The 10th Annual Spellbinders International Festival of Magic returns to Reno, Nevada, November 15th - 17th, 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.

The Coolest Magician on Earth

Rudy Coby

Gold Medal Glass Ceiling Breaker

Jade

World Comedy Magic Champion

Michael Finney

Movie Star Magician

Christopher Hart

Larry Image
Comedy Magician of the Year

Larry Wilson

Master of New Media Magic

Blake Vogt

The Hong Kong Sensation

Joshua Ng

Professor Emeritus of Magic

Allan Ackerman

Clown Prince of Magic

Roman Spinale

Yet to Be Announced

Mystery Performer

The Coolest Magician on Earth

Rudy Coby

RUDY COBY, also known as “Labman”, is an American comedic magician. He is known for delivering eclectic and original comedic performances, of which stage magic plays a large part. He is best known for playing his alter ego, “Labman,” a scientist who performs amazing deeds. Labman was earlier featured as a comic book character made up by Coby, and the act revolves around a four-legged Labman and the crazy antics that come along trying to become a man with two legs.

In the mid-1990s, Coby and his troupe of illusionist comrades performed in the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit for an unprecedented thirteen weeks thanks to the cult following, and radio support. Coby’s TV specials and live performances often feature several characters, including his robotic female assistant, Nikki Terminator, his sidekick, Atom, and others. Two TV specials were filmed, in 1995 and 1996.

After a hiatus of 14 years, Coby returned to performing in 2009, including a well-received twelve week run between June 13 – September 7 at the Galaxy Theater, Valleyfair, a theme park in Minneapolis, MN.

Since doing the TV shows, Coby published several comics featuring the enigmatic hero. Coby’s ‘four legs’ act is said to have inspired the director of the French film, Delicatessen, to include a multi-legged hero in the film after reportedly seeing him on Patrick Sebastien’s early show, “Sebastien, c’est Fou!”. Coby also contributed sections of “Labman” material to Gladiators 2000, a children’s version of American Gladiators, in 1995

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

Movie Star Magician

Christopher Hart

Christopher (or, to be more precise, his hand) played the role of Thing in both Addams Family movies because he has the world’s most expressive (and talented) hands. You might say it was the role he was born to play. Just wait until you see what those hands can do! It’s like watching a ballet of fingers. And it’s not just our opinion. The Academy of Magical Arts voted Christopher Stage Magician of the Year. Twice.

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

Master of New Media Magic

Blake Vogt

Blake Vogt is the future of magic. No more top hats or bunny rabbits. Blake is now here with his completely new and modern take on what it is to be a magician. Right out of school he created magic for magicians David Copperfield and David Blaine, and now he is performing his own creations himself. As an inventor of magic, the illusions you will see on stage with him you will not see anywhere else in the world. Blake loves to weave funny and inspiring stories into his magic as well as incredible twists that will cause you to leave the show questioning what you thought was possible. You might recognize Blake from his entertaining appearances on America’s Got Talent, Penn and Teller’s Fool Us, and most recently on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Blake also has leant his magic expertise to movies in Hollywood including the Now You See Me movies and most recently he acted along side Paul Rudd in the Marvel action movie: Ant Man and the Wasp. Come see Blake’s unique style of magic if you want to feel like a kid again and remember what it feels like to believe in magic.

Country: USA

Country:USA

The Hong Kong Sensation

Joshua Ng

“Personal” is the perfect word to describe Joshua’s magic, as he performs classic magic with a modern twist. He captivates his audience with his nonchalant charisma, unparalleled techniques, and most importantly, a profound personal connection with his audience. His magic is truly, as most would say, “crazy!”

Joshua has earned the sobriquet “The Hong Kong Sensation” (and it’s not just because Americans aren’t sure how to pronounce his last name.)

After seeing a friend in high school blow his mind with a card trick in high school, Joshua plunged himself into a relentless pursuit of excellence in the most demanding sleight of hand, practicing for days and weeks on end without stop.

Joshua has been featured in various private and corporate functions across Hong Kong and Southern California, most notably in the Close-Up Gallery at the world-famous Magic Castle, where he has won their Strolling/Close Up Champion title two years running.

Country: HONG KONG

Country:HONG KONG

Professor Emeritus of Magic

Allan Ackerman

Allan has been studying magic since childhood and has a passion for engaging and amazing his audience.  He specializes in doing effects with cards, coins, and everyday objects.  He is the creator of over 250 magical effects, the author of four books, twelve sets of lecture notes, and over twenty DVDs.  Allan has performed in USA, Mexico, England, France, Italy, and Germany.  He has worked with U.S.O., performed on the Las Vegas strip, done tradeshows, TV, and over 300 shows at the famed Hollywood Magic Castle.

When Allan was 18 he started studying under Ed Marlo, who is considered by many magicians the greatest sleight of hand artist with cards of all time.  He studied with Ed until January of 1970 when he went into the USAF.  When he got out of the service in 1973, he decided that he would concentrate only on close-up magic and in particular card magic.  He would get a masters degree in mathematics to help with his shuffle work.  Microcomputers came out in 1973-74 and he jumped on the bandwagon with shuffle simulators and gaming simulations.  Those three disciplines have remained the loves of his life to this day.

Allan taught at UNLV and the College of Southern Nevada for 34 years teaching mathematics and computer science.  He is often a keynote speaker at math conventions lecturing on using the art of amazement to inspire students to learn mathematics.   Allan retired from the College of Southern Nevada in the summer of 2017, but he will never stop creating and performing his first love – magic.

Country: USA

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

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.

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Libraries

Masters of Close-Up Magic - FREE!

Blake Vogt/Joshua Ng/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 15th

  • 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 16th

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

SUNDAY November 17th

  • 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 16th

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