It’s Possible / Impossible to Possible by Barry Mitchell

 Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

Turn the impossible into the POSSIBLE with this colorful, visual silk magic effect from Barry Mitchell’s popular Word Wavers collection!

The magician displays a large 6-by-20-inch silk banner bearing the word “IMPOSSIBLE.” After explaining that the audience is about to witness the impossible, the silk is pushed through the magician’s apparently empty hand. With a little magic and positive thinking, the banner visibly changes from “IMPOSSIBLE” to “POSSIBLE.”

This uplifting routine is ideal as an opening or warm-up effect and works especially well for children’s magicians, family entertainers, motivational speakers, clowns, school programs, church performers and anyone presenting a positive-message show.

Includes:

• Colorful “IMPOSSIBLE” and “POSSIBLE” silk banners

• Barry Mitchell’s suggested presentation and gospel-message ideas

• Original packaging

A Palmo ball or similar silk-switching gimmick is required for performance and is not included.

No DVD/ Silks only

Retail Price $29.95

Our Price $19.95

Miracles & Magic Returns to Columbus for Its 24th Year—and Films a TV Special

 An evening of comedy, mentalism and grand illusion will support an important cause when Miracles & Magic 2026 arrives at Columbus’s Southern Theatre on Friday, August 14.

Now celebrating its 24th year, the annual benefit show brings together internationally touring entertainers The Passing Zone, Michael Kent, Jonathan Levit and Jon Petz. This year’s production will also be filmed for a television special, giving audience members an opportunity to become part of the event’s television history.

Proceeds from the public performance will benefit A Kid Again in Central Ohio, an organization that creates free, year-round experiences for families raising children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Miracles & Magic Celebrates 24 Years in Columbus

Miracles & Magic has built its identity around more than the impossible performances presented onstage. Its message, “Where Hope Takes Center Stage,” reflects the show’s longstanding connection to A Kid Again and the families served by the organization.

The 2026 production takes place at 7 p.m. at the Southern Theatre, located at 21 E. Main Street in Columbus, Ohio.

According to the official event announcement from the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, the show will feature mentalism, grand illusion, comedy magic and variety entertainment.

The mixture of performance styles should give the audience an evening that ranges from large theatrical moments to interactive mysteries and comedy.

The Passing Zone Brings Comedy and Danger to the Stage

Owen Morse and Jon Wee, better known as The Passing Zone, headline the 2026 cast.

The comedy-juggling duo is known for combining technical skill, physical comedy and increasingly dangerous-looking stunts. Their performances frequently turn audience volunteers into important—and sometimes nervous—participants.

The Passing Zone has appeared on America’s Got Talent multiple times and became a finalist during the show’s first season. Their television experience and ability to create comedy from unpredictable live interactions make them a natural fit for a production that will be filmed in front of an audience.

Morse and Wee have spent decades performing together, but their routines retain the feeling that something spontaneous could happen at any moment. That balance of precision and apparent chaos has helped them become one of the most recognizable comedy-variety acts in the country.

Michael Kent Adds Audience-Driven Comedy Magic

Comic magician Michael Kent brings a conversational and highly interactive style of magic to the lineup.

Kent’s performances are built around his personality and his exchanges with audience members. Rather than presenting magic as a serious demonstration of mysterious powers, he uses impossible moments as a foundation for comedy and participation.

His relaxed approach should provide an entertaining contrast to the production’s larger illusions and more mysterious mentalism performances.

Because much of Kent’s comedy is created through interaction, the audience will play an important role in shaping his portion of the show. That energy could translate especially well to the television production being recorded during the evening.

Jonathan Levit Brings Mystery and Mentalism

Jonathan Levit will add mind reading, prediction and psychological mystery to Miracles & Magic 2026.

Levit is an experienced magician, mentalist, actor and television personality whose performances place spectators at the center of seemingly impossible events. His presentation often makes a participant’s choices and reactions just as important as the final revelation.

While grand illusion creates wonder through large visual moments, mentalism can produce an entirely different experience. The mystery takes place through thoughts, decisions and information that the performer should have no apparent way of knowing.

Levit’s presence gives the show another distinct style of magical entertainment while maintaining its emphasis on audience involvement.

Jon Petz Combines Illusion and Mentalism

Illusionist and mentalist Jon Petz completes the announced cast.

