Abbott’s 88th Magic Get-Together Begins This Week in Colon, Michigan

 

The “Magic Capital of the World” is preparing to welcome magicians and magic fans as Abbott’s 88th Magic Get-Together takes place August 5–8, 2026, in Colon, Michigan.

Presented by Abbott Magic, the historic four-day convention will feature stage shows, lectures, close-up magic, street performances, dealer displays, contests and opportunities for members of the magic community to spend time together.

This year’s impressive lineup includes Mac King, Mike Caveney, Jay Mattioli, Nick Diffatte, Matt Donnelly, Sean Bogunia, Keith Fields, Lady Sarah, Stu MacDonald, Vinny Grosso, Artem Shchukin, David Corsaro, Krystal Lawrence, Frank Everhart, Mirela and Mortenn Christiansen.

A Magic Tradition Dating Back to 1934

Abbott Magic and its annual Magic Get-Together have been part of Colon’s history since 1934.

Over the decades, the convention stage has welcomed many legendary magicians, including Harry Blackstone Sr., Harry Blackstone Jr., Cardini, Harlan Tarbell, Neil Foster, Karrell Fox, Lance Burton, Mac King and Jeff McBride.

Now celebrating its 88th gathering, the event continues to combine that rich history with performances from today’s leading professional magicians and emerging talent.

Unlike a convention contained entirely inside one hotel, the Abbott’s Magic Get-Together spreads throughout Colon. Shows, street performances and community activities help transform the small Michigan village into a celebration of magic.

Four Nights of Magic Shows

The evening stage shows will be among the biggest attractions at the 2026 Abbott’s Magic Get-Together.

The Wednesday night production, titled “Magic of Michigan + 1,” will feature Jay Mattioli, Sean Bogunia, BJ Mallen, Keith Fields, Lady Sarah and Stu MacDonald.

Thursday night will present a special “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” show featuring several performers who have appeared on the hit television series. The lineup includes Vinny Grosso, David Corsaro, Matt Donnelly and Krystal Lawrence.

On Friday, audiences will see “Mike Caveney & Friends,” featuring Mike Caveney, Nick Diffatte, Artem Shchukin, Mirela and Mortenn Christiansen.

The convention concludes Saturday night with the Mac King Vegas Show. King has spent decades headlining in Las Vegas and is widely recognized for combining strong magic with his distinctive style of comedy.

The evening will continue with the Abbott’s Performer Awards following the show.

Lectures and Learning Opportunities

Abbott’s 88th Magic Get-Together will also give registered magicians the chance to learn from several experienced performers and creators.

Scheduled lecturers include Frank Everhart, Jay Mattioli, Nick Diffatte, David Corsaro, Matt Donnelly and Artem Shchukin.

Saturday afternoon will feature a special group comedy lecture with Mac King, Mike Caveney and Nick Diffatte. Bringing these three performers together should provide attendees with a fascinating look at developing comedy, creating a performing character and making magic entertaining for a live audience.

Other convention events include a dealer room, showroom demonstrations, a close-up performance by Frank Everhart, the Curly’s Close-Up Contest and Vent-O-Rama with Brynn Cummings.

Magic Takes Over the Streets of Colon

The excitement will not be limited to registered convention attendees.

A collection of street magic shows will take place at locations throughout Colon, featuring performers such as BJ Mallen, Jania Taylor, Trino, Cap’n Sean and Mirf, John Gilmore, John Dudley and The Amazing Bibik.

Additional community activities include affordable afternoon magic shows at Abbott’s Magic Showroom Theatre, a craft show, face painting and extended hours at the Colon Historical Museum.

Al The Only will once again lead the famous magicians’ graveyard tour on Thursday afternoon. The tour visits the final resting places of several important figures from magic history and has become one of the gathering’s most popular traditions.

A Special Salute to Blackstone

The magic will continue after the official Get-Together concludes.

On Sunday, August 9, the American Museum of Magic will present a special Salute to Blackstone, celebrating 100 years since Harry Blackstone Sr. brought magic to Colon.

Gay Blackstone is scheduled to serve as the distinguished guest of honor. Lance Burton, Mac King, Bill Smith and Mike Caveney are also expected to participate in tours and presentations honoring the Blackstone family’s contributions to magic.

Registration Is Still Available

Unlike the sold-out MAGIC Live convention taking place in Las Vegas this week, registrations for Abbott’s 88th Magic Get-Together were still listed as available at the time of publication.

