Renowned illusionist David Blaine will enchant Las Vegas with a new residency, set to enchant audiences beginning on New Year’s Eve weekend at the Encore Theater. The performance series will consist of 12 dates extending through May 11.
This announcement itself is noteworthy, as Blaine, celebrated for his magic and endurance feats, hasn’t previously performed on New Year’s Eve. Perhaps more intriguing, however, is the accompanying venue change. Having recently concluded his “In Spades” residency at Resorts World, spanning from September 2022 through June 2023, Blaine has unexpectedly migrated his performance to Wynn Resorts.
Blaine remained reticent regarding the motive behind his relocation when speaking with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His public statement chiefly focused on his lifelong commitment to mastering magic, his round-the-world adventures to unearth deeply concealed secrets, and his quest to carry forward the legacies of past magicians by demonstrating the feasibility of the impossible.
Earlier discussions between Blaine and Steve Wynn about a possible residency at Wynn’s resort potentially laid the groundwork for this venue shift. Curious minds could also speculate that Blaine’s recent shoulder injury, incurred during an 80-foot drop onto cardboard boxes in March, might have influenced the change. This injury led to the cancellation of Blaine’s last two scheduled shows at Resorts World on July 14-15.
One notable adjustment involves the venue size. The Encore Theater accommodates 1,480 guests, a significantly smaller capacity compared to the Resorts World Theatre, which Blaine consistently filled. Rather than perceiving this as a drawback, Blaine is portraying the smaller venue as an advantage. Marketing materials for the upcoming series emphasize the “IM” in “IMPOSSIBLE”, signifying “interactive magic.” Blaine explained that the intimate venue would allow for increased audience participation, enabling guests to engage directly with his magic.
Blaine’s residency, titled “David Blaine: IMPOSSIBLE,” will run on December 29-31, February 14, 17, and 18; March 27, 29, and 30; and May 8, 10, and 11. Tickets will be available for purchase from Friday, September 15, at 10 a.m. PT, commencing at $69.95 plus applicable taxes and fees, exclusively through TicketMaster.
