Las Vegas with Fantasma Magic
and "The Legends of Magic"

Anyone who has ever competed in anything, knows the time, money, dedication, sweat, practice, practice, practice, (well, you get the picture) that goes into competing. Well, in July 2004, that all paid off.

I'm talking about when I won the Junior stage competition at the International Brotherhood of Magicians convention which was held in Cleveland. Competing at the IBM was by far the most rewarding experience I have ever had. You work hard. Practice, what feels like, “way too much” sometimes. And then you are in front of the most notable magicians in the world. You do your best. People are clapping. And then they call the winners. Mom was back stage. Roger Dreyer, the CEO of Fantasma Magic told Mom, that the “Great Spirit” must be watching over me. And then they announced, “And the first place winner is ---- Dakota Rose.” I couldn’t believe it. Everything I had worked so hard for, finally paid off. Not only did I win one of the most prestigious awards a youth can win, the International Brotherhood of Magicians competition but I also won the Fantasma Magical Prize Package. I got a huge trophy from IBM and the absolutely most beautiful crystal trophy I have ever seen, designed by Victor Trabucco from Fantasma Magic.

Fantasma Magical Prize Package, Crystal Trophy designed be Victor Trabucco, IBM first place trophy

Part of the Fantasma Magical Prize Package was a trip to New York City. Mom got a call from Roger Dreyer in December. Roger said we could have a choice of going to New York City and play with Simon Lovell and the Fantasma Team or go to Las Vegas and play with the most notable magicians in the world and Simon Lovell and the Fantasma Team. Well, Mom chose door number 2. Roger told her not to tell me just yet. He wanted to surprise me for my birthday. My 13th Birthday was the next day. That morning, I opened up a Birthday card from Roger Dreyer. It had a brochure of a banquet being held in honor of Johnny Thompson and the card said “See you in Vegas this weekend.” Talk about a jaw dropper. It was really hard being in school that day.

The plane landed in Las Vegas. “Let the fun begin.” We were booked at the Mirage. Wow. What an incredibly beautiful hotel. Especially at Christmas time. The most beautiful Holiday decorations I have ever seen. When we checked in, the girl at the counter said “You have a package at the Bell Desk from Seigfried. “What? Seigfried left ME a package?” He gave us passes to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and an 8x10 signed photo from both of them. Our room overlooked the Secret Garden and the Dolphin Habitat. Just too beautiful to describe.

Decorations at the Mirage Hotel. Incredible!!!

A couple of hours later, we were VIP guests at the Steve Wyrick Show. We sat with the Fantasma Team. What an incredible show. Really, really big illusions. He had me laughing so hard at times, I had tears in my eyes. Steve Wyrick even said my name in one of his acts during his show. Another jaw dropper. I was very honored.

Steve Wyrick and Dakota Rose

The Fantasma Team:
Top - left to right:
Angelo Carbone- Magic Inventor for Fantasma Magic
Sarah Hendee
Jake Sammaripa - manager of FAO Schwarz Las Vegas
Dakota Rose
Sara Novetsky
Katie Roberts - Artist and Designer for Fantasma Magic.
Bottom:
(?)
Tim Carlson - magician for FAO Schwarz
Roger Dreyer - CEO of Fantasma Magic
Simon Lovell - Consultant for Fantasma Magic

Next morning, I was at FAO Schwarz picking out any toys I wanted. The whole FAO Schwarz crew treated me like I was a celebrity. They waited on me hand and foot. Anything I wanted, they got it for me. They stacked up my toys so I could look some more. What a great place. They have some of the most unique toys I have ever seen. It took a long time to finally get just the right ones. Of course, the Fantasma team was there also. Everyone there was making sure I was having a great time. Well, I couldn’t carry all of the toys out of the store, so Jake Sammaripa, the manager had all the toys delivered to the Mirage. Talk about service.

At FAO Schwarz with Simon Lovell. I had a great time with Simon. He's an incredible man and magician. I was always laughing when I was with him.

The gift cards I won.

Paying for my gifts.

I couldn't even carry all my toys. What a way to live!!!

Jake Sammaripa, the manager of FAO Schwarz had all the toys delivered to the Mirage.