Anyone interested in attending should check the official Abbott’s Magic Get-Together website for the latest registration information.

The complete schedule can be found on the convention’s official event schedule, while information about the artists is available on the 2026 performer lineup.

For generations of magicians, the journey to Colon has been about much more than attending shows and buying magic tricks. It is an opportunity to celebrate magic’s history, learn from fellow performers and reconnect with friends in a community where magic is part of the town’s identity.

With four nights of performances and a lineup ranging from world champions to Las Vegas headliners, Abbott’s 88th Magic Get-Together promises to keep that tradition alive.

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MAGIC Live 2026 Is Underway in Las Vegas—and It’s Completely Sold Out

 The magic world has once again turned its attention to Las Vegas as MAGIC Live 2026 officially gets underway at The Orleans Hotel & Casino.

Running from August 2 through August 5, 2026, the sold-out gathering brings professional magicians, creators, dealers and magic enthusiasts together for four days of performances, learning, surprises and fellowship.

The convention began with an opening celebration on Sunday evening, August 2, and continues through late Wednesday night.

MAGIC Live 2026 Sells Out in Las Vegas

Anyone hoping to purchase a last-minute registration may be disappointed. According to the official MAGIC Live website, registration for the 2026 convention is completely sold out, with only a waiting list available.

MAGIC Live has developed a reputation for selling out, and the convention does not offer individual show tickets, day passes or dealer-room-only badges.

A full registration includes admission to the convention’s performances, sessions, workshops, parties, special events and dealer room. Attendees also receive convention giveaways created especially for the event.

A Magic Convention Built Around Surprises

One of the most unusual aspects of MAGIC Live is that the complete lineup of performers and presenters is intentionally kept secret before the convention.

While most magic conventions advertise their headliners months in advance, MAGIC Live asks attendees to trust the producers and enjoy the surprises as they unfold.

The convention’s official FAQ explains that mystery and surprise are important parts of both magic and the MAGIC Live experience. For that reason, the names of the booked performers and presenters are not released ahead of the event.

That secrecy has helped turn each performance, presentation and special appearance into a genuine discovery for those in attendance.

Performances, Sessions and a Massive Dealer Room

Throughout MAGIC Live 2026, attendees can expect a combination of stage performances, close-up magic, general sessions, specialized learning opportunities and unexpected experiences created specifically for the convention.

Presenters are often encouraged to perform new material, reveal the thinking behind an important routine or share personal stories that magicians would not normally hear at another event.

The convention also features an impressive 17,000-square-foot dealer room with more than 60 companies demonstrating magic tricks, props, books, theatrical accessories and some of the newest products available to magicians.

Rather than treating the dealer room as a separate shopping area, the producers consider it another complete show within the convention experience.

Bringing the Magic Community Together

Beyond the performances and lectures, MAGIC Live places a major emphasis on community.

The gathering gives magicians from different countries, specialties and generations the chance to reconnect with longtime friends, make new ones and exchange ideas with other people who share their passion for the art of magic.

For many attendees, those conversations between scheduled events can be just as memorable as the performances onstage.

The professional presentation, elaborate surprises and attention to detail have helped make MAGIC Live one of the most anticipated gatherings on the magic industry’s calendar.

MAGIC Live Continues Through August 5

MAGIC Live 2026 will continue at The Orleans Hotel & Casino through late Wednesday evening, August 5.

Because the convention keeps so many of its performers and special events secret, the magic community will undoubtedly be watching social media for photographs, reactions and stories from those attending this year’s gathering.

Magic News Daily will continue watching for news, memorable performances and major announcements coming out of MAGIC Live 2026.

For official convention information, visit MagicConvention.com.

Penn & Teller Magically Restore Jimmy Fallon’s Broken Portrait on The Tonight Show

 Legendary magic duo Penn & Teller recently returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for another entertaining combination of magic, comedy and impossible-looking deception.

Before performing, Penn Jillette and Teller discussed their historic career in Las Vegas. The duo currently holds the distinction of being the longest-running headliners in Las Vegas history and recently extended their residency at the Rio Hotel & Casino for another three years.

After the conversation, Penn & Teller invited Jimmy Fallon and The Roots’ Black Thought to participate in a clever piece of magic involving a portrait of Fallon.

