GILROY
– Hypnotist Travis Fox is returning to amaze audiences for two
performances at the Gilroy High School gym at 7 and 9 p.m on March
5.
GILROY – Hypnotist Travis Fox is returning to amaze audiences for two performances at the Gilroy High School gym at 7 and 9 p.m on March 5.
Fox is famous for his production of “Hypnomania,” one of the largest touring stage hypnosis shows in North America. Hypnomania averages about 250 shows a year, performing all across the country, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.
With music written by Fox himself, the two 75-minute shows will include 45 to 55 high-energy routines. No people will be seen dancing like chickens, he said; his show is unlike any other.
“If you can imagine a (David) Copperfield kinetic energy (with) an Aerosmith concert, high-energy in-your-face fun,” Travis said. “People are naturally funny. I don’t need to embarrass them to be funny.”
Coordinator for Fox’s visit, Don DeLorenzo, described the show as, “Just hysterical, a lot of fun. He just plays off our human reactions to things. It’s something you pay 50 or 60 bucks for this kind of show, and everybody gets it for 10 bucks.”
Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will go directly to benefit Gilroy High School’s 2004 Grad Night, a safe and sober event for seniors. With 1,300 people expected for each performance, the money raised will make a large dent in Grad Night’s fund-raising goal. According to Marina Thomas, entertainment chair of the Grad Night Committee, the cost of putting on Grad Night averages $35,000 to $40,000 each year.
“This is a way for the community to raise funds in the most unique way. I’m sure they’ve been approached with candy bars,” Travis said.
From an early age Travis learned to how to entertain. He watched as his mother performed on stage as an actress and model. When he was 19 years old, he began studying the art of hypnotism at Arizona State University, which would later become the skill to bring himself on stage.
Hypnotism is something everyone can get involved in, he said. Although some people think they can’t be hypnotized, Fox is able to prove the disbelievers wrong.
“You don’t have to believe, it just makes my part much easier,” Fox said.
Participation is the soul drive of the show.
“Tendency is, the older we get we forget how to dream and how to imagine. I challenge them to dream, go outside the box and start thinking ‘I wonder if,’ ” he said.
“There is theatrical lighting but it’s just his set up with the music, everything is just a high quality show. He does more than 250 shows a year, and he is just as vivacious and quick,” Thomas said. “He definitely takes pride in what he does, and he makes sure that everyone there is loving the show and getting their money’s worth. It’s definitely a family show.”
Fox has appeared on television shows including “Talk Soup” and the “Statler Brothers Show” on The Nashville Network. This is Travis’ fourth consecutive year of performing in Gilroy. Previously, Fox has done shows for the Gilroy High School’s Grad Night and will do so again this year on June 11. Friday’s performance is an opportunity for the public to see what they’ve been missing.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and may be purchased by calling 848-7101 ext. 8638 or at the Gilroy Golf Course Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
