January, 2016 Board of Directors Volume 55, Number 1 Erika Larsen, President [email protected] Official publication of the Open Randy Sinnott, Vice-President Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. [email protected] 7001 Franklin Avenue Maurice Newman, Treasurer Hollywood, 90028 Happy New Year! [email protected] (323) 851-3313 Sesame www.magiccastle.com , Secretary [email protected] EDITOR: Sara Ballantine Dustin Stinett Milt Larsen: The Guru of the Gag ... Page 13 [email protected] ART DEPARTMENT: Chip Chalmers Ben Roman [email protected] Josh Stern Newsworthy Notes ... Page 3 Brian Tolman Jen Ovadia [email protected] Steve Mitchell Michael Albright Board of Trustees Masters of Illusion Taping ... Page 5 Jon Armstrong, Chairman DIGITAL LOGISTICS: [email protected] Josh Stern , Vice-Chairman EDITORS EMERITUS: Now Playing ... Page 15 [email protected] William W. Larsen, Jr. Joan Lawton, Secretary Milt Larsen [email protected] David Regal Deadline for the Next Issue: [email protected] The 20th Day of This Month Lecture Notes ... Page 16 © 2016 Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. All rights reserved. “The Castle” is a Registered [email protected] Trademark of Magic Castles, Inc. used under license. The Academy of Magical Arts “Owl CarneyMagic with ... Page 17 Ribbon” logo, text-only logo, “Owl Bell” logo, [email protected] and The Academy Newsletter masthead are trademarks of the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. [email protected]

Our Mission: The Academy of Magical Arts has been and will continue to be the premier organization in the world dedicated to the art of Magic. We are an organization that encourages fellowship, promotes the art, and maintains the highest ethical standards in our actions. We will provide a friendly environment where Members and their guests can Magic Magicians enjoy the art and each other’s company. Our goals and objectives are to advance the art and provide a positive image of and worldwide. NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 As We Go To Press: On The Inside WELCOME TO 2016 and the new-look AMA has arranged for AMA members to be in the studio Newsletter. This is not the first time going audience for several days of the show’s 2016 season 3 ... Newsworthy Notes horizontal—or in the proper parlance, landscape— production. See page 5 for the details. Thanks Gay! Staff and Contributors was tried. When Rich Cowley was our editor, he Besides the décor, our is known for its released an issue formatted this way. I thought then, 4 ... President’s Message secret gags that Milt Larsen has placed here and Erika Larsen and as you can see still think, it is the right thing to there. I chatted with him about that and a couple do for these digital times in which we live. other things. The result is on page 13. 5 ... Treasurer’s Report Maurice Newman I did widen the page a bit. I wanted to take up as Of course we also have the usual suspects in this much of that horizontal space as I could. Those issue. Please read their columns and stay well 6 ... A Note from the Trustees Joan Lawton of you on phones and tablets can turn them. We informed about your club. geezers still on computers can’t. So there are my This just in: As I type, a limited supply of the new 7 ... General Musings reasons. Joe Furlow AMA playing cards is available at the front desk. It is best viewed in “Full Screen Mode” in Adobe A full supply will be offered in the Gift Shop (and 9 ... The Magic of Membership Reader. On PCs, ‘Escape” takes you back to the online) starting on Founders’ Day. FYI: Yes, the Magic Trish Alaskey normal view. You can advance pages (or go back) by Castle playing cards remain available as well. clicking the hands down in the corners of the pages. 11 ... Outreach News Thanks for your time. ? Ray Forgette So there are the simple instructions for use. The rest is just for you to now enjoy this New Year’s issue! Dustin Stinett 13 ... Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gags [email protected] A Q&A with Milt Larsen My friend John Carney is mounting his excellent one- man show, CarneyMagic, in Burbank. It’s one night 15 ... Now Playing only— January 9—and AMA members can enjoy Jack Goldfinger a $10 discount on tickets. I’ve had the pleasure of 16 ... Lecture Notes seeing this show a couple of times and I highly Jack Goldfinger and the Board of Trustees recommend it. Please see page 17 for details. 16 ... From the Kitchen Here’s an opportunity to watch some great magic Chef Jason Sperber while it’s being shot for television. In case you didn’t 19 ... From the WWL Library already know, Gay Blackstone is one of the producers Bill Goodwin of the Masters of Illusion television program and she 20 ... –30– Our newest toys ... err ... tools are now available Staff PREVIOUS 2 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 Newsworthy Notes