Jimmy Fallon’s Portrait Gets Torn Apart

The routine begins with an image of Jimmy Fallon, but it does not remain intact for long. With Black Thought assisting, Fallon’s portrait is broken into separate pieces and mixed around.

Just when it appears that Jimmy’s face has been completely destroyed, Penn & Teller reveal an impossible restoration. The pieces come back together in a surprising way, leaving Fallon, Black Thought and the studio audience trying to understand what they just witnessed.

As always, Penn provides the comedy and narration while Teller handles the visual magic. Their contrasting personalities and flawless timing transform what could have been a simple restoration trick into a memorable television performance.

Penn & Teller Continue Making Magic History

Penn & Teller have performed together for more than 50 years, but their television appearances continue to feel creative, playful and unpredictable. Their ability to combine intelligent magic with comedy has helped make them one of the most recognizable magic acts in the world.

The duo’s appearance on The Tonight Show also celebrated the continued success of their Las Vegas show. Penn & Teller recently announced a three-year extension of their Rio residency, continuing a record-breaking run that has already made them the longest-running headliners in Las Vegas history.

Watch the complete performance below and see if you can figure out how Penn & Teller magically restored Jimmy Fallon’s broken portrait.

Watch Penn & Teller on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

For more performances, magician news and updates from the world of magic, continue following Magic News Daily.

The Evasons Amaze Penn & Teller With Incredible Mind Reading on Fool Us

 The Evasons have spent decades perfecting one of the most impressive two-person mentalism acts in the world. When Jeff and Tessa Evason brought their remarkable mind-reading abilities to Penn & Teller: Fool Us, they demonstrated exactly why they are so highly respected throughout the magic community.

The husband-and-wife mentalist duo appeared during Season 3 of Fool Us in an episode that originally aired on September 7, 2016. Although Penn and Teller ultimately determined that they understood the secret behind the performance, what they said afterward may have been even more valuable than winning the famous Fool Us trophy.

The Evasons Deliver Astonishing Mentalism on Fool Us

For their performance, Tessa remained onstage wearing a blindfold while Jeff moved freely through the theater, interacting with randomly selected audience members.

Audience members produced personal belongings that Tessa could not possibly see. Nevertheless, she accurately identified an eyeglass case, the woman who owned it and even the woman’s name.

The demonstrations quickly became more difficult. Tessa identified an orange guitar pick, correctly revealed another audience member’s name and described a sentimental watch. She then determined that the watch had been given to its owner by his mother—and correctly revealed that his mother’s name was Cora.

The Evasons saved one of their strongest moments for Penn and Teller themselves. Teller supplied a $100 bill, and the blindfolded Tessa proceeded to reveal the numbers in its serial number.

It was a fast-moving demonstration of mind reading, audience interaction and the extraordinary connection Jeff and Tessa have developed during their many years of performing together.

What Did Penn and Teller Say About The Evasons?

Penn Jillette’s reaction made it clear that he and Teller were deeply impressed.

Penn praised The Evasons for performing their act in the traditional style without depending upon the electronic devices commonly associated with modern mentalism. He described watching them work as “breathtaking.”

Penn also revealed that he and Teller had once attempted to learn a similar two-person act. After years of studying and practicing, they were only able to perform it using a deck of cards. The Evasons, by comparison, appeared capable of identifying practically anything an audience member could produce.

Penn said the mental work involved was unbelievable and explained that this was one of those rare performances that becomes even more amazing when you understand the skill involved.

His ultimate assessment was an extraordinary compliment:

“I have never seen better at what you’re doing.”

Coming from two of the most knowledgeable and accomplished magicians in the world, that is an incredible endorsement.

Did The Evasons Fool Penn and Teller?

The Evasons did not officially fool Penn and Teller. Penn carefully indicated that he and Teller understood the basic principles behind the performance without exposing the secret to the audience.

However, Penn deliberately avoided giving viewers clues that might help them uncover the method. He said the act was so good that he wanted The Evasons to continue performing it everywhere.

That response demonstrates something important about Fool Us: earning the trophy is not the only measure of a successful appearance. Sometimes showcasing exceptional skill, professionalism and showmanship can leave an even greater impression.

The Evasons may not have fooled Penn and Teller, but they clearly earned their admiration—and one of the strongest endorsements any mentalist duo could receive.

