Secret Legends of the Xcentrix

By Lindsay Johnson, Staff Writer
Published on August 31, 2006

Magic.
When we hear the word, distinct images rush into our minds and play over and over like the fantasy movies of our childhood.
Fantasy. Instantly we’re filled with the hope that there’s something greater than us out there, and with it comes a fit of overwhelming nostalgia for the lost childlike innocence that believes in the impossible.“The NeverEnding Story.”“Labyrinth.” “The DarkCrystal.” “Legend.” These films gave us a sweet escape from our sometimes troubling child and adolescent years. They gave us something to believe in. Perhaps, that’s why most recently, epic fantasy productions like “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Harry Potter” series are wildly successful: we want something extraordinary to believe in again. During their sophomore year at UNLV, Dallas Fueston and Justin Durr—involved with CSUN and the Greek system and thus a part of nearly every skit and variety show production on campus—began
creating fantasy characters like the ones from favorite childhood stories based on their on-stage alter egos. When Fueston took the stage
to perform magic, which he had been doing professionally since the age of 16, he became Adamas, a captivating wizard that mesmerized any audience. And Durr, a remarkably gifted dancer and Usher-look-alike, would morph into Darkcurse, an evil king with a spellbinding
dance. The Delta Chi fraternity brothers shared a fascination with the origin of magic and how it affects people. They knew they would not win anyone’s heart with magic tricks or elaborate illusions alone. Rather, they wanted to inspire people to believe in something again, and that’s what led them to create The Xcentrix: a fantasy atmosphere art form and stage act complete with fantasy creatures, dance and mind-blowing magic. Together they designed characters like Ponzo, a mysteriously silent, white, furry creature with huge green eyeballs at the end of his arms. They spent hours together researching tricks, rehearsed their live stage act, scrutinized magic products and manufacturers and wrote the back-story of the characters. “Rather than trying to make people believe it’s real, we just want to entertain them,” Durr, 27, said. “The concepts are based on things we would have liked to have been or had as kids, like ‘Labyrinth’ or Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’” Now, UNLV alumnus, assistant magician and dancer for Dirk Arthur Extreme Magic, Durr is still working on
perfecting the theatrics of The Xcentrix with Fueston. “People see magic shows like Criss Angel ‘Mindfreak’ and wonder if it’s real,”UNLV entertainment director Fuetson, 26, said. "The Xcentrix is derived from a different place, from fantasy movies and fairy tales—that's where magic really comes from."
And for Fueston, what keeps him going after years of working on The Xcentrix is the wonder and inspiration in the eyes of his audience.
"When I can give something to people, bring them joy and break that stress wall, it's all worth it," Fueston said.
For the magician, it's worth the thousands of dollars of his own money that he's spent on costumes and magic products to get the act going. Following his own vision was so important to him that he resigned from his position as the General Manager for big-time Las Vegas producer David Saxe about a year ago to concentrate on The Xcentrix full-time.
"When you're inspired, you just have to go after it," Fueston said. "As long as you like what you're doing, you're not wasting time."
Because he is working on The Xcentrix full-time, Fueston is self-employed. The award-winning magician performs at corporate events, nightclubs and other venues to make a living, but the inconsistency of the work and the cost to keep his own vision moving forward is stressful.
"It's hard to find that balance of financial security when things are unstable," Fueston said. "But you have to use it as motivation to move forward, to find more work. If you work at your passion, the fruits of your labor will pay off."
One of the things Fueston and Durr are doing to move The Xcentrix forward is to bring their act to the Mecca of local arts and entertainment: First Friday.
The first goal for the event is to bring good art to the masses—give them something unique and memorable.
From 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 1, The Xcentrix will perform atmosphere art.
"It's the kind of art that moves about, mixed with street-styled magic," Fueston said. "Almost like Cirque du Soleil mixed with the Blue Man Group—it's going to be very visual, unique and odd."
Through doing so, they'll get the exposure they need while two high-definition cameras follow the group around First Friday, capturing crowd reactions to the peculiar act and their mind-blowing tricks. Fueston will use the footage for promotions and to work on a pilot for a television show. Another goal of his is to help his fraternity brother and close friend, artist Eddie Bush, through an innovative First Friday col - The Rebel Yell UNLV

By Melissa Dinsman

Published December 2006

Surrounded by the sound of live music, the smell delectable foods and the clamor of people passing by, it seems that First Friday - located in the downtown Las Vegas arts district - like any other street festival. However, when a pair of giant, furry eyes begin to bob and wave, disappearing and reappearing in a sea of people, it is evident that magic is in the air. As the eyes become more visible, it quickly becomes apparent that they are apart of an unusual costume and part of an even more intriguing trio. For leading the giant eyes into the ever- growing crowd is a wizard with a piercing gaze and a magic crystal ball, and a masked man who is leading the furry creature on a leash.
Without a word, the trio makes its way into The Arts Factory with a wave of people following. Using only his mannerisms, the wizard is able to gather the crowd around him and even include the audience in his illusions. After 15 minutes of magic, which includes everything from cards to chipmunks, monarch butterflies to a copy of 944, the trio departs the scene just as silently as they entered. The audience is left stunned, but with smiles of childish awe on their faces. This trio is the brainchild of Dallas Fueston and Justin Durr, two local street- magicians that have found creative way of bringing childhood fantasies back into the lives of often disillusioned adults. Their show, XCENTRIX, is , according to Fueston, and Durr, meant to "transcend normal performance art and grab the audience's attention on many different levels."
- 944 Magazine

By Sonya Padgett

Published August 31, 2006

Fueston, a magician, will present his artwork: himself.

Elaborately costumed as a wizard named Adamas, Fueston will be accompanied by two of the characters from his act Xcentrix, which he describes as "Harry Potter meets Criss Angel."

"Xcentrix" is a play on the word eccentric, Fueston said, which "means something that is odd and whimsical. It's street art and almost an illusion show. It's fantasy magic."

Jim Henson, Cirque du Soleil and the movie "Labyrinth" served as inspirations for Fueston.

Fueston plans to perform street magic while people view his characters, which are costumed people. - Las Vegas Review Journal

By: Carol Cling

Published September 10, 2007

"Xcentrix" tricks: Even magicians need to rehearse. That explains why magician Dallas Fueston will be at DreamVision Studios Tuesday to test some grand illusions for a family-friendly pilot, "Secret Legends of the Xcentrix."

After all, "you never know how things are going to look until you test them out," says Fueston, who plays Adamas, a wizard, in the pilot, which continues shooting in October. - Las Vegas Review Journal

By: Sonya Padgett

Published November 03, 2005

A group of Japanese tourists formed a mob around Dallas Fueston as he walked through the MGM Grand on Halloween, his masked helper and giant, furry gromet creature in tow.

Fueston took the attention in stride, posing for photos as the crowd marveled at his black wizard costume and cape, his electric gray animal gaze (courtesy of contacts), and the white creature with oversized blinking eyes.

The sight was a stunning spectacle, but only part of a larger display of outlandishness that waited beyond the entrance of Studio 54. - Las Vegas Review Journal