Seeing double: Illusionist David DaVinci returns to Oak Harbor for two shows
— Created February 12, 2020 by Kathy Reed
By Kacie Jo Voeller Whidbey Weekly
Take a seat and prepare to be amazed by world-class illusionist David DaVinci Saturday at Oak Harbor High School.
The event, which is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate, will raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Harbor and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County. DaVinci, who has been featured on television specials like Masters of Magic, will share his “Thrillusionist” performance twice on Saturday, with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 for VIP seating.
Kareena Gonzalez, marketing manager for Windermere Realty, said this will be the second year DaVinci has performed on Whidbey Island to benefit local organizations. New this year will be the second showing and raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County in addition to the Boys and Girls Club.
“We are most excited to see the community gather together for not only an evening of fun, but also to support a great cause in helping not only the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Harbor but also the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Island County,” she said.
Gonzales said the team at Windermere has been working to promote the event and says the performance will appeal to attendees of every age.
“It is phenomenal,” she said. “The perfect show for people of all ages to enjoy. David and his wife keep you engaged and excited to see what will happen next throughout the entire show. It comes with no surprise that David has won multiple national and international awards for what he does.”
Gonzalez said everyone at Windermere Real Estate is passionate about helping the community and doing fundraisers to keep the area strong and vibrant.
“Often times we are the first people that newcomers meet when they move to the area,” she said. “We are a wealth of knowledge and resources, helping those feel welcomed to their new home and more often than not the relationships last long past the sell or purchase of a home. Not only do we know the area, but we know the people and are greatly invested in the community. We do events like this to engage our community and support important organizations within our community. We love where we live and are passionate about keeping it a great place.”
Gonzalez said supporting community programs focused on helping young people is an important aspect of being a business on Whidbey Island.
“These organizations play a large role in supporting our youth,” she said. “For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build the foundation for a successful future. We nurture children and strengthen our communities, while the Boys and Girls club provides services that enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to become productive, responsible and caring citizens.”
Nikki Barone, who is the unit director for the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Harbor, said the event is unlike any other the organization currently puts on.
“This event is special because we simply do not have an event like this!” she said. “We have many adult events in town and little family events. Everyone enjoys magic and this show is geared towards all ages, young and old. The price is also very affordable!”
Barone said the event will also benefit the organization as they prepare to move from the Roller Barn to a new location.
“We anticipate this move to happen in June,” she said. “At this time, we are not yet sure how the move will impact us. We do believe that we will need more fundraisers to ensure we keep our doors open as well as increase our hours to accommodate more parents and teens. We hope that this event becomes an annual fundraiser. We are extremely grateful for the support from Windermere to provide us with this event.”
Barone said the Boys and Girls Club plays an important role for youth in Oak Harbor, and moving to a new building will also allow them to provide a teen center.
“My favorite part about being involved with the club – everything,” she said. “I am grateful to help make a positive impact on the lives of young kids and their families. We don’t just help kids, we help families. Parents work and rely on us to provide a safe environment where their kids can be. Our costs are low, but even then, we are still able to provide scholarships and other financial support to families to ensure their child(ren) are able to attend the club. I most enjoy just talking to kids about everything they love, who they want to be, and what their interests are.”
Barone said the Boys and Girls Club is looking forward to having David DaVinci back for a second fundraiser.
“Again, we are extremely grateful for Windermere and their support in this event. Without Windermere this event would not have been made possible.”
For more information and links to purchase tickets, visit the Windermere Real Estate/Whidbey Island Facebook page or call 360-675-5953.