The concept of a "magic castle military" may seem quite fantastical, but it is one that has captured the imagination of many. This idea combines the elements of ancient castles and the mystical arts of magic to create a unique and powerful military force. In this scenario, the castle serves as the central command and stronghold of the military. It is fortified with powerful spells and enchantments that not only protect it from physical attacks but also enhance the abilities of the soldiers within its walls. The castle itself becomes a formidable weapon, capable of deploying magical defenses and launching devastating attacks against enemy forces. The soldiers who make up the magic castle military are not your ordinary warriors.
Magic Castle Honors Armed Services and Families with May 7th Show
We received this great piece of news from the World Famous Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle. A very special program for active military, veterans and their families on May 7th. Lance Burton, The Evansons, Suzanne, and Brandon Scott will appear. Any one of these acts would be more than enough. All four makes this a show not to be missed for any reason! We thank the Magic Castle for keeping us up-to-date on their breaking news and upcoming opportunities.
In honor of U.S. veterans across the country, the Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) and its world-famous clubhouse The Magic Castle is presenting a star-studded, virtual magic show, Saturday, May 7, 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET in honor of members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Appearing are such globally recognized magicians as Lance Burton, The Evasons, Suzanne and Brandon Scott. Select Zoom participants will have the opportunity to interact with talent and participate in the magic.
Veterans can register for complimentary tickets at:
NOTE: If Zoom registration is full, a live, streaming link will also be available at this site.
Said event organizer, magician Brandon Scott, also serving as Master of Ceremonies, “The mission of the non-profit Academy of Magical Arts is to advance and preserve the art of magic. As part of our community outreach, it is our honor to share the wonder of magic with veterans and others who serve our country and to organizations that serve children who are underprivileged, hospitalized or have special needs … Which meant going virtual during the pandemic, a time when people need a smile most.”
On the Marquee …
Lance Burton (from Kentucky) — A master magician, Burton has appeared on The Tonight Show and numerous TV specials. For The Lance Burton Show in Las Vegas, he won “Best Magician” for 11 years in a row from the Las Vegas Review-Journal and has performed15,000 shows over the past 30 years. The AMA has twice awarded him “Magician of the Year” and a Masters Fellowship “Hall of Fame.”
The Evasons (from Maryland) — One of very few couples in history who have mastered the rare and mysterious art of two-person telepathy, they have appeared in more than 40 countries and on such hit TV shows as Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion and The World’s Greatest Magic. In their live, interactive, online display of Virtual Telepathy and Remote Viewing, The Evasons appear to reach through the screen and seize your thoughts.
Suzanne (from Minnesota) — You may have seen Suzanne on Penn & Teller Fool Us with an engaging style that makes the audience an essential participant in her performance that other magicians call “flawless” and “amazing.” She is a favorite at Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle and has been awarded “Close Up Magician of the Year” by the AMA.
Brandon Scott (from California) — Scott comes from a family of American Veterans and received two first-place medals as winner of the American Legion Oratory Contest on the American Constitution. He has appeared in numerous television shows, films and commercials, as well as live performances at such places as Caesars Palace-Las Vegas, The Hollywood Bowl, Disneyland and in Milt Larsen’s It’s Magic. He is a headliner magician at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire and has delighted corporate executives, international nobility, prominent political figures and some of the world’s most famous movie stars.
[Talent subject to change.]
The Magic Castle Set to Honor Military With a Free Virtual Magic Show
Hollywood’s world-famous Magic Castle is teaming with the American Legion to offer a free online show on Friday, May 7, in honor of active-duty members of the military, veterans and their spouses.
Hollywood’s world-famous Magic Castle is teaming with the American Legion to offer a free online show on Friday, May 7, in honor of active-duty members of the military, veterans and their spouses.
The show will take place at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT via Zoom, and you can register in advance at this link. Registrants will have an opportunity to interact with the magicians during the show, but Zoom seating is limited. The show also will stream on Vimeo for any overflow crowd via the same link, but you’ll only be able to watch.
The Magic Castle is a private club and hotel located just up the hill from Hollywood Boulevard behind Mann’s Chinese Theatre. The building has been the home of the Academy of Magical Arts since 1963 and the upcoming show offers a rare opportunity to see the inside of the legendary venue.
Who’s performing on this show?