It’s Party Time, Meet the Candidates Magician Member Perk Grammy Watch Founders Style! The “Meet the Candidates” panel for the If you’re interested in gathering a Otmaro Ruiz, jazz pianist and AMA The 53rd annual Founders’ Day party is nominees to the Board of Directors crowd and then entertaining them magician member is a Grammy on (wait for it) Founders’ Day, January is on January 10 in the Inner Circle. like they’ve never been entertained Nominee! The honor comes to him 2. Festivities start at 4:00 p.m. See Associate member BOD hopefuls before, attend Tom Frank’s Castle Perk for his arrangement of Antônio Carlos the December 2015 newsletter for gather at 1:00 p.m. Regular members for Magician Members only. Tom is Jobim’s Garota de Ipanema (The Girl the amazing menu and even more start at 3:00 p.m. a high-energy and highly successful From Ipanema), in the category “Best street magician. His work transcends Arrangement Instrument and Vocals,” amazing 1970s throwback prices! The Board of Trustees will hold their the street and, additionally, creates which appears on the CD he produced “Meet the Candidates” panel on January a wonderful environment for bar with his wife, Catina de Luna (singer) 31 at 3:00 p.m. in the Inner Circle. Note magic. This is a perk not to be missed. titled LADO B - Brazilian Project. The there are no lectures on either date! January 19 at 8:00 p.m. in the Peller Grammy Awards ceremony is on Questions for the candidates must be Theatre. (Reported by the Trustees) Monday, February 15. (Reported by emailed to the Election Committee Rafael Benatar) ? Chairman at [email protected] by 5:00 Did You Know ... p.m. the day before the panel event On January 26, 1964, “The Baker (January 9 and 30 respectively). That’s a Fakir,” better known as Albert Priority will be given to questions Goshman, lectured before the AMA emailed in advance. membership for the first time. Starting Written questions from the floor may the following Monday night, he began be addressed only if time allows. his first-ever week performing in the (Reported by the Election Committee) Close-Up Gallery.

Please email Newsworthy Notes contributions to [email protected]. The deadline for the next issue is the 20th of this month. Anonymous contributions will not be accepted, however name(s) can be withheld upon request. The AMA’s own Otmaro Ruiz Happy 2016! Grammy Nominee PREVIOUS 3 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 “ I have been proud to serve on the current board.”

PRESTO-CHANGO … it’s 2016. Happy New Year rewarding. I have been proud to serve on the William Larsen, Sr. Everyone! The recent holiday celebration at our current board. We have put things in place that will Without his dream, clubhouse was as festive as ever, and I would like to benefit the AMA for many years to come. However, and the foundation personally thank our tireless staff—as well as our there is still work to do. I ask our members to please he laid down in many volunteers—for all their hard work. pay close attention to what each candidate has to Genii, there would say and vote accordingly. It is imperative that the be no AMA and Last year was another successful year for the AMA continues to make the type of progress that no Magic Castle. Bill Sr. was truly a remarkable Academy. We had a few ups and downs, but they will ensure our future survival. Please keep this in individual. I am proud to say congratulations and were relatively minor and the AMA reached new mind when you vote. thank you to our wonderful Founders. What an heights. I look forward to this trend continuing as amazing legacy they have created! we move into a new year. As usual, our ability to I was hoping we would wrap up our agreement flourish is the result of the support and loyalty of with Magic Castles, Inc. before the end of last year, Although my tenure on the Board of Directors you, our members. I sincerely hope that each of but we are not quite there. We’re close though, will end in a few months, I have many plans for you continues to visit your club often, attending and hopefully, by the end of this month, we’ll have the future of our club and a lengthy list of goals. special events and sending friends and family in for everything in place. Both MCI and the AMA are You don’t need to be president, or even serve a magical experience like no other. The BOD, BOT, excited to get the contract signed so we can move on a board, to make a huge difference to our and management are very proud of all that has forward together. There will be a discussion of this organization. I am looking forward to working hand been accomplished over the past few years, and we at the Annual General Meeting in March. in hand with many of you in 2016. Great things are are eager to continue to make this one of the best in store! ? Founders’ Day is January 2, and I can’t wait to private clubs ever. celebrate! I hope to see many of you at the Castle Yours in Magic, January finds us in the middle of our elections. that evening. This time of year is also special Erika Thank you again to those who are running. Serving because not only is December 31 New Year’s Eve, it [email protected] on one of the boards is a challenge, but it is also is also the birthday of our patriarch, my grandfather,

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TELEVISED MAGIC SHOW NEEDS AN AUDIENCE!

OUR OCTOBER 2015 numbers find us with gross revenue of $1,049,762. 64-percent of this was food and beverage sales of $673,860. Food sales were $416,529 with beverage sales of $257,331. Membership sales were $9,465 and gift shop revenues at $12,737. Door fees were $130,529. Uber and Lyft continue AS SEEN ON to impact our parking revenue and as such our valet income was $38,817. No- show fees amounted to $6,575. The profit for the month totaled $22,482. All Magic Castle members are invited to Election Thoughts attend a FREE taping of the hit TV series The election process is under way and I ask each one of you to become “Masters of Illusion” for The CW! involved whether you’re running or not. You may know the members running WHEN: on a personal basis. However, I implore you to ask the questions of the January 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th candidates about what they want to do and how they would implement their (Please arrive by 6:30 PM) proposed changes. WHERE: Voting for the leaders of our club is more than just selecting someone you RED Studios know. It involves what their platforms are and how those things will be 846 North Cahuenga Blvd. , CA 90038 accomplished. Merely saying “I will work to achieve this” is not enough. Ask the candidate how he or she will achieve it. Get involved in the process and not slogans or conclusory statements made without substance. RSVP by email to Confirmation and further information Most importantly, ask questions and then cast your ballot. Voter turnout is [email protected] to for the show will be sent to you via reserve your seats NOW! email during the week of taping. disappointingly low. So please vote and let’s see the highest number of voters Come to one night or come to all this year than has ever turned out before. When responding include your three! Name, Email, Date you wish to Kids age 6 and up are welcome! If you see me at our club please stop and say hello. ? attend, and number of people in your party. Maurice TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! RSVP NOW! [email protected]