Jeff and Tessa Evason continue to perform their interactive Second Sight and ESP show for theaters, corporate events and audiences around the world. Their official website reports performances in more than 40 countries, along with appearances on NBC, FOX, CBS, The CW and the Discovery Channel.

Watch their amazing Penn & Teller: Fool Us performance below and decide for yourself: Could you explain how The Evasons accomplished it?

Watch The Evasons on Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Learn more about Jeff and Tessa at The Evasons’ official website.

Productions From Silks

 Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com 

Create an astonishing production using only three brightly colored silks! The magician displays the silks individually, showing them freely before gathering them together. In an instant, a full-size bottle magically appears from the silks. The routine can continue with the surprise production of additional objects, such as a bouquet of flowers or another stage prop.

Productions From Silks is a clever and versatile utility effect designed for stage, parlor, family and comedy magic shows. The colorful silks make the routine highly visible, while the unexpected appearance of a large solid object creates a powerful reaction.

This set is brand new and includes the specially prepared silks and printed instructions needed to perform the effect. Production items such as the bottle, flowers or dove are not included.

Features:

• Produce a large solid object from three colorful silks
• Can also accommodate an additional smaller production
• Highly visual and easy for audiences to understand
• Excellent for stage, parlor and family magic
• No bulky production apparatus required
• Brand-new, unused condition
• Includes special silks and instructions

Condition: Brand new
Manufacturer: Vincenzo Di Fatta
Skill level: Intermediate

Retail Price $34.00 

Our Price $29.95 

Wes Iseli Helped Bring The Carbonaro Effect’s Classic “Mighty Mouse” Trick to Life

 

One of the most memorable animal illusions from The Carbonaro Effect began with a mouse, a container of homemade supplements and one of Michael Carbonaro’s wonderfully ridiculous explanations.

The segment, officially titled “Mighty Mouse Revealed,” was featured in the Season 1 episode “Out of Control,” which originally aired on October 30, 2014. What viewers may not know is that magician and illusionist Wes Iseli worked behind the scenes on the bit, helping the production create the unforgettable transformation.

Michael Carbonaro Creates a “Mighty Mouse”

In the segment, Carbonaro poses as an employee inside a health-food store and tells an unsuspecting shopper that he has been experimenting with a homemade muscle-building supplement.

Carbonaro combines a supposed natural powder with creatine and confidently explains that the mixture can produce extraordinarily fast results. To demonstrate its effectiveness, he introduces what he claims is his pet mouse.

The small animal is placed inside a clear container with a little of the supplement. Within moments, the mouse appears to begin growing. By the time Carbonaro removes the animal, the tiny pet has seemingly transformed into an enormous rat.

As always, Carbonaro sells the impossible with complete confidence. He explains the increasingly unbelievable situation as though rapidly growing rodents are simply another breakthrough in nutritional science.

The customer’s reaction makes the moment even better. Instead of immediately rejecting Carbonaro’s explanation, he watches in amazement and begins considering what the supposed supplement might do for him.

That combination of a visual impossibility, Michael Carbonaro’s improvisational ability and a completely genuine reaction helped turn “Mighty Mouse” into a classic segment from the show’s early years. The episode’s official synopsis describes the scene as demonstrating the “mighty mouse effects” of muscle supplements. 

Wes Iseli’s Role Behind the Scenes

Creating a television illusion involving live animals requires much more than what viewers see in the finished segment.

Magician, illusionist and animal trainer Wes Iseli worked behind the scenes on “Mighty Mouse,” helping with the live rats used during production. His responsibilities included working with the animals and helping the team capture the magical transformation safely and convincingly.

Iseli had years of experience incorporating trained animals into his own professional magic and illusion shows. That experience made him a valuable member of the team when The Carbonaro Effect needed a visual animal transformation that could be performed for an unsuspecting participant and recorded by multiple hidden cameras.

Behind-the-scenes photographs from the production show Iseli with Michael Carbonaro and one of the large rats used for the segment. Another photograph captures the camera monitors during filming, offering a rare look at the multiple angles used to record the moment. A third image shows Iseli working with one of the rats during the production day.

“We Knew It Was Going to Be an Instant Classic”

Even before the segment reached television, the people working behind the scenes could tell they were capturing something special.

“As we were recording it, we knew it was going to be an instant classic,” Iseli remembers.

The premise was funny before the trick even happened, but everything became stronger once Carbonaro began interacting with the unsuspecting customer. Michael’s ability to remain completely serious, the increasingly impossible growth of the mouse and the customer’s willingness to accept the explanation all came together perfectly.

