Oscar the robot did his best to stir up the crowds, but on the first night of the 82nd Georgia-Carolina State Fair, the hypnotist had to yield the stage to the Georgia-Carolina Clogging Classic.
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Becky Jackson dances with Oscar the robot at the fair on Friday.
Michael Holahan/Staff
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Click on the Georgia-Carolina State Fair map for a larger version.
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Travis Fox, a professional hypnotist who is scheduled to perform daily during the fair's 10 days on the T-Mobile stage, said he was not bothered that his 6 p.m. performance was scrapped, pushing his first show to 8:30 p.m. As he stood backstage before the show, he noted that even though he lives in Atlanta, this would be his first performance in Georgia. He recently moved from Los Angeles to the South, and he was eager to share his Las Vegas-style extravaganza of music, audience participation and self-exploration with Augusta. But the show lives or dies with the audience.
"You usually try to get about 15 volunteers, and you want to try to get good demographics," he said. "That way, someone in the audience can see someone like themselves on stage, and they'll want to participate."
Dr. Fox is quick to note that there is no Hollywood-style swinging-watch-on-a-chain hypnosis in his show. Rather, the 45-minute performances at 6, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. are about exploring the subconscious of participants. The Las Vegas part of the show revolves around volunteers helping him put on a show.
"Lots of people believe I'll be looking into their eyes, or have them look at my watch. It's nothing like that," he said. "It's all about allowing your imagination, via relaxation, to come forward."
Besides doing state fair shows, Dr. Fox, who has a doctorate in psychology, runs seminars for corporate clients and high school students. He got involved in the field as a way to help pull himself out of a funk.
"I've played golf competitively since I was 5, but my professional golf career ended when I was a sophomore in college. I was a head case, so I decided to get into something to help me," he said.
Dr. Fox says working fair shows is fun because it presents him with a mixed crowd, but what he really enjoys most is using his talents in weight loss workshops.
"I'm addicted to the drug of watching people change," he said. "It's not a deep, dark thing; it's just one way to change your life."
Reach Patrick Verel at (706) 823-3332 or patrick.verel@augustachronicle.com.
Event specials
TODAY and Nov. 13: Free admission for students, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.sunday and Nov. 14: Free for age 55 and older; free with any church bulletin; free for students all day
Monday: Free with ID for public safety officers and their families
Tuesday: Free with coupon from The Augusta Chronicle
Wednesday: Free for military personnel and teachersThursday: Ages 18 and older, free with any nonwinning Georgia Lottery ticket
If you go
What: Georgia-Carolina State FairWhere: Exchange Club Fairgrounds
Cost: Gate admission costs $5; age 5 and younger, free; unlimited rides cost $15; Exchange Club secured parking costs $5
When: Today through Nov. 14, Gates open from 4 to 11 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; noon to 11 p.m. Sunday
Information: 722-0202
