Ashevillean Gwenda Ledbetter helps charity the Vanishing Wheelchair celebrate two year anniversary
Gwenda Ledbetter, the Storylady from TV’s the Mr. Bill Show, will be joining the magician founders of The Vanishing Wheelchair to celebrate with new friends and old as they produce the second anniversary show of “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” at St. Mary’s Church at 337 Charlotte Street on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The show is a family-friendly production featuring the talents of people with disabilities and those who wish to help them. Opening with interactive walk-around performances at 6:30 p.m. and then moving into an inspirational stage show, the show is free to the public with donations greatly appreciated. The hour-and-a-half event continues each month with shows on March 21 and April 18, with more dates to be announced. Its talented members will then be joining the Asheville Festival of magic, appearing in May 1-3.
“A magic show has always been an ultimate goal of The Vanishing Wheelchair,” says T.J. Shimeld, president and co-founder of the nonprofit. “It gives an opportunity for people to showcase their talents and work with one another as an ensemble. Everyone is the star of the show. We are delighted that the show is entering its third season, and keeps growing and attracts wonderful people like Gwenda who wish to help our cause.”
The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc. plans on using the money raised from these programs to teach skills in performing, painting, photography, music, crafts, writing, and wood working to people with disabilities. Its ultimate goal is to establish a universally accessible hands-on museum for children to explore the arts and sciences at which people with disabilities can work and continue to learn these skills.
Inspired by the mystifying misdirection of Ricky D. Boone who uses magic and comedy to make his disability a great ability, The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc. was founded by Ricky and author/theatrical performer T.J. Shimeld to teach the art of misdirection to encourage the world to focus on another’s ability rather than one’s disability; to guide youth in the discovery of their own talents; and to give youth a path to reach their full potential. Its purpose is also to provide entertainment, education, and inspiration to children of all ages in the hope that each will attain his or her God-given potential. And to print and publish inspirational books and literature. Its first publication is Ricky Boone’s biography, The Four-foot Giant and the Vanishing Wheelchair.
Author T.J. Shimeld and Ricky D. Boone will be available to sign books after the shows. A suggested donation of $10 for adult tickets and $5 for children tickets is appreciated. Tickets may be available at the door, but advanced reservations are strongly encouraged since seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at VanishingWheelchair.org, or contact Magic Central, 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite L, Asheville, North Carolina 28804, or call 828-645-2941.
For more information contact T.J. Shimeld at tjshimeld@gmail.com, 1129 Allman Ridge Road, Morganton, North Carolina 28655. Call 828-391-6965.
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