The Magic Castle

Every week Angela and I go to The Magic Castle in Hollywood. We drive up to the big old house and wait in the valet line and then, just as quickly, drive ourselves down to the parking lot, get out and walk down the block to church. Not once had we ever gone inside the castle. Not once. Until last week.

Last week our friends Sean and Lu invited us and our parents to be their guests at The Magic Castle and we jumped at the chance to actually go inside. It's members only, unless you know the secret word, and we'd heard great things about it. They were all true.

We had a magical night. We explored the castle, we read about the history of the club, about the magicians who've performed there, we had a lovely dinner that cost a lot of money, and then we settled in for two magic shows. We giggled and laughed and oohed and ahhed in amazement. My dad supplied his wedding ring for one illusion and somehow the magician performing fused it with another man's ring. Then gave both men back their respective rings. So cool.

Lu, Sean, Sarah, Chris, Angela, & Tom - inside the lobby of The Magic Castle, the only place photographs are allowed!

It was just a regular Monday night in May in Hollywood but inside The Magic Castle you found adults amazed like children at the slights of hand, at the tricks and illusions, all dressed up (suits, ties, and dresses are required), out on the town. That was pretty amazing.

And as we wrapped up our evening and waited for the photographer to give us our commemorative photos, I noticed Angela watching an older man on a banquette. He was shuffling cards, two grown men rapt with attention before him. That's when Angela pointed out that the man in front of us was also the man in the photograph on the wall. One of The Castle's legends was performing card tricks right there at the bar. As we watched, and soon became involved in the trick, I couldn't help but think about how special the evening had been. Friends, family, good food, fun and just a little magic.