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Joan Lawton

Founders’ Day Associate Members Perk! Whose Hands Are These? FIFTY-THREE YEARS. That’s hard A Castle Perk specifically for Associate The hands pictured last month are Vernon at a in the for some of us to believe, but it’s Members will be held at the end of those of (1933-1997). early 1960s. Like so many, Larry moved true! David Regal will be hosting the January or the beginning of February. here to be near The Professor. Originally from Detroit, he learned festivities. That’s a double whammy: Check the Flash Papers for details. We his first card trick in his mid-teens. A devotee of Vernon, Larry, too, became One amazingly witty and creative are putting all the pieces together At 16 he joined the U.S. Navy where a legend at The Magic Castle. Larry was man walking us through the 53rd now. A decision whether or not he pestered a shipmate to teach him also an opera fan and a writer; sort of. anniversary of The Magic Castle. Magician Members will be allowed to some card tricks he’d seen the guy do. For a while, I was honored to be among Please see Joe Furlow’s column for the attend is pending. He was honorably discharged in 1953. his ghost writers. The rest is history and details, but I want to add this: with you can look up a lot of it in the AMA David Regal involved, it’s going to be Weekend Seminar Two A friendship formed with , library. I’m sure Bill Goodwin can point memorable! It’s just six months away, and we’re then living in Windsor, Ontario. The you in the right direction. still in talks, but I can assure Magician two aspiring magicians met Dai Elections Members that you’ll want to register. There are so many stories about Larry If you can’t get to the club in person June is almost certain to see an Jennings. If you are not already a fan of for the Meet-the-Candidates panels international icon visiting The Magic Magic Castle history—or 20th century to be held on January 10 (Board of Castle for a Weekend Seminar, a magic—when you learn more about Directors) and January 31 (Board special dinner, a lecture (with material Larry you’ll become one. of Trustees), drop in electronically. not included in the seminar), and a On behalf of all the members of the Details will be sent out via our possible lecture for the Juniors! I’m AMA Board of Trustees, I wish you a Flash Paper notes and probably on not at liberty to disclose more at happy, healthy, and successful 2016. ? Facebook as well. These panels are the moment, but just know that he’s your best chance to get to know all of an AMA Fellowship recipient and is the candidates. admired and respected throughout Joan the world. [email protected]

PREVIOUS 6 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 “ ... due to recent events, we have added security to our property.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we wrap up performer, Mr. David Regal. The one was hurt, the LAPD was called. having might be connected with 2015 and our focus shifting to 2016, 40-minute ceremony will include Security surveillance was turned over someone with knowledge of the many new and exciting things are speeches from Trustee Chairman to the LAPD and fingerprints on the Castle; aka an “inside job.” However, in store for us and the New Year will Jon Armstrong, Irene Larsen, Milt scene were found. However, to date, recent information has surfaced be a great one. Here at the Castle, Larsen, and outgoing President of the no arrests have been made. that neighbors around our address our Senior Management team will Academy Erika Larsen. Appetizers and are experiencing a string of thefts Immediately following that incident, be focused on making 2016 the best specialty cocktails will be available in which leads one to believe that our we have noticed suspicious persons year yet! the Inner Circle at the conclusion of surrounding area is a current target. in and around the property at all the ceremony. Founders’ Day 2016 hours of the day and night. Our Senior We have also installed, with our Chef Jason Sperber has put his Management team has done a superb landlords’ approval, new security January 2 is a very special day here amazing touch on our menu for the job communicating with each other fencing to protect against a theft at the Castle: our Birthday. As we evening, which will highlight pricing and the LAPD to stop any potential from the top level of our property. The celebrate 53 years inside the historic from the 1970s. The show times will issues. Break-ins in our lower parking fence, installed in early December, will Lane Mansion, I sometimes wonder remain the same, but the Palace might lot into two cars one evening was allow our Administrative Offices to be what it was like that first week in include five minutes from a very enough to cause immediate action. more secure. 1963, and whether or not Bill, Irene, special performer. Come join us! and Milt ever thought we would be I have hired an outside security Throughout 2015 we installed new thriving in 2016. Security firm, with the Board’s blessing, as an security cameras around our property. immediate deterrent. The security The upper parking lot, the lower If you have made plans to join us As many members have noticed, guard arrives at 5:00 p.m. and patrols parking lot, the showroom waiting on January 2, know that it will be due to recent events, we have added the lot until 5:00 a.m. He is in direct areas, hallways, dining rooms, our a spectacular event. The ceremony security to our property. In early contact with his company and with driveways, and kitchen are now and toast begins at 4:00 p.m. Our November, at 11:30 a.m., someone the LAPD. I have been reluctant to covered from every angle and we will emcee for the evening will be Board broke into the General Manager’s alert our members, as the LAPD continue to add more in the coming of Trustee member and outstanding office via the window. Although no and I both feel the issues we are months. The security cameras have

