A couple days ago Randi appeared at the world-famous Magic Castle for a private standing-room only members' event, an on-stage conversation with the great Max Maven. I'm told the event had the largest attendance of any of them so far. Lasting two hours, Randi talked about his start in magic, his long career as a touring magician and escape artist, his friendships with some of the most significant figures in the history of 20th century conjuring, and his towering role in the worldwide skeptics movement.
The interview with Randi drew a
standing-room only crowd at the Magic Castle
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He reminisced about how his magic background fueled his early acts of public skepticism. He talked about his exposure of the TV evangelist Peter Popoff on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He discussed the responsibilities he thinks magicians have in society. And he revealed how his response to paranormal claimants and researchers has changed over the years, detailing episodes in the history of what has become the JREF Million Dollar Challenge, which the Foundation offers to anyone who can demonstrate under mutually agreed upon scientific condition the existence of any paranormal or supernatural ability.
The famous Magic Castle in Hollywood is a Mecca to magicians the world over. Built in 1908, the mansion has has been a regular haunt of Hollywood celebrities with interest in legerdemain and an appreciation for its classy atmosphere.
James Randi and Max Maven
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A private club and restaurant exclusively for members of the Academy of Magical Arts and their guests, the Magic Castle is also a premiere performance venue for some of the world's leading magical entertainers, with multiple performance spaces for close-up magicians, parlor performers and full stage shows.
We are happy to announce that the JREF plans to make segments of the event available on DVD and online in the weeks ahead.