Press release from Vanishing WheelchairVanishing Wheelchair:
The Vanishing Wheelchair’s performers invite friends and family to a unique “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” performance on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the non-profit’s founder Ricky D. Boone’s sixtieth birthday. The family-friendly, hour-long show features story tellers, singers, jugglers, and magicians and will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and all proceeds help the non-profit The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc.
Diagnosed with a rare bone disorder, Morgani’s Syndrome, Ricky D. Boone, local magician and magic shop owner, was never supposed to live past the age of four – on Jan. 13 he will turn sixty. Through the years he has survived brain surgery and a heart attack from a rare virus, yet he not only has survived, but thrived. Boone’s magic shop, Magic Central, is one of the last standing brick and mortar stores in the country, he has had a successful performing business, is a motivational speaker, has been on all four major television networks, appeared on NPR, and has had a book written about his life, not to mention has won numerous awards from his performances including two Emmy awards for a story about his life on WLOS. Yet Boone admits his greatest achievement is helping people with disabilities find their passion in life through teaching them skills in the arts through his 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc.
This show marks the eighth season in which “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” has appeared on a monthly basis in Asheville. The show features numerous talents of people with disabilities and those who wish to help them. At any given show, an audience may see singing, story telling, and of course magic. The show appeared and disappeared for several years since the non-profit’s founding on November 24, 2010. On February 20, 2013 the show began appearing in Asheville on a monthly basis, finding its stride at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church before moving to its own little theatre. The non-profit is excited to be back at St. Mary’s to mark this special occasion.
The Vanishing Wheelchair has used the proceeds from the events it hosts to launch “All Things Possible” to teach skills in performing, painting, photography, music, crafts, writing, and wood working to people with disabilities. These workshops are available to other non-profits to share with their clientele and will be conducted at its 175 Weaverville Highway location. Eventually the non-profit wishes to expand 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.
Come support and see what The Vanishing Wheelchair is all about. Tickets may be available at the door, but advanced reservations are strongly encouraged since seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.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 828-443-8414.
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