Posts in Venues
The 2023 Bay Area AMAZING Holiday Event Guide

Venues

The Battery

I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with The Battery since the beginning. First, I was booked to perform at their opening night and I have been the Resident Magician there since 2015, entertaining members and guests in The Musto Bar.

The Battery features a wide variety of event spaces, both indoor and outdoor, as well as hotel suites. The Penthouse is a great place to host an event with stunning views of downtown San Francisco.

It’s one of my favorite places to visit.

www.thebatterysf.com

The Bridgeyard

Formally a maintenance facility for the Bay Area’s ubiquitous street cars , The Bridgeyard is now a dedicated event space with panoramic views of Oakland and San Francisco it’s a “blank canvas” waiting for you add your vision.

Having visited countless event spaces, The Bridgeyard is a breath of fresh air.

www.thebridgeyard.com

Claremont Club & Spa

What can you say about The Claremont Club & Spa.

Stunning. Iconic. Historic resort charm in the heart of Berkeley with sprawling spaces and incredible attention to detail everywhere you look.

And I hear they have an amazing magic show happening there every month!

www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley

Odette Estate Winery

Odette Estate Winery is run by my friends at PlumpJack Group and their hospitality is second to none.

If you’re looking for a venue in Napa to host your holiday event you can’t go wrong with Odette Estate Winery.

www.odetteestate.com

Press Club

One of the first planners I met when I arrived in the Bay Area was Ashley Guillory and we ended up working a handful of events together. Ashley is now Director of Private Events at Press Club, a sophisticated and social wine bar in the heart of downtown San Francisco. If your group enjoys seasonal small plates and thoughtful pairings, Press Club is your spot.

www.pressclubsf.com

Catering

Carrie Dove Catering & Events

Our mission is simply stated – “to work hard to create comfortably elegant events in partnership with our clients”.

From your first inquiry to your last bite everyone you meet from Carrie Dove Catering & Events will exemplify hard work, humility, happiness, team work and a good attitude.

www.carriedovecatering.com

Day Darmet

Day Darmet provides a catering experience with a tailored handheld feel.

From client meetings, product launches, all day conferences, and more… we create menus to fit your exact catering needs providing end to end customer service.

www.daydarmet.com

Hugh Groman Group

Call us saucy, but we think gatherings should be fun–fun for guests and fun for the people who host them. Comfortable. Easy. Surprising. Delicious. You could say we are full-service caterers and event planners. Or, you could say we make magic happen. Let us delight you.

www.thehughgromangroup.com

Off The Grid

From outdoor office lunches or team happy hours to corporate holiday parties—we bring the lively atmosphere of our Off the Grid market experiences to every catered event. Curbside, inside or outside, we curate moments that are as diverse and thoughtful as the local, small food businesses we work with.

www.offthegrid.com

Tonic Beverage Catering

From humble beginnings in a questionable garage to our position as an independent brand within a highly regarded hospitality group, our team has put in the literal blood, sweat and tears to make Tonic what it is today. We produce hundreds of events per year across the Bay Area and Beyond from the most intimate gathering to the grandest experience.

www.tonicbeveragecatering.com

DJs/Music

DJ Airsun

It’s not a party if people don’t dance. DJ Airsun has been putting people in the mood to groove at private parties, events and clubs since 2011. Airsun’s experience spinning for diverse groups with different tastes means the dancing at weddings and private parties is always a blast and always curated for the people of the hour.

www.djairsun.com

Denon & Doyle

While there is no secret formula to our success, there is something special about the way we approach each event. There is a fusion of tradition and innovation, experience and youth, charisma and calm, that exists at D&D.

www.djay.com

Gatsby Event Studios

An elevated level of production focused events with all the great entertainment services you know and love.

www.gatsbyeventstudios.com

Photographers

Kevin Meynell Photography

Kevin Meynell is a good friend and a trustworthy event partner. He has an innate ability to make you smile and ensure “you” shine through.

And he’s a damn good guy.

www.kevinmeynell.com

Misti Layne

Misti and I have crossed paths at a number of events and her charm and charisma behind the camera always puts me at ease.

www.mistilayne.com

The Vanity Portrait Studio

I always feel like a ROCKSTAR anytime The Vanity Portrait Studio takes my photo and you will too.

www.thevanityportraitstudio.com

The AMAZING Bay Area Holiday Guide 2022: DJs/music

DJs / Music

DJ Airsun

It’s not a party if people don’t dance. DJ Airsun has been putting people in the mood to groove at private parties, events and clubs since 2011. Airsun’s experience spinning for diverse groups with different tastes means the dancing at weddings and private parties is always a blast and always curated for the people of the hour.

www.djairsun.com

Denon & Doyle

While there is no secret formula to our success, there is something special about the way we approach each event. There is a fusion of tradition and innovation, experience and youth, charisma and calm, that exists at D&D.

www.djay.com

Gatsby Event Studios

An elevated level of production focused events with all the great entertainment services you know and love.

www.gatsbyeventstudios.com

The AMAZING Bay Area Holiday Guide 2022: Catering

Catering

Carrie Dove Catering & Event

Our mission is simply stated – “to work hard to create comfortably elegant events in partnership with our clients”.

From your first inquiry to your last bite everyone you meet from Carrie Dove Catering & Events will exemplify hard work, humility, happiness, team work and a good attitude.

www.carriedovecatering.com

Day Darmet

Day Darmet provides a catering experience with a tailored handheld feel.

