Special Evening for LA Apexers

**RoniMan** · 06-05-2006, 12:51 AM

Well, after putting it in my sig for a few months, no one's taking me up on my offer. But I really am a member of the Hollywood Magic Castle. The best way to explain it is to compare it to a country club. It's an exclusive club, and it's open only to invited guests, but instead of going to play golf, you go to watch really amazing magic. I've had the privilege of taking Apex and Mrs. Apex, and they seem to have had fun. I've decided to open the invites for GA members, for kind of a mini-gathering.

Time: Monday, June 12th (starting at 7pm ~ ??)

Cost: none, but see below

Dress code: yes, there IS a dress code, and it IS enforced. Men: suits. Women: formal dress, cocktail dress, or pant suit with matching jacket.

Other rule: You must be over 21. There are 5 bars in the club, so they WILL check IDs at the door.

Usually, a cover charge for the Castle will cost $15 per head. However, b/c you'll be going with a member, the cost is waived. The only thing you'll pay for is whatever you wish to drink. Oh, that and $7 for valet parking. Because this is the first time, i'm doing this, I'm only opening up invites as a first come first serve type of deal. Besides, i can only get 6 more guests in for free. As of now, Maarchk has agreed to go, and ray has expressed interest. So if you're interested, please send me a PM ASAP.

**MikeD** · 06-05-2006, 04:01 AM

Sounds like a good time. Hope you fill your quota. And congrats on getting some folks together.

**Markel** · 06-05-2006, 10:00 AM

Sounds really cool. I've dabbled in magic in my past, and if I were in the area I would probably take you up on the offer.

**irwin** · 06-05-2006, 10:43 AM

I'd hella go if I were still in socal.

**ShawnLee** · 06-05-2006, 12:50 PM

Ygpm

**ramazank2** · 06-05-2006, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by passwird

I'd hella go if I were still in socal.

**InfiniteNothing** · 06-05-2006, 01:55 PM

I'd go if it wasn't a Monday.

**RoniMan** · 06-05-2006, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by InfiniteNothing

I'd go if it wasn't a Monday.

i know, i apologize, but it's the only day that works for me at the moment.

also, if things go well, i'll open it up for more ppl and more times.

**BigJon** · 06-05-2006, 05:20 PM

I'd love to go....but airfare costs would be too much.

**cadetevon** · 06-06-2006, 08:51 AM

I'm a huge fan of The Magic Castle (I've only been there like 3 or 4 times) and your offer is a super cool one. I just only wish I had the time/money (travel, food and hotel stay) to take you up on it.

If anyone is in the area or will be, ya'll should go it's much fun.

**tupacboy** · 06-06-2006, 09:09 AM

i wish i could go... but monday's are rough for me.. thanks for the invite though

**ray** · 06-06-2006, 09:18 AM

Roni - I won't be able to make that monday. I got family in town till the 16th

**sourdough** · 06-06-2006, 11:07 AM

That would be really fun to go and experience, but I don't have any clothes. Can I show up in a brown paper bag?

**Markel** · 06-06-2006, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by sourdough

That would be really fun to go and experience, but I don't have any clothes. Can I show up in a brown paper bag?

I've got a better idea. Maybe we can arrange for you to show up in place of a bunch of flames in a "dove pan".

**bagel** · 06-06-2006, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by sourdough

That would be really fun to go and experience, but I don't have any clothes. Can I show up in a brown paper bag?

Maybe we can share a brown paper bag.

**RoniMan** · 06-06-2006, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by sourdough

That would be really fun to go and experience, but I don't have any clothes. Can I show up in a brown paper bag?

i'm not in any sort of joking mood.......

i said there was a dress code!!!!!

how about something classier like a ziplock bag?

sheesh!!

**RoniMan** · 06-09-2006, 07:33 PM

any last minute takers?

**Houdini** · 06-09-2006, 11:59 PM

I wish I could make it. I was in LA about 6 weeks or so ago with a lifetime member (Harry Anderson - $50 and time served! yeah that one...Anyone who was a close friend of Dai Vernon and Cary Grant - who also frequented the Castle, the former nearly lived there - rates pretty highly on the magic scale, especially since he has a lifetime/magician of the year/something award given to him by the Academy of Magical Arts, otherwise known as the Castle, built for him by Johnny Gaughan) and his wife and daughter, but I just didn't have the time. I've never been there, but I will soon, hopefully. I know enough members, so getting in shouldn't be a problem. Hell, I'd join if I knew I could be there a few times/year.