Petz combines magic, storytelling and audience participation to create performances intended to connect with spectators as well as amaze them. His ability to move between visual illusion and mentalism makes him well suited to a variety production featuring several different branches of the magical arts.

Petz has also been one of the driving forces behind Miracles & Magic, helping the production continue its mission of using entertainment to support children and families.

Together, Petz, Levit, Kent and The Passing Zone offer a lineup encompassing comedy, juggling, mentalism, interactive magic and theatrical illusion.

Audience Members Will Be Part of a Television-Special Filming

The television element gives the 24th annual production an additional sense of occasion.

The Southern Theatre audience will not simply watch the performances. Their applause, laughter and reactions will become part of the television-special filming taking place during the show.

Live audience reactions are particularly important to televised magic. They allow viewers at home to experience some of the excitement and surprise inside the theater, especially when spectators are invited to participate directly in a routine.

The official event listing has not yet identified the television network, streaming platform or expected release date for the completed special. Those details will presumably be announced after production.

Supporting A Kid Again in Central Ohio

The most meaningful part of Miracles & Magic is the organization it supports.

A Kid Again Central Ohio provides cost-free “Adventures” for families raising children with life-threatening conditions. These outings give families an opportunity to take a break from medical appointments, treatments and hospital stays and spend time together in a more carefree environment.

Enrollment is available to families with a child under 20 whose condition has been determined to be life-threatening. The organization’s Adventures are provided at no charge to participating families.

Following the August 14 public benefit performance, registered A Kid Again families will be welcomed to the Southern Theatre for a special Miracles & Magic Adventure on Saturday, August 15. That afternoon performance will include a live family magic show and complimentary snack packs for enrolled children and their siblings.

The combination of the public fundraiser and the private family Adventure allows the performers to support the organization financially while also creating a memorable experience directly for the families it serves.

Miracles & Magic 2026 Event Information

Event: Miracles & Magic 2026
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Southern Theatre
Address: 21 E. Main Street, Columbus, Ohio
Performers: The Passing Zone, Michael Kent, Jonathan Levit and Jon Petz
Beneficiary: A Kid Again Central Ohio

Tickets and additional information are available through the official CAPA event page.

After 24 years, Miracles & Magic continues to demonstrate how live entertainment can accomplish more than creating a few hours of amazement. By bringing acclaimed performers together, filming the evening for television and supporting A Kid Again, the 2026 production promises to place both magic and hope in the spotlight.

Five Magic Acts Reach the America’s Got Talent Season 21 Live Quarterfinals

 Magic and mentalism will have a powerful presence when America’s Got Talent Season 21 begins its live quarterfinals. Five magical acts—Hundred Fingers, Geno Ploeger, Young & Strange, Kameron Marshall, and James & Marina—are among the season’s Top 44 contestants.

The live quarterfinals begin Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 8/7c on NBC, with the results airing the following evening. For the first time this season, the contestants’ futures will be placed largely in the hands of viewers.

From intimate card magic and mind reading to comedy and large-scale illusion, these five acts represent several very different approaches to creating wonder.

Hundred Fingers Earns Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer

Hundred Fingers entered the competition as one of the most ambitious magic acts of the season. Led by returning AGT magician Yu Hojin, the group combines visual magic, card manipulation, choreography, and theatrical staging.

Yu Hojin previously competed as a solo magician during Season 17. He returned with a larger ensemble and an entirely different presentation designed to transform close-up-style visual magic into a major production.

The performance impressed both Howie Mandel and host Terry Crews, who raced toward the Golden Buzzer. Mandel reached it first, sending Hundred Fingers directly into the live shows.

The group’s combination of precision, synchronized movement, and visual magic makes Hundred Fingers one of the season’s most distinctive acts. Their challenge in the quarterfinals will be finding a way to make an already large presentation feel even bigger.

Geno Ploeger Brings Storytelling to Sleight of Hand

Twenty-one-year-old Geno Ploeger earned his place in the live quarterfinals with fast-paced card magic, confident showmanship, and an emotional story.

Ploeger credits his grandfather with inspiring his interest in magic when he was five years old. He was also influenced by Season 9 winner Mat Franco and later interned for the Las Vegas headliner.

