Festival of Illusions 2024

Name: “UNHUMAN”- REWIND EXHIBIT
Start: 2024-04-12
End: 2024-05-12
Location: Chessman Gallery

Your week of weatherproof wonder begins March 23: 2024 Surftides Hotel Festival of Illusions

LINCOLN CITY – This spring break will be a whip-cracking, art-making, balloon-twisting, mesmerizing and appetizing good time at the beach, thanks to the 2024 Surftides Hotel Festival of Illusions at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. This family-friendly, weatherproof festival will offer magic, art, ventriloquism, juggling, circus tricks and more, with daytime and evening events for every budget, from March 23 to 30.

This annual beach vacation tradition is sponsored by Amy Graham, Taylor & Taylor Realty Co., the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and Surftides Hotel Lincoln City. Reserved tickets are on sale now.

This year’s lineup includes four festival debuts, including Canadian ventriloquist Michael Harrison (March 26) and the inspiring father-son duo of Lucky Luke (and Levi) Hammer (March 24), and the return of favorites like Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show (March 27) and Alex Zerbe the Zaniac (March 28). Each evening show will be different from the last. See full schedule for event dates, time and ticket prices.

All evening show seating is reserved, so make sure to get your tickets early and claim your desired seats by calling the LCCC at 541-994-9994 or by clicking this link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lccc. Buy 4 or more tickets and get a group discount of 10% off your entire order.

There will be plenty to do in the daytime, as well. In addition to Krista Eedy’s famous Magic Art Studio, the Cultural Center will also host the Boredom Busting Balloon class and a Cookie Decorating Workshop. There will be a sale of “magic gear” and a Hogwarts Lego Castle on display, and a visit from the Oregon Coast Art Bus. The Shaky Grounds Cafe, a pop-up escape room about emergency preparedness, will be on site and open for business March 23 through March 26.

Families can even take a little of the magic home: Themed Art Kits, made by a team of volunteers and the LCCC Artistic Director Krista Eddy, will be available while supplies last. Members of the public are invited to “shop” the art kit room, located next to Margaret’s Meeting Room, upstairs at the LCCC. Art Kits are by donation — pay what you can and enjoy crafting with the little ones in your life.

While you’re at the Center, check out the new outdoor art installations of the Cultural Plaza. If the weather is nice, you can head out to give Pete Beeman’s abstract “Poppy” a push, read the new poem on the Poetry Path, or play a tune on the Harmony Notes instruments. The Center will also be hosting a new exhibit, “Vivid Existence” by Riley Hoagland, in the Chessman Gallery. It will be open during the special Festival of Illusions hours, 10am to 5 pm daily, March 23-30.

The Festival of Illusions was founded in 2011 to provide affordable family entertainment during Oregon’s public school spring break.

“It’s always exciting to welcome new talent to our annual spring break fun fest,” said LCCC Executive Director Niki Price. “I can’t wait to see Commander Salamander Super Circus Sideshow, The American Mystifier and Luke and Levi Hammer – and our first ventriloquist in 12 years of Festival of Illusions. But I also love to see favorites like Heather Pearl, Alex Zerbe and David Lichtenstein, back to entertain our audiences once again!”

The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. The LCCC galleries will be open 10am – 5pm throughout the festival week. Drop by or call the office at 541-994-9994.

Evening Performances

FOI evening performance tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors/students, $9 for youth ages 6-18, free for kids 5 and younger. LCCC Membership Discounts and Complimentary Tickets will be honored. Purchase four or more tickets to receive a magical 10% off. All advance tickets are subject to a $2 per ticket fee. Purchase tickets to all the Surftides Hotel Festival of Illusions at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lccc

