'Magic Get-Together' returns to 'normal' in '22

Jef Rietsma
·3 min read
Abbott’s Magic owner Greg Bordner said the 2022 Abbott’s Magic Get-Together features a solid lineup of talent, including Lance Burton and Michael Carbonaro.
Abbott’s Magic owner Greg Bordner said the 2022 Abbott’s Magic Get-Together features a solid lineup of talent, including Lance Burton and Michael Carbonaro.

"Abbott’s Magic Get-Together" hasn’t been “normal” since 2019.

The pandemic forced cancellation in 2020, and 2021's festival had limited audience allowed at nightly performances.

But Get-Together '22 takes place Aug. 3-6, with a roster loaded with talent.

Abbott’s Magic owner Greg Bordner said the four-day celebration of magic and illusion will resemble pre-pandemic years. Assembling the pieces that make up the 2022 festival was a team effort, Bordner said.

“It’s a process that is done with quite a bit of help … there are people back stage who have been a part of this for years," Bordner said. "Mark Holstein is a lawyer from Texas and he’s been stage manager for a number of years. Michael Miller is from Philadelphia and he’s the producer and the one who lines up the acts. And then my wife, Deb, she mans the helm, so to speak, and I’m more or less the front guy.”

Also involved are the people who operate sound and lighting, and behind-the-scenes tasks. Bordner said he is fortunate to also have help from his son and daughter, who pitch in to help make the Get-Together a success. Bordner reiterated it takes more than one person to successfully pull off four nights of high-profile entertainment.

Bordner said he was fortunate this year to land Michael Carbonaro, perhaps best known for his TV program, “The Carbonaro Effect,” on TruTv. Carbonaro is included on Thursday night’s slate of talent. Bordner said Mac King also appears Thursday, as Carbonaro and King anchor a night of talent that could fairly be called an embarrassment of riches.

Lance Burton, another big name in the world of magic, will be in town and speaking during the lecture portion of the Get-Together. Bordner said Burton performed last year and enjoyed his stay in Colon so much that he opted to return this year. Burton, however will not be performing at any of the evening shows.

Opening-night (Aug. 3) features five acts: Bizzaro, Nick Diffatte, Doug Stafford, Tim Wright and Joel Hodgson. Bordner said he considers himself lucky to be able to offer such a solid lineup of talent.

Aug. 5 performance features the duo of John Bundy and Morgan, for “Ghost Show."

“If you’re into Halloween, you’ll love (it)," Bordner said. "John Bundy and Morgan are ghoulish, come-if-you-dare, spooky kind of thing. I know ‘Burned Alive’ is one of the illusions they’ll be doing. He’ll certainly make it entertaining.”

The closing-night performance (Aug. 6) features a six-act lineup and lifelong Colon resident BJ Mallen serving as master of ceremonies. The talent scheduled to appear is Reynold Alexander, Artem Shchukin, Hansel Kreutzberger, Michael Goudeau, David Seebach and Handsome Jack.

Bordner, 70, said that show will be a strong finale and the Get-Together is sure to end on a high note.

Bordner said he strives to make sure there is new material nightly, no overlap or back-to-back card tricks, for example. The performers are professionals, many who have performed on television, in Vegas and in other major venues.

Other attractions throughout the week:

  • Colon American Legion is sponsoring street performers at various times and locations downtown.

  • Abbott’s will host daily magic shows at 1 p.m. in its showroom.

  • Multiple performances daily will be offered at Sterlini Magic & Theater.

  • Laflin’s Grand Magic Theater will hold shows nightly.

  • Arts and crafts shows

  • Curly’s is scheduled to stage its "Close-Up" contest.

For a complete schedule, visit www.magicgettogether.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: 'Abbott's Magic Get-Together' takes place Aug. 3-6, with a roster loaded with talent.