Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2017)

[Dustin Stinett]

Merry New Year!

And Happy Founders Day: the Castle’s 54th. The festivities, on January 2 only, include a special engagement in the Close-Up Gallery by Johnny Thompson. Chef Jason Sperber has a special menu lined up that features pricing from the 1970s. Woo-hoo!

Jumping the Gun

The Board of Trustees have done something unheard of for many years (Bill Larsen, Jr. did it a few times, but stopped the practice): Naming some of the honorees at the upcoming AMA Awards Show. Franz Harary will be receiving a Special Fellowship and Derek DelGaudio has been named the 2016 Magician of the Year. Who says 2016 was a bad year? What a stellar show this young man mounted in West LA, and he will be bring In and of Itself to New York. East Coasters be on the lookout.

Schneider’s Matrix Ogawa Style

Shoot Ogawa will be conducting a Magician Members only Perk on the Matrix plot. He’ll be teaching multiple methods of the now classic piece of magic. January 11, Magician Members only, 8PM in the Inner Circle.

A Puzzling Development

Last year, the most popular Member Perk was the first Magic Castle Puzzle Hunt put on by David Kwong (who has produced crossword puzzles for the New York Times). The games are afoot again, on January 23. Members should see their Newsletter for RSVP details. It is expected to fill up fast.

Who Dat?

Another popular Perk returns for an encore. Chairman of the Trustees, Joan Lawton, will take you on a tour of the clubhouse and regale you with not only the identities of the many portraits found on its wall, but also stories about them. January 25, 8PM starting in the Inner Circle. All Members welcome.

Down Under in the Hat & Hare

“Australia Day” will be celebrated on January 26 in the Hat & Hare Pub. Special food and drinks as well as entertainment provided by Robin Wiley, Kim Silverman, and others. 8 to 10PM, all Members welcome.

A Newsletter Exclusive

If you are an AMA Member and want to see the taping of the next season of Masters of Illusion, you must check out page 22 of the January issue of the AMA Newsletter.

New Year’s Nosh

The January Member’s MMMmmmmMenu:

January 2, 3, & 4: Maple Brined Pork Chop over garlic mashed potatoes, topped with ham hock and apple sauce and fried Brussels leaves.
Vegetarian: Fettuccini with blue cheese Alfredo and julienne vegetables.
Vegan: Angel hair pasta and portabella Bolognese

9, 10, & 11: Sliced Denver steak with roasted potatoes, haricot vert, and topped with blistered tomato demi.
Vegetarian: Potato gnocchi, roasted squash, sautéed spinach, cherry tomato, and bleu cheese cream.
Vegan: Vegan lasagna. Sliced yellow squash, green zucchinis, tomato, basil and spinach layered between sheets of pasta, topped with vegan cashew cheeze and served over crushed tomato and herbs.

16, 17, & 18: Pan seared halibut over savory bread pudding, pancetta chowder and topped with a micro and fennel salad.
Vegetarian: Crispy eggplant with wild mushroom Marsala sauce over lemon herb risotto.
Vegan: Curried sweet potato. Sweet potatoes, chickpeas, chard, and onions stewed in red curry and served over coconut quinoa.

23, 24, & 25: Pappardelle pasta, pancetta, shallots, fava beans and kale all tossed in garlic cream sauce.
Vegetarian: Crispy Parmesan risotto cake with spicy tomato and vegetable ragout.
Vegan: Mushroom ravioli, sun dried tomato and green peas tossed in coconut cream sauce.

30, 31, & February 1: Sautéed rainbow trout, crab stuffing, roasted potatoes, and lemon caper butter.
Vegetarian: Wild mushroom ravioli, cherry tomato confit, roasted fennel, garlic herb butter, and Parmesan.
Vegan: Stir fry of organic tofu, snap peas, wild mushrooms, over brown rice with hoisin sauce.