Fly Through Time with Leapin’ Louie

Saturday, March 23rd, 7:00 PM

The Festival of Illusions begins tonight with Leapin’ Louie’s cowboy circus about animals who fly. Louie uses circus and cowboy tricks, a six-foot unicycle and lots of comedy to explore all the wild critters who fly (including us). In 400 million years five amazing groups of animals developed flight: Insects, pterosaurs, birds, bats and finally — humans. Only 66 years after the Wright Brothers invented the airplane, we landed on the moon. We’re moving so fast! Can we leave enough room for our amazing wild ecosystems as we jet into the future? Leapin’ Louie (aka David Lichtenstein) is a master of physical comedy, trick roping, whip cracking, and juggling. He has performed one-person shows in 35 different countries around the world, including many tours in Europe, Japan, and Australia. Leapin’ Louie has decided to turn his comedy and cowboy circus skills towards the celebration of the wild diversity of animals on this beautiful planet. It’s weird and fun. Direct show ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229112

Lucky Luke Hammer (with special guest)

Sunday, March 24th, 7:00 PM

Lucky Luke has been performing family friendly magic shows for over 20 years in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re 5 or 95, he’s got a trick to amaze you or a joke to amuse you. By the end of the night, you’ll be smiling and scratching your head – wondering how someone could be so lucky. Come hear his story and you, too, might just leave the theatre a little luckier than when you walked in. Joining him on stage will be special guest Lucky Levi. He is an up-and-coming star who recently won the Ray Grant Memorial Award for Originality, Showmanship, and Creativity at the Northwest Magic Jamboree (and also happens to be Lucky Luke’s son.) Direct show ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229117

Commander Salamander Super Circus Sideshow

Monday, March 25th, 7:00 PM

Commander Salamander’s Super Circus Sideshow is coming to the Festival of Illusions! There will be chills and thrills as Commander Salamander, Buttercup Firefly and the rarely-seen Squid Dog perform a wildly exciting show for you. They will perform acts like Cowboy trick roping, precision bullwhip cracking, world famous knife throwing, sword swallowing and more! Plus the show is chock full of safe and exciting audience participation. Here’s your chance to run away and join the circus, with Commander Salamander’s Super Circus Sideshow. Direct show ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229126

Ventastic Ventriloquism with Michael Harrison

Tuesday, March 26th, 7:00 PM

From Victoria BC, Michael is an extraordinarily talented ventriloquist, comedian and master showman who combines his many talents in this laugh out loud, one-man tour de force. Watch as he turns ventriloquism upside-down with original routines and a cast of characters that can only be described as “one of a kind”. International appearances include; America’s Got Talent (USA) Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto) MGM Grand Hotel (Macau, China) Sandals Resort (Caribbean) Atlantis Resort (Bahamas) Rainbow Room (Rockefeller Center, New York City) Hong Kong Comedy Festival (Hong Kong) Catch A Rising Start Comedy Club (New York City), Take Out Comedy Club (Hong Kong) and the #1 headline act on Disney Cruise Line for 20 consecutive years and 3500 performances. A powerhouse show that is guaranteed to amaze and entertain. …it’s vaudeville ventriloquism for a new generation, it’s fantastic ventriloquism, it’s VENTASTIC! Direct show ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229129

Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show

Wednesday, March 27th, 7:00 PM

The Magical Mr. B is an award-winning performer with more than 30 years of experience in entertaining families with his funny illusions. He has performed in 47 of the United States and several countries abroad. He has fine-tuned his presentations to create a fun and amazing magic show for all ages. Laughter, audience participation and amazing surprises are just a few of the things in store for you when you attend the Magical Mr. B Family Show. Reserved theatre style seating $20 adults/$18 seniors and students/$8 youth ages 6-18/free for children ages 0-5. For ticketing, call us at 541-994-9994 or click this link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lccc

Alex Zerbe the Zaniac

Thursday, March 28th, 7:00 PM

Alex Zerbe the Zaniac has appeared in three national television shows, holds two Guinness World Records and has sung in over 12,000 showers. With the energy of 10,000 suns, The Zaniac shines like a comedy beacon as he bounces from one end of the stage to the other like an untamed rubber band. Jaws will drop and eyes will pop as Alex juggles bowling balls, flaming torches and slices vegetables in half with a flying playing card. Direct Ticket Link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229135

