Posts from — July 2008

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA - Master Illusionist Criss Angel of popular A&E Television show fame “Mindfreak” survived a daring escape from the imploding Spyglass Hotel on Clearwater Beach.

The stunt has been in works for months and the grand event was held yesterday evening as thousands watched from the beach. Angel said before the event, “It is going to be one of the biggest, baddest, craziest escapes I have ever done in my career.” Criss vowed to his mother to no longer perform life threatening tricks.

The stunt involved 450 sticks of dynamite, 4,500 tons of cement, hand cuffs, and a helicopter. He had 3 minutes and 30 seconds to exit before the dynamite leveled the building.

Angel says he chose Clearwater because no other city in the country would allow him to perform the dangerous stunt. “We’ve been looking for a building now for nine months, and no one would allow me to be in a building that would be imploding,” he said.

Good work Criss and to the Spyglass Hotel, you will be missed.

Here is a link to Bay News 9 wrap up of Criss Angel’s amazing escape from the implosion.

Here is a blog posting and video from Tampa Bay’s 10 Adam Vance, who was in the vicinity filming reporting from a helicopter.