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(CONTINUED: Joe Furlow)

protected the AMA from possible seems to be near and dear to those Empl oy ee of t he Mont h litigation due to slip and falls, as well expressing their disappointment, is as member vs. member issues and that the club “no longer feels like a guest vs. guest issues. We use footage private club.” I take those concerns Jeff Johnson to investigate allegations and also for to heart, and will take the necessary training purposes. steps to add to your day to day IN OVER TWO YEARS of service to He has worked all over Los Angeles’s experience. Although our current the AMA, Jeff Johnson has established nightclub scene and managed a few With the recent events in San business model does depend quite himself as a leader in his department, establishments as well. You normally Bernardino, and with conversations heavily on guest passes being issued dedicated to providing top customer see him working in the Palace Bar, but with Darren Ross from the Magic and guests dining in our dining room, service with a smile. He has the as versatile as he is, we can move him Castle Hotel, this might need to be we can do a better job adding more ability that most bartenders possess: anywhere inside the building. a “new normal.” We will continue to days for our members to enjoy. I will communication skills. However, Jeff fine tune the operation and address Jeff exemplifies “The Castle Way.” make that a priority in 2016 and will also has an infectious laugh and any potential weakness I feel we may We are very proud to have him on work with the both Boards to generate always greets all of our members and have on the property. But the security our team. Congratulations to Jeff on ideas to add to the overall satisfaction guests with a loud, “hello!” is here to allow our members, guests, being chosen as the AMA November of the club. and employees to feel safe while on A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, 2015 Employee of the Month! ? the property. I am looking forward to improving the Jeff arrived in Los Angeles in 1991 overall experience and expect us to as an aspiring actor. For those who Goals for 2016 have a great 2016! remember the final episode of Seinfeld (1998), Jeff is not surprising in the role As we make New Year’s resolutions, I hope to see you around the club of the “car thief” and at the end of the I have made a few of my own. As soon! ? episode he becomes a scene stealer. A we chart a path to greater financial quick IMDb.com search of him shows security, my staff and I will be working Joe Contact, The Postman, and The Brave hard to cut expenses and continue to [email protected] among his many credits. maximize the member experience. In the last few weeks, members on Jeff is still very busy in Hollywood, the Facebook page have commented and loves the Castle for the flexibility on a variety of topics, but one that it allows him to follow his dreams.

PREVIOUS 8 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 “The reason why we’re here is because of love—the love of magic.” The Irene Larsen, Co-Founder Magicof Membership Trish Alaskey

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all had a beautiful holiday season. We have On a lighter note, I hope to see as many of you as possible here at the club to been busy little elves, making sure “dues season” runs as smoothly as possible celebrate Founders’ Day! For those of you who do not know, January 2, 1963 is for everyone. For those of you who have paid your dues for 2016 up through the day we opened the doors of the world famous Magic Castle for the very first the last week of December, you should have received your renewal packets in time. Each year we take this day to thank our Founders Bill Jr., Milt, and Irene the mail by now, or will very soon. If you are a Life Member, your special packets Larsen. Sadly, on February 11, 1993, we lost our “President for Life” Bill Larsen, are being mailed out as I type. For anyone who has not received their package, Jr. But, fortunately for us, we still have Milt and Irene with us to celebrate our and it’s been longer than two weeks since you’ve paid your dues, please let me Anniversary! If you do come, please be sure to take the time to thank them for know so we can investigate the situation. Both the Life Member News mailing giving us this wonderful, magical club. It is because of them that it exists and and the Renewal Thank You packets with your passes in them are stuffed and they deserve all of the love and thanks that we can possibly give. The event mailed manually, so your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. starts at 4 p.m. in the Palace of Mystery to be followed by delicious appetizers in the Inner Circle. Make your dinner reservation ASAP, because Chef Jason For any member who has yet to renew their membership, you have until the Sperber has put together an incredible menu and will be knocking back 31st of January to pay your dues. If you do not pay by then, there will be a non- dining room prices to what they were in the 1970s! Get here early and have a negotiable $50 late fee automatically applied to payments made from February wonderful time! 1 to March 15. Any payments not received by March 15 will not be accepted and you will lose all benefits of membership. Associate Members and Magician Membership benefits with the Academy of Magical Arts continue to grow. Members will be allowed to reinstate but will be subject to additional (non- Please enjoy your membership with us and be sure to take advantage of the negotiable) reinstatement fees. many opportunities you have available. If you need anything at all, you know where to find me! ? Here is a quick review of the remaining dues deadlines: Enjoy! • January 31: All member privileges, including voting rights revoked for unpaid membership dues Trish • February 1: $50 non-negotiable late fee applied to payments [email protected] • March 15: Unpaid memberships officially expire

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ATTENTION MAGICIAN MEMBERS: ANOTHER BENEFIT of MEMBERSHIP in The ACADEMY of MAGICAL ARTS!

