The 11th Annual Spellbinders International Festival of Magic returns to Reno, Nevada, November 14th - 16th, with unbelievable, mind-boggling feats of magic taking place all over Northern Nevada, from the very biggest stage illusions to intimate close-up miracles, and everything in between. And it’s all FREE!

The Line-Up

Not just the usual suspects.

Your Crazy Uncle (if your Uncle actually had mind-blowing skills)

Bob Sheets

Gold Medal Glass Ceiling Breaker

Jade

World Comedy Magic Champion

Michael Finney

King of Smooth

Paul Vigil

Larry Image
Comedy Magician of the Year

Larry Wilson

Hollywood Magic

Jonathan Levit

The Hong Kong Sensation

Joshua Ng

Clown Prince of Magic

Roman Spinale

Yet to Be Announced

Mystery Performer

Your Crazy Uncle (if your Uncle actually had mind-blowing skills)

Bob Sheets

From the time he established himself at Marco’s Roman Lounge in the shadow of the Hotel Del Coronado through his tenure at the famed Tower Bar in Aspen straight through to founding the Brooke Farm Inn of Magic in Washington, D.C., Bob is the guy who dedicated himself to being the life of the party– any party (even if he has to throw it himself.) In the course of his adventures Bob developed a unique set of skills that allow him to work in very unorthodox situations that would stymie the average magician. His colleagues speak in reverent tones of Bob’s ability to take absolute control of any crowd effortlessly. His legendary Card Stab routine propelled him to First Place at the International Close Up Competition at London’s Palladium and he has never paused to look back. In recent years he has gained notoriety for his astounding presentation of the classic street swindle, the Three Shell Game.

Country: USA

Country:USA

Gold Medal Glass Ceiling Breaker

Jade

This exquisite beauty took the male-dominated world of magic by storm when she became the very first woman to ever win the coveted Gold Medal from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a prize they have awarded only a handful of times in the competition’s long history.

 She has received multiple awards for her performances here and abroad, including the Mandrake Award from France as well as the “Female Magician of the Year” award from the International Magicians Society in Las Vegas.

Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, Jade has delighted audiences in numerous appearances on international and American television, including CBS’ Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and CW Network’s TV show Penn and Teller: Fool us! She has performed on the stages of variety theaters around the world, on luxury cruise lines, and in casino revue shows in Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas.

Country: CHINA

Country:CHINA

World Comedy Magic Champion

Michael Finney

This powerful World Champion comedy-magician began his performing career right nearby (albeit, a few years ago) when he was chosen to star in “Riding High” at Del Webb’s High Sierra in Lake Tahoe. He honed his chops in that show for a year and then spread his wings and he hasn’t touched down since. In no time at all he became one of the most in-demand comedy-magicians, appearing in casinos, on cruise ships and comedy clubs all over the world. 

Along the way he picked up two Gold Medals from the Academy of Magical Arts, including Comedy Magician of the Year, and another for the World Comedy Magic Act of the Year at the Desert Magic Seminar. He appeared on NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magicians” and “World’s Wildest Magic,” and was seen recently on the CW network’s “Masters of Illusion.” 

But, that wasn’t quite enough. Michael wanted to give something back to all the people who had given him so much. So he founded The Michael Finney Foundation to raise money for children’s charities and support military veterans groups like Hope for the Veterans. To date, Michael’s foundation has contributed almost $1,000,000 to a variety of charitable causes.

Michael Finney is the archetypal Road Warrior of entertainment. He nevers stops giving back. He comes to us tonight after a successful tour of the Middle East where he was entertaining our troops in Kuwait as part of the Armed Forces Entertainment.

