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Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 1st, 2014, 5:59 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Kicking Off the Next 50 Years

It’s fitting that each New Year at the Magic Castle starts with the Founder’s Day Party. If you are planning to just drop by, you should consider calling ahead to see if the old place has not reached capacity. Or, you might check if there have been any reservation cancelations if you wish to see the special performance by Tom Mullica.

Election Year

2014 is just that: our election year. Familiarize yourself with the candidates for the two boards. To help with that there will be two “Meet the Candidates” events: January 12 for the Board of Directors and January 19 for the Board of Trustees. Both events start at 1PM in the Inner Circle and both will be webcast through the Castle website.

Saying Aloha to a Dear Lady

Saturday January 4 will be the celebration of Celeste Mills’ life. It starts at 3PM in the Inner Circle. All members are welcome. Please RSVP to Trish Alaskey, Membership Director, at: talaskey [at] magiccastle [dot] com or (323) 851-3313 ext. 301.

Celebrating the Ladies

Angela Sanchez will be conduct a “Member’s Perk” on “Women in Magic History.” The event is on January 7 at 8PM in the Inner Circle. All members are welcome!

Find You Inner Nerd in the Inner Circle

Want to REALLY solve a Rubik’s Cube? Chi Ni is holding a Member’s Perk where he will teach, “the ins/outs of a Rubik's Cube AND you will learn how to solve one yourself! No experience necessary!
Bring your cube if you have one, otherwise one will be provided for you.”

Signing up ahead of time is required, particularly if you need a cube to work with. Please RSVP to Chi Ni at: roniman [at] gmail [dot] com. All members are welcome! January 29 at 8PM in the Inner Circle.

New Door Charges and No-Show Fees

The door charges have been slightly adjusted for 2014. Brunch remains at $15 and Monday through Thursday will remain at $20; however the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) will now be $30.

The No-Show fees are also going up. There is simply no reason to suffer these charges: show some common courtesy and call to cancel your reservations versus just not showing up! And the worst offenders are those who check in and then don’t go to dinner! That’s just plain rude and inexcusable and that is why that scenario now has—and rightfully so—the highest penalty.

Taking Credit Whether it’s Due or Not

Over ten years ago—July of 2003 to be exact—I sent a proposal to the Board of Directors designed to adjust the “Resident/Non-Resident” criteria. As part of my proposal, I included a map that showed how there were members paying “Non-Resident” dues who lived significantly closer to the Magic Castle than many who were considered “Resident.” Well, I don’t know if I had anything to do with it,* but the BOD has created a “60-Mile Rule.” SO (!!!), if you live outside 60 miles, but within what were the counties considered resident, and that is why you were no longer a member, your dues are now significantly less and you can be a member again!

(*Some time ago a [now] former board member took me aside and said that he had proposed my idea again, but left my name out of it so I wouldn’t be “blamed” in the case it was declined. Well, I am not afraid of taking blame or receiving credit whenever it is appropriate. The fact is, my idea was actually more complex than this simple solution, and I still think my idea is better as it leaves little room for someone to “game the system.” But this is a step in the right direction and I congratulate and thank the BOD for taking this step! Frankly, it allowed me to remain a member!!! Now, if they would just consider my other idea that would allow virtually every magician to be a member of the Academy, as was the hope of William Larsen, Sr.)

Nummy-Nummies for Our Tummy-Tummies

The “Member Pin Menu” for January:

January 6, 7, & 8: Lemon Basil Linguini and Sea Scallops with Parsley Pesto Light Citrus Cream Sauce

January 13, 14, & 15: Pork Chops, Macque Choux (Braised Corn, Bell Pepper, Tomato, Onion, and spices)

January 20, 21, & 22: Marinated Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast with Roasted Potatoes, Hummus, Roasted Garlic and Pita Bread

January 27, 28, & 29: Miso Glazed Cod, Calrose Rice, and Bok Choy

And Brilliance for Our Brains

The January Lecture Lineup:

January 5: Fielding West
January 12: Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger
January 19: George Parker
January 26: Garrett Thomas

Now Showing

Here is the performer’s schedule for the remainder of this week (week ending 1/5):

The Close-Up Gallery
Jeff Black
Steve Valentine
Tricky Devil (5 – 7 PM Thursday – Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Derek Hughes
Brandon Scott

