On January 8th 2017 we lost an amazing man and an equally amazing talent in magic . As readers will be aware Michael was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer last October . He and his wife Melanie began to battle the disease but the cancer progressed faster than anticpated . On Sunday , January 8th , his physical journey finally came to an end at 4:02pm ( PST ). He is survived by his wife , Melanie Giles , his son Tylor Giles and his grandson Zackary . Michael was 56 .

As a tribute to Michael I will be leaving the two editions of VANISH he appeared in FREE for everybody to read and find out what a wonderful and caring artist he was .

Visit www . vanishmagazine . com to read those back copies .

The following was the introduction to one of those articles by Chipper Lowell , and I wanted to share it here again ....

" The audience is mesmerized . Completely . Before them , stands a master illusionist slowly circling his beautiful partner onstage who just happens to be delicately balanced atop a large harp . There are no visible means of support , and yet there she is . Floating . Suspended

It ’ s easy for a photographer to capture ‘ moments ’ like these in Michael Giles ’ act . It lends itself well to still images because Michael frames his routines like a pro . There is a definite personality that pushes through where the illusions themselves become secondary , and a sincere passion for the craft that is displayed by both Michael , and his onstage partner and wife , Melanie Giles .

I ’ ve known Michael for many years now and have always valued him as a true friend , with a remarkable capacity for caring and wanting to do the right thing . That stuff can ’ t be taught . It ’ s just inherently Michael . He is the type of person that once he puts his mind to something , he just doesn ’ t give up . I greatly admire that quality about him , along with his loyalty , friendship , and his seemingly never-ending set of work skills , covering occupations ranging from performing to carpentry , illusion building to graphic design , and more . Much more . ..." Chipper Lowell

We just learned today and are excited to share with our members that the AMA / Magic Castle ' s own general manager and friend , Joe Furlow , will be honored with an Excellence in Club Management ( r ) Award in 2017 . We hope you will all join the Boards in congratulating Joe on receiving the prestigious Mel Rex Award , one of three , annual award categories which recognize extraordinary industry contributions and private club management by the experts in the country .

Joe will be honored here at the Magic Castle on a date in the new year ( to be announced ) and again at the 2017 Club Managers Association of America World Conference , Feb . 7-11 , in Orlando , Fla ., where a special dinner / reception will be held to honor the winners .

The AMA Board nominated Joe in recognition of his contributions over the past five years in club-wide improvements . At the time that Joe came to our club , we felt fortunate to have this talented professional working at the AMA , and to benefit from his experience . Needless to say , the AMA is a one of a kind organization , with a very special mixture of interests , services , and needs . We are always reminded that no mere " cookie cutter " formulas for private clubs will ever work at our club .

12 VANISH Magazine www . VanishMagazine . com