Academy of Magical Arts Members: Take Advantage of your FREE Digital Genii Subscription to Genii! THE CONJURORS’ MAGAZINE

THE BEST-SELLING MAGIC MAGAZINE Gary Angiuli, Annette Angiuli on the planet, which has been closely associated with The Magic Castle since its Nick Ivory inception, is available to you absolutely Daniel Goldberg free of charge as a perk of your Magician Membership. Paul Rubin To access your digital subscription to Jeff Sargent Genii, which also includes all 77 years of Donald Voltz, Cassandra Voltz back issues, please follow these steps. 1. Go to www.geniimagazine.com Dennis Watkins 2. Click the orange "Sign In" button in the upper right corner. John Slicer 3. Enter the email address which the AMA has on file for your membership Ryan Bart (make sure it's the correct one). Andy Peters 4. Enter your AMA membership number (just the numerals). Kyle Elder 5. Click "Login." Nicholas Hosking Mollie B. Casey Andrew Evans Andrew Maynard Simone Turkington, Gregg Turkington Jeremiah De Matteis Ron Torres Tiffany H. Le Christopher Winter Zahi Nassoura, Lydia Nassoura New Members: Don’t forget to sign up for your New Member Orientation! Contact: [email protected]

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THE HOLIDAYS are always a busy and gratifying time for the members of the Veterans’ Holiday Celebration Academy of Magical Arts Outreach Committee. Here are just some of the events in which we participated during that festive season. On December 6, for the 10th year, Outreach Committee volunteers supported Children Uniting Nations the Veterans’ Holiday Celebration in Westwood. The 23rd annual event hosted On Sunday, November 15, 2015, Larry Horowitz, Alfonso, Dave Ramey, and Bill over 5,000 veterans who where honored and Sharon Kinney strolled at Children Uniting Nations’ Day of the Child event. and fed in the spirit of the holidays. Hillel was on stage performing his signature act. The event was a great success. Performing magicians included Peter iller hildren s ospital M C ’ H Deyell, Brandon Scott, Elroy Codding, Scott On Tuesday, December 2 members of the Outreach Committee appeared at Smith, and Dennis Forel. Santa’s Workshop at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. Randy Gastreich, Sam Konugres, and Victor Globa entertained CHLA approximately 100 patients, their family Outreach members attended the Children’s members, and staff. It was a festive Hospital of Los Angeles “Catch” Holiday Party environment that was well worth the on December 11. Wacko, Dave Ramey, and effort. Wacko, Dave Ramey, and Bill Goodwin at Bill Goodwin performed. A grand time was Children’s Hospital Los Angeles had by all. Laurel Foundation On December 6, Ben Benjamins CHOC performed at the Laurel Foundation’s On Tuesday, December 15, the Outreach Committee performed its annual holiday holiday party, bringing some holiday program at Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC). This year’s performers cheer to 200 families affected by included Terry Lunceford, Barry Matas, and Victor Globa. Shows were performed HIV/AIDS. in the Oncology and General playrooms. Additionally, some strolling was done Randy Gastreich and Sam Konugres at for children who could not participate in the playrooms. With the patients were Miller Children’s Hospital parents, siblings, and CHOC volunteers.

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(CONTINUED: Outreach)

It’s not easy to see kids who need to be hospitalized, especially during the holiday season, but it is always nice to put a smile on a kid’s face using magic. Would you like to join us for these kinds of heartwarming events? Please contact the Outreach Chair, Ray Forgette at [email protected].

One Voice Holiday Program The Outreach Committee combined with One Voice again this year to not only share the magic of the season but to create some as well! One Voice started as a simple holiday distribution by two co-eds as a college project. Today, more than 25 years later, One Voice transforms seven Los Angeles locations into a Winter Wonderland from which they distribute holiday food, toys, books, and hugs to over 2,300 Head Start families.

On December 22, AMA first-timers to the One Voice Holiday ProgramE ddie Medrano and Larry “Zeezo” Campbell joined repeat performers Ken Gerenraich, Joseph Guzman, Sam Konugres, Gerald Schiller, and Wendy Sobel, and to entertain over 200 families per performer in just a single day!

Blankets for Hope Street Our Blankets for Hope Street program continues through February 29. Please bring your new or gently used (and cleaned) blankets to The Magic Castle for collection and delivery to the Hope Street Foundation. Our parking valets will collect them from you. Thank you for your continued support! ? Victor Globa, Sam Konugres, Brandon Scott, and Ray Forgette [email protected] Please see “Now Playing” on page 15 for the schedule of performers appearing during Magic & Mystery School Week at The Magic Castle!

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writing needs with almost weekly ML: John Shrum taught me the fine art Milt Larsen: stories for my Milting-Pot blog. The of building a standing set (The Magic archives are available to anyone at Castle). After John passed away, art Gadgets, Gizmos www.miltlarsen.tumblr.com. At this director Joe Hoffman kept up the time there are 54 stories. designing quality until his untimely passing two years ago. I had great ags : We know your admitted prowess and G AMA teachers and I learned my lessons well. of bad taste—countered by the As for plans, everyone has to wait and good taste of John Shrum—and the see. In looking toward the New Castle is still a work in progress for Year and Founders’ Day, we you. What, if anything, do you have AMA: You have an affinity for gadgets, planned décor-wise for the Castle? gizmos, and gags. As a result, the caught up with co-founder Castle is famous for them. What was the very first gadget, gizmo, or gag Milt Larsen for a quick chat. you installed at the Castle? We wanted to focus on his ML: The “Open Sesame” bookcase in television and endless faith in the entrance door. “tinkering” here at the old project. All bets were off. AMA: What is your favorite gadget or AMA: We all know the story of how you gag? house, both over the last and Bill started this place, and also 53-plus years and what he the legends of getting it open (and ML: Invisible Irma. for those who don’t should get your AMA: Recently you did something with has in store for us. book, Hollywood Illusion: Magic Castle, the caricatures. Tell us about that. in the Gift Shop), are there any stories : Yes, the Magician’s caricatures AMA: The Magic Castle is starting its that you have never shared publicly ML 54th year of continuous operations. By that you’d consider sharing now? display is back. Thanks go out to Rich any chance, did you win a bet? After Cowley and Steve Twarowski. But I ML: I used to write stories every week all, so many people said to you, “This have to tell you this story before I can for the Friday lunch menu. When the tell you that one. joint won’t last a year.” lunch menus were eliminated with When we removed my Bob Hope Milt Larsen: Bill and I had good jobs the new lunch buffet, I satisfied my

