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THE ZONE Mind games
KEITH SALIBA Is there such a thing as mind reading? MMMentalist Banachek will be the first one to tell you no. But that doesn't stop the two-time Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Performer/Entertainer of the Year from putting on one heck of a good show.
In fact, Banachek, 43, who has been written about in such publications as Psychology Today and The National Enquirer for his mind-bending exploits, has spent much of his professional life dispelling what he says are the myths propagated by "psychics" like John Edward of television's "Crossing Over with John Edward." Not that Banachek has it in for all entertainers who claim to be gifted with extra sensory perception: Just the ones, he says, "who make outrageous claims" and end up doing harm to the people who trust them. "John Edward is the scum of the earth," said Banachek in a recent telephone interview. "He preys upon people when they're at their weakest point." Banachek says he and Edward use similar techniques, like employing astute powers of observation to "read" their subjects' minds. The difference, says Banachek, is that he tells people up front that it's a ruse. "It's far more fun to tell someone it's a trick, perform it, and then have them say they still can't believe it," he says with a laugh. A native of Great Britain, Banachek made his way to America as a budding young magician at age 16. After enrolling in high school, it wasn't long before Banachek's classmates got wind of the new kid's special abilities. "Pretty soon, kids were stealing all the metal forks in the cafeteria and bringing them to me so I could bend them with my mind," says Banachek. "The school had to start using plastic utensils." Banachek won't say how he convinces people that he can bend metal objects with his mind, however. "It would take too long to explain," he says with a chuckle. A few years later, Banachek took his act to academia, where he ended up fooling some of the best scientists in the business into believing that he had psychic powers. Project Alpha was what the then 18 year-old Banachek called it. But even as he convinced scientists at St. Louis' Washington University that he was the second coming of Rasputin, Banachek says the experience only confirmed his belief that people — no matter who they are — who want to believe in psychic powers, usually will. "Just because someone has a Ph.D. doesn't mean they know what's going on," he says. "They (the scientists) ended up being nice people, but they didn't have a clue." Thronateeska offers Valentine treat for 'star-struck' couples
BEN HOLCOMBE Those who are in it will say that love, the real thing, is painted in the stars. This Valentine's Day, the planetarium at Thronateeska Heritage Center gives lovers the chance to look for it with the fifth annual "Valentine By Moonlight."
"Not only do we like to look at the moon," curator Lisa Lofton said, "we like to look at the stars, too." Themed "My Heart and the Heavens", this year's planetarium show incorporates musical references to celestial bodies, Lofton said, such as Patsy Cline's "Stupid Cupid." "It's a fun show," she said. "Light-hearted, but it's a romantic show as well." The night begins with a bring-your-own romantic dinner in the Chautauqua Room at Heritage Plaza, 100 W. Roosevelt Ave. Couples should bring baskets providing their own food and beverages while Thronateeska provides the romantic setting — a candlelit table for two, music, wine-tasting, a photograph to commemorate the evening and the planetarium show. Two Valentine's Day show times are offered: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. with dinner and wine-tasting at 7:15 for all couples. Seats must be reserved in advance. Seating for Thronateeska members is $30 per couple, $40 for nonmembers. For reservations call (229) 432-6955.
Ben Holcombe can be reached at (229) 434-8738. Ashanti wows Wild Adventures STEVE HEDDON VALDOSTA — Twenty-two-year-old pop sensation Ashanti, riding the wave of critical acclaim that includes two American Music Awards, five Grammy nominations and eight Billboard Music Awards, gave a sizzling performance Saturday at Wild Adventures Theme Park here. The budding superstar was a crowd pleaser with a delivery and attitude worthy of an L.A. or New York venue. Ashanti's performance Saturday found her a long way from her childhood Long Island roots. The daughter of a dance instructor mother and singer father, she started writing songs as a teenager and by age 14 had landed a recording contract with Jive Records. At age 17 she signed with Epic Records, but neither contract brought recognition deserving of her musical talents. It wasn't until she caught the attention of Irv Gotti, CEO of gangster rap label Murder Inc., that Ashanti found a platform for her unique, honey-voiced R&B sound. Gotti teamed her with several of his biggest artists, including Ja Rule and Fat Joe. She created enough of a stir to push up the scheduled release of her self-titled debut album to April 9, 2002, and that album sold a half-million copies in its first week. The music video of Ashanti's best-selling single, "Foolish," won her a nomination for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards the following August. The now veteran singer knows how to create excitement on stage, and her dynamic performance was enthusiastically received by the huge Wild Adventures crowd. After the on-stage DJ recited the litany of her recent awards, she told the crowd the recognition is great but the heart and "real stuff" of her career are her fans. Part of Ashanti's appeal is her striking looks, but she's worked hard to hone her vocal and dance skills. As a teen she was formally trained in dance at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center, and she appeared in the Disney musical "Polly." She also performed with dance troupes at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the Apollo Theater, all in New York. Ashanti pens most of her own tunes and lends her songwriting talents to other artists, including Jennifer Lopez. She is currently testing the waters as an actress, having appeared on episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "The Proud Family." She also has signed on for the female lead opposite Rule in the remake of "Sparkle," a film that marks the directorial debut of Gotti. With the caliber of live performance she gives, her dance and songwriting gifts and her budding acting career, Ashanti has what it takes to be around for a long time. Copyright © 2000-2003 The Albany Herald Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. |