Students were able to receive a bit of magic along with free coffee on Monday, Nov. 8, as Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted their Mocha Mingle with special guest Matt “The Knife.”

Mocha Mingle is a bi-annual event where students go to the on-campus Starbucks coffee shop and get a free beverage of their choice, any size.

All of CAB’s events are free for students and are for students’ entertainment. CAB paid the amount of money owed to Starbucks. To be eligible to receive the free drinks, students needed a specific card that was handed out by CAB student employees.

“The funds come out of our budget, and the budget is student assessed fees,” said one of CAB’s student workers, senior Katie Quin. “We do Mocha Mingle once a semester.”

In addition to the free drinks, many students migrated to the Student Union to watch Matt “The Knife,” who on top of being a world-renowned magician is also a mentalist and sword eater. Matt has also broken 12 world records including escaping, fire manipulation and card tricks.

He also has toured 10 different countries such as Japan, China, Italy and the United Kingdom. Matt has been to Southeastern several times, and is known for his humorous performances, dangerous escapes and swallowing knives.

“I liked the fact that he was also a comedian,” said sophomore Courtney Himbert. “He kept me laughing the entire time almost.”

There was no knife swallowing this year, as the cold weather created a great risk for the knife becoming stuck in Matt’s throat. Instead, Matt swallowed a bent hanger.

“It’s just so cold, everything tightens up,” said Matt.

According to Matt, he has only suffered from one injury in swallowing knives, a minor interior laceration.

“It doesn’t hurt, none of it,” said Matt. “I mean I wouldn’t exactly call it comfortable.”

Along with swallowing the hanger, Matt also entertained students with mind reading, card tricks, facial readings and for the grand finale, he caught a paintball in his mouth.

Senior Zachariah Brown, who also works at Starbucks, enjoyed the show and drinking coffee with his friends.

“I think it was excellent,” said Brown. “People were mingling like cats and dogs.”