Magic shows and kids go together like rabbits and hats -- or handkerchiefs hidden up sleeves, if you prefer -- but young ones visiting Southern California's most famous hub of the magical arts is a rare thing.
True, children can visit Hollywood's Magic Castle for weekend brunch, with a member, to catch a few magic shows, or the magic shows can go to the kids. Where? The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is set to stage two Imagine Teas -- one at the start of the summer season and one at the close -- that are focused on kids, magic, and junior magicians from the famous Victorian magic club.
Indeed, the performers at the teas, which are scheduled for Sunday, June 1 and Sunday, Sept. 7, will all be on the younger side, meaning this is magic by young people, for young people. (The Magic Castle has classes for kids interested in prestidigitation and frequently invites them to perform.)
The food and drink will also take on magical properties of a sort, or at least be prepped to please a school-age audience. Pink lemonade, "whimsical desserts... and magically decorated cookies" fill out the afternoon tea menu. Price for kids ages 4-12 is $28 and adults are $48. A portion of the proceeds go to charities, including the Hathaway-Sycamores Child & Family Services of Pasadena.
If you've wanted to do that weekend kid brunch at the Magic Castle, but aren't a member, call this a fine and festive way to introduce your tot to illusions and mystery, and a swanky dining experience out, too.
Definitely a treat if your child has shown an interest in magic or theater but hasn't made the leap to trying out nothing-up-this-sleeve tricks on his or her own yet. Seeing a person not much older than they are has a way of encouraging a budding magician to make that initial leap.
Which is, of course, a little bit magic.
