I began my evening watching a great set by Alfonso in the Close-up Room. With his exceptional sleight-of-hand skills, he performed flawless coins across, coins through table, matrix, ambitious card and a torn and restored cigarette paper. Alfonso told me that after his week at the Castle he’s traveling once again, this time, to Spain and Portugal to lecture on magic.
The Palace show was kinetic and hilarious with an excellent line-up that included Fred Moore, David Debble and Dana Daniels. I had never seen Fred Moore before and enjoyed his energetic set that incorporated music, mime, dancing and humor. David Debble is an entertaining and funny juggler that performs some unique feats of skill. When he says that he creates fireworks in his pants, he means it.
Without a doubt, Dana Daniels is among the funniest magicians in the business. His act with Luigi, the psychic bird, leaves audiences rolling in the aisles. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Daniel’s act many times, both at the Magic Castle and Disneyland, and I always end up in hysterics. His routine is a must see.
After experiencing great close-up and stage magic, it was a treat to see Brian Gillis. This worker with the technique of a Jedi Master and magnetic charisma was rocking the Parlour. I recall seeing Gillis for the first time on that old Magic Castle television special that aired in the eighties. It’s wonderful to watch him in action with his amazing card and other work, and easy to see why he was Johnny Carson’s favorite magician.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
