Houdini’s career studied at Winchester

Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The events will be coordinated by local magician-illusionist Dixie Dooley, who has spent the past 20 years tracking down Houdini's memorabilia, studying Houdini's techniques, and uncovering many of the master magician's secrets.

"Talking about magic and classic illusions without mentioning Houdini is like talking about baseball and not mentioning Babe Ruth," says Dooley. "He did things that people today still can't figure out. And if you ask today's top illusionists, such as Penn & Teller and David Copperfield, they all pledge allegiance to Houdini."

For the entire month, the Winchester Gallery will display an exhibit of items and artifacts once owned by Houdini, which have been acquired over the years by Dooley. These include all manner of shackles, straitjackets and such, and the so-called "spirit table" the master used in one of his most famous illusions.

At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Dooley will augment the exhibit with a free lecture on "The Life and Times of Harry Houdini." On Oct. 26, the Winchester Theater will present a magic show at 7:30 p.m., featuring Dooley and a number of his fellow local magicians. Admission will be $5, $3 for seniors and children under 12.

Capping off the month of events will be Dooley's 11th annual Houdini Seance at 2 p.m. Oct. 31. When Houdini died on this date in 1926, he left behind a final challenge to mediums, saying he would attempt to communicate from beyond the grave on each succeeding Halloween.

Dooley has conducted this ceremony each year in Las Vegas since 1986. The public is invited to attend the seance, for which there is no admission charge.

Winchester Community Center, a facility of Clark County Parks and Recreation, is at 3130 McLeod Drive, one-half block north of Desert Inn Road. For more information, call 455-7340.