The Broad & Walt Disney Concert Hall

Los Angeles City Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry

Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry

Took a drive downtown over the weekend.  Made it in record time with little traffic. Got a great parking spot.

Still humping it

Strange New World

22 million Americans out of work. 1/3 of our work force. Never seen anthing like this in my lifetime.

A Walking Man Walks

Happy Passover 2020

From the Archives

4-21-2016 #CircularApp

Upping my game

3 weeks into Coronavirus self isolation, I'm upping my game in practice and exercise.

Buster as a baby

Photo Credit: Steve Weinstein

RIP Joan Lawton • I will miss you my friend

Tom Frank, Joan Lawton & Dave Ramey at The Magic Castle, Hollywood, California 9-12-2017
Photo Credit: Taylor Wong

In Loving Memory of Joan Lawton

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of  Magic Castle former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Joan Lawton.  Joan passed away on Sunday, April 5th, after an extended battle with a medical condition. The outpouring of love we have seen for Joan from our members over the past 24 hours has been incredible.  Joan visited the Castle often, and was always sharing her fantastic stories from the Castle's history.  Sadly, the current situation means we cannot physically come together to remember Joan at the present time.  However, we will schedule a Celebration of Life for her once we are able to do so. Richard Kaufman and Dustin Stinett have graciously allowed us to share Genii Magazine's obituary for Joan (below) with the members of the AMA. Please pass this message to any other friends and family who shared a fondness for Joan, and please keep Joan's friends and family in your thoughts during this time.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Besides being a true friend of magic, Joan Lawton will most likely be remembered as the ultimate hostess. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joan Freiden graduated with her BA in English, Theater, and Journalism in 1961. Not long after that, she relocated to Los Angeles. In 1963, Joan landed a job as a receptionist at The Magic Castle® and she never left the old house on the hill. Second marriages for both, the Castle’s host and manager, Don Lawton, and Joan wed in 1984. When she left the employ of the Castle, she began volunteering on the various committees that make the Academy hum. Professionally, she worked as an event planner, and one of the events she helped organize was the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. Joan worked on the conference in various capacities from its creation to the last one in 2017. In 2010, Joan was elected to Academy of Magical Arts’ Board of Trustees. She served eight years on that body, serving as secretary for most of her tenure, and she was its chairman (she insisted on being called “chairman”) for her last two years before being termed out. Of the many she met and befriended, one of Joan’s favorite people around the Castle was Dai Vernon. She served on the committee that oversaw the Vernon Fund for the AMA, which was started to help magicians in financial need. In 2012, Joan took the initiative to change the fund to an official California nonprofit corporation. Because of her efforts, the Dai Vernon Foundation, Inc. is now a tax-deductible charity. Joan served as the president of its board of directors for several years. She hosted many events that supported the foundation. Though not a golfer, Joanie was always at the AMA golf tournament. And an event originally started by Whit (Pop) Haydn, Joan became the hostess for—and organizer of—the Castle’s annual Soapy Smith night. An incredibly popular event, featuring period costumes, casino games, and an auction that benefits the Dai Vernon Foundation. Joan also had tremendous affection and respect for veterans and active-service men and women in the military. She founded Sealed with a Wish in 2007; a charity dedicated to U.S. soldiers serving abroad, particularly those in war zones. She also served as the hostess for The Magic Castle®’s annual Veterans’ Week, where each of the showrooms feature entertainers who have served the nation. Joan enjoyed many forms of entertainment, particularly musical theater, but her main love was magic and the magicians who performed it. She always opened her home to traveling magicians. In recent years, she hosted weekend seminars by magic luminaries including Roberto Giobbi, R. Paul Wilson, Rene Lavand, and others. Over the years, she hosted countless parties—always well-attended by local magicians—including annual events on the Fourth of July, birthday parties for friends, and even her own birthday. Joanie didn’t need much of an excuse to party. The driving force in her life was to make other people happy. One of her last parties, for her 80th birthday, was so big it needed to be held at a local Italian restaurant, Vitello’s. On February 17, 2019, the restaurant’s private upstairs room was packed to capacity, and so was its stage. On the bill were Max Maven, Bruce Gold, Bill Goodwin, Tom Ogden, Bill Cook, and Phillip Huber and his marionettes. Every one of these performers volunteered their time and talent because of their love of Joanie. Attendees still talk about the grand event to this day. While Joan kept her condition secret—except from a small circle of close friends—her absence from the Castle was noticed by many. The official response from those who knew was that Joanie was recovering and would be back at the Castle soon. Alas, it was not to be. Joan Lawton passed away on April, 5, 2020. She will be missed by her family and countless friends, and it is safe to say that her legacy is secure: she made them all happy. —Dustin Stinett AMA Newsletter Editor (Written for Genii Magazine.)