Longtime Vegas headliner Lance Burton tops the bill. Since he launched his career as a teenager, he’s appeared multiple times on both the Johnny Carson and Jay Leno versions of “The Tonight Show.” With more than 15,000 live performances over the past 30 years, Burton is a true magic legend.
The Evasons are a mentalist act that features the husband-and-wife team of Jeff and Tessa Evason. They’ve mastered the art of virtual telepathy and remote viewing for the modern era, so expect some surprising mind-reading feats.
Suzanne is a master of close-up magic and card tricks and is one of the few magicians to stump Penn & Teller on their CW show “Fool Us.” She’s a regular performer at the Magic Castle.
Brandon Scott is a Los Angeles magician who’s developing a local following performing at private events all across Southern California. He describes himself as coming from a family of military veterans and is a two-time winner of first-place medals in the American Legion Oratory Contest on the American Constitution.
We’re still not quite back to a point where live, in-person shows are risk free, so it’s both good to see performers offering to put on a free show online. It’s also a big deal that our readers can give these magicians the audience they’ve been missing for over a year. Check it out.
The soldiers who make up the magic castle military are not your ordinary warriors. They are trained in the art of magic, learning spells and incantations that allow them to manipulate the elements, heal wounds, and manipulate the minds of their enemies. These magical abilities give them a significant advantage in battle, allowing them to defeat even the most powerful foes with relative ease.
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Magic Castle is Celebrating its 60th Anniversary
The world-renowned Magic Castle is celebrating its 60 th anniversary this year and recently Milt Larsen — who founded the club with his late brother, Bill Jr., and his late sister-in-law, Irene — celebrated his 92 nd birthday at the iconic club here in Hollywood.
The Larsen family is royalty in the magic community. Remarkably, there has been a Larsen family member performing on stage continuously since the mid ‘20s, with the fourth generation now entertaining.
Bill Larsen Jr. and Irene Larsen (Academy of Magical Arts)
The History of the Magic Castle …
The parents of the club’s founders (Milt & Bill Jr.), Geri and William Larsen, Sr.—a noted Los Angeles attorney, who became disillusioned with law and left practice to pursue magic—both performed as professional magicians and are revered as pioneers in the art. Geri was the first female magician to appear on TV, as a children’s entertainer known as The Magic Lady, on KTLA in the late ‘40s.
During the Depression in the Vaudeville era of the late ’30s, the family of four began touring as the “Larsen Family of Magicians,” playing in such opulent southern California resorts as the Hotel del Coronado on San Diego’s Coronado Island and El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. When World War II broke out, many of the luxury inns were turned into military hotels and the family stopped traveling.
In 1942, the Larsen’s purchased their Hancock Park estate, called Brookledge. Built in 1933 by the founder of the famed L.A. Thayer Magic Company, the Larsens not only purchased the home, but the beloved magic company as well. Brookledge became an informal gathering place for the top echelon of the magic community of the day. A theatre behind the main house became the stage for virtually every famous name in the magic world. Bess Houdini was a guest. Brookledge, which remains in the family today, is often referred to as the “forerunner to the Magic Castle.”
Retired from life on the road and now managing the magic apparatus company, Bill Sr., dreamed of opening an elegant, private clubhouse for magicians, but died in 1953 at just 48.
Milt and Irene Larseon (Academy of Magical Arts)
Prior to opening the club, the Larsen boys each had successful careers in television. A performer, writer and producer, Milt was a staff writer at Ralph Edwards TV Productions for 18 years for the iconic NBC game show Truth or Consequences. He later appeared as a guest on the show himself as a founder of the Magic Castle and became lifelong friends with host Bob Barker. Bill Jr. began his career in TV at CBS, working his way up to associate producer of Playhouse 90 and the Danny Kaye and Jonathan Winters variety shows.
It was from a window of the Ralph Edwards offices on Hollywood Boulevard that Milt spied the run-down, French Chateau-style mansion on the hill, which later became The Magic Castle (7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028). The home was originally constructed as the residence of Rollin B. Lane, a wealthy real estate investor and philanthropist and his socialite wife, built among Los Angeles’ orange groves in 1909. Having most recently served as a boarding house and in a state of disrepair, it boasted 17 rooms, a roof garden and a sun parlor.
