St. Petersburg, FL (October 30, 2009)-Erick Olson blended the perfect combination of magic and comedy to earn Most Valuable Performer honors and Bill Weber hit a home run leading off the night as the battery delivered a big opening night win for the crowd at The Royal Parlor of Magic in St. Petersburg. The performances continue Saturday night at The Vinoy Resort. 

Olson finished off a night of magic and comedy by escaping from a straight-jacket latched and locked by two audience members. 

"Oh! Look at the job they did with the chains," Olson said as the locks tumbled to the stage. "I'll bet your dog is running through the neighborhood right now!" A moment later the straight-jacket was on the floor and Olson was taking a bow. 

"OK, now you try," he told the crowd. Weber set the tone with a tribute to the great Harry Houdini who died 83 years ago Halloween, October 31st, 1926. After Houdini "escaped" from a minted coin and "re-appeared" in a closed locket, Weber warned the house. 

"Hang on to your wallet, you don't know what he might do next." What did happen next? A ring borrowed from a lady in the crowd was discovered in a locked box. "We asked if you wanted to see the impossible happen," said Weber. "All the credit goes to Houdini

." While Weber was impressive making his magical debut, Olson shined as the veteran. Like a game winning pitcher in the World Series, Olson mixed card tricks and comedy, humor with illusion and fundamentals with fun. 

"Don't forget your card, it's a much better trick if you remember the card," he warned the audience after one guest did forget the card that was selected. This is the flavor of magic Tampa Bay has needed. While other stage acts are struggling in Las Vegas, magicians there have found a renewed following. 

Olson and Weber seem to have established a winning combination. "It was fun," said Weber after the late show. "Erick helped me through a few things and I appreciate that. There's nothing like batting lead-off knowing there is an all-star coming up right behind you." Almost two hours after the late show the two were still working, re-loading and reviewing the night. 

"The crowd was terrific," said Olson. "Opening night can be tough just because you never know what to expect but the guests were great. I said it before we opened and I'll say it again, this is a terrific room to work. 

I really don't know who gets the better deal, the audience or the magician. The room is just that good." Olson and Weber return to the stage Saturday night at The Vinoy. Tickets are available at www.royalparlor.com 

> The Royal Parlor will be Magical at The Vinoy

ST. PETERSBURG. FL (October 25, 2009)---Two talented magicians, one historic hotel and a new theater-style presentation will have Tampa Bay talking about magic and mystery long after Halloween. The grand opening of The Royal Parlor of Magic takes place this Friday and Saturday, October 30th and 31st at the fabulous, and allegedly haunted, Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg. It's a presentation of effects and illusions in a throwback atmosphere: the show is performed in an intimate theater-style setting. 

Veteran magician Erick Olson is the headliner at The Royal Parlor. The grand opening weekend will also serve as the introduction of newcomer Bill Weber. Both men are residents of the Tampa Bay area. 

"This is close-up magic in an up-close setting," said Olson. 

"It's a wonderful environment for the guests because the magic is happening right in front of them. As for the magician, it's added pressure because there is no cover from the audience. What happens at The Vinoy is really happening."

 And what should happen is a lot of fun. Olson has performed his rapid-fire magic and comedy show at The World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, Disney World and Wonderworks in the Orlando area and recently opened Wizardz Magic Theater in Kissimmee. He has performed on cruise ships and countless corporate events. 

"This is a formal presentation of magic," said Olson. 

"It is truly an evening for adults. When you say "magic show" a lot of people immediately think of a kids birthday party. This is nothing like that, although it doesn't mean I won't behave like a kid." 

Weber, who has spent the last twenty years as a network television sportscaster, did a brief opening act at "Wizardz" earlier this month, but this will be his first full professional presentation. 

"No re-takes, no commercial breaks to regroup, none of that," said Weber. 

"Me? Nervous? Are you kidding? I'm scared to death. "Seriously, I can't wait. There has been a lot of talk about this happening and I've seen a tremendous amount of time and effort invested in the idea. Now it's time to make the theater "appear"."

 The Royal Parlor of Magic has limited seating for about 70 guests. It is located on the Plaza Level of The Vinoy.

 "We love the idea," said Weber

 "Erick has a brilliant mixture of magic and comedy. I like the classic stuff. Neither of us is going to saw anyone in half but things will magically appear out of nowhere and some things will simply disappear right in front of your eyes. So hang onto your wallet.

 "Unless you have been to the Magic Castle or seen Steve Cohen at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, you've probably never experienced anything like this. The Royal Parlor is a fun and intimate gathering that offers the guest tremendous interaction with the magician. The suggested attire is business formal so that helps set the mood. And it's at The Vinoy, ghosts and all. For a magic-lover, this is the total package."

Tickets, or passports as The Parlor website calls them (www.royalparlor.com), are $50.00 and limited seating is still available for Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm and 9:30pm (two shows are sold out). Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.royalparlor.eventbrite.com

 "This is going to be a terrific venue for the performer and the guest," said Olson.

 "As a magician, there aren't many opportunities to work in a wonderful setting where you can reach out and nearly touch the guests seated in the last row. For me, this will be fun, I can select anybody for my next trick!" Consider that fair warning.

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