In Hollywood there is a mysterious building, a mansion set into the hill that was converted many years ago into a private club for magicians. Known around the world as the "Magic Castle," this was the setting for a very magical night. My friend Chi is a magician and he got us into the castle, being kind enough to guide us into the world of magic, both present and past. Our group consisted of Remy, Chris Nelson, Nathan and Carrie, and Dane, and Chi brought his friend Pinky. There were different shows happening in different rooms, and we got to see just about everything, including a rabbit being pulled out of a hat. Though the hat was bouncing around a little bit earlier in the act.

The first room we actually went into, they pulled Carrie up on stage. The guy (who has performed for the White House a few times) "screwed up" and drew an ace on a piece of paper. then he said it was actually a bo x of cards and drew that, and drew where the right card was. THEN the card looked drawn but slid up from a slit from the deck he drew! But a second later it looked like it was drawn there! Carrie got to keep the drawing too.

My favorite parts were the stage magic shows- the elaborate sleight of hand type tricks. There was a guy who everyone in the magicians circles kept talking about, who won pretty much the Olympics of magic. He's my age. When he popped up on stage, the room went dark and techno started up, then he did some crazy stuff with lasers and a glownecklace that basically made him look like a raver jedi. It was insane. Imagine someone who had full control of light, who could bend it, stop it, make it stand on end, and hang clothes on it. Seriously cool stuff.

Another guy was a master of doves. The guy himself (from eastern europe) seemed creepy mannikiny but he was setting things on fire and it would turn into a dove, which would fly over to the audience and go back.. stuff like that. That show was really upbeat and cool.

There was a room called the Closeup room that only seats like 20 people. The guy in there did cartoon character impressions and did a lot of sleight of hand. I liked his show a whole lot too. I noticed that overall, a lot of magicians seem to incorporate comedy into their acts. They'd screw up on purpose, and when you didn't expect it, would "fix" it by pulling the card or whatever out of somewhere real random..

We had dinner there too, and it was really yummy. Salmon and creme brulee and suuuper yummy salad!!!! *drooool*

Even most theatrical performances and upscale resteraunts in LA, people aren't required to dress up so they don't. Magic Castle has a strict dress code. I was dressed up more for this than any dinner or even wedding i've ever attended. And Remy was soo incredibly dashing that i could have gazed at him all night. It was really cool just being in an environment like that because it feels so different than everyday life.

I'd wanted to come to the Castle for years, and the night was soo exciting just being there, sharing the experience, and being amazed by magic tricks I thought i'd only ever see on TV. Being only a few feet away from an illusion definately makes you believe in magic. =)

http://www.magiccastle.com/