2012 By the Numbers

2012 was an extraordinary year for Craig Karges filled with performances for corporate and association audiences; on college campuses; for the United States military; and in theatres and performing arts centers. The extraordinist made 129 appearances in six countries on four continents and in 36 states plus the District of Columbia!

Craig’s last heavy run of performances is indicative of the eclectic touring schedule he keeps. The extraordinist flew to Rapid City, SD to help the RPM & Associates engineering firm celebrate their 30th year in business during a special dinner. The following afternoon, he was still in Rapid City this time presenting a benefit matinee performance in honor of “Those Who Serve” with invited guests from the military, law enforcement, fire department and various social service organizations. That night Craig provided the headline entertainment at the Black Hills Works Foundation Gala held at the Mount Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The extraordinist followed this three-shows-in-two-days South Dakota itinerary with a flight to San Diego where he delivered the opening keynote presentation at the California State University Facilities Management Conference. Then, it was off to Las Vegas and a luncheon presentation before 1300 people at the National Workers’ Compensation and Disabilities Conference and Expo held at the LVH (the former Las Vegas Hilton). A red-eye flight had him traveling back to his "home" airport, Pittsburgh, PA, but Craig wasn’t headed home just yet. He drove to suburban Monroeville, PA where he was the keynote performer at the Monroeville Area Chamber awards dinner. The next morning, Craig left Pennsylvania and traveled south to North Carolina and the Duke Family Performance Hall where he presented the theatrical version of Experience the Extraordinary at the performing arts center. The following night he was in nearby Charlotte making his seventh appearance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. That wrapped up a very busy week in late November. Craig played dates through December with his last appearance of the year at the Marriott Marquis in New York City for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers.

Karges Re-enlists with the United States Navy

Craig Karges has done eight international tours for the United States Navy. With the exception of a couple bases in Hawaii, the extraordinist has never performed “stateside” for the military. That changed in 2012 when Craig made 33 appearances on US Navy bases from May 30th to September 30th. He appeared from Pensacola, FL to Whidbey Island, WA and from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC. Venues included officer’s clubs, enlisted clubs, theaters, dinner shows and an appearance at Naval Station Great Lakes 4th of July Celebration which was named one of the top three festivals in the world by the International Festival and Events Association. Craig appeared at the world’s largest navy base — Naval Station Norfolk as well as at a remote location in the high desert of Nevada, home of the navy’s Top Gun program. He appeared in Annapolis, Maryland, home of the US Naval Academy and Monterey, California home of the Naval Postgraduate School as well as Newport, Rhode Island, home of the Naval War College. He made return appearances at Pearl Harbor and Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Hawaii and was also spotted on tiny San Nicholas Island off the coast of California, the most remote of the Channel Islands and home to 140 hardy souls and thousands of sea lions.

“WOW, best show NAS Kingsville has ever had.”
Earl Olsen, Liberty/Special Events Manager, Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX

“We Love Craig Karges!”
Kristina Douglas, Liberty Coordinator, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX

“Thank you for an unbelievable mind blowing show. Your show exceeded all my expectations and it is my hope that we can have you back at Naval Base Kitsap in the near future.”
Chester Vance, Director Food, Business and Entertainment, Naval Base Kitsap, WA

“You put on a great show and I was happy to have such a good crowd turn out to enjoy it. We’ve received a lot of fantastic feedback and are so pleased that you’ve made an effort to focus your brand of performance toward our service members.”
Terese Toennies, Marketing Specialist, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA

“What a great show. It was our pleasure and great fortune to have you here. Such a fun and enjoyable evening.”
Lisa Wolfe, Community Activities Director, Naval Station Mayport, FL

“We love hosting you — so professional, so easy and of course, your show amazed me again!!!!! Nothing but positive feedback.”
Lara Katine, Special Events & Sponsorship Coordinator, Naval Base Pearl Harbor, HI

“Your show is amazing! All who attended are raving on it this morning.”
Token Barnthouse, MWR, Naval Air Station Fallon, NV

“I sing your praises. You were wonderful to work with and a great performer. Lots of laughs and magic filled the night.”
Alice Hurley, MWR Community Support Department Head, US Naval Submarine Base King’s Bay, GA

Corporate Karges

Craig Karges continues to amaze, entertain, educate and inspire Corporate America. The extraordinist’s corporate appearances in 2012 included a return engagement for Vanity Fair Corporation as well as his third engagement for both Siemens and Bridgestone. He made five appearances for AT&T (bringing his total number of performances for the telecommunications giant to 14) and his 24th appearance for longtime client Ernst & Young. He made first time appearances for the likes of Procter & Gamble, GNC and ACORD and popped up at the Sourcing Interests Group Global Leadership Summit at the Fairmont Princess Resort in Scottsdale, AZ to name just a few of the extraordinist’s 2012 corporate engagements.

