The Magic Castle is a private club for magicians based in an old Victorian mansion located on Franklin Street near Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. It was founded in 1963 by Milt and Bill Larsen. The club has three showrooms: the Palace of Mystery, the Parlor of Mystery and the Close-Up Gallery. You must be a member or an invited guest of a member to be able to spend an evening at the "Castle". In order to become a member you must be sponsored by a member in good standing. Antiques and Hollywood memorabilia abound, including W.C. Fields' pool table which is on display along with historical posters of famous magicians from throughout history. Lance Burton is a longtime member.

The Society of American Magicians (SAM) was formed in 1902 and is the oldest active organization for magic in the world. It has 7,500 members. There are chapters in Germany, England, Japan and Hong Kong. SAM actively promotes magic as an entertainment and art form and has the world's largest youth program for magic called the Society for Young Magicians (SYM) with 1,400 members.Youths from ages 7 to 15 may join SYM.

The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) founded in 1922 is the world's largest organization for magicians with over 14,000 members worldwide. There are over 300 regional organizations called Rings in more than 73 countries. The International Brotherhood of Magicians is considered to be the most respected organization for amateur and professional magicians in the world and is for people who have a sincere interest in magic. IBM's website is http://www.magician.org/

The Chavez Studio of Magic is a highly successful school for magic founded in 1941 by Ben and Marian Chavez. Many top professionals are graduates -- including Norm Nielsen, Don Alan and Channing Pollock. In 1946, after WWII veterans were allowed to study magic under the GI Bill of Rights. Now in its 56th year of continuous operation the studio offers both private instruction and home study under the direction of former student Dale Salwak. For information call (909) 593-5374 or fax at (909) 596-8596 or write Chavez Studio of Magic, P.O. Box 8054, La Verne, CA. 91750.