It was one of those rare television moments where the trick, story and reaction were equally strong.

The Team Behind Television Magic

Segments such as “Mighty Mouse” demonstrate how many different talents are required to create a successful piece of hidden-camera magic.

The audience sees Michael Carbonaro confidently performing the illusion, but behind the cameras is an entire production team coordinating props, animals, camera coverage, safety and timing. Every element must be ready, because the unsuspecting participant’s first reaction is the one that matters.

Iseli’s contribution helped provide the animal handling and behind-the-scenes support necessary for Carbonaro to concentrate on the performance, improvisation and interaction that made the finished sequence so memorable.

The segment appeared during the first season of The Carbonaro Effect, when the series was establishing its unique combination of hidden-camera reactions, magic and comedy. The show would eventually run for five seasons and produce dozens of memorable illusions involving everything from strange inventions to impossible animals.

More than a decade later, “Mighty Mouse” remains a terrific example of what made the series special—and a proud piece of Wes Iseli’s own television magic history.

The next time you watch the mouse grow to an unbelievable size, remember that Wes Iseli was there behind the scenes, helping bring this now-classic piece of television magic to life.

Kyle Marlett Serves Up Impossible Tea Bag Magic on Penn & Teller: Fool Us

 Magician Kyle Marlett transformed tea time into an unforgettable piece of card magic during his appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Known for combining original magic with an offbeat sense of humor, Marlett walked onto the Las Vegas stage and invited host Alyson Hannigan and Penn Jillette to assist with a routine involving a selected playing card, several containers of tea and an apparently impossible prediction.

Marlett’s performance appeared in the Season 3 episode titled “To Tea or Not to Tea?” The episode originally aired on September 7, 2016, and also featured Timon Krause, The Evasons and Chef Anton, according to the official Apple TV episode listing.

Kyle Marlett’s Tea Bag Card Trick

The routine began with Penn stopping Marlett as he moved through a deck of playing cards. The card selected was the King of Hearts.

Marlett tore a corner from the card and placed the remaining portion back into the deck. That would already create a challenging mystery, but Marlett was only getting started.

He then introduced five containers holding different flavors of tea, including green, mint, lemon, peach and black tea. Penn freely chose the mint tea before offering Alyson a tea bag from inside the selected container.

The playful exchange between Penn, Alyson and Marlett created plenty of comedy, but it also made the conditions surrounding the trick appear increasingly impossible.

At the routine’s climax, the King of Hearts with its corner missing was discovered in an astonishing location connected to the selected tea bag. When the torn corner was brought back, it matched the card perfectly.

It was a creative combination of card magic, comedy and an ordinary object most people would never associate with an impossible magical revelation.

Did Kyle Marlett Fool Penn and Teller?

Although the performance received a big reaction from the audience, Kyle Marlett did not fool Penn and Teller.

Penn indicated that the legendary duo understood the basic secret behind the effect. However, their response also acknowledged the extraordinary amount of work and preparation that must have gone into making the routine possible.

Marlett may not have received the coveted Fool Us trophy, but the performance demonstrated something equally important: a magic routine does not have to fool Penn and Teller to be original, entertaining and memorable.

The trick’s unusual premise, strong visual finish and Marlett’s naturally funny presentation helped the performance stand out in an episode filled with talented magicians.

Who Is Magician Kyle Marlett?

Kyle Marlett is a magician, magic creator, comedy performer and television personality known for bringing a modern style to both close-up and stage magic.

In addition to Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Marlett has appeared on The Tonight Show, Wizard Wars, Masters of Illusion, America’s Got Talent and RuPaul’s Drag Race. He also co-starred in Netflix’s The Magic Prank Show and has attracted millions of followers through his viral online magic videos.

Marlett is also an experienced magic consultant and creator whose work has been used in television, live entertainment and advertising. His combination of visual magic, comedy and unconventional ideas has helped him build an audience far beyond the traditional magic community. More about his television and creative work can be found in his professional biography.

Watch Kyle Marlett on Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Watch Kyle Marlett perform his impossible tea bag and card routine below:

Kyle Marlett on Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Even without fooling Penn and Teller, Marlett succeeded in creating a routine that magic fans are still watching and discussing years later. It is a terrific example of how an unusual idea, careful construction and a strong personality can turn a familiar card trick into something completely unexpected.