Magic Castle, Los Angeles: Where the magic happens..
Any evening that begins by whispering the words “open sesame” to a golden owl with blinking red eyes to open a secret passageway through a faux bookcase is bound to be memorable.
High on a hill, the Magic Castle is a private club for members of Academy of Magical Arts that, over the years, has counted Cary Grant, Mae West, Ryan Gosling and Johnny Depp as visitors and members. Neil Patrick Harris was recently the president.
This is not any private club, it’s an ornately decorated Victorian mansion with a Disney-like turret just steps away from Hollywood Boulevard. Inside is the mysterious world of magic. Secret doors and hidden panels lead to the 13 different performance stages where elaborate illusions are performed. For a tourist, the Magic Castle is surprisingly easy to get in to, though a coat and tie or formal frock are obligatory.
If you don’t know who Milt Larsen is upon entering, there is no doubt you will by the end of the night. His portrait is everywhere. The 85-year-old leased the mansion back in 1961 and scavenged film sets (including the bar from the movie Hello Dolly, and a Johnny Carson Tonight Show backdrop) to deck it out.Read more.. (Photo: http://www.wikipedia.com )