Note: Clearly the information in here may change over time. This discussion happened in early August, 2000, and was added to in September, 2000.
You may also get good information by checking out The Las Vegas Review Journal, and looking in the Show Guide.
By: Roscoe
One week from today I am going to be headed for Las Vegas. (Those of
you who don't live within a reasonable driving distance can be envious
now)
I will be there Tuesday through Friday. I have seen many of the previous posts regarding entertainment in Vegas along with the Las Vegas Entertainment site. This is a very good site , but I was wondering if any of you had found anything magical that didn't show up anywhere else; and, that you consider a don't miss. Any input would be appreciated.
By: John H. Zander
Don't miss Mac King! Only $10.00 and one of the best magic/comedy
shows there is! He is at Harrah's and the show times are 1:00 and 3:00
PM Tuesday through Saturday.
By: Phil
I just returned from Vegas, it was great.
Get the small, free book 24/7. Most taxis and the trolleys have them. It lists all the shows.
Depending on what you like, I suggest.
Ceasers Magical Empire - Dinner show, great food, lots of close-up magic, small stage show, and more. Looks pricey, but I thought well worth it. Go on a tour of the "empire" if you are undecided.
Mac King (at Harrahs). Afternoon show, inexpensive, funny. I enjoyed.
I missed the show, but Lady Luck Hotel has a free (one drink min) show. Looked good.
Enjoy Vegas, you havev to check out Circus Circus hotel.
By: Frank Yuen
See a Cirque du Soleil show, either Mystere or O, you won't regret
it. Most magical performance you will see.
By: Glenn Lawrence
Be sure and check out the new Houdini museum at the Venetian!
By: Joe Lewis
Go see the Blue Man Group at the Luxor (order your tickets online
today, they go fast). It's not a magic show, but it was absolutely
fantastic!
Also, the Magical Empire at Caesars was good. It's $75 a pop, but it includes a meal and two shows, plus some really good close up magic. We had a real enjoyable time.
By: mike
I was wondering what magic shops ,shows and lectures are in Las Vegas
in Sept.Thanks.
By: Davidius
There are plenty of magic shops in the Casinos. Houdinis is a magic
shop and I saw one in Circus Circus, New York, THe Venetian and in
more I don't know about. Ceasars has there own shop. All the prices
are jacked up and the magic is mostly aimed toward beginers. There is
a really good magic shop I believe on Industrial Road I think it is
called Mings or Merfs or something like that. Some guy in a magic shop
located in the Stratosphere told me agout it. Just ask the
demonstrators in any of the above shops what the name of the "real"
magic shop is. And if they don't take offense to the question they
should tell you. There is much magic in Vegas see all you can. On my
trip I saw Penn and teller, Lance Burton, Micheal Close. Ceasars
Magical Empire has a great meal/magic experince that will run you
about $80 but I believe it is worth it. Have fun!
By: John H. Zander
Do not miss Mac King at Harrah's. $10.95 and the best comedy show in
Vegas.
By: Roscoe
When I was in Vegas in the middle of August, I went to Caesar's
Magical Empire and Mac King's Show at Harrah's.
If you take the tour during the day, you get a $10 per person discount on your tickets for the Magical Empire. The tours are free and start about 11:00AM and last about 15 minutes. The dinner/show is definitely worth it. Dinner was good (bottomless wine glass is included). You get two regular sit down shows. One is a parlor type setting with card/coin effects, and the other is a stage show. There are also a few magi walking around entertaining between shows. Even though the evening costs about $60 (w/discount), it is at least 3 hours of magic and entertainment.
Lance Burton was sold out the only other free evening I had, so I didn't see that show.
Don't miss Mac King. Without a doubt, IMHO the best magic show value on the strip. Daytime shows 1:00 and 3:00 PM mean you can still catch all of the other nighttime stuff you want.
The magic shop in Caesar's Forum Shops is a Magic Masters. Not worth the trip IMO. The guys I saw doing the demos were not at all interested in presentation. The guy I saw at Stratosphere didn't even know magic at all, he just worked in the shop (filling in I think, maybe you'll have better luck). The guy doing the demo in Circus Circus at least had a good presentation style and showed some good packaged effects. There is also a magic shop in the Riviera. It wasn't open when I was there.
By: Glenn Lawrence
I was just there a few weeks ago, so while it's still fresh in my mind:
We saw Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage where we stayed. Expensive, but quite a spectacular show. Much more than just magic. Recommended.
Other stage shows currently going on include Steve Wyrick at the Sahara, Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo, Melinda at the Venetian, and Rick thomas at the Tropicana.
As far as Magic shops- plenty on the strip, all geared to tourists/beginners. I went to magic masters in Caesar's, very small, selling the usual cig thru coin, scotch and soda type effects. I would recommend you go to Houdini's in the Venetian. Much bigger selection although still no Tannen's, I bet you'll see them demo-ing ultra floatin object. Be sure and visit the Houdini museum next door which just opened. There is a $2 admission and it's small, but if you're a student of magic history it's well worth it, plus the guide is somewhat knowledgeable about the stuff in there.
Finally, although not magic, I would highly recommend the Liberace museum (near the airport on Tropicana) Magicians could learn a thing or two from Liberace, who was known as "mr. showmanship"
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