The Magic Castle

2 weeks go, I went to L.A. It was a great trip. My main focus, aside form the visiting family stuff, was to go to the Magic Castle.

I posted a few messages on magic message boards, and got a great response (I could get in with my SAM card). Luckily, a member of the Castle Knights (the guys that take people on tours of the castle) contacting me, and offered to accept me as his guest. This was a remarkable oppuratunity, I couldn't turn down.I got dress coded up, and headed to the castle.

It is a unique building, just a block away from the busy Hollywood Blvd., but it is like stepping back in time.

I slowly made my way up the hill, went around the block to see it from the other angle. and then made my way up to the door to meet Rafael. We slipped in, I got to say the magic word to open the door. And there it was. One of the five, yes, five bars.

It was Young Adults night at the club, and also Future Stars week. Which, apparently means...it was really busy, and no one was really around.

We went on a quick tour of the castle, and saw all that there was, quite an amazing place. Then we got in line for the first show. in the Parlour.

Aaron Rabkin did a set of some great magic, ending with an popping card reveal that left me thinking.

Next, it was Tam Vo (I think)in the gallery. Some great card and coin magic.

Then tried to get into the palace, but long line, and so I waited, did some magic, and wandered around for awhile. The I got in line to see Derek Hughes.

Derek Hughes was inn the parlour, and his set was fantastic. Each trick was more impossible than the next. Resulting in a completely head scratching finale.

Again waited in line. People around said there usually isn't this long of lines, but due to the abundance of people, the lines were long, and hard to get into shows.

So I saw the revue in the Palace, a nice variety of magicians, including the adorable little kid who performed some nice ball manipulations. It was a fun show, a great chance for the youth to perform.

I then tried to get to see the late performer at the gallery, but no, too late, full.

I hung around a bit, tried to find a group of magicians. Didn't see any, I guess I picked the wrong day/week to try to sit in on a late jam session. I might have left too early, but I didn't want to press my luck walking back to the Metro station, and then back to my brother's neighborhood.

I also went to the Hollywood Magic Inc. made a leisurely browse, but there was nothing I could think of that I just had to have. I thought about some stuff, but their main target is passer-bys and walk-ins....magic "noobs"

I didn't want the latest trick, I wanted something old, and dusty, but I'm not sure if they had anything, since they were busy with other people.

All in all, it was a great experience. I look forward to going again, hopefully when it's cooler.

I would recommend it to all, here are the pictures from it.


Walking up to it.

The Sign.

The Front

You can almost see Vernon.

And there I am, in front of the Magic Castle.

thanks everyone, and especially Rafael for the great time!

oh and by the way....the cup holders suck.