Samuel Siminoe grabs a handkerchief from the disembodied — but still moving — hand of his assistant.
Eastern Arizona Courier Photo
SAFFORD — Sam Siminoe is taking his show on the road. A very, very long road.
The 17-year-old illusionist will fly out Dec. 26 to perform his magic show for two weeks in Ukraine. He’s going as part of the Foreign Angels Charities service project.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience,” Siminoe said. “I’ll be performing 20 shows — two to three a day — mostly at orphanages.”
Not only will this be the first time Siminoe has performed that many shows in such a small span of time, it’s also his first time outside of the United States.
“I wasn’t too nervous to start — it was like I knew it was coming, but it wasn’t real. But as it gets closer, it’s definitely starting to feel more real,” he said.
He’s also going without his support team — three to seven friends, family members and associates — who make sure each performance goes off without a hitch.
“It’s going to challenge me, for sure,” Siminoe said. “This will test me as a performer.”
Foreign Angels Charities serves in three countries — Ukraine, Honduras and Philippines. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that raises funds to help orphans, children living on the street, those with special needs and single mothers.
“Just as a person, I will get a lot from this,” Siminoe said. “Here, every day, I get up, go to the gym and go to school. Over there, for them, it’s trying to survive. I’ll learn so much.”
The Foreign Angels Charities program is headed locally by Dennis Sawyer.
“Dennis is like a member of the family,” said Sam’s father, Dallas. “And just think, Sam’s trip . . . all this . . . started from a magic kit and watching s guy perform here once.”
Fund-raising for the Ukraine trip is complete, but a fund-raiser Winter Wonderland Dance for a Foreign Angels Charities Honduras trip in the spring will take place Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m., at the Merryland Dance Hall in Eden. Sam won’t be performing, but Dallas will be providing the sound system. Entry to the all-ages dance is $2 per person.
“This will be like nothing I’ve ever done before,” Sam said. “I want to bring these people some enjoyment, some levity. Magic is for everybody, everywhere.”
