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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264: Street Talk from Gazzo

With literally tens of thousands of performances over his lifetime, Gazzo is one of the world's best street performers. Don't just take my word for it. On multiple occasions he has taken top honors at street festivals as the "best" street performer. Gazzo resides in Bath Spa, England, but as a globe-trotter, he is really a citizen of the world.

During a recent nationwide lecture tour across the U.S., Gazzo stopped by Houston and visited my home to record a chat. Gazzo talked about his philosophy of life, working the streets around the world, differences (or lack of differences) in appreciating verbal humor among other cultures and non-English speaking audiences, and much more.

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263: Shoot Yeah!

Shoot Ogawa is best known as a close-up magician and prime exponent of the "Ninja Rings" and also responsible for introducing the occidentals to the muscle pass. Shoot moved to the U.S. in 2003 and quickly won the hearts, minds and awards from U.S. magicians. He took top honors as "Close-Up Magician of the Year" by the Academy of Magical Arts in 2003 then again in 2006. He then won "Parlor Magician of the Year" in 2008.

Shoot Ogawa, presenting his Ninja Rings.

While passing through Houston, Texas on an abbreviated U.S. lecture tour, he spent the night in my home and we had a chance to sit down for a chat and a glass of scotch after his lecture. In our chat, he talks about his magic roots as a magic shop demonstrator in Japan, then moving to the U.S. and living near the Magic Castle. Shoot continues to travel the world performing in nearly every continent and country. Here he talks about some of the places he has been and where he plans to go from here.

Shoot Ogawa and Scott Wells say "Kanpai" as we enjoy a glass of single malt scotch and a nice chat on this podcast.

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The third novel in the Eli Marks, magician, mystery series is now available. John Gaspard has done it again and penned another great book that will appeal to magicians and mystery lovers alike. Order your copy now and help support The Magic Word, too, by clicking and ordering through this link. Just click on the graphic to be taken to Amazon.com to learn more and order your copy.

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