THE HOUDINI SEANCE 2006


[From left] John Trzesniak, Neil Tobin, Riva Keith, Darlene Bull, and Frankini raise the spirit of Houdini on National Magic Week.

ANNUAL SAM3 EVENT A SELL-OUT AT EXCALIBUR

Halloween weekend. A haunted nightclub. And a single seance to contact the spirit of Houdini on the 80th anniversary of his death. Would you attend?

For a sell-out crowd of 50 members of the public (nearly all advance sales) in the intimate Vision Underground area of Excalibur nightclub, the answer was a thrill-seeking "yes."

Publicized by newspaper listings, websites, and appearances on WCKG-FM and WGN-TV, The Houdini Seance has become an annual National Magic Week event for Chicago's SAM3. Neil Tobin once again turned over his weekly Supernatural Chicago venue (and acknowledged haunted location) to the event, as well as assuming the responsibility of leading the seance. Ably assisting him were John Trzesniak, Riva Keith, Darlene Bull, and Frank "Frankini" Glab, all of whom made sure that guests were properly handled and that all the necessary procedures of a traditional Victorian seance were dutifully met.

While we can't divulge exactly what transpired (so as not to set expectations unrealistically high for next year's guests), we can say that the hour-long presentation was a resounding success. The level of concentration among all in attendance was exceptionally high. And after the gasps, screams, and surprised laughter had subsided, everybody went home knowing more about Houdini and spiritualism. Not to mention, knowing the feeling of being immersed in a totally dark room, seated between strangers, in the basement of a haunted building, with no escape.

If that sounds like a great Halloween to you, we look forward to seeing you in 2007!

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