Back from Boston

September 20, 2010

Boston panoramaThis photo is one of my new favorites. It may look small, but you MUST click it to view an amazing panoramic view of the gorgeous St. James room in Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. It was taken minutes before the doors opened to the public. As you can see, the mahogany walls and soaring window drapery provided the perfect backdrop for a classical magic performance.

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge brought his whole family to the show, and even assisted me on stage with “Think-a-Drink.” It was great to have a Boston hero in the audience.

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge

Both Chamber Magic® shows sold-out a couple of weeks in advance (75 seats per show), and I was flattered to receive such a warm welcome in a new city. A big “Thank You” to the staff at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Gilt City Boston, and Theatermania for making this visit such a success!

Several people have asked why I’m touring. There’s a good reason. My home base in NYC, the Waldorf-Astoria, hosts the United Nations delegates every year for two weeks, during the UN General Assembly.

This is going on right now.

Security in midtown is extremely high during these two weeks, and all guests entering the Waldorf Towers must pass through a metal detector. It would be virtually impossible to run my weekly shows with any semblance of normalcy, so we have mutually agreed to go dark during the UNGA each year.

Which makes life interesting, and allows me to hit the road.

Here are some more Boston photos:

Steve and Fairmont

Every US President since William Howard Taft has stayed in the Copley Plaza hotel since it opened in 1912.

Fairmont ceilingThis is a view of the gorgeous gold leaf hallway leading to my showroom.

Fairmont lobbyThe hotel lobby at the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

Fairmont signThe distinct red awnings outside the hotel stand out brightly on mornings with grey skies.

Steve and dogCatie Copley the black lab lives in the lobby of the Copley Plaza hotel, and is very famous (she even has a book written about her life). She’s absolutely lovely, and is the Canine Ambassador of the hotel.

This is straight from the hotel website. (It’s a VERY nice amenity that I’ve never seen at any other hotel!):

For guests who miss canine companionship when traveling, the Fairmont Copley Plaza offers its Canine Ambassador program. This unique amenity provides the warm and friendly services of Catie Copley, a eight-year old black Labrador retriever originally trained as a guide dog, to guests. In her position as Canine Ambassador, Catie accompanies guests on walks and runs throughout the city, greets guests, visits during meeting breaks upon request and is a community liaison with participation in several neighborhood and charitable events.

Catie Copley is stationed near the St. James entrance where she relaxes between walks in her cozy bed. Our concierge maintains an appointment book where guest can schedule walks or runs with her. When guests take Catie for a walk around the city, they receive a walk pack that includes a booklet highlighting Catie’s favorite Boston walks, as well as the commands that she knows and a biscuit for a walk well done.

Catie even has her own business cards and e-mail address. Guests may write to Catie at catie.copley@fairmont.com

I’m looking forward to returning to Boston sometime in the future, and hope to stay in touch with many new friends I made during this brief but thoroughly enjoyable visit.