Lecture Lineup

January 8 ... Kozmo
January 15 ... Jeff Ezell
January 22 ... Jared Kopf
January 22 ... Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, and Lawrence Hass

Now playing

The schedule that commences on Monday, January 2:

The Close-Up Gallery
Garrett Thomas
Mark Matsumoto
Jesse Dee (5-7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Kozmo
Taylor Hughes

The Palace of Mystery
Mark Haslam
John Shryock & Mari Lynn

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday to Sunday)
Mark Collier

The Peller Theatre (Thursday to Sunday)
Titou
Joel Ward

Friday Lunch
Garrett Thomas

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
James Skaggs

Sunday Lecture
(1/8) Kozmo

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Jonathan Levit (Close-Up: wk/of 1-9)
Alex Conradi (Close-Up: wk/of 1-9)
Jack Nasher (Parlour: wk/of 1-9)
Late: Jeff Ezell (Parlour: wk/of 1-9)
Kerry Pollock (Palace: wk/of 1-9)
Mat Ricardo (Palace: wk/of 1-9)
Rubén Vilagrand (Palace: wk/of 1-9)
David & Leeman (Peller: 1-12–1-15)
Masahiro Yanagida (Close-Up: wk/of 1-16)
Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-16)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Tom Ogden (Parlour: wk/of 1-16)
Stoil Stoilov (Parlour: wk/of 1-16)
Chris Mitchell (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Yuji Yamamoto & Mariko (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Christian Cagigal (Peller: 1-19–1-22)
Paul Draper (Peller: 1-19–1-22)
Jeff Bornstein (WC Fields Bar: 1-19–1-22)
Stoil Stoilov (Brunch: 1-21, 22)
Ferdinando Buscema (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Glenn Farrington (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Jeff McBride & Abigail (Palace: wk/of 1-23)
Eugene Burger (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Lawrence Hass (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Jeff McBride (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Karl Hein (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Keith Fields (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Javi Benitez (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
The Kalvans (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Sebastian Kraine (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Kerry Ross (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Chuck Jones (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Brian Gillis (WC Fields Bar: 2-2–2-5)
Ice McDonald (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Marcus Eddie (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Misty Mew (Close-Up: 2-9–2-12)
Rafael Van Herck (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
Sean Masterson (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Johnny Fox (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Dan Birch (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Rob Gould (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Christopher Hart (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Mad Tad (WC Fields Bar: 2-9–2-12)
David Regal (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Stan Gerson (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Mark James (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Rich Moratta (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Land (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Arthur Trace (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Alexander (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Jon Armstrong (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Scott Tokar (WC Fields Bar: 2-16–2-19)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Jim Steiner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Adam Wylie (Close-Up: 2-23–2-26)
Daryl (Parlour: wk/of 2-20)
Chipper Lowell (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Steve Owens (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Terry Lunceford (WC Fields Bar: 2-23–2-26)
Norman Beck (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
Chef Anton (Close-Up: 3-2–3-5)
John Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Mark Shortland (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Albie Selznick (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Andrew Goldenhersh (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Phil Van Tee (WC Fields Bar: 3-2–3-5)

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

Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Bill Mullins]

You have extra lectures on Jan 22 -- is that a typo?

[Dustin Stinett]

You have extra lectures on Jan 22 -- is that a typo?

Yikes.
Yes.
And the same #%$@ thing is in the Newsletter. ARRRRGH!
January 29 for the McBride/Hass/Burger Lecture.

[Doug Thornton]

Has this been posted?

"More than a half-century after it debuted in Hollywood, the Magic Castle is set to open a second location later this year near Santa Barbara called the Magic Castle Cabaret."

http://www.lamag.com/askchris/another-m ... icipation/

[Dustin Stinett]

Yes: About a year ago when it was originally announced, and it was in Genii as well.

[Dustin Stinett]

Now playing

The schedule that commences on Monday, January 9:

The Close-Up Gallery
Jonathan Levit
Alex Conradi
HUBB (5-7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Jack Nasher
Jeff Ezell

