A Calgary magician hopes to help make some families’ money woes disappear with a budget-conscious show.
With thousands of Calgarians experiencing layoffs, Ryan Pilling knows there’s little discretionary cash for activities and outings. So the producer of the WowFest Magic Arts Festival is waiving the regular $15 ticket for its main event and letting families decide what they can afford, with a minimum of $5.
“I’ve always wanted to make it affordable. It’s not a hoity-toity artsy attitude,” said Pilling. “As a festival producer, it’s important to get more people out. This has always been a labour of love for me and the magicians involved.”
Magician James Jordan gets the audience involved in the show at WowFest 2015. Courtesy, Magdalena Wojcicka
Pilling said he made the change to ensure attendance at the fourth annual event in the Lantern Community Church isn’t negatively affected by the economic downturn.
And he hopes families take advantage of it without taking advantage of the honour system as the festival relies solely on ticket sales for revenue without any grants or public money.
The festival organizers also want to spread the goodwill around. Festival-goers are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the Calgary Food Bank and each show will support a community cause.
Twenty-five per cent of proceeds from the festival’s Amazing Magic Show will go to the Inglewood Music and Arts School.
The school, which also operates out of the Lantern Church, provides lessons to families who might not otherwise have the resources for professional music and arts instructors.
“I taught a magic class at that school so I saw this as a good way to partner with Lantern Church and make it beneficial to everyone.”
The Amazing Magic Show, a variety act with magic, juggling, comedy and audience interaction, runs at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 2 at the Lantern Church. Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.CalgaryMagicShow.com.
The Amazing Magic Show will also run March 8 at the Cardel Theatre in Quarry Park at 5:30 and 7 p.m. The Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks hosts three shows March 12: The Amazing Magic Show at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and The Vaudevillian at 5 p.m.
