Hypnotist Tom DeLuca will amaze, amuse and entertain an audience at the Ashe Civic Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, in a performance to benefit Ashe County Habitat for Humanity. DeLuca is known as one of the best in the business of hypnosis entertainers. Says DeLuca, “Think of hypnosis as a natural state— a prolonged daydream. I want people who participate in my performances to have a wonderful adventure into their imaginations.” His performances have been touted as “hilariously funny” and “absolutely awesome” by members of his audiences. DeLuca will call up volunteers from the audience, he said, “and hopefully a lot of fun things will happen with their imaginations.” This will be DeLuca’s first visit to Ashe County. He has performed in Blowing Rock and Boone, and is often at colleges including Elon, Wake Forest and Duke. “I think people have a really good time on stage,” said DeLuca of his audiences. “You bring out their personalities. You take away a lot of their inhibitions so they react without thought. There’s no embarrassment, though, just a clean and silly show.” The difference between a “good” show and an hour and a half of “wow,” said DeLuca, is that people can identify with those on stage. “They can expect a really good time,” he said of the audience for the Ashe County show. “They will walk away with a sense of amazement.” This is DeLuca’s first fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. He said 95 percent of his shows are for corporate events or at colleges. Sponsors of the event are Vannoy Construction and Carolina Farm Credit. Tickets are $15. All seats are reserved and are available by calling 336-846-2787 or visiting the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson. Ashe County Habitat for Humanity is an all-volunteer Christian housing ministry supported by individuals, organizations, and churches in the community. Construction is underway in Buffalo Meadows on the first habitat home in the county. Volunteers are needed in every phase of the process, and applications are being accepted for future homes. For more information about volunteering, donating or home ownership, contact Ashe County Habitat for Humanity at (336) 846-2525 or visit the website, www.ashehabitat.org.