Magic Castle

Magic Castle entrance

The Magic Castle, located at 7001 Franklin Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, is a nightclub for stage magicians and illusionist magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts . It bills itself as "the most unique private club in the world."

Nightclub

The Magic Castle is a private club, allowing entrance only to members and their guests, though courtesy invitations can be obtained by magicians visiting from out of town. A typical evening features several magic shows and historic displays, as well as a full service dining room and several bars in a night club atmosphere. A dress code of formal party attire is strictly enforced.

The lobby of the Castle has no visible doors to the interior, and visitors must say a secret phrase to a sculpture of an owl to gain access, exposing the entrance to the club. Nightly, five different magic performances are showcased in three different theaters, with additional performances added on weekends. Magicians perform in several different theaters, including the intimate Close-Up Gallery, a larger Parlor of Prestidigitation, and stage illusions in the Palace of Mystery. Informal performance areas around the 5 bars give magician members the space for impromptu magic for guests and other patrons. In the music room, a piano is played by invisible "Irma," the Castle's "resident ghost," who takes musical requests.

Minors under 21 are not permitted during evening performances. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Castle hosts a brunch and performances which are open to adults and children. During brunch, the Castle's "Junior Members" (ranging in age from 13 to 20 years old) perform in the Close-Up Gallery.

Academy of Magical Arts

The Magic Castle is also the private clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts (AMA), an organization devoted to the advancement of the art of illusionist magic and its history. Magicians must audition to join the Academy of Magical Arts and the Castle. Non-magicians can also join, as associate members. Magician members interested in magical research have access to a substantial library of resources as well as magician-only lectures and member-only events. In addition, the Academy of Magical Arts offers a course of instruction in magic available to the general public, which is held in the Castle.

The mission statement of the Academy of Magical Arts reads:

"The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. has been and will continue to be the premier organization in the world dedicated to the art of MAGIC. We are an organization which promotes the art of magic, encourages fellowship and maintains the highest ethical standards. We provide a friendly environment where members and their guests can enjoy the art and each other's company. Our goals and objectives are to advance the art and promote a positive image of magic and magicians worldwide."

The Academy of Magical Arts is governed by a Board of Directors and a Board of Trustees, each of which has seven members. As of 2008, the Board of Directors included actor Neil Patrick Harris.

As of 2006, the AMA had approximately 5000 members.

Magic Castle Junior Group

The Magic Castle is also known for its Junior Program (the Magic Castle Junior Group). The Junior Group comprises highly skilled young magicians, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in magic. One week a year, billed as "Future Stars Week," performers from the Junior Group are showcased in evening performances in the Castle's showrooms.

History

The building is an authentic Chateau or Chateauesque-style mansion built in 1909 by banker and real estate developer Rollin B. Lane, and is a near duplicate of the 1897 Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in Redlands, California. Ownership of the mansion remained in the Lane family until 1955 when it was sold to Thomas O. Glover, whose family still owns the property. (Contrary to some "tour guide" stories, it was never owned by actress Janet Gaynor.) In September of 1961, the mansion was leased to Milt Larsen, who began converting it to its present state. The Magic Castle opened for business on January 2, 1963.

One of the Castle's most famous members was the late Dai Vernon, an expert in sleight of hand, who often sat in the bar area entertaining and teaching. Vernon was the Magician-in-Residence at the Castle for many years, up until his death in 1992.

Other famous magicians who have been regular performers at the Magic Castle include Mark Wilson, Jay Ose, Senator Crandall, Johnny Platt, Kuda Bux and Billy McComb. Many "celebrity magic hobbyists" have also performed at the Magic Castle, including Cary Grant, Steve Martin, Johnny Carson, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Alexander of Seinfeld.

Awards

Performing awards are given in different categories at the annual "Academy of the Magical Arts Awards" event. Nominees for the performing awards are chosen from among that year's performers at The Magic Castle. Other awards include Literary and Life Fellowships awards which go to individuals who, in the view of the Academy, have made significant contributions to the field of magic.

Events

• Annually on July 8, the Magic Castle hosts the Soapy Smith party in honor of the day Jefferson Randolph Smith, the infamous confidence man of the nineteenth century, was killed. Dai Vernon was a great fan of Soapy's history.
• TV promos were hosted at the Magic Castle on the Disney Channel for the premiere of the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie, Now You See It....

References in Popular Culture

• The Magic Castle was featured prominently as the home of the title character in the television series The Magician starring Bill Bixby.
• The Magic Castle is the likely inspiration for the Gothic Castle, a frequently mentioned location in the television series Arrested Development.

See also

• Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Hollywood
• Hollywood Heights, Los Angeles, California

External links

• The Magic Castle web site