Experience the extraordinary: Illusionist coming to Boca Grande

 
BY SUE ERWIN – Illusionist Craig Karges, award-winning entertainer and nationally recognized speaker, will be coming to the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Karges combines the art of magic with the science of psychology and the power of intuition to create the impression that nothing is impossible. Tables will float, minds will be read and metal will bend – you won’t believe your eyes.
Karges has been performing magic shows on stage since he was 12. He credits his uncle, who was a fortune-teller, for his original interest in the performing arts.
“My uncle was my teacher. His intuitive skills were amazing. He could read people, and I was always intrigued and wanted to learn from him,” he said.
After his uncle passed away, he inherited several things that he’d eventually use in his stage shows.
“It’s basically a three-part show. Part of the show is magic. There is some trickery, so often something is going on that you’re not seeing. And part of it is psychological in regard to how people are inclined to react to things in certain ways,” Karges said.
Reading and interpreting body language are skills he uses as part of his intuition during the shows.
“I’m looking forward to this performance. I’ve been doing shows for 36 years, and I have never been to Boca Grande.”
Karges is from West Virginia and attended Marshall University. He paid his way through college by performing magic shows. He majored in broadcast journalism but decided to pursue show business after graduating.
“I was offered an internship at a news station, but I was young and wanted to pursue my dream,” he said.
And that perseverance paid off.
Karges has made more than 5,000 appearances in 25 countries on four continents and in all 50 states.
Performance Magazine named his touring show one of the top five variety/family shows in North America. Karges was in good company, as the list also included the likes of illusionist David Copperfield and Walt Disney’s World on Ice.
Karges is also the author of three books: “Extraordinary Tales – Stories from the Road,” “The Wizard’s Legacy – A Tale of Magic” and “Ignite Your Intuition.”
“I’ve always enjoyed writing, and these books were inspired from my personal experiences,” he said.
Although he has traveled internationally to do shows, West Virginia is still his home today.
Debbie Frank, program director at Friends of Boca Grande, believes the performance will be a popular one.
“We saw his show recently in Orlando, and we are still talking about it. To describe it is impossible … to see it is unforgettable,” she said.
Tickets are $25 and are on sale now. Call 964-0827 or visit friendsofbocagrande.org.