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(CONTINUED: Milt Larsen) “About 400 magician members were really unhappy gags, don’t let your friends see you Grecian Urn gag, due to it being in the slide the card. They should think way of traffic, the card reader got lost. that they were relegated to the library storage area.” you are as famous as our celebrity Now it’s back and obvious if you know members. Don’t tip any of the gags. where it is and what it does. Example: “Sit on this bar stool. It sinks So my new gag in the Castle is our Rich Cowley created the computer file. and you will hardly notice it!” Or “This “Wall of Fake.” I came up with the It’s one of my favorite gags in The The key to retrieving your art is simply is the Irma table that revolves.” The same gag as in the “Hall of Fame” but Magic Castle. It’s in the “Hall of Fame” your membership card. The computer Magic Castle is a stage and all our in a different way. Just before you go and it allows any member that has a file recognizes your drawing by your members are players. down the stairs to the Inner Circle you JPG portrait on file to have his or her membership number. If you ever had will find a prominent frame with nine : Any new gags in the works for us moment of fame displayed in a gold a caricature displayed at the Castle it AMA caricatures of our famous magicians (or do we just have to wait for a new frame as you come down the stairs should be there. towards the Palace of Mystery. It was like , , surprise)? one of my best ideas, but it took the Goldfinger and Dove … : So blame Rich if it’s not. He’s used AMA ML: The fake elevator to the eccentric technical talents of Rich Cowley, Alan to that. AMA: Dale Hindman … millionaire tower. The Boards still have McFarland, and others to make it : Right; don’t blame me. So, you no idea of what I’m talking about. work. : [Laughs] Yes, and Dale. Bill, Irene, ML ML slide your membership card through and I are there too. The center one is : Anything else you’d like to add; a the reader—which AMA After the 2011 Halloween fire, a actually a TV monitor message for the members? is now located on number of changes were made. One screen that looks the bar rail across : The Magic Castle is a success of them was limiting the number of exactly like the framed ML from the Palace Bar beyond my wildest dreams – but my those wonderful caricatures of our drawings. If a magician close-up table. It’s wildest dreams are yet to come. We magician members started by the member has ever had not obvious, but have many projects in the mill that late Ted Salter and carried on later by a caricature on the wall it’s there, just to the may or may not happen. I love magic, other artists. After many years there of The Magic Castle, right and under Bill’s writing, inventing, and dreaming were simply too many drawings and that drawing can be portrait. That’s it, very impossible dreams. I have a lovely, not enough wall space. The caricatures made to appear in the simple. Slide your talented, and caring wife Arlene and a displayed were limited to only AMA frame and will remain card and enjoy! great life and above all, thanks to the Award winners. there until some other AMA, we have about 5,000 children. About 400 magician members member changes it. By the way, as in all were really unhappy that they were Former BOD member my favorite Castle AMA: Thanks Milt … thanks for relegated to the library storage area. everything. ?

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Jack Goldfinger, Entertainment Director

December 28 to January 3 January 4 to 10 January 11 to 17 January 18 to 24 January 25 to 31 Magic & Mystery School Week Close-Up Gallery Close-Up Gallery Close-Up Gallery Close-Up Gallery Early-Early: Greg Otto Early-Early: Steven Himmel Early-Early: Paul Green Close-Up Gallery Early-Early: Alex Iverson Early: Armando Lucero Early: Bjorn Hanson Early: Liberty Larsen Early-Early: Tom Messeroll Early: R. Paul Wilson Late: Hannibal Late: Karl Hein Late: Georges-Robert Early: Lawrence Hass Late: Jared Kopf Late: Butzi Parlour of Prestidigitation Parlour of Prestidigitation Parlour of Prestidigitation Parlour of Prestidigitation Early: Arthur Benjamin Early: Early: Chris Capehart Parlour of Prestidigitation Early: Rob Gould Late: Shane Cobalt Late: Diamond Jim Tyler Late: Phil Van Tee Early: Ross Johnson Late: Joe Monti Late: Master Payne Palace of Mystery Palace of Mystery Palace of Mystery Palace of Mystery Larry Wilson Chipper Lowell Chuck Jones Palace of Mystery Lindsay Benner Steve Owens And Jeff McBride Dan Birch Company Abigale Spinner-McBride Handsome Jack Peller Theatre Peller Theatre Joseph Tran Peller Theatre Peller Theatre Peller Theatre Arthur Trace Justin Willman Titou Simon Coronel Brett Loudermilk Rob Zabrecky Joel Ward W. C. Fields Bar W. C. Fields Bar George Tovar W. C. Fields Bar W. C. Fields Bar W. C. Fields Bar Pop Haydn Danny Magic Bill Cook Masahiro Yanagida Friday Lunch Friday Lunch Karl Hein Friday Lunch Friday Lunch Friday Lunch Closed For New Years Paul Green Butzi R. Paul Wilson Saturday & Sunday Brunch Saturday & Sunday Brunch Tim Mannix Saturday & Sunday Brunch Saturday & Sunday Brunch Saturday & Sunday Brunch Lisa Cousins Bonaparte Bill Cook Frank Thurston

