Carnegie: Magic Detective

Sunday, March 24, 2013

First Annual HOUDINI Festival in Virginia

This is wonderful news. Illusionist and theatre owner, Wayne Alan, is producing what he intends to make an annual event, The HOUDINI Festival, in Danville Virginia. Wayne is the owner of the The Historic North Theatre in Danville. He is also an award winning illusionist, corporate magician and a big Houdini fan.

The dates for the First Annual Houdini Festival are June 21&22, 2013. On Friday evening June 21, there will be a close-up magic show in the Balcony's Mini-theatre that seats only 100. On Saturday there will be a display of Houdini memorabilia, also lectures and viewings of two of Houdini's movies. In the basement of the theatre you can see an attraction called Houdini's Haunted House. Then in the evening there will be a gala show on the main stage with top magicians and variety artists.

Wayne has a few special connections to Houdini. One of them was recreating Houdini's upside down hanging straight jacket escape in the same location in Washington D.C. that Houdini presented it. He also owns some unique Houdini memorabilia that will be on display during the event.

Tickets to the festival can be purchased by calling 434-793-7469 or visit the theatre website at www.TheNorthTheatre.com The theatre is located at 629 N. Main St in Danville, VA.

WayFriday, June 21 in the evening, the theatre will host some of the country's top sleight of hand experts for an intimate show of close-up magic in the Balcony Mini Theatre that only seats 100. Saturday, June 22 during the day there will be a display of Houdini memorabilia, viewings of two of his famous movies, plus lectures and demonstrations (two are Top Secret- for magicians only). The Halloween attraction, Houdini's Haunted House, in the theatre's basement, will also be open during the festival. Saturday evening there will be a gala stage show featuring some of America's top magicians and variety performers.

Friday, June 21 in the evening, the theatre will host some of the country's top sleight of hand experts for an intimate show of close-up magic in the Balcony Mini Theatre that only seats 100. Saturday, June 22 during the day there will be a display of Houdini memorabilia, viewings of two of his famous movies, plus lectures and demonstrations (two are Top Secret- for magicians only). The Halloween attraction, Houdini's Haunted House, in the theatre's basement, will also be open during the festival. Saturday evening there will be a gala stage show featuring some of America's top magicians and variety performers.

riday, June 21 in the evening, the theatre will host some of the country's top sleight of hand experts for an intimate show of close-up magic in the Balcony Mini Theatre that only seats 100. Saturday, June 22 during the day there will be a display of Houdini memorabilia, viewings of two of his famous movies, plus lectures and demonstrations (two are Top Secret- for magicians only). The Halloween attraction, Houdini's Haunted House, in the theatre's basement, will also be open during the festival. Saturday evening there will be a gala stage show featuring some of America's top magicians and variety performers.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Happy Birthday HOUDINI

Today marks the 139th Birthday of Erich Weiss who would go on to be known around the world as Harry Houdini. He was an amazing individual and a controversial figure as well. He was born in Budapest Hungary on March 24th, 1874 to parents Rabbi Samuel Mayer Weiss and his wife Cecelia. You would think by now we would know all there is to know about Harry Houdini. But it seems that we learn new things about him each year. New photographs continue to turn up of this famous man.

He was more than a magician and much more than an escape artist. He truly was a superstar in his time and his stardom just continued to grow after his death until he grew into legendary status. There were many fellow artists in his time, people like: Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, Gloria Swanson, W. C. Fields, Rudolph Valentino and others. But stop and ask twenty to thirty year old if they recognize any of these people and they might, recognize one. But if you say the name HOUDINI, they all know who he was.

Even young kids today know the name Houdini. They don't know David Copperfield, Lance Burton, David Blaine, Penn and Teller and many have already forgotten Criss Angel, but they will know Houdini. It's a testament to his popularity and a sign that the only celebrities that really live on in the minds of the public are the legends.

Happy 139th Birthday Harry. You keep getting better with age!

Oh and as I reported here a couple years ago, born in 1887, March 24th, Rosco 'Fatty' Arbuckle

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

More on George-Supreme Master of Magic

Last Summer, I wrote an article about Grover George, the magician who basically got run out of town by Howard Thurston. I recently was contacted by a relative of Grover George and she was kind enough to forward the above photo and some additional details on the life of her Great Uncle.

I've learned that Grover's father A.A. George represented him during the lawsuit with Thurston. Also that a nephew went on tour with Grover and during the tour got either poked or bit by the company Lion, Ruthie. The young nephew had the scar on his finger to prove it. The lion later escaped while the company was in Chicago and apparently was shot by police.

There may be more stories coming! It's always such a pleasure to get in touch with relatives of these magicians that so many of us still admire. Because of this blog I've heard from family members related to Robert Heller, Harry & Bess Houdini, Nate Leipzig, Grover George, Harry Cooke and others. It is always an honor to speak with these folks and I'm sure I will yet meet many more as time goes on!

The original article on Grover George can be found here: http://www.themagicdetective.com/2012/07/george-supreme-master-of-magic.html