“Your phenomenal talents as well as your incredible ability to engage the audience were amazing! Everyone in the room was in awe of the power of your intuition and your extraordinary gifts! I am positive that people walked away completely mystified. You are an extraordinary entertainer! The enthusiasm that you exude while performing is remarkable! If ever presented with the opportunity to suggest a speaker to other businesses or special events, I would highly recommend you for the job.”
Beth Kitchen, VP of Domestic Franchising, GNC

“A grand Thank You for your help. The folks were still talking about your show on Friday as we were departing. I only have one issue, the guy in charge asked how in the world am I planning to top that (you) for next year, I said maybe Ringling Brothers Circus?”
Jim Buch, President, AK Energy Management, LLC

“You were great and the crowd loved the show.” Gerry Kettler, Director of Consumer Affairs, Niemann Foods, Inc. and some feedback from one Niemann Foods employee; “I just wanted to thank you for sharing your talent, your humor and your gift. It was a show I will remember forever. Thank you for sharing you!!” Tracy Hall

“You probably already know the wonderful things I have to say about your presentation at FFAA’s 80th Annual Meeting! Here’s a sampling of what FFAA members said about you:
‘The entertainment by Craig during the banquet was quite unique and he certainly amazed us with his talent and ability. I need his foresight in guiding me with sales forecasts!!!’
‘I thought Craig was amazing and hilarious at the same time. I would highly recommend him to anyone that asked.’
To their accolades let me add my own: Your demonstrations of the power of intuition, coupled with extraordinary showmanship and seemingly impossible feats of magic, mesmerized FFAA members and guests. Thank you for a most enjoyable, mind-expanding hour of first-class clean entertainment! You were a true pleasure to work with, professional in every regard, and I hope it will be my good fortune to see you perform again in the future.”
Mary Hartney, President, Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association

“This was the first year that we provided entertainment beyond a traditional dinner speaker. Our intention was to generate a buzz around the event that would have people talking about the Chamber throughout the year. On that score we succeeded wildly. People walked out of the room talking about what they had seen and with no idea of how to start to explain it. A week later people are still talking. You were successful in engaging the crowd and bringing them together and then tied everything up nicely with your message of using the power of your imagination to effect change. Everyone who was there last week enjoyed themselves and got a sense of a new direction from the Chamber. The part you played in that was more than the extraordinary stage show you presented.”
Frank Horrigan, President, Monroeville Area Chamber

“Craig Karges was a highlight of our conference, and one of the most talked-about entertainers we’ve ever hired. From the moment he stepped onstage he commanded the audience’s attention, and it’s safe to say that every single person in the room was amazed by his performance. I would not hesitate to recommend Craig for any kind of event, and would definitely work with him again.”
Francois Fournier, Director Trade Shows & Events, ACORD

The Extraordinary as Performance Art

Craig Karges continues to tour his theatrical, full-evening version of Experience the Extraordinary to theaters, performing arts centers and casinos throughout North America. During 2012, he appeared at venues ranging from the 1400-seat Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, MT to the 120-seat cabaret showroom at the Club & Spa at Fiddler’s Creek in Naples, FL.

Here’s some feedback from his sold-out show at the Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center in Lake City, FL:

“It’s been almost a week since Craig Karges performed at the Levy Performing Arts Center, yet he is still the talk of the town. Craig’s show was mesmerizing, astounding, mind-blowing — there simply aren’t enough words to describe this unique and unforgettable performance. Audience members involved in the show — and there were quite a few of them! — will have a story to tell for the rest of their lives. In the 25 years I’ve worked on the entertainment series, never have we had a performer who is as easy to work with as Craig. He was very courteous and cordial, and one of the least demanding performers the venue has ever booked. He was a pleasure to work with. Craig is a must-book for any entertainment venue, and his act should not be missed.”
Mike McKee, Executive Director, Media and Public Information, Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center

Wham Karges does it Again!