The Palace of Mystery
Kerry Pollock
Mat Ricardo
Rubén Vilagrand

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday to Sunday)
Danny Magic

The Peller Theatre (Thursday to Sunday)
David & Leeman

Friday Lunch
Alex Conradi

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
David Skale

Sunday Lecture
(1/15) Jeff Ezell

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Masahiro Yanagida (Close-Up: wk/of 1-16)
Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-16)
Parlour of Prestidigitation
Tom Ogden (Parlour: wk/of 1-16)
Stoil Stoilov (Parlour: wk/of 1-16)
Chris Mitchell (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Yuji Yamamoto & Mariko (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Dale Salwak (Palace: wk/of 1-16)
Christian Cagigal (Peller: 1-19–1-22)
Paul Draper (Peller: 1-19–1-22)
Jeff Bornstein (WC Fields Bar: 1-19–1-22)
Stoil Stoilov (Brunch: 1-21, 22)
Ferdinando Buscema (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Glenn Farrington (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Jeff McBride & Abigail (Palace: wk/of 1-23)
Eugene Burger (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Lawrence Hass (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Jeff McBride (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Karl Hein (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Keith Fields (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Javi Benitez (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
The Kalvans (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Sebastian Kraine (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Kerry Ross (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Chuck Jones (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Brian Gillis (WC Fields Bar: 2-2–2-5)
Ice McDonald (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Marcus Eddie (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Misty Mew (Close-Up: 2-9–2-12)
Rafael Van Herck (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
Sean Masterson (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Johnny Fox (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Dan Birch (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Rob Gould (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Christopher Hart (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Mad Tad (WC Fields Bar: 2-9–2-12)
David Regal (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Stan Gerson (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Mark James (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Rich Moratta (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Land (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Arthur Trace (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Alexander (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Jon Armstrong (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Scott Tokar (WC Fields Bar: 2-16–2-19)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Jim Steiner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Adam Wylie (Close-Up: 2-23–2-26)
Daryl (Parlour: wk/of 2-20)
Chipper Lowell (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Steve Owens (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Terry Lunceford (WC Fields Bar: 2-23–2-26)
Norman Beck (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
Chef Anton (Close-Up: 3-2–3-5)
John Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Mark Shortland (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Albie Selznick (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Andrew Goldenhersh (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Phil Van Tee (WC Fields Bar: 3-2–3-5)

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

Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Ian Kendall]

I'd like to put in a wee plug for Mat Ricardo in the Palace. Go along, be amazed and amused, and compliment him on how good a magician he is. He loves that

[performer]

I have never been to the magic castle. All I can go by are rude reports by James Munton about how awful the performers are. I shall assume he is a bit biased although someone else said the same thing. I shall have to check it out myself one day. A few of the listed performers seem vaguely noteworthy I must say.

[MagicbyAlfred]

I have only been to the Castle once, about 20 years ago, as a guest of my mentor and friend. The most memorable thing for me was doing a packet trick for Larry Jennings at the bar! (My hands were probably shaking). It was that old marketed item that some may remember, "You Must Have Been Drinking," which is presented as a "sobriety test" of the spectator. It was done with (apparently) four treys, one of each suit. One by one, the threes turned face down, then they all turned face up, then the backs of the cards turned from red to blue (a flustrating, d _ _ b _ e backed experience). Finally all the backs turned into colorful beer logos (Budweiser, Spuds McKenzie, Coors and Coors Light) with the tag line, "Well you must have been drinking, because you got beer all over my cards." I still have the trick in mint condition (thanks to the lamination), and occasionally perform it at the bar. I highly doubt that it fooled Jennings - but he was very gracious, saying that it was one he'd never seen and that he liked it. Definitely a highlight!

[MagicbyAlfred]

I have only been to the Castle once, about 20 years ago, as a guest of my mentor and friend. The most memorable thing for me was doing a packet trick for Larry Jennings at the bar! (My hands were probably shaking). It was that old marketed item that some may remember, "You Must Have Been Drinking," which is presented as a "sobriety test" of the spectator. It was done with (apparently) four treys, one of each suit. One by one, the threes turned face down, then they all turned face up, then the backs of the cards turned from red to blue (a flustrating, d _ _ b _ e backed experience). Finally all the backs turned into colorful beer logos (Budweiser, Spuds McKenzie, Coors and Coors Light) with the tag line, "Well you must have been drinking, because you got beer all over my cards." I still have the trick in mint condition (thanks to the lamination), and occasionally perform it at the bar. To this day, it is my favorite packet trick ever. I highly doubt that it fooled Jennings - but he was very gracious, saying that it was one he'd never seen and that he liked it. Definitely a highlight!

[Pete McCabe]

Only caught one show this week but it was great. Jack Nasher gave a fantastic performance of mentalism in the parlor. Highly recommended.

