COAL CITY — A popular Halloween magic show is returning to Coal City Saturday.
Channahon Family Dentistry's Dr. Mark Kaschube's annual show will mark its 23rd year, and its second year in Coal City.
Kaschube said the show, named Halloween Magic 2, is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Coal City High School. The show is free, but Kashube said donations for Salute, Inc., will be accepted at the door.
Each year, Kaschube also holds a show in Rosemont, at the Akoo Theater. That performance is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com. For more information, call (815) 467-1111 or visit www.magicdentist.com.
Kaschube said all the funds raised at both shows will go to Salute, Inc., which supports members of the military.
"Salute, Inc. takes care of wounded warriors coming home," he said.
Kaschube said that, last year, the two shows brought in about $42,000 for the organization. Still, he said fundraising can be difficult with sponsorships and ticket sales down because of the economy. While financial support may have waned, he said the needs of returning injured troops haven't.
"The sad part is, with the war over, they are just inundated with requests, and so they're hoping that I can raise more money for them this year," he said.
In recent months, despite temporarily suspending their application process, Kaschube said the organization has been connected with a Diamond soldier who was wounded in July in Afghanistan, Marine Cpl. Joe Singer. He said that connection to the local community is something he hopes will inspire show attendees to give to the organization.
"We hope that people come out in support of Joe," he said.
When it comes to his show, he said there are plenty of surprises for audiences who have come out in previous years. For the uninitiated, Kaschube said his show is one that is full of the unexpected.
"Everybody always goes, 'A dentist that does a magic show? How good can that show be?'" he said. "... So when they walk in and see all these incredible sets and lighting and incredible dancers before the show starts, they go 'Oh my god, I had no idea.'"
Beyond being a dentist, he said he's performed magic shows around the U.S. and the world. In addition to the show, Kaschube said the Coal City show will also include giveaways from sponsor Standard Bank and his dental office.
He said there's a strong interest in giving back to the community beyond the free show.
"We've been using this event not just to provide entertainment to the community, but also have a nice outcome for someone in our community that has a need," he said.
