Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
— Cicero
Greetings Magical Friends,
Abbi here, saying “hello” from the House of Mystery in Las Vegas. Jeff is preparing to go back to Mexico for a couple of days, and will be home again just in time for Thanksgiving.
This is one of my favorite times of the year. I grew up in New England, just outside of Boston, and autumn there is a radiant symphony of color, with the maple trees turning bright red and the forests erupting into colorful cacophonies. Here in the Mohave desert, the signs of Fall are far more subtle. I have several fruit trees, and one of the ways I know it’s Fall is that the persimmon tree’s leaves all turn a lovely shade of orange before deserting the tree. There’s a snap in the air, and a crispness that is palpable.
This is the time of year when, in ancient times, people would take stock of their harvests, all safely stored for the winter… a time of gratitude, of knowing that there is enough for the coming cold-time. I love to look back at the year, and see all there is to be grateful for.
This year, the WONDERGROUND moved to the Olive, and has been blossoming there, month after month.
What a remarkable venue, what an incredible opportunity for magicians and variety artists of all kinds, to come together to create illuminated night-life. I’ve been belly-dancing at the WONDERGROUND each month with members of the New World Rhythmatism Dance Ensemble. It is amazing for us to have a place to show the silent language of motion that weaves together seemingly spontaneous movements into the flow of the dance. This month’s special guests include Jonathan Pendragon, Alain Nu, Luna Shimada and Dirk Losander. To see a full line-up visit
http://www.vegaswonderground.com
I’ll hope to see you there on the third Thursday of each month!
I’m also incredibly grateful to see how the Magic and Mystery School has been growing this year. Month after month, students from all over the world have been coming to the House of Mystery in Las Vegas, to pursue their passions and learn more about the art of magic.
In just a few short weeks, Jeff and I, along with many of the faculty of the Magic and Mystery School, including our Dean, Eugene Burger, our Associate Dean, Larry Hass, adjunct faculty George Parker, along Jordan Wright and others will all be performing at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. It’s going to be an amazing week of magic and mystery, and we hope you’ll be able to come join us!
And of course, one of the biggest gifts of all is my husband, and I am so deeply grateful for Jeff, and for these past nine years of being married to the “greatest magician of our time.” Our life together is truly magical, and I am more thankful than I have the words to convey. My Thanksgiving wish for all of you is that you may know the sweetness of the season, the security of a bountiful harvest, and the magic of true love….
Your friend in the art,
Abigail McBride