The magic is in helping people.
Certainly, when Caleb Wiles performs a sleight-of-hand trick or a look-this-way illusion, there’s a sense of wonder and astonishment. He has performed at events all over the country, attending conferences and even appearing on the television show “Penn & Teller: Fool Me.”
But for Wiles, the ability to use his talents to improve the lives of other people is what is most magical to him.
“I realized that my favorite times going out were doing charity events — events that had such a good feel in the community, they were there for the right reasons. Magic was so fun in that context, as a reward for people who were there because their hearts were in the right place,” he said.
Wiles, a Franklin College graduate and southside Indianapolis resident, brings his unique style of magic to Johnson County during a special fundraiser on July 15. A Night of Magic with Caleb Wiles features a live performance in the intimate gathering space inside Main & Madison Market Cafe — an event to benefit Bridges Alliance of Johnson County.
Tickets to the fundraiser are $60. In addition to Wiles’ tricks and illusions, admission includes one drink and a selection of sweet and salty small bites.
The event, which supports Bridges Alliance in the Dancing with the Johnson County Stars competition, is an opportunity to showcase a world-class performer while fighting against poverty here at home.
“He does modern magic for intelligent audiences, so it would be a good time for grownups,” said Jill Pierce, a Circles coach for Bridges Alliance of Johnson County. “It’s a good time out for a good cause.”
Wiles has been doing magic for more than 20 years, learning his first tricks while he was a high school student at Perry Meridian High School. He was drawn toward the use of mathematics and science to make the impossible seem to come alive.
During his time at Franklin College, he worked part-time doing magic in restaurants.
“That gave me a really good chance to perform for a lot of strangers, which is a barrier for entry into performance,” he said. “Then those people started hiring me for their private events and corporate events. It just grew from there.”
Still, magic remained a side gig for Wiles. He taught high school math, worked in the assessment industry to write questions for standardized tests, and as a process specialist. Magic was his creative outlet.
Last year, Wiles and his wife, Crystal, opened up Dragonfly Primary Care, a family medical practice. Crystal is a nurse practitioner, while Wiles runs the business side of things.
Still, he could fill his time with private events to do magic shows. More and more, he offered his talents to charity fundraisers.
“Hopefully, it will give you a feeling you haven’t had since you were a kid,” he said.
But Wiles didn’t stop at offering his skills to charities. He founded Magic For A Cause, a nonprofit organization that puts together magic shows to raise funds for charitable causes. All proceeds go straight to the charity.
They do community outreach to bring magic to underserved groups.
“I realized I could multiply my giving to somebody. Instead of donating a check for $500, which might feel like a lot of money to me, I can do magic shows, and they can make thousands of dollars off of it,” Wiles said. “It also checks my boxes of, I’m actually doing something I’m passionate about, performing in environments that are fun.”
The agency also provides magic instruction and small kits to teach young people do tricks themselves.
“It’s to try and spread the magic, empower young people to have more confidence, social skills,” Wiles said. “It sounds a little cheesy, but for some of these kids, they’ll take this and run with it.”
His work through Magic For A Cause has led him to offer his time to a variety of nonprofits and groups doing good in the community — groups such as Bridges Alliance of Johnson County.
The organization is a collaboration between businesses, social service agencies, churches and individuals working together to end poverty in the community. The program provides the tools, resources, support and relationships necessary to be successful, helping people establish independence and stability in their lives.
When Bridges Alliance of Johnson County was chosen to take part in this year’s Dancing with the Johnson County Stars event, organizers needed to find creative fundraisers to help generate money leading up to it.
Someone suggested a magic show, taking advantage of Wiles’ connections to the county.
“A lot of groups do regularly as far as benefit concerts or a banquet dinner. It didn’t seem like magic was something that had been done,” Pierce said. “One of our staff people knows Caleb pretty well, and this seemed like a great way to use his generous donation of his time and raise funds for Bridges Alliance.”
Wiles liked the idea of helping Bridges Alliance, and signed on to create a whole new event.
Counter to the image of a top-hatted magician pulling rabbits out of a hat, Wiles’ performances are designed to make people think. He takes ordinary objects — playing cards, Rubik’s cubes, dollar bills — and does ponderous tricks with them.
“I like that magic is a meta-conversation with the audience. Magic wouldn’t be fun if I was literally Harry Potter; if I had magic powers, it wouldn’t be fun,” he said. “It’s only fun because you know it’s not real, and I know you know it’s not real, but we’re agreeing as adults to play for a few minutes.
“I just want people to appreciate magic more. It’s such a vast and deep art.”
IF YOU GO
A Night of Magic with Caleb Wiles
What: A fundraiser for Bridges Alliance of Johnson County featuring magic by southside Indianapolis resident Wiles, as well as drinks and sweet-and-salty small bites. The event benefits Bridges Alliance’s Dancing with the Johnson County Stars efforts.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 6:30.
Where: Main & Madison Market Café, 100 N. Main St., Franklin
Cost: $60; tickets include the show, one free drink ticket for beer, wine, soft drinks or specialty coffee, and small bites.
Information and tickets: bridgesalliancejc.org