On a handshake in 1962 with the property’s owner, Thomas O. Glover — who also owned Yamashiro restaurant which sits atop the hill overlooking the club — Milt and Bill Jr. leased the club and fulfilled their father’s dream. Milt managed hands-on renovations of the landmark home and Bill Jr. supervised business affairs. Much of the ornate décor was rescued from the wrecking ball on the demolition sites of vintage estates or from Hollywood studio sets before being dumped into the trash.
When the club opened its doors on Jan. 2, 1963, its launch was noted in the Jan. 14 th issue of Newsweek (with recently disgraced Congressman Wilbur Mills on the cover). Bill Jr.’s wife — known as Princess Irene around the club — became the club’s much-beloved ambassador, always there to greet guests. Both Milt and Bill Jr. continued to perform magic, Bill Jr. with his wife, Irene.
Cover of Newsweek, January 14, 1963 (Academy of Magical Arts)
Now celebrating its 60 th anniversary, the nearly 6,000 members of the Academy of Magical Arts include a who’s who in magic and hail from 48 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and 40 countries.
LA magicians conjure change at the Magic Castle
For nearly 60 years, The Magic Castle has served as a Mecca of magicians, both in Southern California, and around the world. But this abracadabra boy’s club also conjured a toxic culture of misogyny, homophobia, and racism. So Mike Ciriaco met up with a diverse cross section of SoCal’s magic community to discuss the challenges they’ve faced, and how they are making professional magic more inclusive.
Originally the private Hollywood residence of the affluent Lane family, in 1963 the estate was converted into the Magic Castle we know today. It serves as the headquarters for the Academy of Magical Arts, which boasts a roster of approximately 5000 members across the globe. According to Angela Sanchez, a professional magician and magic historian, Southern California’s ascent as the epicenter of eldritch entertainment traces back to Dai Vernon, a venerated magician notable for tricking even the great Harry Houdini.
“Dai Vernon’s title was the professor,” Sanchez said, “and what he did for card magic was basically what Shakespeare did for poetry. To have him come here and say ‘I’m going to retire in Southern California and I’m just going to spend all my days at the Magic Castle,’ that actually was a game changer for the membership at the Academy of Arts. Because that attracted a lot of young and up-and-coming magicians to come here, get their membership, and want to spend time with The Professor.”
Despite the success of this Hocus Pocus community on stage, behind the curtains lurked a shadowy specter of toxic behavior. In December 2020, an LA Times exposé shed light on a culture of bigotry within the Castle, that included sexual assault, sexual harassment, and racism. Although Sanchez hasn’t personally experienced sexism within the Castle itself, she admits misogyny is a problem within magic’s audience base.
“I would say that instances of sexism that I’ve personally experienced has actually come from laymen, meaning people who are not magicians,” Sanchez explained. “And that has to do with the public image of what a magician is supposed to look like. Most people when they think of a magician, they think of a white dude in coat and tails, and he’s using sawing a woman in half, or lighting her on fire. That does need to change.”
Another change that’s needed in the magic community is addressing homophobia. To Michael Gutenplan, a third generation psychic and openly gay magician, this prejudice stems from the heteronormative nature of the field.
“The joke that I make is, for a world full of sequins and glitter, there’s a lot of straight people,” Gutenplan laughed. “I think a lot of the homophobia comes from the insecurities of being in a male-dominated world. Think of it like being in a ‘magic fraternity.’ Its mostly older men at the top and younger guys following in their footsteps. Sometimes the gay joke is something that guys do together.”
More overt than this homophobia is a pattern of racism at the Magic Castle, which according to the aforementioned LA Times article, included members liberally using the N-word. Ice McDonald, a veteran Magic Castle magician with 40 years of experience, knows first hand how ingrained racist vernacular is in this field.
“Some people thought it was okay to say that as long as they wasn’t saying it to me,” admitted McDonald. “Two guys will be talking at the bar talking about N-word this and N-word that. I heard that a lot. Someone came up to me like ‘We like you and everything, but we want to know if this joke is racist.’ And I said, ‘First of all, if you have to ask somebody if the joke is racist then it’s pretty racist.'”
In response to the allegations in the LA Times article, the Magic Castle has established a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in which McDonald serves as Chairman.
“We are an advisory committee to the board of directors,” said McDonald. “We come up with solutions to create a stronger and better atmosphere and a more inclusive Academy, as well as Magic Castle. You must understand, with this being a new diversity and inclusion committee, this is new to the castle. So everyone’s not aware of what that means.”
