I never thought I was "really into magic," but recently I started noticing that I was way, way more…read moreinto magic than anyone else I knew. Some people are repulsed by magicians, the same way some people are repulsed by clowns. My reaction is the opposite. My reaction is "Hell yes, by all means, amaze me!" So we should probably get that bit out of the way up front. If you hate magic, you won't much enjoy a festival full of dozens of professional and amateur magicians. In my own case, I was thrilled. These are not a bunch of Vegas headliners here. There are no Copperfields, no Blaines, no Penns, no Tellers. There were big names, but not necessarily big names you've heard of. Asheville's own Ricky Boone, performed. Ricky is generally considered to be one of the nation's great close-up magicians, in addition to having a very compelling personal story (he has a very noticeable physical disability, which only seems to add to the level of amazement he can stir up in his audiences). The other big name was Kendrick McDonald (Ice), a flamboyant chest-thumper of a showman in a purple denim steampunk duster. Ice made news last year when he was elected the first African American president of Society of American Magicians, one of the oldest and most prestigious magical societies in the world. Kendrick pulled an army of doves, seemingly out of nowhere (I think they came out of his sleeves), and they flew around the auditorium and acted....dovelike. Arianne Black, a woman magician from Las Vegas, had an audience member handcuff her and seal her up in a giant canvas mail pouch, while panting "I love my job..." into the microphone. She looked a bit like a blonder version of Sarah Palin, in cheaper clothes. She escaped from the mail pouch pretty quickly, it should be noted. My favorite act of the day, personally, was a Charlotte former street magician named Christopher Hannibal. Hannibal (he goes by his last name) is an imposing figure. Giant, scruffy, pale, neck-bearded, in a threadbare dark suit and a bowler hat 1/2 size too small. He sweated under the stage lights and made off-color jokes. And yet...His patter and flourishes were the smoothest and most elegant I've seen, live. I noticed on his website he claims to perform "inspirational magic". I guess I'd have to agree. Not in a touchy feely Tony Robbins motivational way. But in the way that it's always truly awe inspiring to see someone so simultaneously in control of what complicated things he's doing with his hands and saying with his mouth, always aware of whom he's tricking, and how. I honestly have no clue how he performed any of his tricks. He was 6 steps ahead the whole time. Amazing act. I would pay real American money to see it again. Then there were the young kids performing magic. They held their own remarkably well. Got laughs from the audience, and won over a few skeptics along the way. It is interesting to think of magicianship as kind of a lifecycle skill where young people are so amazed by a particular trick that the next year you see them they're standing on stage with their own deck of marked cards, amazing the audience. Look at the kids in the audience, mouths agape. Then look at people like Hannibal and Ricky, subtle and unflappable closeup masters. You realize that these world-class magicians must have, themselves, sat in an audience at 8 years of age, been amazed, and then practiced in the garage until their fingers went numb for the next 20-40 years. Ricky did it to make his wheelchair "vanish." Hannibal did it to make enough money to put his kids through college. No small feat for a street performer. I guess what I'm getting at here is, wow, that was really a diverse group. The magicians were diverse. The audience was diverse. The acts were diverse. The only unifying thing was really cool magic. Everything else was up to creative interpretation. When I was growing up as a kid, I used to think of magic as something that able-bodied white adult men did with rabbits, while wearing tuxedos and top hats. Asheville Magic Festival kind of turned that silly notion on its ear, and I think the world of magic is better for it. Leave Penn and Teller in Vegas. Gimme Ricky Boone any day!

While going on a tour de comic book shops in Asheville, we ended up parking next to Magic Central,…read morehoused in the same strip as Pastimes comic shop. On our way back to the car, I decided we should pop in - I'd never been to a magic shop, or, frankly, never seen one. Magic shops are the stuff of Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, not real life. The shop itself is pretty small and offers some small tricks and gags for sale, but the real draw is the proprietor, magician Ricky D. Boone. Ricky is more than happy to show you a trick or two, and made my day by somehow switching the card I had both my hands on. I don't care how old or jaded you are, that's cool. If you're in the area, take a couple minutes out of your day to be amazed (or at least get a good laugh).

I've been driving past this magic shop for years now and have always wanted to peek inside. Today I…read morefinally did. The owner of the shop, Ricky Boone, greeted me warmly the moment I stepped through the door. I browsed at the merchandise for a minute or 2 but as a non-magician, I don't really feel qualified to judge the wares. There were many, many instructional dvds that seemed to target magicians of various abilities and experience. I appreciated the fact that his store wasn't full of touristy gag jokes but was, in fact, designed to help people who were serious about magic. Ricky is one of the nicest people I've met in recent history!! He even invited me to have a seat while he performed various magic tricks for me. And I kid you not, I have no clue how he was able to perform these tricks...they were amazing!! We chatted a bit about his accomplishments in the world of magic (and they are impressive) and he told me about the non-profit he confounded that teaches magic (and other arts) to kids with disabilities. He also informed me that he's owned that same local magic shop for 20 years! He was so passionate about his life and where it had led him that his enthusiasm was contagious. I think all of you locals need to stop in and visit Ricky at Magic Central and prepare to amazed and inspired!

the best experience. he left us mind BLOWN! we love him and can't wait to book him again ‍read more

The best birthday surprise ever! Michael is so personable and a fantastic entertainer for our…read moregirlfriend's bday. If you're on the edge of hiring him you must make the jump!

B-Rad did an outstanding job entertaining a group of about 30-ish children at a recent "Back to…read moreSchool" event that our church hosted! He is quick, funny, engaging, and great with the kids! He kept their attention and included audience participation (with the kids) for almost every magic trick. Definitely would recommend him for your children's birthday parties, school events, etc.

From the owner: B-Rad the Kids Magician is a twenty year performing, award winning master of comedy magic always…read moreconnecting children and families to fun. Everyone helps to make the magic happen with lots of audience participation and encouragement, perfect for creating amazing fun and magical smiles for everyone! B-Rad performs for all your magical events, including fairs, festivals, educational school shows, library shows, church programs, family and children's parties, and more. Bring the magic and fun of B-Rad to your event. He travels all over the upstate SC, NC and Georgia. Contact B-Rad today! He books up in a magical minute :)

He has a lot to earn while entertaining children with special needs he was incredibly rude and…read moreunprofessional to my Autistic grandson.

From the owner: Joseph Young is a multi-award winning Family Entertainer from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, who has been…read morehonored as one of the Funniest Magicians and Christian Illusionists in America. For 20+ years, he has been traveling around the country partnering with Companies, Schools, Churches, Upward Celebrations, Family events & more

John, I just wanted to thank you one more time for the magic and joy you brought to everyone at our…read moreparty. You did a fantastic job; everyone loved it and kept talking about. If I could give you 100 stars I certainly would!

We went to a birthday party where he performed and he did a fantastic job and kept the children…read moreentertained and engaged the whole time.

Love love love!! Great work! Very friendly! Down to earth! No matter where you see Twist he treats…read moreyou like family. Such and awesome and caring guy!

From the owner: Eye-Popping Balloon Twisting & Balloon Decorating , Mind-Boggling Magic, Jaw Dropping Juggling and…read moreSkyscraping Stilt Walking. I spend most of my time Entertaining In Western North Carolina , But I do travel to other States and Countries, And Enjoy everyday as a Balloon Twister