The Palace of Mystery
Fielding West
Miss Katalin

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday – Sunday)
Tom Frank

The Peller Theatre (Thursday – Sunday)
David Blatter
Leeman Parker

Friday Lunch
Steve Valentine

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Arty Loon

Sunday Lecture
(1/5) Fielding West

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Dana Daniels (Palace: wk/of 1-6)
Magic & Mystery School (Close-Up & Parlour: wk/of 1-13)
Jeff and Abigail McBride (Palace: wk/of 1-13)
Eugene Burger and Michael Carbonaro (Peller: 1-17, 18)
Michael Goudeau (Palace: wk/of 1-20)
Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Jonathan Pendrago (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Peter Samelson (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Capehart (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Kerry Pollock (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Mr. Mysto (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Christopher Hart (Palace: wk/of 1-27)


Schedule is subject to change without notice

Or Click Below for the Current Schedule:

http://www.magiccastle.com/schedule/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 6th, 2014, 8:33 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Ladies Night

Angela Sanchez’s perk on Women in Magic History is tomorrow (Tuesday) night. 8PM in the Inner Circle. All members are welcome.

Candidates’ Day (part one)

The Board of Directors “Meet the Candidates” event is this Sunday (1/12) at 1PM in the Inner Circle. The Board of Trustees’ edition is next week. All members are welcome.

Now Playing…

Here is the performer’s schedule for this week (Monday 1/6):

The Close-Up Gallery
Bjorn Hanson
Georges-Robert
Chef Anton (5 – 7 PM Thursday – Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Jack Nasher
Mark Shortland

The Palace of Mystery
John Shryock & Mari Lynn
Dana Daniels

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

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
David Gabbay
Jimmy H.

Friday Lunch
Bjorn Hanson

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Joseph Derry

Sunday Lecture
(1/12) Eugene Burger and Jeff McBride

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Magic & Mystery School (Close-Up & Parlour: wk/of 1-13)
Jeff and Abigail McBride (Palace: wk/of 1-13)
Eugene Burger and Michael Carbonaro (Peller: 1-17, 18)
Michael Goudeau (Palace: wk/of 1-20)
Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Jonathan Pendrago (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Peter Samelson (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Capehart (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Kerry Pollock (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Mr. Mysto (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Christopher Hart (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
R. Paul Wilson (Close-Up: wk/of 2-10)
Ian Kendall (Parlour: wk/of 2-10)



Schedule is subject to change without notice

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 13th, 2014, 1:43 pm
by Dustin Stinett
So what was weird: the Magic Castle or that SHE went to the Magic Castle?

Cate Blanchett mentions Magic Castle visit during her Golden Globe acceptance speech (at the 31 second mark):

http://www.vulture.com/2014/01/watch-ca ... peech.html

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 13th, 2014, 2:35 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Candidates’ Day (part two)

The Board of Trustees “Meet the Candidates” event is this Sunday (1/19) at 1PM in the Inner Circle.

Buy Out Notice

Note that the Magic Castle will be closed to members and guests on Tuesday February 4th for a “buy out.”

Now Playing…

Here is the performer’s schedule for this week (Monday 1/13):

The Close-Up Gallery
Jordan Wright
George Parker
Bill Cook (5 – 7 PM Thursday – Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Lawrence Hass
Bryce Kuhlman

The Palace of Mystery
Jeff McBride
Abigail McBride

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

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Eugene Burger
Rob Zabrecky

Friday Lunch
George Parker

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
The Genie of Good Luck

Sunday Lecture
(1/19) George Parker

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Michael Goudeau (Palace: wk/of 1-20)
Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Jonathan Pendrago (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Peter Samelson (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Capehart (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Kerry Pollock (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Mr. Mysto (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Christopher Hart (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
R. Paul Wilson (Close-Up: wk/of 2-10)
Ian Kendall (Parlour: wk/of 2-10)
Suzanne (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)
Jonathan Levit (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)



Schedule is subject to change without notice

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 20th, 2014, 7:09 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Capacity (or lack thereof) Alert!!!)

It appears that the crystal ball readers at the Castle are predicting a very heavy night this Friday (1/24). This alert regarding walk-ins has been posted to site:

“Due to extreme volume of reservations and special groups on this evening, walk-ins are HIGHLY DISCOURAGED. We will hit capacity very early in the night and will only be able to allow members without dinner reservations in on a one-in, one-out basis. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.”

And Don’t Forget…

…that the Magic Castle will be closed to members and guests on Tuesday February 4th for a “buy out.”