Craig Karges was named Winner Novelty Act of the Year Whammy Award! What?! You’re not familiar with the Whammys? I’m sure that you’re familiar with other awards that recognize talent. You’ve got the Tonys, the Grammys, the Oscars, the Emmys, the Soap Opera Digest Awards, the Pulitzers, the Nobels, the CMAs, the Peabodys, the Golden Globes, the MTV Music Awards, the VH1 Fashion Awards, the People’s Choice Awards, and the CMT Flame-Worthy Awards. But who cares about those? None of these even touches the honor and prestige of winning a Winthrop Whammy! At the end of each school year, the DiGiorgio Student Union Board of Winthrop University votes in several categories for their favorites out of the over 60 programs they produce each year and Craig was fortunate enough to be named Novelty Act of the Year (for the third time no less!).

“Thanks again for your wisdom, humor, spirit and talent that you graced us with here at Winthrop. We had a blast hosting you and hope you felt the same about performing here. Thank you for making this year so unbelievably awesome. HIGH FIVE!!!”
Boyd Jones, Director of University Programs, Winthrop University

Craig’s appearances on the college circuit are legendary. Hardly a week goes by that the office doesn’t receive an inquiry for a corporate or association appearance from someone who saw Craig perform while they were in college. Likewise, former college audience members contact us regularly to find out when Craig will be making a public appearance at a theater or performing arts center near them.

The extraordinist continues to be one of the most requested performers for Orientation and Family Weekend shows with many schools booking him a year in advance for their special date. In the fall of 2012, he made return appearances at Oklahoma State University and Lehigh University. He also continued his long run of orientation and welcome back week shows at the following institutions; his fifth consecutive year at both Bowling Green State University and the College of William and Mary; his 14th orientation show at both Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University; his 15th consecutive year at Michigan Tech; his 18th consecutive year at the University of Akron; his 19th consecutive orientation show at Xavier University; and his 20th appearance at the University of Florida.

“Great job! We want him back!”
Craig Whyte, Director, Alumni Affairs, Utah State University

“Our committee provides the events that have the most attendance. Craig beat out a pair of comedians which had been our most popular event, which did not seem possible. Great with the audience.”
Joshua Belville, Student Activities Governor, Augustana College

“Amazing show! Crowd loved it! Great promotional materials provided that could be distributed around campus. Great interaction with the crowd and great attitude.”
Colin Cross & Katie Graham, Directors for Novelty Performers, University of Redlands

“I just wanted to send a thank you for your performance last night in Akron. It was the first time I had the chance to experience it, and I was blown away! So many students were raving about you afterwards and this morning! I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Holly Pilcavage, Residence Hall Program Board Graduate Assistant, University of Akron

“Always a HIT — Always a pleasure!”
Becca Kopcie, Director of Orientation, Duquesne University

“Craig Karges was absolutely fantastic! Students loved him and are still talking about the show.”
Samantha Finan, CAB, Rollins College

“Our students would revolt if we don’t have Craig!”
Molly Dugan, Assistant Director for Leadership and Orientation, Xavier University

And then there was this interesting email:

“I just wanted to say thank you! My son called after your William and Mary performance and gave enthusiastic details of your show. He was completely mesmerized and blown away with your various feats. He vividly recounted the telephone book, ID card and money acts. It is great when a child calls home from college and actually wants to spend time talking about his experiences! My son even sent a text afterward with your website so I could check it out. It doesn’t get much better than a phone call and a text without even the mention of needing money!!!! I hope you enjoy your campus tours as much as the students enjoy seeing you. Thank you!”
Joan Reimann, mother of College of William and Mary student!

Going Once, Going Twice

In May, Craig Karges was auctioned to the highest bidder and brought $10,000 to the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra! During a fundraising auction, Craig and his wife Charlotte offered to host a cocktail party and intimate performance for ten in their home. The party-show set the record price paid at the auction. One of the couples taking part in the show enjoyed themselves so much that they donated an additional $5,000 to the WSO, bringing the total raised by the auction item to $15,000. Charlotte is the philanthropist/volunteer in the family and sits on the board of the WSO. However Craig helps out when he can by donating his time and talents locally. The extraordinist was also the headline entertainer at the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital Gala held at the White Palace in Wheeling Park in July.