Academy of Magical Arts

Awards Show
April 7th at the Orpheum
Theatre
Hosted by Jason Alexander, Recognizing the
Best of the Art &
Celebrating 50 Magical Years in 2013
Celebration to Include AMA Board President
Neil Patrick Harris
Penn & Teller to be Honored as ‘Magicians of
the Year’

HOLLYWOOD — April 4, 2013 — For Immediate Release — As it continues a

year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2013, the Academy of Magical
Arts (AMA) will hold its 45th annual AMA Awards Show, April 7.

The award show, hosted by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) – himself a performing

magician – will honor Penn & Teller (who will receive a Hollywood Star on the
Walk of Fame April 5) as Magicians of the Year. Other noted magicians will be
honored in a variety of award categories (listed below) with a “Magic Wand Award.”

The AMA, a unique, non-profit social order located in the heart of historic Hollywood,
is the premier organization dedicated to the art of magic. Its clubhouse, the Magic
Castle, is one of the most extraordinary private clubs in the world. The AMA’s
membership includes performing magicians and illusionist of all levels – including
entertainment’s most pre-eminent, world-renowned artists – as well as associate
members who simply love the art and the establishment.
Commented Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris, president of the AMA
board of directors, “While you often hear the media speak about a ‘magical night in
Hollywood,’ the Academy of Magical Arts awards gala is literally and truly a
magical night.”

WHAT: AMA Magic Awards, Hosted by Jason Alexander

WHO: Special Honorees, Celebrity Guests, Performing Magicians
WHEN: Sunday, April 7 — Red Carpet Arrival, 6 p.m. / Show Begins, 7 p.m. /
After Party to follow
WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles (Between
8 & 9 Streets)
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RSVP: 323-660-5800 / kelly@greenleafandassociates.com

About the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, the Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) is a
unique non-profit. The AMA’s membership – including the world’s most pre-eminent
and celebrated magicians and illusionists – live by the “Magic First” creed, devoted
to the advancement of the art of magic and preserving its history. Its headquarters
and private clubhouse, the Magic Castle, has been an internationally revered
gathering place for the magic brotherhood since opening its doors in 1963.
Located in historic Hollywood in an elegant, Victorian-era mansion, the Castle is an
experience within itself—a remarkable meeting spot that captures a lost era and is
timeless in its appeal, having hosted generations of magic enthusiasts from around
the globe, as well as show biz elite from Cary Grant, Tony Curtis and Johnny Carson
(all performing members) to Katy Perry and Johnny Depp. Leading the AMA as
president of the Board of Directors is Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick
Harris. The Magic Castle was founded by writer, actor, magician and entrepreneur
Milt Larsen and his late brother, Bill Larsen, Jr. Visit us online at:
www.MagicCastle.com

— 2013 AMA Award Winners/Nominees —

Magician of the Year Winners

 Penn & Teller

Lecturer of the Year Nominees

 Harry Anderson
 Rafael Benatar
 John Carney
 Joe Monti
 Shoot Ogawa
Close-Up Magician of the Year Nominees
 Derek DelGaudio
 Andrew Goldenhersh
 Bill Goodwin
 Armando Lucero
 David Regal

Parlour Magician of the Year Nominees

 Chris Capehart
 Michael Carbonaro
 Helder Guimaraes
 Derek Hughes
 Phil Van Tee

Stage Magician of the Year Nominees

 Mike Caveney
 Whit “Pop” Haydn
 Chipper Lowell
 Shoot Ogawa
 Rob Zabrecky
AMA Fellowship Awards will be presented to …

Fellowship recipients receive a framed proclamation from the AMA and a

hand-crafted pin, courtesy of West McDonough in memory of her
grandfather, Thomas Glover, Sr., who entrusted Milt and Bill Larsen with the
property that now houses the Magic Castle.

Juan Tamariz — Masters Fellowship

This is the highest Fellowship Award granted by the AMA. The recipient is selected
by the Board of Trustees, whose combined knowledge of the art and history of
magic provides the platform for selection. Renowned magician Dai Vernon was
presented with the first Masters Fellowship in 1968. Other recipients include
Cardini and Slydini.

Alan Shaxon — Lifetime Achievement Fellowship

Created in 1985, this fellowship is given to a person whose entire life had been
dedicated to magic, either as a performer, a preservationist or a historian.
Magic Castle co-founder William W. Larsen, Jr. received the first presentation,
followed by Don Lawton, co-founder Milt Larsen, Francis Marshall and others.

David Williamson — Performing Fellowship

Recipients of this fellowship are performers – or a team of performers – who
have made an impact on the art of magic. Cardini received the first award in
1968, followed by such performers as Frackson, Richiardi and Marvyn & Carol
Roy.

Paul Kieve — Creative Fellowship

Presented to people who have made significant innovations and/or whose
creativity in magic is beyond that of their peers. The first award was
presented to Ed Marlo in 1968. Others include Robert Harbin, Alan Wakeling
and John Gaughan.

David Charvet — Literary Fellowship

Presented to those whose body of magical literary work is both large and
important to the art. The first recipient of this fellowship was Lewis Ganson in
1968. Other recipients include contemporary authors Mike Caveney and Jim
Steinmeyer.

Carl Williams — Special Fellowship (Prop Building)

Luis de Matos, David Britland & Marco Tempest — Special Fellowship
(Producing 2012 EMC Conference)
A special fellowship is presented to those whose contributions do not fit into
the annual fellowship categories, but whose contributions to the art of magic
cannot be overlooked. Carl Owen received the first such fellowship in 1968.
Other recipients include Ed Sullivan, Dr. Robert Albo and Irene Larsen.

###

Contacts:
Greenleaf & Associates — 323.660.5800
Vicki Greenleaf — vicki@greenleafandassociates.com (on-site/cell —
323.573.5111)
Kelly Williams — kelly@greenleafandassociates.com (on-site/cell —
805.796.3347)