, and you vegans all week long.)

1, 2, & 3 – Pork ossobuco, creamy polenta, braised vegetables, and sherry wine reduction.
Vegetarian: Artichoke and cheese ravioli with braised kale and creamy vodka tomato sauce.
Vegan: Grilled polenta cake, roasted winter squashes, harissa tomato sauce.

8, 9, & 10 – Grilled salmon with tomato olive relish, broccolini, and wild rice pilaf.
Vegetarian: Eggplant Marsala. Crispy eggplant over Parmesan risotto with wild mushroom Marsala sauce.
Vegan: Vegetable and potato pot pie. Vegetables and potatoes cooked with sherry wine and fresh herbs with a puff pastry crust.

15, 16, & 17 – Manicotti ala Bolognese. Manicotti filled with three cheese blend, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs topped with homemade Bolognese.
Vegetarian: Manicotti primavera. Manicotti filled with three cheese blend, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs, topped with a tomato and vegetable ragout.
Vegan: Seared organic tofu and carrots with orange sesame sauce.

22, 23, & 24 – Stuffed sand dabs. Sand dabs stuffed with crab, herbs, and bread crumbs.
Served with lemon herb risotto and seasonal vegetable.
Vegetarian: Stuffed Portobello mushroom. Marinated and grilled Portobello mushroom stuffed with farro and roasted vegetables, topped with burrata cheese and seasoned sour dough bread crumbs.
Vegan: Winter squash stuffed with wild rice pilaf and tomato fennel sauce.

Crystal Gazing …

Here’s a look into the future so you can mark your calendars accordingly:

March 2 & 9: The Illusionists “Night Out”
March 15: Strolling Magic Showdown
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 20: 2016 Annual General Meeting
March 27: Easter Bunny’s Visit (Brunch)
March 28 & 29: Young Adults Nights
Apr. 3: Volunteer Faire
April 16: Spring Swap Meet
May 7: Kentucky Derby Party & Bourbon Tasting
May 15: AMA Awards Show
July 25 – 31: Future Stars Week
July 25 & 26: Young Adults Nights
September 10: Fall Swap Meet

Now Playing

The schedule that commenced on February 1, 2016:

The Close-Up Gallery
Michael Rubinstein
Mark Matsumoto
Tricky Devil (5-7 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Tom Ogden
Mark James

The Palace of Mystery
Lady Mystina
Ice McDonald

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday thru Sunday)
Steve Wastell

The Peller Theatre (Thursday thru Sunday)
Chris Korn
Nathan Kranzo

Friday Lunch
Michael Rubinstein

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
Dennis Forel

Sunday Lecture
(2/6 – Saturday!) Michael Rubinstein

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Suzanne (Close-Up: wk/of 2-8)
Jonathan Levit (Close-Up: wk/of 2-8)
Kerry Ross (Parlour: wk/of 2-8)
Oscar Muñoz (Parlour: wk/of 2-8)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 2-8)
Johnny Foxx (Palace: wk/of 2-8)
Dan Birch (Palace: wk/of 2-8)
Will Fern (Close-Up: wk/of 2-15)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-15)
Keith Fields (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Jean Paul Olhaberry (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Joel Ward (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Richard Turner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Tam Vo (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Murry Hatfield (Palace: wk/of 2-22)
Mike Pisciotta (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
David Malek (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
Bob Cassidy (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Jimmy H. (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
UGMagic (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 2-29)


And you can always check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/now_appearing/

Schedule is subject to change without notice

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Dustin Stinett
Posts: 7257
Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Sometimes
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Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

Postby Dustin Stinett » February 8th, 2016, 7:20 pm

Now Playing

The schedule that commenced on February 8, 2016:

The Close-Up Gallery
Suzanne
Jonathan Levit
Brian Markenson (5-7 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Kerry Ross
Oscar Muñoz

The Palace of Mystery
John Carney
Johnny Fox
Dan Birch

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday thru Sunday)
Rich Cowley

The Peller Theatre (Thursday thru Sunday)
Ali Shelley
The Bornsteins

Friday Lunch
Suzanne

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
The Amazing Geebo

Sunday Lecture
(2/14) Oscar Muñoz

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Will Fern (Close-Up: wk/of 2-15)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-15)
Keith Fields (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Jean Paul Olhaberry (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Joel Ward (Palace: wk/of 2-15)
Richard Turner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Tam Vo (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Murry Hatfield (Palace: wk/of 2-22)
Mike Pisciotta (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
David Malek (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
Bob Cassidy (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Jimmy H. (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
UGMagic (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Michael Perovich (Close-Up: 3-11–13)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 3-7)
George Schindler (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Matt Marcy (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Seiya (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Dimmare (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Max Maven (Peller: 3-11–13)
Chef Anton (WC Fields Bar: 3-11–13)
Steve Valentine (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Carl Andrews (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Johnny Ace Palmer (Close-Up: wk/of 3-28)
Jon Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
Late: Daniel Sylvester (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
John Ferrentino (Palace: wk/of 3-28)
Jason Bishop (Palace: wk/of 3-28)


And you can always check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/now_appearing/

Schedule is subject to change without notice

User avatar
Dustin Stinett
Posts: 7257
Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Sometimes
Location: Southern California
Contact:

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

Postby Dustin Stinett » February 15th, 2016, 5:35 pm

Now Playing

The schedule that commenced on February 15, 2016:

The Close-Up Gallery
John George
Will Fern
Steve Silverman (5-7 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Stan Gerson
Stoil Stoilov

The Palace of Mystery
Keith Fields
Jean Paul Olhaberry
Jarol Martin

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday thru Sunday)
Ron Bell

The Peller Theatre (Thursday thru Sunday)
J. Neal
Bob Dorian

Friday Lunch
Will Fern

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
Stoil Stoilov

Sunday Lecture
(2/21) Keith Fields

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Richard Turner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Tam Vo (Close-Up: wk/of 2-22)
Murry Hatfield (Palace: wk/of 2-22)
Mike Pisciotta (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
David Malek (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
Bob Cassidy (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Jimmy H. (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
UGMagic (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Michael Perovich (Close-Up: 3-11–13)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 3-7)
George Schindler (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Matt Marcy (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Seiya (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Dimmare (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Max Maven (Peller: 3-11–13)
Chef Anton (WC Fields Bar: 3-11–13)
Steve Valentine (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Carl Andrews (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Johnny Ace Palmer (Close-Up: wk/of 3-28)
Jon Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
Late: Daniel Sylvester (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
John Ferrentino (Palace: wk/of 3-28)
Jason Bishop (Palace: wk/of 3-28)


And you can always check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/now_appearing/

Schedule is subject to change without notice

User avatar
Dustin Stinett
Posts: 7257
Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Sometimes
Location: Southern California
Contact:

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

Postby Dustin Stinett » February 22nd, 2016, 7:37 pm

Now Playing

The schedule that commenced on February 22, 2016:

The Close-Up Gallery
Richard Turner
Tam Vo
Bill Bentz (5-7 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Doug Gorman
Kevin Viner

The Palace of Mystery
Murray Hatfield & Teresa
Robert Baxt

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday thru Sunday)
Tim Wise

The Peller Theatre (Thursday thru Sunday)
Lou Serrano
Mark Furey

Friday Lunch
Richard Turner

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
The Magic Genie

Sunday Lecture
(2/28) Richard Turner

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Mike Pisciotta (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
David Malek (Close-Up: wk/of 2-29)
Bob Cassidy (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Jimmy H. (Parlour: wk/of 2-29)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
UGMagic (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 2-29)
Michael Perovich (Close-Up: 3-11–13)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 3-7)
George Schindler (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Parlour: wk/of 3-7)
Matt Marcy (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Seiya (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Dimmare (Palace: wk/of 3-7)
Max Maven (Peller: 3-11–13)
Chef Anton (WC Fields Bar: 3-11–13)
Steve Valentine (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Carl Andrews (Close-Up: wk/of 3-14)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 3-14)
Johnny Ace Palmer (Close-Up: wk/of 3-28)
Jon Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
Late: Daniel Sylvester (Parlour: wk/of 3-28)
John Ferrentino (Palace: wk/of 3-28)
Jason Bishop (Palace: wk/of 3-28)


And you can always check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/now_appearing/

Schedule is subject to change without notice

User avatar
Dustin Stinett
Posts: 7257
Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Sometimes
Location: Southern California
Contact:

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (February 2016)

Postby Dustin Stinett » February 28th, 2016, 5:07 pm

An important communication from Jack Goldfinger, the Entertainment Director for the Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle:

"Note that, due to a scheduling conflict created by the Academy and not Shawn, Shawn Farquhar will not be lecturing on March 19 or the 20th. We look forward to the opportunity to reschedule his lecture in the future. He will still be performing in Close-Up Gallery, so be sure to come see this World Champion of Magic perform at The Magic Castle the week of March 14 through the 20th!"


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