Las Vegas magician Lance Burton to perform at Zelzah Shrine Circus
Master magician Lance Burton has been officially retired from his 15-year-run at the Monte Carlo since September 2010. But every now and again, he slips back into Merlin’s cloak to perform mind-blowing magic to raise funds for charity. This weekend he’ll be making special appearances three times daily Oct. 20-22 for our Zelzah Shriners.
It’s the return of the 68th annual Zelzah Shrine Circus. This year’s theme is “Under the Big Top,” and it will be held at the Boulevard Mall at the corner of Twain Avenue and Maryland Parkway. It’s the Shrine’s main fundraiser of the year with funds going to pay the high medical bills of sick hospitalized children here in the Las Vegas area.
In addition to the nine special appearances by Lance, who starred on the Strip for more than 20 years, there will be such performances as The Wheel of Death; aerial trapeze performers; Extreme Motorcycle Mania; high-wire acts; a dog act; Rola-Bola, a comedy act; famous acrobatics from China; and the hilarious Circo Clowns.
He penned a guest column to explain his commitment to the charity and revealed how he’s purchased medically equipped vans to transport children from Las Vegas to the nearest Shriners Hospitals in California:
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The Shriners has been my favorite charity for as long as I can remember because of the work they do. The Zelzah Shrine Circus will take place this weekend and feature some of the most extraordinary acts you’ve ever seen.
I’m mostly impressed with the Shriners Hospitals for Children scattered throughout the United States and there is one each in Mexico and Canada. The Shriners members volunteer their time and get doctors and nurses to volunteer their time to give medical services to children. It’s a crusade of sorts because there are more children needing care than there are providers.
This is why I try and make it an annual event. I also call upon my entertainer friends to perform at the annual Christmas party at the Zelzah Shrine Temple at Mesquite Avenue and Rancho Drive. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby began that tradition in the late 1940s during the Golden Age of the Shriners.
The Shriners have to undergo joining two other organizations before they can become members. First of all, they must be Masons, and that involves some work and dedication. The next step is to join the Scottish Rites or York Rites.
The nearest Shriners hospital to Las Vegas is in Los Angeles. The Shriners from Las Vegas drive the vans with children in need of treatment. The main office is run out of the Zelzah Shrine Temple here.
There are about 900 clients under the auspices of the Zelzah Shrine Temple and 300 more on the waiting list. I’ve helped to purchase the vans used to take the children to the hospitals. Zelzah is a very active temple and I recently had lunch at one of their fundraisers where they had a crafts fair. The other hospitals in the West are in San Diego, San Francisco and Salt Lake City. Many of the physicians are surgeons, who are tops in their field. The work that they do will radically change the life of a child.
Recently, I learned of an inspiring story of a 10-year-old girl, whom doctors said would never walk again after being hit by a car. With the help and dedication of the Shriners Hospital in Chicago, she overcame her spinal cord injury. The young dancer, who was ejected from her family’s minivan is now walking again.
Getting the word out is equally important to me so people will know that this is a true charity. Shriners International supports 22 hospitals and has 350,000 members in its fraternity. There are 191 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Panama.
Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palates are eligible. Neither they nor their families are under any financial obligations for medical services. The Shriners are dedicated to improving their lives through pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.
The Shriners have accepted cases from overseas countries such as Poland. I’m aware of one boy who through a benefactor was brought to Salt Lake City. The doctors made a toe into a thumb so that the boy could have a working hand.
I will continue to do my share in aiding The Shriners. I need your help by coming to our show. Just call 702-382-5554 or stop by the Zelzah Shrine Temple at Rancho and Mesquite during business hours. It’s a great cause!
There will be three shows daily, starting on Oct. 20, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