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3:00 to 5:00 p.m. | Parlour of Prestidigitation* Executive Chef Jason Sperber (Magician Members In-Good-Standing Only) January 4, 5, & 6 January 3 Academy smoked New York strip loin, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal Hannibal vegetables, cabernet demi glaze. Hannibal has forty years of performing experience with twenty of those making a living as a Vegetarian: Eggplant Parmesan, gemelli pasta primavera, and Academy cheese bread. professional magician. In this lecture, he will recreate a live version of a very popular feature Vegan: Roasted acorn squash stuffed with wild rice, sesame ginger vinagrette. of his social media. His promise: “It will get intense.” January 11, 12, & 13 anuary J 10 Chicken Parmesan, gemelli pasta primavera, and academy cheese bread. No Lecture Vegetarian: Wild mushrooms, spinach, roasted peppers and goat cheese in puff pastry, Board of Directors “Meet the Candidates” Forum spicy tomato sauce. January 17 Vegan: Gemelli pasta primavera, roasted cauliflower, asparagus, cured tomatoes, Eugene Burger zucchini, capers, white wine, spicy tomato sauce. Performing Fellowship recipient and two-time AMA Lecturer of the Year Eugene Burger brings members a magical afternoon that will feature magic performance, teaching, and January 18, 19, & 20 philosophy. This icon and one of magic’s most popular world-wide Sautéed rainbow trout, wild rice pilaf, green bean almandine, lemon caper butter. lecturers is someone not to be missed. Vegetarian: Roasted butter nut squash, wild mushroom and kale lasagna, vodka tomato sauce. January 24 Vegan: Tofu stir fry over wild rice pilaf Lawrence Hass In this lecture, Lawrence Hass will discuss “Building Better Shows” by performing and teach- January 25, 26, & 27 ing magic from his acclaimed new book, Inspirations: Performing Magic with Excellence. Beef stroganoff over tagliatelle pasta. January 31 Vegetarian: Parmesan gnocchi, butternut squash, cured tomato, organic kale, No Lecture asparagus tips. Board of Trustees “Meet the Candidates” Forum Vegan: White bean ragout and roasted vegetable ragout with petite herb salad. If you any questions about these or any items on our menu, please contact me. ? *Time and location are subject to change pending capacity, scheduling, and popularity. Jason [email protected] PREVIOUS 16 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 CASTLE Mark Your One Night Only! CONTACTS Calendar GENERAL MANAGER Jan. 1: Closed for New Year’s Day Joe Furlow / [email protected] / ext. 350 AMA MEMBER SERVICES Jan. 2: Founders’ Day Celebration Trish Alaskey / [email protected] / ext. 301 Jan. 10: Board of Directors Meet the Candidates Member ENTERTAINMENT Jan. 18-24: Magic & Mystery School Week Discount Jack Goldfinger / [email protected] / ext. 339 GROUP EVENTS Jan. 19: Perk: with Tom Frank $10 off Magician Members Only Erin Chick / [email protected] / ext. 300 CODE: SPECIAL EVENTS/FLASH PAPER Jan. 31: Board of Trustees Meet the Candidates Magic10 Ben Roman / [email protected] / ext. 434 Feb. 2: Perk: Castle Puzzle Hunt with David Kwong HOUDINI SÉANCES Josh Stern / [email protected] / ext. 303 Feb. 7: Super Bowl Viewing Party GIFT SHOP/SOCIAL MEDIA Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Celebration: “Love Potion” Jennifer Ovadia / [email protected] / ext. 400 Feb. 28: Oscars Viewing Party The Magic Castle’s Most Awarded Performer EXECUTIVE CHEF As seen on David Letterman’s Late Night Jason Sperber / [email protected] / ext. 381 Mar. 21-22: Young Adults Nights CarneyMagic is a show that will amaze you, DINING ROOM May 15: AMA Awards Show as it charms and delights. Mikael Håkansson / [email protected] / ext. 316 Events are “All Members Welcome” unless otherwise indicated. “High Energy ... Combines magic tightly and inventively BEVERAGES Keep an eye out for detailed information on these events and more in upcoming with his comedy.” Variety AMA Newsletters, Flash Paper Emails, our online member calendar on Chris Taggart / [email protected] / ext. 375 www.magiccastle.com, and our Members Only Facebook Group! “Knocking em’ dead ... Personable and funny ... Got you CONTROLLER Questions? Contact Ben Roman, Special Events Manager, at: laughing as much as mystified.” Dramalogue Eddie Villanueva / [email protected] / ext. 435 [email protected] BILL LARSEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY “... smart, engaging, and hilarious ... Carney has the knack and Bill Goodwin / [email protected] / ext. 328 charisma to delight us in a spectacle we all crave ... amazing GUEST RELATIONS surprises in store throughout every moment of the show.” Pat Payne / [email protected] / ext. 372 Tolucan Times HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER I don’t know how much longer I can Brian Ochab / [email protected] / ext. 310 January 9 at 7:30 p.m. keep up this pace VALET The Colony Theater Marco Ehgartner / [email protected] / ext. 420 555 North Third Street NEWSLETTER EDITOR Burbank, California 91502 Dustin Stinett / [email protected] Tickets: http://www.colonytheatre.org/carneymagic.html

