Magic wasn’t the only spell that magician Nash Fung brought his audience. His performance for a Homecoming Week audience on Oct. 9 balanced illusion and personal reflection on stage.
Everyone remembers that one magic trick or act that made them believe that magic was real. In Fung’s case, he tried that very trick because he wanted to impress a girl. It didn’t work out well for Fung, who said he picked the wrong assistant from the audience.
The event started at 8 p.m., but a long line was forming outside the University Student Center Ballroom’s closed doors. Students were eager to get a 2014 Homecoming shirt and find the best seats in the house at as early as 7:30 p.m.
The audience was engaged by their anticipation for Fung’s tricks. But the night wasn’t just about magic and humor # Fung took two breaks to share with the audience about his passions and hobbies.
He spoke of a father and his adult son Fung met at a show. The father suffered from Alzheimer’s. A week after Fung performed for them, he received a phone call from the son. The son told Fung that after Fung had showed them a trick, his father began to remember the trips to magic shows that they took when the son was young. The son was close to tears on the phone, but Fung clarified to us that he didn’t cry. Why not?
Because he “works out,” Fung told the audience. “You know what I’m talking about.” Then he flexed his muscles.
Tricks aren’t all of Fung’s identity. When he’s not touring with his magic tricks, Fung volunteers for a suicide hotline. Fung reflected on later phone calls from people who tell him how # with his help # their life turned around. They realized that happiness is a choice.
If you or anyone you know if suffering from depression or having suicidal thoughts, please remember that you are loved and there’s help. Keep the Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255) close by and visit the USFSP Wellness Center.
Oh my 🙂 My google alert directed me to this 🙂
Thank you so much Lona for such wonderful write-up, the audience at USFSP was simply wonderful and I’m so happy to have the chance to meet you all!
PS: Even happier to see you have listed the USFSP Suicide hotline # at the bottom of the article.