His AGT audition paid tribute to both men while demonstrating his own performance style. The routine combined card magic with a carefully constructed story, earning four yes votes from the judges. Simon Cowell reportedly described it as one of the best magic tricks he had seen on the show.

Ploeger’s journey from learning his first trick from his grandfather to competing on one of television’s largest stages gives viewers a personal reason to follow his progress. His live performance will offer him an opportunity to establish an identity separate from his influences while maintaining the sincerity that made his audition memorable.

Young & Strange Combine Comedy With Grand Illusion

British illusionists Richard Young and Sam Strange have spent years performing together as Young & Strange. The duo arrived on America’s Got Talent with the goal of eventually starring in their own Las Vegas show.

Their audition blended comedy, danger, and grand illusion. One of the duo entered a cardboard box before it was pierced with a collection of large objects. The conclusion included an unexpected appearance, champagne, and a Spice Girls tribute created especially for Mel B.

Although Simon Cowell initially questioned their personalities, the other judges responded enthusiastically to the duo’s combination of humor and illusion. Young & Strange ultimately earned a place in the Top 44.

The pair enters the live shows with extensive touring experience. They are also part of the Champions of Magic production, which is currently playing an extended engagement at Chicago’s Studebaker Theater.

That experience in large theaters could prove valuable as Young & Strange attempt to create another illusion that works equally well for the judges, the live audience, and viewers watching at home.

Kameron Marshall Advances Through the Judges’ Callbacks

Kameron Marshall first impressed the judges with polished card magic and an engaging personality. His audition received four yes votes, but the judges challenged him to demonstrate that his style could grow beyond the intimate setting normally associated with playing cards.

Marshall received another opportunity during the new Judges’ Callbacks round. Sofía Vergara invited him to perform in front of herself and guest judges Lele Pons and Sebastián Yatra.

Rather than abandoning the close-up magic that defined his original appearance, Marshall found a way to place the participants and their intuition at the center of the routine. His callback performance earned strong reactions and persuaded Vergara to advance him into the live quarterfinals.

Marshall’s next challenge will be translating his personable card magic to the live stage without losing the direct connection that helped him stand out during the auditions.

James & Marina Bring Mentalism to the Live Shows

James & Marina are the only dedicated mentalism duo among this group of five magical acts.

During their audition, James guided Mel B through a series of decisions while Marina revealed information she seemingly had no way of knowing. The routine allowed Mel B’s growing disbelief to become an important part of the entertainment.

The duo returned during Mel B’s Judges’ Callback with Spice Girls member Emma Bunton serving as a guest judge. James & Marina involved Bunton in a new mind-reading experiment, once again demonstrating their ability to build suspense around the choices and reactions of a participant.

Mel B selected James & Marina to advance, giving mentalism a place alongside the card magic, manipulation, comedy, and grand illusion represented in the Top 44.

The live format should provide the duo with interesting possibilities, particularly if they can create a routine that involves the judges, the theater audience, or viewers at home.

Magic Offers Some of AGT Season 21’s Greatest Variety

Having five magic and mentalism acts in the live quarterfinals demonstrates just how varied modern magical entertainment has become.

Hundred Fingers delivers synchronized visual magic on a large scale. Geno Ploeger and Kameron Marshall offer two distinct approaches to card magic. Young & Strange combine comedy with spectacular stage illusion, while James & Marina create mystery through mind reading and prediction.

None of these acts feels interchangeable, giving magic fans several very different performers to support as the competition continues.

Magic also faces a unique challenge on America’s Got Talent. Each contestant must create something that can be understood immediately, appear impressive on television, connect with a live audience, and feel larger than what came before. The pressure becomes even greater once voting passes from the judges to the public.

When Do the AGT Season 21 Live Shows Begin?

The first America’s Got Talent Season 21 live quarterfinal airs Tuesday, August 18, at 8/7c on NBC. Eleven of the Top 44 acts will perform during each of four Tuesday-night quarterfinals, with live results presented on Wednesdays.

The four scheduled quarterfinal performance nights are August 18, August 25, September 1, and September 8. Episodes will also be available through Peacock.

NBC has not yet revealed which quarterfinal will feature each of the five magic acts. Regardless of how they are divided across the schedule, magic will be one of the most closely watched categories of the season.

