265: Scott Hollingsworth - Tales from the Island

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.

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Send out Magic holiday cards from the beauriful Taschen book. 100 postcards based on some of the posters from the Steinmeyer book, MAGIC. Order today through this link and help support The Magic Word.

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.

Start your online holiday shopping early. Order John Gaspard's newest Eli Marks magician mystery novel and support The Magic Word through this Amazon affiliate link.

172: Part 5 - My Week at The Castle 2014

In this final installment from My Week at The Castle, we wrap up by giving blood...literally. The Magic Castle became "Castle Dracula" (my own moniker) where you left your blood. It was the first Red Cross blood donation drive at The Magic Castle. This was spurred by Paul Green who has been experiencing health issues that frequently require blood transfusions. I just came in for lunch but got so much more by giving back a little of myself. There were 31 people who gave the gift of life. Please consider donating in your community. The life you save may be someone you love.

While at the Castle this day, I ran into and chatted with Irene Larsen, matriarch of the Magic Castle and the International Ambassador of The Magic Castle. After lunch, I went next door to talk with Dale Hindman, Executive Director of Milt Larsen Enterprises, who helped unravel the mystery (to me) of the difference between the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle.

Back at the Castle after my last show of the evening, I sat down with President Bill Clinton impersonator and magician, Tim Smallwood. He has a unique act and character that takes him across the country where he performs magic and makes guest "celebrity" appearances. Later that evening I ran into Ray Kosby, former member of The Magic Castle Juniors, who talks about that organization and the early years. And to wrap up the night and this podcast, Jonathan Pendragon and his wife, West, talk about their new show and lives together.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:32 - Fellow corporate entertainer, Paul Green, is still experiencing some exhaustion due to his illness, but it doesn't deter his positive attitude. He is an obvious advocate of donating blood and organs plus t importance of giving your time to your community.

00:08:1 - Irene Larsen, The Magic Castle Ambassador, talks about some of the interesting people she has met and some of her memorable magic conventions she has attended.

00:12:18 - Dale Hindman, Executive Director for Milt Larsen Enterprises, talks about the full length feature film that is currently in production; licensing "The Magic Castle" brand; how to donate magic to The Magic Castle; the musical "Pizzazz"; the future of"It's Magic" shows; the succession of Castle Board and Director members; and, more.

00:20:49 - Tim Smallwood has been a magician for a long time, but once President Bill Clinton came into the public life, Tim's life changed. He has a resemblance to the President which propelled him in a completely different direction and opportunities for him to perform and meet new clients. However, it didn't just happen overnight. He pursued it with agents plus he tells and interesting story about "nearly" meeting the real President. But his comedy magic shows take him all across the country where he performs straight magic followed by a patriotic conclusion as a magical Bill Clinton.

00:28:53 - Ray Kosby, former member of the Magic Castle Juniors Society, talks about how he got into the group and how he moved from stage to close-up. He also talks about some of the Long Beach Mystics who were part of the Juniors Society. He also talks about the first trick that got him "hooked" in magic...the Red Snapper. He also talks about and recommends books for magic neophytes. He also talks about some of the tricks he has published over the years.

00:42:45 - Jonathan Pendragon and his wife, West, talk about the "new" direction his act has taken and how West is incorporated in the performance. West also tells a story about how Jonathan protected her by inserting himself into a dangerous situation and defending her from harm, thus exemplifying Jonathan's true loving and protective nature.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

163: Part 3 - My Week at The Castle 2014

Ah, the old barber shop. Sitting around the cracker barrel, playing dominoes, whittlin', spittin' and tellin' tales. Well, those days are mostly long gone in the real world, but not in the world of magic. Every Wednesday, many local magicians congregate at Dean's Shoppe (haircutting and magic) in Glendale to talk magic and shuffle cards.

In this Part Three of my multi-part podcast from my week at the Magic Castle, I turn on the recorder and let it roll as I had my hair cut and let the conversation and hair fall where it may. Alan Burskey and Pete Biro were the two guys who were in Dean's Shoppe on this particular Wednesday.

Back at the Castle, I chatted with Castle Librarian, Bill Goodwin then finished off the evening at the bar with the Builder of the Magic Castle, Milt Larsen.

00:01:50 - Alan Bursky talks about his involvement with the Magic Island in Newport Beach and Houston. To confirm one of our points, Alan even called Michael Caliie on his cell phone during our conversation. Pete Biro and Dean Dill add a few comments from time to time while Dean was cutting Scott's hair. Pete Biro talks about his latest project with a documentary on Spook Shows. We briefly talked about Triple Espresso, the "highly caffeinated comedy" but forgot the name of the magician who originally worked at Houston's Magic Island. It was Bill Arnold.

00:25:18 - Bill Goodwin, Close-Up Magician of the Year and The Magic Castle's librarian. Bill was performing with me in the Close-Up Gallery as the late show performer. Bill talks about the Castle's library and how to care for your own.

00:37:37- Milt Larsen, Creator of the Magic Castle, talks at length about his various business ventures including an exciting new movie project that will be based around and filmed in The Magic Castle.

Magic and Martinis' Thursday

There can't be good living where there's not good drinking.