One of our most popular magicians, Mike has taught our annual Magic Camp and has gotten rave reviews from his students. A standup comedian at heart, Mike approaches his craft with the more fun that you can imagine.

Mike even has an incredible assistant, Clara the Clarevoyant Duck, who has amazing powers even when blindfolded.

Have you ever said to yourself, "I have an itch to see a flea circus?" Well, you can now scratch that itch with Professor B's Flea Circus. Professor B has been training fleas from around the world for many years and has put together the most amazing congress of unusual acts you have ever seen.

We know there are skeptics out there who claim there is no such thing as a Flea Circus, but see for yourself or, better yet, bring a camera to prove to your friends that everything is as described.

The Eartha Kitt Fan Club -- Frank Biafore, one of the creative forces behind Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, is also the president of the Eartha Kitt Fan Club. His collection of Eartha Kitt memorabilia (over 5000 autographed items) are on display in his office at the Museum of Fun. Upon request he will show guests "The Happiest Place on Eartha". The incomparably, multi-talented Eartha Kitt passed away at the age of 81 on Christmas Day 2008, ironically linking her forever with her biggest hit record "Santa Baby".

"Creature Features" was the premier weekly horror TV show in Northern California starting in the 1970s. One of our museum's key contributors, Tom Wyrsch, was an avid fan and went on to create a documentary film titled "Watch Horror Movies - Keep America Strong." The host of Creature Features was Bob Wilkins, a deadpan comedian who warned viewers not to waste their time watching the terrible films on his show. This website has been established to honor him. Bob Wilkins passed away in January 2009.

For more than two years, Playland-Not-at-the-Beach guests have been dazzled by our resident magician - Magical Nathaniel, a teenager with amazing abilities to entertain. You can book Nathaniel for birthday parties and special events in the East Bay Area.

One of the highlights of our Houdini Magic Weekend was the opportunity to meet Ric and Kara and see their wonderful magic act. Audiences were enthralled with their slight of hand, escape from a strait jacket and the production of a magical white bunny. Ric and Kara are true professionals and their involvement of audience members in the act kept everyone in stitches. To book them for a party, their website is www.magic.rickara.com or to email them use magic@rickara.com.

Heather Rogers recently performed as part of our Houdini Magic Weekend, and she held the audience spellbound. Her style and technique involving every member of the audience are sensational. Trained in the San Francisco Mime Troupe and later the Pickle Family Circus, she is very well rounded. I am dying to see her quick change act and hear her motivational speaking. She is available for parties and events of all kinds. Her email is Heather@Heathermagic.com and her website is www.heathersmagic.com

Scott Alcalay was the very first magician to perform at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach -- way back at our Sneak Peek event in 2006. Ironically that day he created exquisite balloon animals for our many guests. We did not learn until later of his magical powers. Scott recently performed during our Houdini Magic Weekend and did an incredible job. He is also the current president of the Oakland Magic Circle. He would be great for any kind of an event. Visit www.ScottAlcalay.com or call (510) 851-4313 or (510) 357-2499

Sleight of Hand Artist - Frank Balzerak is a classically trained magician. With over thirty years of experience in his craft, Frank is a polished and skilled entertainer. He brings mystery, humor and joy to every performance. Let the magic and humor of The Art of Magic bring enchantment to your next event by experiencing the magic of Frank Balzerak.

Join Peter Kim's fascinating explorations of the mind in a performance combining an intriguing blend of intuition, psychology, suggestion, and illusion. Light on props, heavy on audience participation, Peter Kim's demonstrations will leave you and your friends talking about it long after the performance. A student of the mind for a decade, he has performed for venues ranging from the Hard Rock Cafe to the campus of Harvard University. For more information you can reach him at peterkimsmind@gmail.com.

Who is everyone's favorite face-painting, magical, loveable clown who also becomes a pirate, an Italian mother, and many other enchanting characters for children's birthdays and corporate events? It's none other than Budderball the Clown! Budderball has volunteered countless times at our non-profit museum, and kids from 2 to 102 just love her! If you want to liven up a party, just invite Budderball. She is also available in guise of other personas.

During our Grand Opening, among the face painting, magic, and clowns, these performers cast a lively shadow on all of us. Stilt Dancers helped us commemorate our Grand Opening in style and brought smiles to all of us.

To quote their site, "Our costumed dancers provide delightful walk around entertainment for corporate events, weddings, festivals and private events. From two stiltdancers up to a cast of a dozen stiltdancers for small gatherings up to parades and festivals, we're on top of it."

They sure were on top of it and they amazed young and old with their unique and wonderful antics. This is something well worth experiencing.

One of the joys of the Grand Opening of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach was the appearance of teenage dance sensation — Cheyenne! She volunteered her time to come to El Cerrito to entertain all the people who visited the Museum of Fun on its opening day. If you would like some truly unique entertainment at an event, Cheyenne is fantastic. She has a great presentation voice, incredible clogging skills, an incredibly radiant personality, and she brings her own stage and sound equipment too!

Lena Reynoso
Garret Bock
Schuyler Robertson
Alyssa Glass
Roman Muradov
Mary Patterson
Charlie Moran
Slimm Buick
Barry Barnes
Mylette Welch

If you're a fan of the old Playland at the Beach, you will remember the Balboa Theater, the local movie haunt. These days the theater is still rockin' and rollin' with top programming and a fondness for the history of the good old days in San Francisco. If you want a fun evening in the City, go to one of the local pizza palaces and then head over to the Balboa.

Located in Martinez, California Magic Dinner Theatre brings to the present the rich history of magic, one of the oldest of the performing arts. Patrons of this fine establishment feel welcomed by music from bygone eras playing on the doorstep. Stepping across the threshold is like crossing though a veil into another era; from greeters in gowns or tuxedos to the seats focused on the parlor stage, guests enjoy the care (and the fun) generated by the California Magic family.

The Musée Mécanique was a wonderful set of mechanical amusement devices and musical instruments at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. When Sutro's closed in the 1960s, another Musée Mécanique opened on the lower terrace under the Cliff House. Forced to relocate when the Cliff House closed, the Zelinksky family found a great new location on Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 45. You can still visit their Laughing Sal, the fortune tellers, and all the amazing collection of mechanical devices. Admission is FREE, and each machine runs on coins. If you are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area and you have enjoyed our Museum of Fun, you owe it to your family to also take them to the Musée Mécanique.

Balloons Galore, Party Supplies, Cake Decorating Items, Halloween Costumes, and much more!
10425 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 558-1604
Mon - Fri 9-7 Sat 9-6 Sun 10-5

"Keeping California Entertained"

Leasing-Sales-Service
Repairs of New & Old Games
Arcade Games, Pinball Machines & Jukeboxes

Dave (925) 825-4687 / Bob (925) 687-5115

"It is getting impossible to find a really good group of pinball machines to play. In Northern California fortunately we have the huge arcade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (with a Laughing Sal!), and three weekend shows a year that showcase the art and skills of pinball: Pin-a-Go-Go in Dixon, CA every spring, California Extreme in San Jose every summer, and Pacific Pinball Expo in Marin County every fall. But by far the most amazing, permanent pinball palace is the Lucky Juju in Alameda Lucky JuJu. Developed by Michael Schiess, Juju is the first step to a much larger enterprise, the Pacific Pinball Museum which will feature hundreds of machines and related art and science exhibits all focused on PINBALL."