Taylor Kyle, The American Mystifier

Friday, March 29th, 7:00 PM

Immerse yourself in a world of comedy, storytelling and illusions with Taylor Kyle, The American Mystifier. Known for his interactive shows, Kyle has performed hundreds of live events across the Northwest for companies like Amazon, Starbucks and Indeed. He was introduced to the world of magic and hypnosis by his childhood friend, John Bowe, who helped him find his true calling to live a life of magic and mystery. Expect a special evening of magic and mentalism. Direct ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229136

Daytime Activities

Shaky Grounds Café, Pop-Up Escape Room

Saturday-Tuesday, March 23rd-26th

A major earthquake has devastated much of the Pacific Northwest. Desperate for coffee, you decide to scavenge the remains of your local cafe, in the hopes of finding some coffee beans and other supplies. But don’t get caught outside after curfew or you’ll have much bigger problems than your caffeine withdrawals. In this exciting and immersive 60-minute escape game, family and friend groups are challenged to solve over 20 puzzles about emergency preparedness, developing real life skills and having fun. Use your wits as you try to solve this 1-hour escape room all about emergency preparedness. This pop-up escape room experience will be on site at the Lincoln City Cultural Center from Saturday, March 23, through Tuesday, March 26, with appointments starting at 10 am each day. To book, head to https://www.sidequestescapegames.com/popup/lincolncity.

Magic Art Studio

Monday-Friday, March 25th-29th

The Maker’s Place is celebrating the 12^th Festival of Illusions with a Magic Art Workshop, open every weekday during Spring Break from 2 to 4 pm. Krista is conjuring up amazing projects like stop-motion animation with modeling clay, watercolor resist painting, magic rice rabbits, disappearing color magic tricks and wand making. Or just get busy at an open Invention Station. The Magic Art Workshop is designed for kids ages 5 through 15, but all are welcome. Admission is $5 per artist. Kids 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Hogwarts LEGO Display and Magical Items Sale

March 23-30

During the Festival of Illusions, young wizards are invited to the upstairs Art Kit Shop to see a special display of a model of a Hogwarts Castle, built from Lego. They’ll also find a collection of handmade “magical gear” like wands, invisibility cloaks, broom sticks and magical stones. All proceeds will go to the Cultural Center’s popular Art Kit program, which began during the COVID shutdown to provide creative relief for local families. To date, the program has distributed more than 20,000 kits in north Lincoln County, free or by donation.

Boredom Busting Ballon Class with The Magical Mr. B

Monday, March 25th, 10 AM

Brett Belleque is an award-winning balloon artist, puppeteer and magician with over 35 years of balloon sculpting experience. He has performed across the United States and in several foreign countries. He twists biodegradable latex balloons into amazing works of art, and he can show you how to get started. Pre-registration is required for his Boredom Busting Balloon Class, as he pre-inflates all the necessary balloons safely, at home. The fee is $15 per person, with all materials and instructions included. Direct ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229141

My Petite Sweet Cookie Decorating Class

Tuesday, March 25th, 2:00 PM

Join the queen of sugar, Michelle Mausen of My Petite Sweet, to learn classic frosting and decorating techniques. Every participant takes home a dozen cookies to share (or not). Registration is limited. Fee is $35 per person. Direct ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=229143

Oregon Coast Art Bus

Saturday, March 30, 11 am to 3 pm

Kids of all ages are invited to jump on this brightly-colored school bus filled with art supplies, projects and work-spaces, and friendly volunteer instructors ready to help. Free and open to the public, but space can be limited. Sponsored by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

Schedule by Day

Saturday, March 23

10am-5pm Hogwarts Lego Display and Magical Items Sale (Art Kit Shop)

10am-TBD The Shaky Grounds Cafe Pop-up Escape Room (Outside)

7 pm Fly Through Time with Leapin’ Louie, 7 pm (Auditorium)

Sunday, March 24

10am-5pm Hogwarts Lego Display and Magical Items Sale (Art Kit Shop)

10am-TBD The Shaky Grounds Cafe Pop-up Escape Room (Outside)

7 pm Lucky Luke Hammer & Son (Auditorium)

Monday, March 25