Friday evening I had the privilege of visiting the Magic Castle in Hollywood. The Magic Castle is an incredible place. It's the home to the Academy of Magical Arts, and features performances by world famous magicians, illusionists, and sleight of hand artists. Built in 1908, the castle itself drips with history and has an old world charm to it's Victorian decor. Upon entering, there is a small room to check in at reception. I was visiting as the guest of a particular Hollywood actor who is a member, so I was quickly ushered to the front of the line. The "ante" room of the Castle has no visible doors to enter the club. 
We were instructed to approach a wall of bookshelves and say "open sesame" to an owl that was sitting on the bookshelf. With those words, the bookshelf moved and exposed the hidden entrance to the club's inner sanctum. The decor of the Castle was mesmerizing, adding to the mystic. Walls are covered with magic memorabilia from throughout history, with portraits of the many great magicians and illusionists.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then went to the main magic show. After the big show, we wandered through the Castle to attend several other magic acts in rooms such as The Close Up Gallery, The Parlour of Prestidigitation, and The Palace of Mystery. These magicians were quite amazing and held my attention throughout the evening as I tried (in vain) to figure out how they did their tricks.
Above: The exterior of the Magic Castle
Above left: Although photographs inside ae forbidden, here is a rare interior photo of the "Houdini Room" & above right: outside the Castle, two lovely ladies flank me and actor/writer/producer Jimmy Van Patten.
I'm hoping to have an opportunity to return to the Magic Castle again someday to attend their "Houdini Seance". It is billed as an evening of elegance and mystery of a classic Victorian seance. It celebrates Harry Houdini, the "Handcuff King" who devoted much of his final years to the investigation of psychic phenomena, and who promised his beloved wife that he would, if he could find a way, send her a message from the other side.
-Rick Rockhill Dick Van Patten, Jimmy Van Patten
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