In Loving Memory of Joan Lawton

In Loving Memory of Joan Lawton

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of  Magic Castle former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Joan Lawton.  Joan passed away on Sunday, April 5th, after an extended battle with a medical condition. The outpouring of love we have seen for Joan from our members over the past 24 hours has been incredible.  Joan visited the Castle often, and was always sharing her fantastic stories from the Castle's history.  Sadly, the current situation means we cannot physically come together to remember Joan at the present time.  However, we will schedule a Celebration of Life for her once we are able to do so. Richard Kaufman and Dustin Stinett have graciously allowed us to share Genii Magazine's obituary for Joan (below) with the members of the AMA. Please pass this message to any other friends and family who shared a fondness for Joan, and please keep Joan's friends and family in your thoughts during this time.

  

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of  Magic Castle former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Joan Lawton.  Joan passed away on Sunday, April 5th, after an extended battle with a medical condition.

The outpouring of love we have seen for Joan from our members over the past 24 hours has been incredible.  Joan visited the Castle often, and was always sharing her fantastic stories from the Castle's history.  Sadly, the current situation means we cannot physically come together to remember Joan at the present time.  However, we will schedule a Celebration of Life for her once we are able to do so.

Richard Kaufman and Dustin Stinett have graciously allowed us to share Genii Magazine's obituary for Joan (below) with the members of the AMA. Please pass this message to any other friends and family who shared a fondness for Joan, and please keep Joan's friends and family in your thoughts during this time.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Besides being a true friend of magic, Joan Lawton will most likely be remembered as the ultimate hostess. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joan Freiden graduated with her BA in English, Theater, and Journalism in 1961. Not long after that, she relocated to Los Angeles. In 1963, Joan landed a job as a receptionist at The Magic Castle® and she never left the old house on the hill. Second marriages for both, the Castle’s host and manager, Don Lawton, and Joan wed in 1984. When she left the employ of the Castle, she began volunteering on the various committees that make the Academy hum. Professionally, she worked as an event planner, and one of the events she helped organize was the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. Joan worked on the conference in various capacities from its creation to the last one in 2017. In 2010, Joan was elected to Academy of Magical Arts’ Board of Trustees. She served eight years on that body, serving as secretary for most of her tenure, and she was its chairman (she insisted on being called “chairman”) for her last two years before being termed out. Of the many she met and befriended, one of Joan’s favorite people around the Castle was Dai Vernon. She served on the committee that oversaw the Vernon Fund for the AMA, which was started to help magicians in financial need. In 2012, Joan took the initiative to change the fund to an official California nonprofit corporation. Because of her efforts, the Dai Vernon Foundation, Inc. is now a tax-deductible charity. Joan served as the president of its board of directors for several years. She hosted many events that supported the foundation. Though not a golfer, Joanie was always at the AMA golf tournament. And an event originally started by Whit (Pop) Haydn, Joan became the hostess for—and organizer of—the Castle’s annual Soapy Smith night. An incredibly popular event, featuring period costumes, casino games, and an auction that benefits the Dai Vernon Foundation. Joan also had tremendous affection and respect for veterans and active-service men and women in the military. She founded Sealed with a Wish in 2007; a charity dedicated to U.S. soldiers serving abroad, particularly those in war zones. She also served as the hostess for The Magic Castle®’s annual Veterans’ Week, where each of the showrooms feature entertainers who have served the nation. Joan enjoyed many forms of entertainment, particularly musical theater, but her main love was magic and the magicians who performed it. She always opened her home to traveling magicians. In recent years, she hosted weekend seminars by magic luminaries including Roberto Giobbi, R. Paul Wilson, Rene Lavand, and others. Over the years, she hosted countless parties—always well-attended by local magicians—including annual events on the Fourth of July, birthday parties for friends, and even her own birthday. Joanie didn’t need much of an excuse to party. The driving force in her life was to make other people happy. One of her last parties, for her 80th birthday, was so big it needed to be held at a local Italian restaurant, Vitello’s. On February 17, 2019, the restaurant’s private upstairs room was packed to capacity, and so was its stage. On the bill were Max Maven, Bruce Gold, Bill Goodwin, Tom Ogden, Bill Cook, and Phillip Huber and his marionettes. Every one of these performers volunteered their time and talent because of their love of Joanie. Attendees still talk about the grand event to this day. While Joan kept her condition secret—except from a small circle of close friends—her absence from the Castle was noticed by many. The official response from those who knew was that Joanie was recovering and would be back at the Castle soon. Alas, it was not to be. Joan Lawton passed away on April, 5, 2020. She will be missed by her family and countless friends, and it is safe to say that her legacy is secure: she made them all happy. —Dustin Stinett AMA Newsletter Editor (Written for Genii Magazine.)