More Crystal Ball Reading

These future events are clearly appearing in my old crystal ball:

Jan 29: Rubik’s Cube Night
Feb 2: No lecture because of the SUPER BOWL Viewing Party
Feb 2: (In case you skipped a line) Super Bowl Viewing Party
Feb 5: “A Conversation on Character” Perk
Feb 11: “Ib Melchoir - Magic In Cinema” Perk
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day (even though the details are “TBA,” I suggest that you get your dinner reservations NOW)

Now Playing…

Here is the performer’s schedule for this week (Monday 1/20):

The Close-Up Gallery
Garrett Thomas
Toto
Michael Rangel (5 – 7 PM Thursday – Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Collins Key*
Kozmo

The Palace of Mystery
Kyle Knight & Mistie
Michael Goudeau

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

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Chris Mitchell
Greg Wilson

Friday Lunch
Garrett Thomas

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Frank Thurston

Sunday Lecture
(1/26) Garrett Thomas

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

Jared Kopf (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Jonathan Pendrago (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Korn (Close-Up: wk/of 1-27)
Peter Samelson (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Chris Capehart (Parlour: wk/of 1-27)
Kerry Pollock (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Mr. Mysto (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
Christopher Hart (Palace: wk/of 1-27)
R. Paul Wilson (Close-Up: wk/of 2-10)
Ian Kendall (Parlour: wk/of 2-10)
Suzanne (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)
Jonathan Levit (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)
Richard Turner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-24)
Max Maven (Peller Teatre: 2-28 thru 3-2)

Schedule is subject to change without notice


*EDITORIAL

It is painfully obvious when comparing the two performances that Collins Key borrowed rather liberally from Justin Willman’s presentation of “Confabulation” during his stint on NBC's “America’s Got Talent” television program this past summer. It bothers me that someone who breached magic’s (albeit unwritten) canon of ethics on such a large "stage" should be rewarded with a booking at the Magic Castle. It is, I believe, a tacit endorsement of his actions: an ethical lapse from which, it can be argued, he profited in the form of advancement on the show.

It shouldn’t matter what his previous bone fides might be (and he certainly should not have “AGT” mentioned at all during his introductions during his week in the Parlour of Prestidigitation). Until he makes a public apology I believe Mr. Key should be on the outside looking in. At the very least I would recommend that our Board of Trustees consider that he not appear on the list for a nomination for a performer’s award (or any other recognition) from the Academy of Magical Arts.

Thanks for your time.
Dustin Stinett


Thanks for your time.
Dustin Stinett

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 23rd, 2014, 9:46 am
by erdnasephile
I think Dustin has a good point here.

(I think maybe an acid test for whether or not a routine is stolen is: would you be embarrassed to perform that routine at the Castle in front of your brethren? It will be interesting to see if Key will have the chutzpa to test that theory.)

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (January 2014)

Posted: January 27th, 2014, 8:15 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Now Playing…

Here is the performer’s schedule for this week (Monday 1/27):

The Close-Up Gallery
Jared Kopf
Jonathan Pendragon
Ron Bell (5 – 7 PM Thursday – Sunday)

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Peter Samelson
Chris Capehart

The Palace of Mystery
Kerry Pollock
John Carney
Christopher Hart

W.C. Fields Bar (Thursday – Sunday)
Patrick Heitkam

The Peller Theatre (Friday – Sunday)
Phil Van Tee
Pop Haydn

Friday Lunch
Jared Kopf

Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Chuck Jones

Sunday Lecture
(2/2) NO LECTURE!

Sneak Peek of Some Future Performers…

R. Paul Wilson (Close-Up: wk/of 2-10)
Ian Kendall (Parlour: wk/of 2-10)
Suzanne (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)
Jonathan Levit (Close-Up: wk/of 2-17)
Richard Turner (Close-Up: wk/of 2-24)
Max Maven (Peller Theatre: 2-28 thru 3-2)
Alba (Close-Up: wk/of 3-3)
Armando Lucero (Close-Up: wk/of 3-3)
Helder Guimaraes (Parlour: wk/of 3-3)
Jon Armstrong (Parlour: wk/of 3-3)
Tina Lenert (Palace: wk/of 3-3)*
Mike Caveney (Palace: wk/of 3-3)*
John Gaughan & Lady Mystina (Palace: wk/of 3-3)*
John Carney (Peller Theatre: 3-7 thru 3-9)
Derek Hughes (Peller Theatre: 3-7 thru 3-9)



Schedule is subject to change without notice

*I can’t say for certain, but smart money says that during this week, Mike Caveney will be presenting the Carter Spirit Cabinet and John Gaughan (with Mystina) will be doing Astarte. Make your plans NOW.