Hundred Fingers, Geno Ploeger, Young & Strange, Kameron Marshall, and James & Marina have already survived the auditions, deliberations, and—where required—the new Judges’ Callbacks. Their next performances will determine whether magic continues deeper into the competition.

Darrell Moten Turns an Apparent Magic Failure Into an Unforgettable AGT Audition

 Philadelphia magician Darrell Moten delivers one of the most unusual magic auditions of America’s Got Talent Season 21 by transforming an apparent disaster into a carefully constructed multimedia surprise.

Moten entered the competition with an unusual challenge: although he had built an online following as @SomethingAboutChickens, this was his first time performing magic before a live audience. His nervousness appeared genuine as he approached the judges with a deck of playing cards and asked Simon Cowell to make a private selection.

The routine began with visual magic involving a card box before shifting into a prediction of Simon’s chosen card. However, confusion caused by Simon’s tinted glasses made it appear that Moten had completely missed the selection. As the other judges questioned what had happened, an embarrassed Moten apologized and left the stage.

Simon became convinced that he had accidentally destroyed the young magician’s first live performance, even declaring that he may have ruined Moten’s career. The uncomfortable moment appeared to bring the audition to an early end—until Moten suddenly returned on the theater’s video screen.

From backstage, he asked Simon to name a color and a number. Simon freely chose turquoise and 77, but Moten revealed that their seemingly live conversation had been recorded in advance. Just when the judges thought they understood the twist, Moten challenged their perception again and reappeared in an unexpected location.

He then returned to Simon with the correct playing card, completing a routine that blended close-up magic, mentalism, prerecorded video and theatrical storytelling.

Howie Mandel praised Moten for creating an act large enough for the America’s Got Talent stage. Sofía Vergara also enjoyed the unusual presentation, while Mel B admitted that she found the story difficult to follow. Simon ultimately voted yes because Moten’s creativity deserved the opportunity to gain more stage experience.

With three yes votes, Moten advanced beyond the audition round. Although he was later eliminated during the Judges’ Callbacks, this first performance established him as an inventive magician willing to take genuine theatrical risks.

What makes the audition memorable is not simply the card revelation. Moten manipulates the judges’ emotions, taking them from curiosity to discomfort, sympathy, confusion and finally amazement. The apparent failure becomes the foundation for the performance’s biggest surprise.

Chris Rose Fools Penn and Teller With a Cookie

 Magician Chris Rose proves that even an ordinary cookie can create an extraordinary mystery during his winning appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Rose introduces himself as a close-up magician who performs in fine-dining restaurants. He also explains that magic gave him the opportunity to stay home and raise his young son. Becoming a father helped Rose reconnect with his playful side and inspired the unusual routine he brought to the Fool Us stage.

For his performance, Rose invites Teller and host Alyson Hannigan to join him in a game called “Snack Time.” Inspired by the chaos of raising a toddler, the game offers each participant the chance to win $100 by copying Rose’s actions exactly.

What begins with cookies and a glass of milk quickly becomes a wonderfully strange combination of comedy, magic and sideshow-style danger. The familiar childhood snack provides the perfect contrast to the routine’s increasingly surprising—and deliberately gross—moments.

Neither Teller nor Hannigan wins the money, but Rose gives Hannigan a fresh package of cookies as a consolation prize. Teller receives a far more unusual souvenir, leading to one of the funniest post-performance interviews in the show’s history. When Teller actually eats a cookie connected to the routine, Hannigan’s horrified reaction becomes almost as entertaining as the magic itself.

During their evaluation, Penn and Teller carefully discussed the possibilities behind the performance. They believed they understood the cookie mystery, but Rose confirmed that their explanation was incorrect. With no accurate solution remaining, Penn announced that Chris Rose had officially fooled them.

The victory demonstrates why simple objects can produce some of the strongest magic. Audiences immediately understand cookies, milk and the basic rules of a copying game, allowing them to concentrate on Rose’s personality and the impossible outcome.

Rose’s “Snack Time” routine is funny, personal, easy to follow and unlike anything else presented during the episode. Most importantly, it reflects his belief that magic should help adults reconnect with the sense of wonder they experienced as children.

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S7E2 (Yinan Wang)

 What can rocks, fossils and meteorites teach us about the past—and could science ever bring dinosaurs back?

