Scott Fillers is one of two professional magicians performing at East Ridge STARs of MAGIC Aug. 24. (Contributed photo)East Ridge is home to two award-winning professional magicians, and both are performing at East Ridge STARs of MAGIC, a comedy and illusion show at South Seminole Baptist Church Saturday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.
The purpose of the show is to raise funds and awareness for the East Ridge Needy Child Fund, a nonprofit organization that collects donations of food, clothing and gifts to be distributed at Christmastime to about 160 local families in need, as well as meeting needs throughout the year such as providing school uniforms for students who cannot afford them. Families are referred to the organization by school guidance counselors, and volunteers interview the families to identify their needs, said Robert Jones, a volunteer for the organization and one of the performing magicians.
A portion of the funds raised through the event will also go to the South Seminole Baptist youth group, he said.
Jones is a Society of American Magicians National M-U-M Magician of the Year who travels the world performing on cruise ships, at trade shows and for school groups. Fellow presenter Scott Fillers is a first place winner of the International Brotherhood of Magicians competition.
The East Ridge show will be the first time the two have performed together in more than 20 years.
Fillers, an East Ridge native who is older than Jones, was Jones' idol growing up. "I've known him my entire magic life," said Jones, a magician of 47 years.
While held at a church, the family-friendly show does not involve religion. Jones likens it to a David Copperfield show.
Professional magician Robert Jones is performing a comedy and illusion show in East Ridge with fellow magician Scott Fillers to benefit East Ridge Needy Child Fund and South Seminole Baptist Church Youth Group. (Contributed photo)"You're going to see all sorts of things," he said, such as seeing a person levitate and then get cut into quarters. "We like to get people from the audience involved."
The show is full of laughs, and the lighting effects and staging are sure to impress, Jones added.
"It's probably going to be the best thing they've seen in Chattanooga," he said. "It's going to be something that if they miss it, they're going to kick themselves. On a scale of one to 10, I give it at least a 35."
Tickets cost $15 at the door or $10 in advance online at brownpapertickets.com/event/4298989. Attendees are also asked to bring a nonperishable or canned food item to be donated to the East Ridge Food Pantry.
South Seminole Baptist Church is at 1201 S. Seminole Drive. For more information, call Jones at 326-1186 or email mrjpro@epbfi.com.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.