The Magic is Back!
HalloweenMagic Returns to Take a Final Bow

Houston’s most sensational fundraising event and riotous tongue-in-cheek musical comedy review returns to the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center on November 1 , 2008 for its final performance.

Twenty years have passed since the event had its humble beginnings in 1988 as a series of dinner parties held to raise funds for HIV/AIDS organizations.  In 1991 the parties evolved into an evening cocktail party with table seating and the performance of an original show written by a group of the organizers.  The "Roxy Whorra Beaute Shoppe" was the first show that began an annual event that became one of the most popular fundraisers of the year. In 2004, Halloween Magic reached the 1 million dollar mark in funds distributed to area HIV/AIDS organizations.

This year Halloween Magic will honor Frank Staggs for his untiring support and dedication to improving the quality of life for so many in the GLBT community and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.  Staggs stated, "Volunteerism is a life value.   We are in a very important sense measured not by what we earn or do, but by what and how we give back to our fellow men and women, whether young or old, ill or enjoying community." Gilbert Perez, president of Halloween Magic added, "Honoring Frank Staggs was a unanimous choice by the Board of Directors. His work has enriched the lives of so many in our community."

Many of the original writers, cast and crew will reunite to bring the show to its final bow. Returning are the three central characters around whom the shows have been built for the past 10 productions.  Gilbert Perez, president of the Halloween Magic board, will once again bring the spicy Cuban spitfire Venezuela Maria Concepcion de Los Angeles Valdez Vallejo Gonzalez to life, along with Dr. Scott Sawyer who will resurrect Ida Lou Texas' favorite daughter Wanda June Smathers.  And organizers are thrilled to announce that Brad Smith will return from Los Angeles to play perhaps the dumbest blonde in the history of the world, Pleasure Nouveau.

"The writers are meeting and tossing around ideas. We want this year to be special since it will be our last," Perez stated.    "Not only will this be our last production, but it will also be the final event held at the Hornberger before the ballroom is demolished.  The Hornberger is really where our event came into its own. I look upon November 1 as the date when two old friends walk hand-in-hand into the sunset. It's going to be a difficult night -- but I'm so proud of what this organization has accomplished," Perez concluded. As in past years, the show will borrow a little from Broadway, a little from current events and loads from the Montrose GLBT community. Audiences can be assured to be treated to a production that will combine questionable singing, train-wreck dancing, biting satire and loads of laughter.

When asked about the significance of Halloween Magic to the community, Frank Staggs stated, "Over the years, hundreds of people have devoted days, months and even years to producing this event, and thousands have benefited from the fruits of their endeavors. The first and last shows of Halloween Magic in many ways serves as a set of bookends to an important era in the Houston GLBT community which has been galvanized by significant health issues affecting the women, men and youth of our community. In the 70s and early '80s we had a budding political community. Now, in this first decade of the 21^st Century, we add to that a host of organizations and structures that address not only politics, human equality and the health concerns of our community, but other concerns such GLBT youth, and other markers of a vibrant community like theater and the arts. Halloween Magic has been there all along the way and helped fund many of our most important organizations."

This year's event will benefit Legacy Community Health Services, Assist Hers, and Pet Patrol. In addition to the Saturday evening show there will be a silent auction, appetizers and beverages, and a private dinner for table sponsors of $5,000.  2008 promises to be another record setting year. Reserve your Table today!!!

Halloween Magic, Inc. is a volunteer based 501©3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise and distribute funds to nonprofit organizations whose primary focus is to provide services to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS living in the Greater Houston Area.

Copyright © 2002-2008 by Halloween Magic, Inc. All rights reserved.