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David Parr V.I.P. 898 Posts |
Hello, folks. I've been working for months now with a group that is trying to save a piece of magic history and Chicago history that's on the edge of destruction. If you value our history, please give this your attention:
SAVE SCHULIEN'S The building at 1800 Halsted that was known as Schulien's saloon is in danger of being demolished. For over four decades, Matt Schulien, the father of the Chicago style of magic, entertained customers here with his boisterous personality, his love of fun and harmless pranks, and his wonderful magic. All were equal in amazement: celebrities, politicians, neighborhood regulars, and the many magicians who flocked to the saloon to be near Matt. Harry Blackstone Sr. wrote, "Never shall I forget the many happy hours spent in Matt's place at Halsted and 18th Street." This building, which still looks like it did when Schulien's was in full swing, is one of the few remaining tokens of our past. It is now on the official list of Most Endangered Historic Sites in Illinois. Let's not let it be taken away without a fight. Alderman Michele Smith is on our side in this struggle. Write a message to her assistant Matthew Allee — Matthew@ward43.org — to tell them what this historic site means to you and how they should urge the developer to keep the building intact. Remember to use respectful language. The alderman wants what we want; it's the developer who has be persuaded that the site is significant and should be preserved. For more info, see this article, which includes an interview with me, on the DNAinfo Chicago site: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140407/......l-legacy Help save this important part of our cultural history! If you have any questions, contact me at david(at)davidparr.com |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I'm sure both Danny and Patrick will chime in about this. They have both performed there. Very sad. Hope it's saved....
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Nobody wants to hear my opinion about it. You will be disappointed. Good luck with it.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 10, 2014, Dannydoyle wrote: ? |
David Parr V.I.P. 898 Posts |
The building that is in danger of being demolished is the original home of Schulien's. The saloon moved to its last location, the one most of us are familiar with, in 1949.
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patrick flanagan Inner circle lisle, illinois 1045 Posts |
Christopher,
I never had the chance to work there, but I know many who did. While I haven't read the whole article, my take on preserving buildings is, if the building no longer provides the atmosphere of the memory which is trying to be preserved....what's the purpose? I mean, I could see fighting to save the building if there was still a bar there where magic was being performed on a regular basis. Or, if someone decided this would be an amazing location to house a museum dedicated to closeup/bar magic which was so popular in Chicago. Otherwise, it's just a building that has very little relevance today. When I started in magic around 1980, there were 5 bars in the Chicago area dedicated to presenting magic. They were magic bars. People went there specifically to see magic. Also, there were many, many other locations that had magician bartenders but would not be classified as a Magic Bar. My point is, anyone younger than 50 years old (in the Chicagoland area) probably has never entered a "Magic Bar". So, what are we trying to save? Then again, maybe I should've read the whole article before posting....lol patrick |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Pretty much my feelings exactly.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
MJE Elite user After all these years,I STILL have only 409 Posts |
I'm sure that there are many great memories of the place, but the plan does look promising. The statements about the building being "common brick," and "just old" may not be far off the mark. It's hard to let go of the past, though.
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David Parr V.I.P. 898 Posts |
What I'm working to save is the history of Chicago magic. History seems abstract when it's just words in a book. But when you can go there, see the place, it becomes tangible and real. The building looks almost exactly as it did when Matt worked there. When I stand in front of that building, the past comes to life in a way that's different from just looking at old photos. I'm sure there are many people in the city who have never heard of Matt Schulien, but preserving this building provides a way to educate people about who he was, what he did, and what that means in an evolving art form. I can't count how many times I've read a historical marker on a building, then gone home and looked it up on the Internet and my horizons were expanded. The other people involved in this effort are working to save the character of the neighborhood and of the city. When my friends visit from out of town, they often remark on how much they like the way the city feels, the different architectural styles, the sense of place that is unique to Chicago. A crappy generic modern strip-mall building isn't gonna enhance the character of the city. It will help it to erode until the city looks like one big Gap store.
In other words, I and the other people involved in this effort value the past for what it can give us today — a sense of place, of character, and a tangible path to understanding where we came from. In my view, that is not irrelevant. That is worth preserving. |
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 14, 2014, Dannydoyle wrote: Wonder if you had the same feelings when working there and earning dosh?
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I never worked at Halsted. NOBODY ALIVE TODAY worked there most likely. It has not been "Schuliens" since 1955.
Nobody has a sense of character because of the place. That is simply not true. You can not have progress by clinging to remnants of the past.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 5, 2014, Dannydoyle wrote: Yeah okay. I'll change my close-up set of chop cup, coins to glass, egg bag, Devano rising cards and card to wallet. After all, these are all tricks from the past and clearly I'll never progress. And whilst were about it, let us all start a petition to close down museums; and ban history from being taught in schools.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Is that what I said? Funny I don't think so. You go from no wanting a building torn down that you most likely never set a foot in to acting as if I insulted your act.
Hey here is an idea. You guys who never worked at any Schuliens yet still somehow feel a connection BUY IT and do what you like with it. Everybody wins. Oh and what was the building prior to and after being Schuliens?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
MJE Elite user After all these years,I STILL have only 409 Posts |
I read the article again and still can't understand what the big deal is. I'm all for the preservation of historic sites and buildings, but this place just doesn't seem to have much going for it.
Is there anything relative to Schulien's in or on the building? Are there artifacts that can be moved to a museum? Surely there is at least one museum on Chicago history. If not, I'm sure there is an Illinois museum that contains much on Chicago. If there's nothing of those days left, what's being preserved? It appears to be an architecturally uninteresting place that is just, plain old. Without a good plan for the site, there's no point in destroying it, but it looks like there is a plan. On the other hand, I always admire those who take action, so I wish Mr. Parr well. Fight the good fight! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
David already in a huge way does a lot to preserve these traditions. If you have not seen his show I encourage you to do so. More than a building this is how things are preserved.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
MJE Elite user After all these years,I STILL have only 409 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 6, 2014, Dannydoyle wrote: I had no idea. Your note encouraged me to find out more. Based on the avatar here, I figured he was one of those heavily made-up young guys who I was born too early to be one of. Oh, and I've tried many times to upload one for myself and it never works. Too big; too small; to something. So, I just went to his site. Very interesting stuff! I'm sure that as a long-time MAGIC subscriber, I've read some of his work. The name just didn't kick in. I'm sure I'd enjoy the "Visions of Poe" show, and the Cabaret looks like a blast! I have no immediate plans to visit Chicago, but next time it happens, I will certainly make a point of finding his show (if he's in town). Thanks for pointing me in his direction! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Yeah sir not just you but anyone needless to say.
See to me that is how we preserve things. Not with buildings.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
That's why Europe is so much more charming and interesting, they have more respect for the past. So many wonderful building in this country have been torn down.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
In England we have a 'listing' system. Anything of architectural and/or historical value will be either Grade 1 or Grade 2 listed. Try bulldozing them and you run into all sorts of problems.
I think Danny has a point, however. I just don't see it as an either/or matter. |
Tim Cavendish Inner circle 1404 Posts |
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