From client meetings, product launches, all day conferences, and more… we create menus to fit your exact catering needs providing end to end customer service.

www.daydarmet.com

Hugh Groman Group

Call us saucy, but we think gatherings should be fun–fun for guests and fun for the people who host them. Comfortable. Easy. Surprising. Delicious. You could say we are full-service caterers and event planners. Or, you could say we make magic happen. Let us delight you.

www.thehughgromangroup.com

Off The Grid

From outdoor office lunches or team happy hours to corporate holiday parties—we bring the lively atmosphere of our Off the Grid market experiences to every catered event. Curbside, inside or outside, we curate moments that are as diverse and thoughtful as the local, small food businesses we work with.

www.offthegrid.com

Tonic Bererage Catering

From humble beginnings in a questionable garage to our position as an independent brand within a highly regarded hospitality group, our team has put in the literal blood, sweat and tears to make Tonic what it is today. We produce hundreds of events per year across the Bay Area and Beyond from the most intimate gathering to the grandest experience.

www.tonicbeveragecatering.com

The AMAZING Bay Area Holiday Guide 2022: Venues

Venues

The Battery

I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with The Battery since the beginning. First, I was booked to perform at their opening night and I have been the Resident Magician there since 2015, entertaining members and guests in The Musto Bar.

The Battery features a wide variety of event spaces, both indoor and outdoor, as well as hotel suites. The Penthouse is a great place to host an event with stunning views of downtown San Francisco.

It’s one of my favorite places to visit.

www.thebatterysf.com

The Bridgeyard

Formally a maintenance facility for the Bay Area’s ubiquitous street cars , The Bridgeyard is now a dedicated event space with panoramic views of Oakland and San Francisco it’s a “blank canvas” waiting for you add your vision.

Having visited countless event spaces, The Bridgeyard is a breath of fresh air.

www.thebridgeyard.com

Claremont Club & Spa

What can you say about The Claremont Club & Spa.

Stunning. Iconic. Historic resort charm in the heart of Berkeley with sprawling spaces and incredible attention to detail everywhere you look.

And I hear they have an amazing magic show happening there every month!

www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley

Odette Estate Winery

Odette Estate Winery is run by my friends at PlumpJack Group and their hospitality is second to none.

If you’re looking for a venue in Napa to host your holiday event you can’t go wrong with Odette Estate Winery.

www.odetteestate.com

Press Club

One of the first planners I met when I arrived in the Bay Area was Ashley Guillory and we ended up working a handful of events together. Ashley is now Director of Private Events at Press Club, a sophisticated and social wine bar in the heart of downtown San Francisco. If your group enjoys seasonal small plates and thoughtful pairings, Press Club is your spot.

www.pressclubsf.com

Pinch me, I'm dreaming

Wanted to share some exciting news...

Last night, after 15 months of virtual performances, I had my FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT! An intimate company team building dinner at Taplin Cellars, the oldest family owned vineyard in Napa.

The entertainment portion of the evening was a surprise for the team, so the folks at Taplin put me up in their cottage which doubled as a greenroom. After a fantastic meal prepared by The French Laundry, I was introduced and performed al fresco overlooking the vineyard.

What a joy to be back!

Cottage Inside copy.jpg
Meal.jpg
Taplin Event Space.jpg

Is this the end of virtual performances?

Well, only time will tell. But calls are coming in fast-and-furious for in-person events and it's looking good.

That's all for now. Be well.

Ideal Private Venue

This past weekend, I was invited to be a "surprise guest" at someone's 40th birthday party. The venue was a lovely, modern home in the Potrero Hill section of San Francisco, owned by a friend of the guest-of-honor.

San Francisco Magician

I arrived well after the party began and mingled with guests on the roof deck. Then we moved to the second floor living room to read some minds

San Francisco Mind Reader Dennis Kyriakos

San Francisco Mind Reader Dennis Kyriakos

One of the most comfortable homes and gracious host and hostess. The perfect mix for a perfect evening entertainment.

The Gotham Club
The Gotham Club

One of my favorite corporate holiday events took place at The Gotham Club.

Located inside the out-of-town scoreboard -- that's right, INSIDE THE SCOREBOARD! -- at AT&T Park, The Gotham Club is an elegantly appointed bar and private dining area. 

Members gain easy access to the Club via a private entrance and are directly connected to The Bullpen. There's also a secret game room, with a billiard table and bowling alley.

The Gotham Club is members-only and you can learn more here. Can't wait to visit again!

Thanks to Rosecrest Special Events for having me there.

Family House FANGtastic Halloween Gala

Saturday, October 29th, we entertained in the VIP Cocktail Reception for Family House's FANGtastic Halloween Gala.

The event took place in the penthouse of The Fairmont, in San Francisco. It was my first time at The Fairmont, which is now one of my favorite venues. The Penthouse offers an amazing view of downtown San Francisco from it's large patio.

There are multiple bedrooms and baths, spacious dining and living rooms, a billiard room. and a cylindrical, two-story library with a history and secrets all it's own.

One of the bookcases is actually a hidden door that leads to the roof. My hostess told me a couple of stories about two former presidents who used that door in very different ways. I'll tell you about it sometime.

There is also one new secret the library now holds -- a pack of cards set for a miracle on my next visit. 

Ken Fulk's Magical World

On Thursday, October 20th, we were invited to entertain at a book release party for Ken Fulk's Magical World.

The event took place in the lobby and penthouse of The Harrison -- a new luxury condominium in the SoMa district of San Francisco. Interiors where designed in inimitable Ken Fulk-style. We mingled and shared magic with San Francisco's elite.

Have a look at photos here.