Magic is in the air in Campbell River.
Jason Verners, a magician, is performing at the Tidemark Theatre on March 16.
“Without giving away any of the surprises, I will be bringing my absolute best sleight-of-hand magic to Campbell River,” Verners says. “Imagine watching what most people would call “street magic,” but having it play on a larger stage.”
Verners is from Vancouver Island, growing up camping with his best friends every year at Loveland Bay Provincial Park.
An only child, he started performing magic when he was 10. so he could entertain himself, along with different games and hobbies.
“A deck of playing cards spoke to me differently,” he says. “What started as an innocent hobby has somehow fostered into a full-time career. If you told ten-year-old Jason that magic would take him all over the world he would pinch himself in disbelief.”
Verners says people who enjoy watching magicians on shows like America’s Got Talent should have a blast if they come in person. The 25-year-old magician has appeared in the show’s version in Spain, Spain’s Got Talent. Verners has also been nominated for Canadian Magician of the Year and Canadian Rising Star at the Allan Slaight Awards.
As he got older, Verners’ influences on magic performance would change. He recalls watching Criss Angel TV specials for hours, wishing to be like him. This started to change when Verner’s mentors, the duo Murray Hatfield and Teresa, taught him that it was perhaps better to be Jason Verners on stage, rather than Criss Angel. Since then, stand-up comedians and his now favourite magician, David Blaine, are his primary influences.
Verners mentions he was lucky to see his current favourite at two private events in New York City last year.
“My favourite thing about magic is the emotional responses that we are going to create together. There will be gasps, laughs, shrieks and even more.”
The Campbell River Shrine Club is hosting the event. The club and Verners forged a connection “long ago” with Verners long ago during a tour with Murray Hatfield and Teresa. Verner and the Shrine Club dreamed up the idea of “re-birthing” a live night of entertainment presented by the Shrine Club.
“It’s been a wonderful relationship thus far, and I am excited to raise awareness about the Shriners Transportation Fund. They do such great (and important) work,” he says.
His set begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.