Country: USA

Country:USA

King of Smooth

Paul Vigil

Paul

Country: CANADA

Country:CANADA

Comedy Magician of the Year

Larry Wilson

What can be said about Larry Wilson that has not already been said about cheese? Like the eponymous milk product, Larry improves with age. Much like a delightful Parmesan Reggiano he is nutty and can be found both fresh and mature. (He has been known to have a sharp bite.) And, after a grilling he produces a result that is acclaimed by one and all (unless lactose intolerant.) He can be enjoyed at almost any time of day, with or without accoutrements. Larry’s performance, like a fine Pecorino, is smooth and pleasing, and audiences are universally fondue of him.

Country:MARS

Hollywood Magic

Jonathan Levit

You’ve seen him on the big screen and the small screen.

Country: USA

Country:USA

The Hong Kong Sensation

Joshua Ng

There’s a reason they call him the Hong Kong Sensation–

Country: China

Country:CHINA

Clown Prince of Magic

Roman Spinale

For the past two decades Roman Spinale has been sharing his brand of magic and humor across the world. He has been featured on CBS television, San Francisco’s Edwardian Ball, and in 2014 held the coveted honor of being the first resident magician at the world renowned and three Michelin starred Ristorante Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, Italy. Back in America, Roman gained a reputation as one of the Bay Area’s premier underground close-up magicians during his years as the house conjuror at Curio Nightclub located in San Francisco’s Mission District. It was at Curio where Roman first began performing his own original magic creations which have now become a staple of his touring repertoire. Today Roman can be seen performing his brand of tiny miracles at colleges, corporate events, and private parties everywhere.

Country: ITALY

ITALY

Country:ITALY

Yet to Be Announced

Mystery Performer

Keep checking back here because we’re adding new spectacular performers every day!

 All acts may be subject to change without notice.

Black Hat Image

The Where & When

Why? Because it's free, and it's magic.

These World Champions of Magic will be appearing at the following libraries in SIX different counties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. PLEASE NOTE: Showtimes are different at each library. Be sure to arrive early so you can get the best FREE seat.

  8  5
Days
:
 
  1  9
Hours
:
 
  1  6
Minutes
:
 
  4  2
Seconds

You missed out!


Libraries

Masters of Close-Up Magic - FREE!

Blake Vogt/Allan Ackerman/Roman Spinale

These World Champions of Magic will be appearing at the following libraries in SIX different counties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. PLEASE NOTE: Showtimes are different at each library. Be sure to arrive early so you can get the best FREE seat.

FRIDAY November 14th

  • Pershing County Library – 1:00 pm
  • Incline Library – 3:30 pm
  • Duncan Traner Library – 4:00 pm
  • Minden Library – 5:00 pm
  • Sierra View Library – 5:00 pm
  • South Valleys Library – 5:00 pm
  • Northwest Reno Library – 5:00 pm

SATURDAY November 15th

  • Sparks Library – 1:00 pm
  • Fernley Library – 1:00 pm
  • North Valleys Library – 2:00 pm

SUNDAY November 16th

  • Spanish Springs Library – 12:00 noon
  • Downtown Reno Library – 1:00 pm

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

100 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

The Gala Show - FREE!

International stars of magic Rudy Coby, Jade, Michael Finney, Christopher Hart, The Flying Cavettis and Larry Wilson will appear at 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are available for free at a Washoe County Library near you. Just ask for them (in a whisper.) 

SATURDAY November 15th

  • Saturday – 3:00 pm Matinee
  • Saturday – 7:00 pm Evening
Erni Logo

 Support The Arts!

Spellbinders is brought to you by Education Renaissance of Nevada Initiative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Feel free to make a donation HERE knowing that you are helping their mission to bring the arts and sciences to Northern Nevada. (Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.) Learn more at nevadashines.org

Our Partners

Spellbinders is made possible, in part, by the generous support of all of our partners. Please show them your appreciation by supporting them in turn. Together we make Nevada shine.


Join here to get the word first! 

It's free and you'll get the latest info about SPELLBINDERS before it ever goes public!

* indicates required

©2025 The Education Renaissance of Nevada Initiative