Magic & Mindbenders Weekend

Illusionist Ryan Dutcher

Ryan Dutcher truly represents the future of illusion and magical entertainment, incorporating fast-paced magic, with classic hits from yesterday and popular music from today. Ryan performs shows that incorporate mind-bending magic, cutting-edge comedy, and amazing audience participation.

Comedic Juggler Stephen Caruso

Comedic juggler Stephen Caruso returns to our Mountaintop! His dynamic performance style blends sharp humor, adrenaline-filled tricks, and knife throwing that will thrill audiences of all ages!

Flexible Comedy with Jonathan Burns

Born with the gifts of flexibility, curiosity, and goofiness, Jonathan Burns combines these unique talents to astonish audiences around the globe. Jonathan has wow’d the AMERICA’S GOT TALENT judges, been told by Penn he was ”absolutely fabulous” on their show FOOL US, and dazzled on THE LATE LATE SHOW with James Corden, among many others. The New York Times called him “Extremely Funny” and Campus Activities Magazine named him “Variety Artist of the Year” — TWICE!

Tasting – The Magic of Beer with Yard Owl Brewery 

No illusions here just good beer and conversation. Join the crew from Yard Owl Brewery for a beer tasting and to discuss all things beer.

Please Note: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. There is a $40 per person fee for this event. Participants must be 21 or older to attend.

Magician Ran’D Shine

Ran’D is the face of the new millennium magician. He wowed audiences with his brilliant presentation at the 44th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C as well as Capetown, South Africa. As one of the most sought after college performers he has also captured the imaginations of audiences from Hollywood to New York City for more than a decade. He has already read your mind and knows that you want to know more. Come see for yourself…

Traditions of Chinese Acrobatics

Acrobat Li Liu performs hand balancing, plate spinning, ribbon dancing, diabolos and foot juggling. A limited number of volunteers get to join her on stage to create an impromptu ribbon dance, and also to try their hand at plate spinning!

The Magic Show & Tell Workshop

Throughout history, magicians have amazed audiences with their remarkable feats of magic and illusions. But don’t be fooled… the art of magic is much more mysterious than the process of performing a simple trick. In the same way, The Magic Show & Tell Workshop is more than an introduction to magic. This 60-minute hands-on workshop is your exclusive invitation into the world of magic. In addition to magic’s history and many interesting facts, you will learn the fundamental techniques and secrets on how magic really works. Combining the techniques for these tricks with a little bit of practice and a few common everyday objects, you will hold the secrets to creating mind-blowing magic, as a magician, for your next audience!

Magician TJ Tana

TJ fell in love with magic when he was just 5 years old. A close family friend made a rubber ball vanish and reappear right before TJ’s eyes. That one single trick turned his fascination into a hobby, which soon became his passion. TJ immersed himself in magic books and videos before going on to study with masters like Criss Angel, Lance Burton and David Blaine. TJ quickly become known to his peers as the next “up-and-comer.”

Magic for the Road Craft Kit       

Enjoy this magical family-friendly craft kit. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

RYAN DUTCHER

Growing up in New York, Ryan embarked on his own electrifying journey at the young age of eleven. He launched his career through philanthropic work for charitable organizations. Ryan Dutcher truly represents the future of illusion and magical entertainment, incorporating fast-paced magic, with classic hits from yesterday and popular music from today. Ryan performs shows that incorporate mind-bending magic, cutting-edge comedy, and amazing audience participation. Touring the country, playing large theaters and stadiums and college campuses, with venues both large and small, Ryan has left audiences in awe. His performances have been called, “inspirational”, by Fordham University and “amazing”, by MTV. Ryan’s sense of humor and the connections he makes with audience members of all ages add the personal touch that sets him apart.

JONATHAN BURNS

Jonathan Burns always thought he was special. He was the kid who would put his leg over his head in gym class or get the dance party started at any wedding. At age twelve, a magic shop opened near his hometown of Johnstown, PA, and a family friend took him on opening day. After that, Jonathan would show up every weekend and come home with new tricks, and then would try out his newfound “powers” on his family, friends, and basically anyone who would watch. Eventually, someone took notice and asked him to perform at their daughter’s birthday party which marked the starting point of his career. Over the past twelve years, his talents have taken him to over 500 college campuses across the United States and to special events in 9 countries around the globe. He has also performed stunts on AGT, Penn & Teller Fool Us, the Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with James Corden & more. When he’s not on stage he can usually be found in an airport terminal or spending time with his lovely wife, two daughters, and their dog Buddy.

