A truly sad day for magic in Las Vegas has occured. On November 30th, Caesar's closed the doors on Caesar's Magical Empire for good. Many of the higher-ups in Park Place management (Caesar's Palace' parent company) have had it out for this place since it opened. Their jusitification (and a rather important one in Vegas at that) is that few people who visited CME gambled any money, especially as they were usually bringing kids with them.

One bright new magician in Vegas is Arian Black, at the Fitzgerald's casino on Fremont Street. Her show "Secrets" is a 1-hour free show (1-drink minimum), and is one of the more enjoyable magic shows I've seen lately. It's a good mix of close-up and small stage illusions, and she really brings the tricks to life with her personality. I won't mention any names, but it's often funny to see some of the magic shows on the strip that have plenty of money behind them, and then to go see a free show like Arian's that has so much more life to it. If you're going to be in Vegas anytime soon, check out the "Arian Black's Secrets" at Fitzgerald's 2nd floor showroom, at 3 PM, running from Thursday through Monday.

And what better way to get a bunch of magicians to Vegas than next month's World Magic Seminar! Is anybody here going? Is there any possibility of arranging a mini-Café meeting there maybe?

I wish I could be there!!! You're more than welcome to buy my ticket!! hehehe

I hope to be there but will not know for sure until right after the new year. If I go, I'll let you know. Would be fun!

:pirate:

I'm going to try to make it, but it's right around the time of Sundance so I might go there. It was great the last time I went so I will surely miss it.
Greg

They closed the magic themed restaurant by Universal Studios, Hollywood also.

I have friends in my Internet business in Las Vegas and they stated the show was too costly to ever really generate a strong crowd for more the 30% of it's performances. According to them, to make it there you've got to draw big numbers over 60% of the time or you're out of there. When there, I didn't get to this show but wish I had gone there instead of Steve Wyrick's abyssmal show. Oh well opportunity missed.

On a lark, I just ended up having tickets to the final day of performances at Caesar's Magical Empire. I didn't realize it was the final show until I saw the stage magician.

After the show, I hung out and chatted with the magic salesman about it. Naturally the look on the employees faces tipped their hand about it going. Vegas can be a fickle friend.

Always like the invitation to see a magic show. Thanks for the info!

I'll be there...There is a little open 5 minutes showing on the first day, be sure to check me out...

E. Henry

My wife and I went to Vegas last year to catch Jeff McBride at Ceasars Magical Empire - we had the best time there. I am truly saddend to hear this news.

Sadly, I have heard from a fairly good authority (known magician who'll remain nameless) that the closing of Caeser's Magical Empire was NOT due to poor business. In actuality, it was doing quite well. The reason I got from this insider was that Celine Dion's contract would not allow any competition. As such, Caeser's Magical Empire had to close for her umpteen million dollar show to open at Caesar's in Vegas. This is hearsay, though, so take it for what it's worth.

I heard the same thing.
Greg

I would doubt that this rumour is true. It might be the excuse management used but they have been trying to close the empire for years.

Jheff Said: ..."the closing of Caeser's Magical Empire was NOT due to poor business...."

I heard the same so-called rumor as well.

Bascomb