Besides being a true friend of magic, Joan Lawton will most likely be remembered as the ultimate hostess.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joan Freiden graduated with her BA in English, Theater, and Journalism in 1961. Not long after that, she relocated to Los Angeles. In 1963, Joan landed a job as a receptionist at The Magic Castle® and she never left the old house on the hill. Second marriages for both, the Castle’s host and manager, Don Lawton, and Joan wed in 1984. When she left the employ of the Castle, she began volunteering on the various committees that make the Academy hum.

Professionally, she worked as an event planner, and one of the events she helped organize was the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. Joan worked on the conference in various capacities from its creation to the last one in 2017.

In 2010, Joan was elected to Academy of Magical Arts’ Board of Trustees. She served eight years on that body, serving as secretary for most of her tenure, and she was its chairman (she insisted on being called “chairman”) for her last two years before being termed out.

Of the many she met and befriended, one of Joan’s favorite people around the Castle was Dai Vernon. She served on the committee that oversaw the Vernon Fund for the AMA, which was started to help magicians in financial need. In 2012, Joan took the initiative to change the fund to an official California nonprofit corporation. Because of her efforts, the Dai Vernon Foundation, Inc. is now a tax-deductible charity. Joan served as the president of its board of directors for several years.

She hosted many events that supported the foundation. Though not a golfer, Joanie was always at the AMA golf tournament. And an event originally started by Whit (Pop) Haydn, Joan became the hostess for—and organizer of—the Castle’s annual Soapy Smith night. An incredibly popular event, featuring period costumes, casino games, and an auction that benefits the Dai Vernon Foundation.

Joan also had tremendous affection and respect for veterans and active-service men and women in the military. She founded Sealed with a Wish in 2007; a charity dedicated to U.S. soldiers serving abroad, particularly those in war zones. She also served as the hostess for The Magic Castle®’s annual Veterans’ Week, where each of the showrooms feature entertainers who have served the nation.

Joan enjoyed many forms of entertainment, particularly musical theater, but her main love was magic and the magicians who performed it. She always opened her home to traveling magicians. In recent years, she hosted weekend seminars by magic luminaries including Roberto Giobbi, R. Paul Wilson, Rene Lavand, and others. Over the years, she hosted countless parties—always well-attended by local magicians—including annual events on the Fourth of July, birthday parties for friends, and even her own birthday. Joanie didn’t need much of an excuse to party. The driving force in her life was to make other people happy.

One of her last parties, for her 80^th birthday, was so big it needed to be held at a local Italian restaurant, Vitello’s. On February 17, 2019, the restaurant’s private upstairs room was packed to capacity, and so was its stage. On the bill were Max Maven, Bruce Gold, Bill Goodwin, Tom Ogden, Bill Cook, and Phillip Huber and his marionettes. Every one of these performers volunteered their time and talent because of their love of Joanie. Attendees still talk about the grand event to this day.

While Joan kept her condition secret—except from a small circle of close friends—her absence from the Castle was noticed by many. The official response from those who knew was that Joanie was recovering and would be back at the Castle soon. Alas, it was not to be. Joan Lawton passed away on April, 5, 2020. She will be missed by her family and countless friends, and it is safe to say that her legacy is secure: she made them all happy.

—Dustin Stinett
AMA Newsletter Editor
(Written for Genii Magazine.)

 

Trying to up my game

Tom Frank • Magic • Magician

Missing performing.  Gigs cancelled for months out.  Fucking shit

Our house is very fine house

Van Nuys, California 2020

Burning Man 2018

Durning a beautiful white-out condition dust storm at Burning Man in the middle of nowhere.

Love me some Jazz music • Cal Collins - Blues on my Mid

Palm Court Lounge & Orchids Restaurant. Netherland Hilton • Cincinnati

I used to see Cal Collins play in Cincinnati, back in the day.  He sure was something else.  My magic shop, The Carew Tower Magic Shop, was off the Netherland Hilton lobby on the second level of the Care Tower Arcade.  It was a short walk over to the Palm Court Lounge were Cal would be playing with his trio.  Back in the day where you could enjoy a cigar at the bar, have a cocktail and listen to some great music in a beautiful deco hotel lounge.  Memories. . .