Playing in the mirrors at FAO Schwarz.

That afternoon, we were suppose to be VIP guests at the Rick Thomas Show that afternoon, but I hurt my ankle. Mom said I needed to prop it up, pack it in ice, so I could be ready for the Johnny Thompson banquet that evening. Rick Thomas told me later that evening that he was going to call my name out during his show and have me stand up in the audience. Ohhh, I wish we could have made that.

Rick Thomas and Dakota Rose.
Rick Thomas' show is at the top of my list, next time I'm in Vegas. Everyone says, "If you only get to see one show, make sure it is Rick Thomas' show. I'll not miss it again.

Brochure designed by Katie Roberts of Fantasma Magic.

Well, just when you think things couldn’t get any better, we arrived at the banquet for Johnny Thomson. It was held in Jeff McBride’s Wonder Dome. What an incredible place. I’m not exaggerating when I say I was rubbing elbows with the most famous magicians in the world. It was standing room only. I think every magician in Las Vegas was there and magicians from all over the country came to honor Johnny Thompson. Siegfried, Lance Burton, Penn and Teller, Jay Marshall, Billy McComb, Simon Lovell, Kevin James, James Dimmare, Apollo, Chris Angel, The Amazing Johnathon, Rick Thomas, Todd Robbins. I could go on and on but I’ll run out of room.

Many of the magicians performed and then Roger Dreyer wanted me to present the award to Johnny Thompson. Well, there goes the heart pounding again. I think the highlight of that evening was when I borrowed a dove from James Dimmare (my absolute favorite dove magician) and used a silk that was given to him from Channing Pollock. This was really just too much. Roger introduced me as the winner of the IBM, I produced James Dimmare’s dove, and presented the award to Johnny Thompson. Certainly, a once in a lifetime opportunity. My head was spinning. I could hardly sleep that night.

James Dimmare and Dakota Rose
I couldn't believe that I got to use James Dimmare's dove and Channing Pollock's silk. I told my Mom that I would never wash my hands again. But she made me.
James Dimmare also showed me how he produces his doves. Believe me when I tell you, you couldn't even see his hands move. He was so fast. I've never seen dove productions that fast. WOW!!!

Chris Angel, Dakota Rose, Teller

Kevin James and Dakota Rose

Next morning, off to the Secret Garden. If you have never been there, you really need to go. Not just to see Siegfried and Roy’s majestic animals, but the music and scenery was so pretty and relaxing.

The Wishing Tree at the Secret Garden. Did I make a wish? Absolutely, but I'll never tell.

The Fountain of Youth at the Secret Garden. I thought Mom was going to take a bath in it!!!

The Secret Garden is an incredible experience.

I got a ton of magic from Fantasma Magic. Some of the coolest magic I've seen.

Well, back home to reality. Was this the end of this incredible experience? Not hardly. After all this, Fantasma Magic sent me a huge box of Fantasma magic. My favorites are the “Paranormal Deck” and “Legends of Magic”.

I really need to tell you about the "Legends of Magic". Not only is it an incredible beginners magic kit, but also, seasoned magicians would love the DVD inclosed. This DVD has old black and white video clips of the most famous magicians there ever has been. I really need to name them because it is just so awesome.

• 1. Channing Pollock doing incredible card manipulation.
• 2. Al Flosso doing his really funny Miser's Dream.
• 3. Harry Blackstone Sr
• 4. Kalanag doing one of the most incedible levitations I have ever seen.
• 5. Geoffrey Buckinham manipulating balls like I have never seen anyone ever do.
• 6. Aubrey doing an Illusion that I don't know what it is called.
• 7. Horace Goldin doing an Illusion that I don't know what it is called either.
• 8. Dai Vernon doing a beautiful Linking Ring routine.
• 9. Slydini doing his famous Paper Balls in Hat.
• 10. Houdini doing his infamous Straight Jacket escape dangling from a tall building.
  

  I've never seen magic like this nowadays. If you don't have this DVD, you need to get the "Legends of Magic" set. Fantasma has really gone above and beyond in putting this together. The set has some really great magic in it, over 250 magic pieces and live instructions from Simon Lovell. You can't go wrong with this. Fantasma truly has "Visionary Magic"!!!