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

Master of Avian Illusion

Dan Birch

World Comedy Magic Champion

Michael Finney

King of Smooth

Paul Vigil

Master of Mystique

Steve Branham

Swashbuckling Magic

Ace Miles

Magicians of the Year

Kalin & Jinger

Clown Prince of Magic

Roman Spinale

Comedy Magician of the Year

Larry Wilson

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

Master of Avian Illusion

Dan Birch

Dan Birch is an internationally acclaimed award winning Magician and Magical Inventor. His work as a dove magician has earned him accolades from the Academy of Magical Arts in Los Angeles. He is a regularly headlining performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, whose founder, the late Bill Larsen, once said that, “Dan is the finest dove magician in the world!”

Dan also travels with a large-scale illusion show, and performs strolling close-up magic at private events throughout the United States.  His work as an illusion designer sets Dan apart from other magicians, having designed magic apparatus for TV shows such as Columbo, Quantum Leap, and most recently for magician David Copperfield. 

Country:

Country:USA

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

He has been practicing the art of magic since the age of five, and ten years later Paul undertook the challenge of becoming a professional performer. Within a further year Paul had become one of the most in-demand performers in his native Salt Lake City.

Magic’s favorite city soon called for Paul to join the ranks of the industry’s leaders, and in 2002 Paul moved to Las Vegas. He soon established himself as one of the finest performers the city has to offer.

Alongside a full and demanding performance career, Paul’s creative contributions have not gone unnoticed by his peers. A multiple-time nominee and winner of the “Magic Trick of the Year Award,” he has been invited to present his theories, ideas, and concepts to other performers in his noted lectures and seminars all over the world.

With numerous performances at every major Las Vegas casino, full-house shows at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and private performances for Nobel Laureates and fortune 500 CEOs, he is ready to bring his unique type of wonder and astonishment to sophisticated audiences the world over.

After graduating high school, Paul attended Utah State University on the “Minority Leadership Award Scholarship” and “All American Academic Scholarship” for a number of years. He then became the recipient of the “Botanical Preservation Corp. Scholarship,” which led him to study the ethno-pharmacology and magic used throughout history, which Paul has continued to study and combine with his theatrical performances.

Country:CANADA

Master of Mystique

Steve Branham

Steve has been performing for over 20 years and has worked with many of the biggest names in magic. Superstar David Copperfield considers Steve his “go-to” guy when he really needs to be sure he has a magician on hand who can deliver the goods. Steve’s superb sleight of hand and creative, brilliant tricks reflect his encyclopedic knowledge of the world of magic. If it’s magic, Steve knows about it. This, no doubt, is probably the reason he won the Gold Medal as Close Up Magician of the Year 3 years in a row from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, one of the largest magical organizations in the world. (Steve also won a Gold Medal from IBM as Stage Magician of the Year two years in a row, but, who’s counting?) His unique blend of comedy and award winning magic will have you laughing and shaking your head in disbelief. Steve is definitely a magician you don’t want to miss.

Country:USA

Swashbuckling Magic

Ace Miles

Performing as his alter-ego, Capt. Jack Spareribs, Ace has proved himself a master entertainer.  Ace Miles has been performing magic professionally since 1976. His career began with performances for corporate parties and picnics in the Silicon Valley.

In the early 80’s Ace won First Place in the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians competition for Stage Magic. More recently he was voted “Best of the Bay” seven years in a row.

Over the years Ace has been seen in numerous television spots and commercials for companies like Toyota and appearances on the Disney Channel, Mornings on 2 and the A&E network’s Good Time Cafe with Ellen DeGeneres as well as the Science Channel on Oddities San Francisco.

Some of Ace’s strangest skills have involved lying on a bed of nails, eating fire, swallowing swords and razor blades, unicycle riding, stilt and rope walking and escaping from straightjackets.

Now he sticks to sleight of hand and mentalism.

Country:Treasure Island

Magicians of the Year

Kalin & Jinger

Kalin & Jinger were voted magic’s highest honor, Magicians of the

Year, by the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts—Hollywood’s Magic Castle.

Mark Kalin wanted to be a puppeteer until one day, at age 9, when he looked on
a shelf at the library and found a book on magic. “I enjoyed the puppets, but the
idea of magic really intrigued me. I tried to do a few tricks and found out it was
something that I could master”. Ten years later, as a young man, he was
recognized as one of the top magicians in the world. Kalin performed around the
globe, bringing his innovative routines to theaters, casinos and private events.
Jinger Leigh’s unique blend of elegance and theatricality have redefined the role
of the magician. A modern sorceress in a very ancient art, Jinger has earned fans
around the world and since 2013 was a featured magician in the touring show,
“The Illusionists.” Jinger Leigh became the first female magicians to star in The
Illusionists, and in 2016, the first and only female magician to appear onstage in
Broadway history. Most recently Jinger was invited to perform at FISM in Busan,
Korea, the world congress of magic, presenting her innovative illusion the “Mystic
Sphere.

In 2016 Kalin and Jinger completed a Broadway run with “The Illusionists Turn of the Century” at the famed Palace theater. The smash hit broke house records became the most successful magic show in Broadway history.Whether appearing on network television, within the framework of their own touring stage productions, or customizing an intimate night of magic for your private party or corporate event, Kalin and Jinger provide an evening of wit and charm, astonishing amazements and breathtaking illusions.

Country:USA

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

Comedy Magician of the Year

Larry Wilson

What can be said of Larry Wilson that has not already been said of cheese? Like the eponymous milk product, Larry improves with age. Much like a delightful Parmesan Reggiano he is nutty and many people find him both fresh and mature. (He has been known to have a sharp bite.) And, after a grilling he produces a tasty result that is acclaimed by one and all (except for those with an intolerance for lactose.) 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 everywhere are universally fondue of him.

:Country: MARS

 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.

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Libraries

Masters of Close-Up Magic - FREE!

Bob Sheets/Paul Vigil/Ace Miles/Steve Branham

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

  • Dayton Library – 11:30 am
  • Fallon Library – 1:00 pm
  • Sparks Library – 1:00 pm
  • Fernley Library – 1:00 pm
  • North Valleys Library – 2:00 pm

SUNDAY November 16th

  • Reno Public Market - 12:00 pm noon
  • Spanish Springs Library - 1:00 pm noon
  • Reno Public Market – 2:30 pm

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

100 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

The Gala Show - FREE!

International stars of magic Kalin & Jinger, Dan Birch, Michael Finney, 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
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 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

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