RAN’D SHINE

With the flick of a wrist, the Philadelphia native has become a global phenomenon by wowing the most diverse and wildly appreciative audiences for more than a decade. His unique style and presentation so impressed President Barrack Obama that he was invited to be a special performer for the “Salute to Heroes” at the 44th Presidential Inauguration Banquet and Ball in 2009. Shortly thereafter he headed across the Atlantic to Capetown, South Africa where he performed his one-man show, “Mysterious Ways”, which was also selected for 20 performances at The South African National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. As his fans will so gleefully attest, he is so much more than a magician. Ran’D prides himself on being a historian and ‘educator of magic’. He has lectured on campuses throughout the United States as well as on military bases in Japan, Guam, and Korea. Remarkably, he also finds the time to give back to his most adoring fans as a fixture at numerous hospital wards where he entertains children with terminal illnesses.

STEPHEN CARUSO

Stephen Caruso is a dynamic entertainer with skills for days. He has been voted Pennsylvania’s Funniest Comic and performed his variety show for Flava Flav. He has also headlined on Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and at Sandal’s Resorts. Stephen is a big fan of throwing things, so in addition to performing one of the most sought-after variety shows on the East Coast, Stephen also owns and operates a mobile axe throwing service. When Stephen is not throwing things up in the air, you can probably find him throwing things at a wall in front of him.

LI LIU

Li Liu was born in the city of Shenyang in Northeast China. At the age of six she began her acrobatic training, and the following year she was chosen to attend The Chinese National Circus School in the capital city of Beijing. While in Beijing she trained for eight hours a day until she was 16. In 1984 her artistic cycling act won a gold medal at the prestigious Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris, France. She often teamed with her sister Liu Ying to create duo acts that were conceived by her coach and father Liu Gui Ting. In 1995 their duo hand balancing act was selected to perform at The Wu Qiao International Circus Festival where they were awarded “The Golden Lion” prize. Li Liu came to the United States in 2000 with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and toured all over the US for two years. She has been living in the US and working as a performer since 2003. Li is a regular on the NBA & WNBA half-time circuits and is also a featured performer on Princess Cruise Lines. In September of 2010, Li appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman.

TJ TANA

By the time he was 15, TJ was already winning numerous awards in the entertainment industry including the Society of American Magicians Award and the coveted Stage Magic Award at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada. By 19, TJ was the headlining magician in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. To date, TJ has thousands of performances under his belt in over 10 countries across the globe. TJ has performed as a corporate magician and illusionist for Fortune 500 companies like Morgan Stanley, Verizon, and Marriott Hotels. Aside from performing, TJ has also been chosen by his peers to consult on many new magic projects including Franz Harary’s House of Magic in Macau, China, an attraction considered the largest and most technologically advanced in the world. More recently, TJ toured with “The Illusionists” direct from Broadway, serving as the head Illusion manager. The show was performed in many cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the beautiful Sydney Opera House! What sets TJ’s performances apart from other entertainers is his focus on “extremely interactive” entertainment. TJ believes audience engagement “creates a whole new experience and a memory that will last a lifetime.” TJ has performed in venues across the East Coast: in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and his show have been named one of Newsday’s “Top 10 Things to See on Long Island.”

YARD OWL BREWERY

James and Michelle Walsh combined their shared excitement for the restaurant business seventeen years ago and opened Mudd Puddle Café in New Paltz, NY. Fresh roasted coffee, hand crafted food, and a warm community space has been the focus since day one. In 2012, they expanded their passion for fine crafted beverages and food by opening Yard Owl Brewery in Gardiner, NY. Here, the team comes together to brew and serve expressive Belgian inspired ales. The beer is paired with house made pickled vegetables and eggs and beer mustards that are served with cheese, charcuterie and pretzels. This venue has enabled them to create a second community space and expand their creativity into another area of the food and craft beverage world.