For nearly 25 years in Houston, Texas, the Magic Island stood as a beacon for the public to see professional magic in a elegant setting. And in the epicenter of it all was Scott Hollingsworth. Scott was there from the beginning as one of the house magicians and later became the Entertainment Director. During the time the Island was open, nearly every professional and part-time professional magician performed there.
In April 2015, the Houston Chronicle.com digital newspaper posted a link to an earlier blog posting here on The Magic Word that rejuvenated interest and hope that the building would soon be opening. It played on the earlier article in Chron.com in May 2012 that quoted the owner as saying that he had hopes that the Magic Island would reopen by Christmas. In his defense, he didn't say what year, so it could reopen by Christmas some year though my doubts loom large that it will ever reopen and resemble anything that it once was.
In this podcast, Scotto (as he is affectionately known) tells about the history of the Magic Island, the builders, owners and creators of the edifice, some of the "characters" who performed there, stories about the psychics, and more.
Join Scott Wells as he takes a guided tour with Scott Hollingsworth, Entertainment Director of Houston"s Magic Island. Unfortunately the Magic Island closed after Hurricane Ike came through on September 13, 2008. Fortunately this guided tour gives a glimpse into what was once a most regal place for magicians to perform and a delight to all who visited.
Click on the graphic above to see photos of the Magic Island as it appears in 2017.
Scott Hollingsworth sat down to chat on this podcast before we set up for a video shoot of his upcoming DVD. Jamie Salinas brought in six cameras and several lights into my home and I had friends and neighbors come in to enjoy an "evening of magic featuring Scott Hollingsworth". So now the performance is "in the can" and we have yet to produce and shoot the explanation part of the DVD which is hoped to be ready for sale in January 2016.
In this podcast, Scotto (as he is affectionately known) tells about the history of the Magic Island, the builders, owners and creators of the edifice, some of the "characters" who performed there, stories about the psychics, how he went about booking the acts, what the audience expected in the performers, and more.
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Great reading for the holidays or anytime. Order Steve Spill's book and enjoy some great stories about magicians written by a magiian who has seen and done it all.
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