Five Questions And Answers About The Magic Castle In Hollywood

The-Magic-Castle
1) What is the Magic Castle?
The Magic Castle (photo above) is a private club in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., for the purpose of celebrating the art of magic. The “castle” is on Franklin Blvd., just north of the Hollywood & Highland tourist trap shopping center.

2) What happens at the Magic Castle?
The Magic Castle was originally the home of a family of magicians, who created The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA), and donated the “castle” to give members a place to perform magic. The house has been converted into a complex of theaters, lounges, and meeting rooms (including this small theater)—
magic+castle—where magicians hang out and perform tricks, learn new skills, and just hang out to talk about magic stuff. Professional shows are scheduled throughout the day and evening, so patrons can watch a big fancy act, or eat at the restaurant and catch a magician wandering doing sleight-of-hand magic by your table.

3) Who goes to the Magic Castle?
People at the Magic Castle can be grouped into two main groups: nerdy types who like doing magic, or celebrities. The nerdy magician types hang out at the bar and chat, or sit clustered in meeting rooms where they practice new tricks for each other. The celebrities come to have dinner and see a show. Occasionally someone falls into both categories, and you encounter the magic-loving celebrity-nerd. This rare species includes Neil Patrick Harris.

Not only is he a skilled magician and a member of the AMA, NPH served as President of Magical Arts in 2013-2014.

4) Why do so many celebrities go to the Magic Castle?
Celebrities are people too! They like magic. And the magic at the Magic Castle can be really good. Everybody who is anybody in the illusionist world has been there—Penn & Teller, Lance Burton, David Blaine, the list goes on and on. Besides the magic, the restaurant is nice, and there are five gorgeous wooden bars, because the tricks are more exciting after you’ve had a few drinks.

Perhaps most importantly, the Magic Castle enforces a strict “no photography” rule, implemented years ago to allow the Hollywood elite a chance to come and have a good time without worrying about the press. Bette Davis and Katy Perry are members of the AMA, although as “Associates” who come to enjoy the shows but don’t perform. Justin Bieber had dinner at the Magic Castle recently, and rumor has it he was delightful. With no cameras around, he magically turns back into a nice guy who loves his mom.

5) Can I go the Magic Castle?
The Magic Castle is an icon of Los Angeles: everyone knows about it, but almost nobody can get in. Entrance is strictly restricted to members of the club, and their guests. (Celebrities are usually the guests of club board members or managers.) If you know a member, ask him/her to take you for dinner, or perhaps a lovely weekend brunch. The big shows are in the evenings, but the “close-up magic” artists there during the day can be a lot of fun.

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