[Dustin Stinett]

Now playing

The schedule that commences on Monday, January 16:

The Close-Up Gallery
Masahiro Yanagida
Jared Kopf
Brian Markenson (5-7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Tom Ogden
Stoil Stoilov

The Palace of Mystery
Chris Mitchell
Yuji Yamamoto & Mariko
Dale Salwak

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday to Sunday)
Jeff Bornstein

The Peller Theatre (Thursday to Sunday)
Christian Cagigal
Paul Draper

Friday Lunch
Jared Kopf

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
Stoil Stoilov

Sunday Lecture
(1/22) Jared Kopf

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Ferdinando Buscema (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Glenn Farrington (Close-Up: wk/of 1-23)
Jeff McBride & Abigail (Palace: wk/of 1-23)
Eugene Burger (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Lawrence Hass (Peller: 1-26–1-29)
Jeff McBride (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Karl Hein (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Keith Fields (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Javi Benitez (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
The Kalvans (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Sebastian Kraine (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Kerry Ross (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Chuck Jones (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Brian Gillis (WC Fields Bar: 2-2–2-5)
Ice McDonald (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Marcus Eddie (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Misty Mew (Close-Up: 2-9–2-12)
Rafael Van Herck (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
Sean Masterson (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Johnny Fox (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Dan Birch (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Rob Gould (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Christopher Hart (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Mad Tad (WC Fields Bar: 2-9–2-12)
David Regal (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Stan Gerson (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Mark James (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Rich Moratta (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Land (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Arthur Trace (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Alexander (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Jon Armstrong (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Scott Tokar (WC Fields Bar: 2-16–2-19)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Jim Steiner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Adam Wylie (Close-Up: 2-23–2-26)
Daryl (Parlour: wk/of 2-20)
Chipper Lowell (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Steve Owens (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Terry Lunceford (WC Fields Bar: 2-23–2-26)
Norman Beck (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
Chef Anton (Close-Up: 3-2–3-5)
John Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Mark Shortland (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Albie Selznick (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Andrew Goldenhersh (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Phil Van Tee (WC Fields Bar: 3-2–3-5)

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

Schedule is subject to change without notice

[Dustin Stinett]

Now playing

The schedule that commences on Monday, January 23:

The Close-Up Gallery
Ferdinando Buscema
Glenn Farrington
Harrison Lampert (5-7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Chris Funk
Ron Saylor

The Palace of Mystery
Jeff McBride & Abigail

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

The Peller Theatre (Thursday to Sunday)
Eugene Burger
Lawrence Hass

Friday Lunch
Ferdinando Buscema

Saturday/Sunday Brunch
The Magic Genie

Sunday Lecture
(1/29) Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Larry Hass

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Jeff McBride (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Karl Hein (Close-Up: wk/of 1-30)
Keith Fields (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Javi Benitez (Parlour: wk/of 1-30)
Pop Haydn (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
The Kalvans (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Sebastian Kraine (Palace: wk/of 1-30)
Kerry Ross (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Chuck Jones (Peller: 2-2–2-5)
Brian Gillis (WC Fields Bar: 2-2–2-5)
Ice McDonald (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Marcus Eddie (Close-Up: wk/of 2-6)
Misty Mew (Close-Up: 2-9–2-12)
Rafael Van Herck (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
Sean Masterson (Parlour: wk/of 2-6)
John Carney (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Johnny Fox (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Dan Birch (Palace: wk/of 2-6)
Rob Gould (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Christopher Hart (Peller: 2-9–2-12)
Mad Tad (WC Fields Bar: 2-9–2-12)
David Regal (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Jamy Ian Swiss (Close-Up: wk/of 2-13)
Stan Gerson (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Mark James (Parlour: wk/of 2-13)
Rich Moratta (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Land (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Arthur Trace (Palace: wk/of 2-13)
Scott Alexander (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Jon Armstrong (Peller: 2-16–2-19)
Scott Tokar (WC Fields Bar: 2-16–2-19)
Bodine Balasco (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Jim Steiner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-20)
Adam Wylie (Close-Up: 2-23–2-26)
Daryl (Parlour: wk/of 2-20)
Chipper Lowell (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Steve Owens (Palace: wk/of 2-20)
Terry Lunceford (WC Fields Bar: 2-23–2-26)
Norman Beck (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
John George (Close-Up: wk/of 2-27)
Chef Anton (Close-Up: 3-2–3-5)
John Stetson (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Mark Shortland (Parlour: wk/of 2-27)
Greg Otto (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Kyle Knight & Mistie (Palace: wk/of 2-27)
Albie Selznick (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Andrew Goldenhersh (Peller: 3-2–3-5)
Phil Van Tee (WC Fields Bar: 3-2–3-5)

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

Schedule is subject to change without notice