While the formation of this committee is well intentioned, McDonald’s details of it were vague and its effectiveness is still questionable. More tangibly beneficial is creating safe spaces for minority magicians, as Sanchez did when she co-founded the Women’s Magician Association in 2014.
“For our AMA community, it really means a lot to be able to have a space for women magicians to come together and be able to share feedback with one another in a space where gender is not the thing that you feel you’re being judged on,” said Sanchez. “So gender becomes a non-issue when we’re all women or, more broadly, when we’re all gender diverse.”
Arguably the biggest change at the Magic Castle was the resignation of former general manager Joe Furlow, who had been accused of fermenting a toxic work environment. He has since been replaced by Hervé Lévy, an openly gay man who has been working in the nightlife and hospitality industries since he was a teenager. Since taking over as the Castle’s GM in 2021, Hervé has implemented a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination.
“There’s no doubt we have no room for sexism here,” said Lévy. “We want to make sure that everybody is able to communicate with us. As soon as we hear any complaints, we just want to talk to everyone involved.”
While Hérve’s tenure as GM has been brief, it has already proven effective. Since the time of these interviews, the review process resulted in a three month suspension for one of these members, and the termination of another. Obviously these two acts of discipline won’t fix decades of bigotry and bias, but holding magicians accountable for their actions is a much needed step in the right direction towards making the Magic Castle, and the field of magic in general, a safer space for Southern California.
The magic castle military is also known for its unique strategy and tactics. The commanders and generals of this force have an in-depth understanding of both military strategy and the intricacies of magic. They use this knowledge to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents, taking advantage of their magical abilities to gain the upper hand. One of the greatest strengths of the magic castle military is its versatility. It can adapt to various situations and environments, using its magic to overcome any obstacles or challenges that come their way. Whether they are fighting in a dense forest or besieging an enemy city, the magic castle military has the tools and abilities to achieve victory. However, it is important to remember that this concept exists primarily in the realms of fantasy and imagination. While castles and magic have been prominent in folklore and mythology, they do not exist in the same way in the real world. Military forces rely on conventional weaponry, training, and tactics rather than magic and enchanted castles. Nevertheless, the idea of a magic castle military is a captivating one. It taps into our fascination with the unknown and the possibilities of the supernatural. It allows us to imagine a world where ancient fortresses are not only impenetrable but also possess the power to shape the course of wars. In conclusion, the concept of a magic castle military combines the mythical elements of ancient castles with the mystical arts of magic to create a unique and powerful military force. While it exists primarily in the realms of fantasy and imagination, it captures our fascination with the unknown and the possibilities of the supernatural..
Reviews for "Magic in the Trenches: How Soldiers Use Tricks to Outsmart the Enemy"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Magic Castle Military' but was thoroughly disappointed. The plot was confusing and disjointed, jumping from one storyline to another without any clear connection. The characters were also underdeveloped, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was also lacking, with repetitive phrases and clunky dialogue. Overall, I found 'Magic Castle Military' to be a frustrating read that failed to live up to its potential."
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - "I found 'Magic Castle Military' to be a tedious and frustrating read. The storyline was convoluted and hard to follow, with unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the overall narrative. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I often found myself bored and struggling to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters felt flat and uninteresting, lacking the depth and complexity needed to make a story truly captivating. Overall, I cannot recommend 'Magic Castle Military' to anyone looking for an entertaining and well-written book."
3. Alex Thompson - 2 stars - "I had high expectations for 'Magic Castle Military,' but it fell short in many aspects. The world-building lacked depth and clarity, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was also inconsistent, with slow moments that dragged on and fast-paced action scenes that left me confused. The plot seemed disjointed and poorly executed, and the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I was hoping for a magical and thrilling experience, but 'Magic Castle Military' failed to deliver."
4. Sarah Davis - 2 stars - "I was excited to dive into 'Magic Castle Military,' but it ultimately left me disappointed. The story felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative, making it difficult to connect with the characters and their motivations. The pacing was also uneven, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of mundane and uneventful scenes. The writing style didn't captivate me either, with lackluster descriptions and uninspiring dialogue. Overall, 'Magic Castle Military' failed to leave a lasting impression and felt like a missed opportunity."