In this episode of Wes Iseli’s MagicLife Podcast, Wes and Natalie welcome geologist, author, fossil researcher and lifelong rock collector Yinan Wang. Yinan shares how finding fossils as a child led him to study geosciences at Princeton University, research gemstones using satellite imagery and help identify new species preserved in amber. We explore the real science behind Jurassic Park, whether dinosaur DNA could survive inside amber, how lasers reveal hidden details in fossils and why today’s AI apps often misidentify rocks. Yinan also explains the differences between geology, mineralogy and paleontology in terms that beginners can easily understand. The conversation also covers meteorites, megalodon teeth, ethical fossil collecting, mineral rights, mining claims, crystal healing and the surprising history of gold in Virginia. Could there really be gold hiding along the hiking trails behind our house? Yinan helps us understand what we should look for! Yinan is the award-winning author of books including The 50 State Fossils, The 50 State Gems and Minerals and The 50 State Unofficial Meteorites. LEARN MORE ABOUT YINAN WANG 📚 The 50 State Fossils: https://schifferbooks.com/products/50... 💎 Mineral of the Month Club:   / fossillocator   🪨 Old World Gems on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OldWorldGems CHAPTERS 0:00 Meet geologist and author Yinan Wang 2:03 How a childhood fossil discovery started everything 2:34 Studying geosciences and satellite imagery 5:07 Geology, mineralogy and paleontology explained 5:38 Discovering new species preserved in amber 7:09 Could Jurassic Park really happen? 8:42 Using lasers to reveal hidden fossils 9:42 Why AI struggles to identify rocks 13:13 Writing the 50 States geology book series 19:19 The dinosaur discovered in Washington, D.C. 22:24 Fossils, meteorites and Earth’s ancient ring 23:56 Underwater fossils and megalodon teeth 26:31 The three major types of meteorites 27:34 Creating a Mineral of the Month Club 29:35 Do healing crystals really have powers? 31:05 Identifying authentic rocks and fossils 32:07 What does “ethically sourced” really mean? 33:38 Fossil-collecting laws and mining rights 38:17 Is there gold behind Wes and Natalie’s house? 43:51 The best places to hunt for rocks and fossils 48:31 Dinosaur hunting and valuable T. rex teeth 51:06 Using technology to locate fossils 53:10 How beginners can start rock collecting 54:42 Yinan’s favorite fossil-hunting locations 55:42 Real gold versus fool’s gold Subscribe for new episodes of Wes Iseli’s MagicLife Podcast featuring magicians, entertainers, authors, scientists, actors, comedians and fascinating guests from around the world. 🌐 Learn more about Wes Iseli: https://wesiseli.com 🎩 Exclusive videos, bloopers, tutorials and more:   / wes_iseli  

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Vlog #321 (Power Washing Gone Wrong)

 This week on MagicLife Vlog #321, Natalie tackles the long-overdue job of pressure washing our house—and accidentally helps our rotten front porch railing retire a little earlier than planned! 😂 Thankfully, she barely leaned against it when it collapsed, and now replacing the railing has moved to the top of our home-project list.

It’s also a meaningful moment for us because, after years of health problems and hospital stays, Natalie is finally feeling well enough to take on projects like this again—and the house looks fantastic! Before the porch mishap, we perform two summer-camp magic shows, celebrate the kids finishing another school year with our annual Five Below shopping spree, take all three kids to the dentist, and make an exhausting trip through the West Virginia mountains for another magic show. We also introduce our new “Wes Iseli Is Real” routine, and Lex and Julian create an adorable pretend campfire in the backyard. It’s another busy, funny and unpredictable week in the life of a traveling magician and his family! Subscribe and join us each week as we balance approximately 400 magic shows a year with family adventures, road trips, home projects and plenty of unexpected moments. 🌐 Learn more or book a magic show: https://wesiseli.com 🎩 Exclusive videos, magic tutorials, bloopers and more:   / wes_iseli   CHAPTERS 0:00 Another early morning for two magic shows 1:50 Summer-camp magic in Northern Virginia 4:22 Our end-of-school Five Below tradition 11:45 Three kids visit the dentist 13:49 The long West Virginia magic-show road trip 18:26 “Wes Iseli Is Real” joins the show 21:28 The boys build a backyard campfire 23:46 Natalie pressure-washes the house 26:09 The porch railing comes crashing down 29:11 Wrapping up another busy week