I proposed to my first wife Cricket where this photo was taken over 3 decades ago.  Seems like a million years ago.

I love the smell of freash baked bread in the morning

Lake Arrowhead Georgia

#flextureapp

Dai Vernon

DaiVernon performing at the Kit Kat Club in New York City

Been playing with a new app called Flexture

From the Archives

I'm a die hard optimist

Nothing will ever squash my love of life.  These stange times we find ourselves in have shown me the best and worst in people. Do the best you can everyday. Keep the faith.  Things are always changing for the better and worse.  Keep your wits about you, love in your heart and a smile on your face.

Eat right, exercise and know that there is love and beauty in this world.  It's your job to find it.

The is magic in a blooming spring rose during a global pandemic.  Doom, gloom and death is a much a part of life as happiness, joy and birth.

This too shall pass.

We're all in this together.

Hang tight, hunker down and find love within your  heart for yourself.

I am so lucky to live the life I have, be loved by family and friends and feel like I'm doing what I was put on this earth for.

Frank Sinatra - I'll Be Seeing You 1944 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

When my heart is heavy, I seek beauty

Drove to Malibu yesterday to see the sunset.

It's not what you see. . . . but how you see it.

Thinking about my kids

Happy 30th Birthday John Buster Frank

Today marks my oldest son John's 30th birthday.  I wish he wanted to have a relationship with me as I miss and love him very much.  It's been many years since he's wanted to be a part of my life.

Communication is a two way street and and much as I would like for him to be in my life, it's out of my control. Years of therapy have helped me come to terms with the estrangement of all of 4 of my kids.  While I am trying to be at peace with who I am, what my values are and what I believe I can bring to the table, it doesn't really soften the blow of knowing that he wants nothing to do with me.

People are always telling me that my kids will come around and that things will change, I have my doubts. With each passing year I continue to hold out hope that this might be true.

I have so much love in my heart for all of my kids.  I'm a decent person and would love nothing more than to bring them back into the fold, but that's out of my control.  To quote Bonnie Raitt "I can't make you love me, if you don't. I can't make your heart feel something it won't." It's been many years since I've felt like a victim. I've owned up to my own personal flaws and mistakes I've made in marriage and divorce.  What are you going to do?  Time passes, years go by and yet this doesn't change.

I love you son, more than you will ever know.  You've got my number, email address, Skype, FaceTime, and other ways to reach me, I wish you would. Happy birthday wherever you are.  I hope you are doing well, that you are happy and healthy and are enjoying your journey.  These are strange times we are in right now. Nothing would make me happier than to hear from you.  I love you.

The years I spent as a loving father are among the most treasured memories to me.  It feels like a lifetime ago but is always close to my heart.

Filling my heart with love. Missing all of my kids.

Life on pause

You've Got To Be Carefully Taught

When my heart is heavy, I seek beauty

Vasquez Rocks

Beef Stew

R.E.M. - It's The End Of The World (Official Video)

Strange New World

Hang in there folks. The ride will be bumpy.

Marien Davies B'day Party

My fourth year performing at this wonderful event!

Love is a rose

Pretty flower in our bck yard

Love is a rose but you'd better not pick it

It only grows when it's on the vine

Hand full of thorns, and you know you've missed it

Lose your love when you say the word mine

Dead & Company at the Forum night 2

Dead & Company at the Forum night 1

Music starts at the 16 min. mark. Truck'en!

Tom Frank • Magician • New Years Eve 2019

Photo Credit: Taylor Wong

Performing and Bartending in The Hat and Hare Pub at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California

A foul mouth blast from the past.

Seven "natural laws" that accompany the Franklin Reality Model:

1. If the results of your behavior do not meet your needs, there is an incorrect principle in your belief window.

2. Results take time to measure.

3. Growth is the process of changing principles on your belief window.

4. If your self-worth is dependent on anything external, you are in big trouble.

5. Addictive behavior is the result of deep and unmet needs (of the four above mentioned needs.)

6. The mind will naturally seek harmony when presented with two opposing principles.

7. When the results of your behavior do meet your needs you experience inner peace.

My woman knows how to throw down. Keeping me fat & happy on Christmas Eve.

The Magic Castle • Hollywood, California

My home away from home.  Been working here in and off for 34 years. NEVER gets old!!