The Historic North Theatre hosts 1st ANNUAL HOUDINI FESTIVAL

The 1st Annual Houdini Festival will be held at the Historic North Theatre, 629 North Main Street in Danville, VA on Nov. 1 & 2. This festival will commemorate the life and legend of Harry Houdini, the great escape artist and magician who died on Oct. 31, 1926. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre's website: www.TheNorthTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 434-793-SHOW (7469).

On Friday, November 1 at 8:00 PM the Stars of Close-Up Magic Show will be held in the Balcony Mini-Theatre. This show will feature: Tony Econ-Master of Card Magic, Arnie Fuoco with TV Magic and The Trick that Fooled Houdini and Wayne Alan-Award Winning Sleight of Hand. Tickets are $20.00 for Friday Night's show.

Saturday morning, November 2 will feature two events for magicians only. At 9:00 AM a Lecture on Card Magic by Tony Econ followed at 10:30 AM by a Lecture on Escapes and Houdini by Dean Alan Carnegie. Tickets for both lectures are $20.00

The Saturday afternoon events are open to the general public as well as magicians:

1:30 PM Houdini Silent Film Screening

2:30 PM-Lecture-Houdini Master Showman and Promoter

4:00 PM-Houdini Silent Film Screening

5:00-6:00-Houdini's Haunted House Tour (in the theatre basement)

Tickets for the Saturday afternoon events are $20.00.

Saturday night at 8:00 PM will be the Gala Evening Show on the theatre's main stage:

MC Wayne Alan

Dean Alan Carnegie-Escapes

Tony Econ-Master of Card Magic

Wayne Alan-World Champion Illusionist

Tickets for the Gala Evening Show are $25.00.

Tickets prices are:

Magicians-both days-$75.00

Public-both days-$50.00

Friday, Nov. 1-8:00 PM Close-Up Magic in balcony mini-theatre-$20.00

Saturday: All day-Magicians only-$40.00

Afternoon-public-$20.00

Gala Evening Show-$25.00 general admission

The Historic North Theatre originally opened on August 25, 1947 as Danville's finest movie and vaudeville house but closed in the 1970's. In 2005 over 3.5 million dollars was spent on the purchase and restoration of the charming theatre with 500 seats including a full balcony. The theatre operated for 5 years but closed in 2010 and was put up for sale. Celebrity magician Wayne Alan, America's Only World Champion Illusionist, ( www.WayneAlanMagic.com) discovered it and bought it on Friday the 13th, 2012. He saved it from being converted to another use or possibly being demolished.

Under Mr. Alan's ownership the performing arts complex now includes the Main Theatre, Balcony Mini Theatre, Restaurant & Bar, Art Gallery, Gift Shop and the Celebrity B&B which includes the Frank Sinatra Room, the Marilyn Monroe Room and the Nat King Cole Room.

Wayne Alan's big magic stage show, Magic of the Masters-the World's Most Famous Illusions, is performed the second Saturday of each month as the theatres's resident show. This show is a modern look at Magic's Golden Oldies and is a family friendly show with a touch of Broadway, Las Vegas and Branson combined. The theatre also books top celebrity touring concerts and shows. They also host Broadway musicals, other productions, festivals and special events. The goal is to provide top quality, wholesome and family friendly entertainment. Mr. Alan said, "We will strive to live up to the North's first advertisement in the 1947 newspaper: "Visit Danville's new and finest theatre for the best in entertainment."

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