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Latest Magic News – February 8, 2004

The Magic Castle?s Future is Unclear

Magic Castle

The Glover Family (owners of the physical location that is the Magic Castle) Milt Larsen (the genius behind the Magic Castle) and Castle Partners (a group of business folks including magicians) are working on what will dictate the future of The Magic Castle and the meeting place of the Academy of Magical Arts. Mr. Larsen believes the Glover Family has negotiated a deal behind his back to move control of the food and beverage and possibly the management of entertainment to the Castle Partners ? thus cutting him and the Academy out of the deal.

It is a complicated story but well described by Richard Kaufman and his interviews on the Genii Forum. The battle lines are clearly drawn between those who would prefer to move from the present location to a new clubhouse and those who believe the Castle Partners should be permitted to take control.

It is unfortunate, in my opinion, that there would be any suggestion of either taking control from Mr. Larsen and the Academy. The arguments that new management could increase the revenues through control that is more professional and refurbishing the physical plant seems misplaced. The Magic Castle is old, and it is crowded on occasion but it is ?old? in the sense of historic and crowded with those who love magic.

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Continue reading Latest Magic News – February 8, 2004

February 7th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment

Bill the Englishman — An Essay by Barry Gibbs

During the first couple of years I lived in West Palm Beach it seemed like no matter where I went I would see a man walking the streets. I would see him at the mall, at one end of town and then the other. He always wore a white shirt and tan pants. I never saw him dressed differently.

About 6 months after I opened A&B Novelties “Bill” popped in the door one day and introduced himself. After talking for awhile it was obvious that he was very eccentric, but also very intelligent. Bill was a retired engineer from England, and truly a mathematical genius.


You could tell him your birth date and in matter of seconds he would tell you what day you were born on.

Bill survived on a small pension from England and also Social Security, and lived in an old run down hotel in downtown West Palm Beach.

He went on to say that he also was a magician, and then went into great detail explaining his version of the “Indian Mango Trick”, in which the magician plants a seed in a small pot and after covering it with a scarf, the seed grows into a small plant. Each time you cover it, it grows larger, until finally it becomes a small bush. Bill said he had his version of the trick at the hotel he stayed in.

Well, I have always been a sucker for puppy dogs and kids and Bill reminded me of both, so I told him all about IBM Ring #117 and invited him to a meeting.

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Continue reading Bill the Englishman — An Essay by Barry Gibbs

February 7th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment

Latest Magic News – February 7, 2004

Downtown Houston is Coming Back Magically

Mike T Doesn’t Do Tricks

Downtown Houston is coming back. Mike T, a local magician, has been performing at the Main Event each weekend since Halloween. He noted there is a subtle difference between his performance and those who used to occupy the area. “Well, I don’t do tricks. Women on street corners do tricks, I do magic.”

Mike T may look wild, but the guy?s got his creds. Mike is a member of The Society of American Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians, Houston Association of Magicians, and is a past president of S.A.M. Assembly.You have to check out his website. He has pictures of his incredibly imaginative costumes and props that will either inspire you or scare you. Very, very cool.

To read the full article, click here.

Check out Mike T?s wild web site here.

Is Uri Gellerfor Real?CanHe Find Bin Laden? Is He an Evil Pokemon?

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Continue reading Latest Magic News – February 7, 2004

February 7th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment