August 29, 2005

A magic start for centennial weekend

MARYVILLE, Mo. – “A Night of Illusion,” scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in the Performing Arts Center, ushers in a weekend of campus events celebrating the official start of Northwest Missouri State University’s centennial year.

The magic and variety show follows a Back to School Open House in College Park, which is being hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations.

Northwest alumni and friends will gather in the park across the street from the Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m. There will be food for sale throughout the event, and tickets to “Illusion” will be available at the center box office from 6 p.m. until curtain.

A number of emeriti faculty are expected to attend. There is no admission charge. Courtesy RSVPs are requested to the Office of Alumni Relations at (660) 562-1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu.

Presented by the University’s Centennial Committee, “A Night of Illusion” features Danny Cole, Matt Marcy, George Saterial and Mirko – performers who headline regularly in major nightclubs and auditoriums, and whose magic skills have mystified audiences all over the world.

The show also stars comedian Kerry Pollock, quick-change artists Nikolai & Nina and Team Rootberry, a comic juggling duo specializing in knives, saw blades and sword swallowing.

Producer David Sandy, a Northwest alumnus (’86) and owner of David Sandy Productions of St. Joseph, said he “pulled out all the stops” to put together a great variety show for his alma mater.

“These are all top award-winning acts that usually work in big production shows,” Sandy said. “You won’t typically see these acts working together, and every one of them is in the top one-half percent for this kind of entertainment.”

He added that “Illusion” will be a truly international event and features performers from Russia, South America and elsewhere around the globe.

“This show has a little of everything,” Sandy said. “There’s magic, music, comedy, dancing, juggling, sword swallowing and much more. We have a lot of variety, and everyone will enjoy it, whether they’re 3 years old or 90. It’s a great show for families.”

Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 with a student Bearcat ID. Tickets are available at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building. Though listed as part of this year’s Encore performances season, “Illusion” tickets are not included in the series’ eight-show season ticket package.

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