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Hypnotist livening things up at bash

Partygoers heading to Rock-A-Billy Entertainment’s upcoming bash can expect to go on a wild journey in Black Diamond this weekend. Lethbridge hypnotist J.R.
J.R. Matthew
Lethbridge hypnotist J.R. Matthew will perform for Rock-A-Billy Entertainment in Black Diamond on Feb. 23.

Partygoers heading to Rock-A-Billy Entertainment’s upcoming bash can expect to go on a wild journey in Black Diamond this weekend.

Lethbridge hypnotist J.R. Matthew aims to get the Black Diamond Hotel buzzing with activity using the power of suggestion before Calgary party band Liquid Rhythm gets the dance floor filled Feb. 23 starting at 7:30 p.m.

“I will take them on a really wild journey winning the lottery or a four-by-four truck and jet skiing in Jamaica and chasing aliens around or becoming the world’s most confident supermodel and putting their strut on around the room,” said Matthew last week. “They will remember everything they’ve done. Then they get to spend the rest of the evening talking about it.”

The certified clinical hypnotherapist and health coach said he’s not a typical hypnotist.

“I take the stage and I explain a little bit about hypnosis, about what I do and I address fears that people have with regards to getting hypnotized,” he said. “Hypnosis is suggestion and influence. My message to people is we’re getting these suggestions all the time. I start leading people in this pathway of how to focus and get into that hypnotic mind state.”

Matthew has developed several entertaining hypnosis actions over the years. He said he often gets the feel of the room before deciding what to do.

“Until I get into the room I really have no set-in-stone plan on what I’m going to do,” he said. “The energy of the room and the people I talk to before I go into the show really determines what fun we’re going to have.”

The show is both entertaining and inspirational, said Matthew, and leads people with the message that they can trust themselves to have an enjoyable experience.

“For me, what I found in my almost 20 years of being a hypnotist is the most successful candidates for hypnotists are those people who intuitively trust themselves,” he said. “I teach people how to focus and work their minds.”

Matthew began his career as a DJ on-air personality in Lethbridge before a friend taught him hypnosis.

“I started integrating it into my DJ shows,” he said, adding he closely followed British hypnotist Paul McKenna. “I learned how to put people under in seconds in these loud environments.”

Matthew later opened a clinical practice in Lethbridge, using his hypnosis to help people control chronic pain or kick habits like smoking.

Due to his love of entertaining, the fun side of hypnosis was just as important to Matthew.

“If they ever want to be in a hypnosis show, this is the show to be in because I respect people,” he said, adding his show is clean. “The greatest fear people have is they’re going to be totally out of control. It’s the complete opposite. When you’re in a show you’ve never been more in control of your mind and your actions because you’re following the suggestions from the hypnotist and you’re making it a new reality. My show is entertaining, inspirational and empowering. It’s a chance to jet ski and chase aliens around. How much fun is that?”

Matthew often leaves people with positive suggestions at the end of the show, encouraging them to set goals and pursue their dreams.

Following Matthew’s act, Liquid Rhythm will hit the stage with lead singers Clay Watson and Jean Draper, lead guitar and vocals Vic Staccato, drummer Tristan Knox and bass player and vocalist Mike Stoll.

“We’ve been around seven or eight years now and have over 100 years experience combined,” said Watson. “We cover everything – rock, country, pop, top 40, party songs like Sweet Caroline, the Proclaimers - things that don’t really have a genre.”

“We pretty much cover everything with a male and female singer.”

Watson said Liquid Rhythm is all about making sure everyone is enjoying themselves.

“If you can get everybody up and having a good time and dancing, that energy from them gets the band more energized,” he said.

“We’re there to get everybody moving. We love it when people are up are boogying.”

Tickets to the event cost $35 and are available at Okotoks Sobeys and the Black Diamond Hotel in cash only or can be paid by e-transfer by calling 403-612-7046.

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