PREVIOUS 17 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 AMA Newsletter Advertisement and Announcement Policy • All advertisements and announcements must be approved by the General Manager and/or the Boards of Directors or Trustees. This includes all text and artwork. • All advertisements and announcements must be coordinated through the Group or Special Events Departments. -- Points of contact include Erin Chick and Ben Roman—please see page 17 for their individual contact information. • Any off-site event, product, or service being advertised to AMA members must include a discount and explicit instructions, rules, and regulations on how to take advantage of the discount. -- On-site events do not require a discount offer. • All Internet and/or email links must be functional prior to publication. • All advertisements and announcements should be laid out via appropriate software for insertion into Adobe InDesign. The Events staff and/or the Newsletter staff is not responsible for ad or announcement development unless so directed by the General Manager. Acceptable file formats include PDF, JPG, PNG, and PSD. • The deadline for the next month’s issue is always the 20th day of the current month. (Example: the deadline for the July issue is June 20.) • Ads must follow strict specifications. High resolution graphics—300 dpi minimum—only please. Accepted dimensions (height by width in inches): • 1/8 Page: 3.75”H x 3.125”W • 1/6 Page: 3.75”H x 4.25”W • 1/4 Page: 7.5”H x 3.125”W • 1/4 Page: 3.75”H x 6.5”W • 1/3 Page: 7.5”H x 4.25”W • 1/2 Page: 7.5”H x 6.5”W • 2/3 Page: 7.5”H x 8.5”W* (editor’s approval required) • 3/4 Page: 7.5”H x 9.75”W* (editor’s approval required) • Full Page: 7.5”H x 13”W* (editor’s approval required) • *No Full Page, 3/4 Page, or 2/3 Page ads will be accepted without prior editorial approval.

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Bill Goodwin

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The library staff our Saturday afternoon hours. Every month: Martin Lewis, Ron Katzman, wishes all of our members a healthy Saturday the library is open from 1 Rob Zabrecky, Michael Vincent, and and prosperous 2016. p.m. to 3 p.m. These new hours were Joan Lawton. In addition to gifting us implemented last year and many his new set of notes after his recent I’d like to thank Rich Cowley for making may still not know that we are open lecture, Martin Lewis sent us a box a new sign for the entrance to the during this time. Typically, Saturday of additional donations. Please click library. It is a big help in letting our afternoons in the library are quieter on the link to see and print the entire guests know that the library is for than other days, so it is an ideal time list of items given by these generous Academy members only. He was also to study. individuals. kind enough to supply a new frame for the sign. Thanks, Rich. Finally, don’t forget our sales shelf Once again, Happy New Year to you in the library. When we receive a all. ? I want to remind our members about book that we already have on our shelves, the duplicates are sold Bill at discount prices. Currently, [email protected] Library Hours we have brand-new copies of Lawrence Hass’s Inspirations Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Jeff Pierce’s The Card Warp Tour for sale. They are priced Friday & Saturday: The first ad requesting books and other items for 1:00 to 3:00 & 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at a discount with no shipping the library as it appeared in the September/October charges. 1963 double issue of Genii. Sunday (if lecture): 1:00 to 3:00 & 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. Of course, we are lucky enough Sunday (if no lecture): to receive donations monthly. 1:00 to 5:00 & 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thanks to the following who have given to our members this

PREVIOUS 19 NEXT AMANewsletter January2016 Another First

THE MAGIC CASTLE first appeared on the cover ofG enii magazine in April of 1964. Within its pages, co-founder William Larsen, Jr. wrote about how the Academy of Magical Arts and the clubhouse came into being. Lou Derman penned a piece about the magic—at the time all of it being of the close-up variety—that could be seen at the Castle on a nightly basis. A huge section of magic was dedicated to, and contributed by, Castle regulars Eugene E. Gloye, Jay Ose, Gerald Kosky, Bill Derman, , Adolfo Cerceda, Leo Behnke, Francis B. Martineau, and . It might come as a surprise, if not a shock, that over the next 52 years the image of our venerable clubhouse would appear—thus far—only four more times on the cover of that equally venerable publication. On one of those, the Charlie Miller issue, it served as the background. The others were caricatures, one with Siegfried & Roy. Milt Larsen and the Houdini SÉance Room were the cover for the Castle’s 40th anniversary, so that doesn’t count. But rest assured that the number of times The Magic Castle has appeared inside the pages of Genii is countless. ?

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