Abracadabra! Magic Magazine celebrates 25 years at Magic Live! Convention

Just look at the lineup in Las Vegas with Criss Angel (The Luxor), David Copperfield (MGM Grand), Mat Franco (The Linq Hotel), Penn & Teller (The Rio), Mac King (Harrah’s), Nathan Burton (Miracle Mile Shops of Planet Hollywood) and Murray Sawchuck and Xavier Mortimer (Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood).

Plus, Jeff McBride’s Magic School and Wonderground Theater in Henderson. Harry Potter himself would be jealous!

Next week, more than 1,600 magicians from around the world will arrive in Las Vegas to pull a real rabbit out of the hat celebrating the 25th anniversary of their monthly bible. Las Vegas resident and Editor Stan Allen, a magician in his own right, publishes Magic Magazine here.

Incredibly, Stan produces the most incredible trick and never reveals the names of his convention entertainers, keynote speakers or lecturers until the last minute on Day 1 on Sunday. Despite his secrecy, the four-day convention at The Orleans is sold out with a long waiting list.

“Mystery and surprise are a big part of magic and a big part of this unique event. We reveal the names of our 18 presenter speakers on the first day but keep the close-up and stage performers a surprise until they perform,” Stan said.

“Not announcing names in advance allows us an edge when arranging talent for Magic Live! Keeping that element of surprise to everything, if our past conventions are any proof, the system seems to work pretty well.”

Last year’s performers included Stan himself, Nathan, David, Xavier, Bill Malone and Dan Sperry, who wrote one of our three guest columns this week along with Jeff and Douglas Leferovich.

Stan started Magic Live! in 2001 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his monthly magazine. Now he brings its pages to life for the 25th anniversary in a version he describes as “a never to be repeated” convention because of its “new magic” content. Check out a behind-the-scenes peek at MagicMagazine.com.

It’s not just tricks, tricks and more tricks by the world’s top talent with mentalism and the business of magic added. There’s a dealers showroom with more than 50 magic manufacturers.

So if you’ve got the bucks, you, too, could buy from The Magic Shop what’s necessary to secure a motorcycle that vanishes from your garage and appears on your living room coffee table or saw a woman in half right at your dinner table.

New York magician Michael Chaut, who produces and hosts MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC shows in Manhattan, told me: “By far, hands down, this is the best magic convention. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you get the best talent, the best formats, the best dealers, the best attendees.

“The access to performers is unprecedented, and each conference has surprises. Over the years, everybody from Penn & Teller to Siegfried & Roy have attended, lectured or performed.

“I’ve known Stan since 1987 from a Magic Cruise convention where he performed, which he does rarely today. He’s always been extremely talented, grounded and thoughtful. His magazine along with Genii Magazine are all a magician needs to read, to know what’s going on in the world of magic.

“His convention has been a standout for hundreds of magicians from all over the world. His Magic Magazine is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest-selling magic periodical.”

Stan promises a full schedule of round-the-clock magic with six speakers per day with 20-minute talks on aspects of the art; parties; entertainment with world champions in Orleans Showroom presenting concepts being introduced to U.S. audiences for the first time; and a close-up intimate theater for magicians to show their skills right before your eyes.

Stan produced an advance look at the convention at EssentialMagicConference.com. His convention shows have introduced first-time concepts, a show presented in the dark and one without a magician. Now that’s a cost-saving concept for one of our Strip hotels to pick up on quickly.

Enjoy the magic.