But again, to plug my gig...if you're in the Southeast within reasonable driving distance to NOLA, or will be passing through via airplane, whatever, Harry's show is Friday and Saturday nights, and my production (hopefully soon Magic Castle South) is Tuesday nights. No, I'm not the only performer (thank goodness), but we do have some top notch people. Jon Racherbaumer (one of the world's top card/close up magic guys as well as one of the most prolific magic writers of the century) is there every week - I even bought him his own "Vernon Table" with a special light focused on him, etc., and has become a good friend. I can usually convince Harry, a good friend, to open the show with an effect from his show "Wise Guy." Harry should let me keep Tuesdays open after his show closes as a favor, but maybe not. So come see and experience a great showroom, a professional show (shows), great drinks, great atmosphere, and low cost here in the great city of NOLA! Tell them I sent ya, or just find me. I'll get you in cheap/free.

Also, semi-related to this, I recently won on ebay an old magic book signed by about everyone who was significant in the 1970s...Vernon, Thompson, etc. Funny thing is that everything is autographed to "John" or "Johnny" - Jon and Harry and I think it could be Gaughan's. Who knows?

Who's performing the night you'll be there? If it's anyone I know, be sure to tell them hi for me!

Above all, I encourage everyone to visit NOLA. And tell your friends. Tourism is basically dead here, as popular media keeps showing old footage of the flooded 9th ward. No tourists ever go to the freakin' 9th ward. I've lived here 10+ years and have never been there. Every place any tourist would go looks exactly as it did before the storm, from the airport to the Audubon Zoo, the the French Quarter, etc. It's all up and running and safe. I don't care about the "5 hours until hurricane season starts! - scare journalism." And now there might be a "tropical event!" that is nothing but is getting way too much media attention. Note - all "events" in that region are tropical. Doesn't mean any pose a threat to NOLA. So book your vacations, come to NOLA, experience the very old and very, very cultered city, meet some great people, eat some of the country's GREATEST food, enjoy the music, and come by Oswald's on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights.

Seriously, ignore Wolf Blitzer and his ilk who paint a gloom and doom picture of NOLA. There are NO dead bodies anywhere. There is NO standing water anywhere, especially in any area a tourist would go. Hospitals ARE and have been open. Water and electricity abounds. I was here 5 days post Katrina and everything looked fine. Really.

H <---sad he'll miss the Castle again, especially with all the GotApex peeps...

**ShawnLee** · 06-13-2006, 02:05 AM

Dude. Great night. Thanks a lot Roni.

That last one was amazing! I mean, ALL were great but Jonathan Levit was great truly spectacular.

**hapoo** · 06-13-2006, 06:59 AM

I've been wanting to go Roni, but haven't had time, or a good opportunity. But believe me, when I can, you'll be the first to know.

**Maarchk** · 06-13-2006, 07:57 AM

Wow, it was awesome. You peopel missed out. Roniman disappeared and in his place were beautiful women...
Well no, but there were some cute girls in cocktail dresses. And the magic was unreal. We saw a couple "big stage" shows which were 50-60 people and then a couple close up shows that were 15 people. And some of the card adn coin tricks were absolutely amazing. I could have reached out and touched the guy and i was still in shock when the cards were just vanishing.

Good stuff, thanks again

**RoniMan** · 06-13-2006, 09:05 AM

yeah, sorry Maarchk, i still gotta work on that making women appear trick...

it was a blast to hang out with Maarchk and Shawnlee, it took all my worries away for a little while (yeah, that's right, I'm look at you, AC)

The performers were awesome, and we saw another possible location for another GA gathering.

i'll post the obligatory pic after i get home tonite.

**Airencracken** · 06-13-2006, 11:43 AM

Hey I'd love to go if I didn't need to clock in at 3:00am.

**Houdini** · 06-13-2006, 02:25 PM

Wow...sorry I wasn't in CA. I've never made the pilgrimage to the Castle.

But tonight at Oswald's Speakeasy, we're having a similar (and arguably better in some cases) group of performers - especially two of the regulars: Harry and Jon Rach,,,, as we do every Tuesday night.

If you're in NOLA, let me know, and I'll make sure you get good seats, maybe a free drink or two, etc.

**ShawnLee** · 06-13-2006, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Houdini

Wow...sorry I wasn't in CA. I've never made the pilgrimage to the Castle.

But tonight at Oswald's Speakeasy, we're having a similar (and arguably better in some cases) group of performers - especially two of the regulars: Harry and Jon Rach,,,, as we do every Tuesday night.

If you're in NOLA, let me know, and I'll make sure you get good seats, maybe a free drink or two, etc.

Too bad I had to rush through the last time I was there. I drove in at 2 AM, and left at 3 AM. At least I was able to stop by Cafe du Monde and get me some beignets.

**Houdini** · 06-14-2006, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by ShawnLee

Too bad I had to rush through the last time I was there. I drove in at 2 AM, and left at 3 AM. At least I was able to stop by Cafe du Monde and get me some beignets.

Hah! Just don't inhale!

Call me next time, dude!