ILLUSIONIST PRODUCES TOP TALENT FOR BENEFIT.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Chris DePalma earns his living as a magician across the Southland, but the Newbury Park resident will use his bag of tricks Saturday to benefit a nonprofit group close to home.

Using both his talents and his connections, DePalma helped create an all-star magic show to benefit Community Conscience Under One Roof, a nonprofit organization that provides free office space to 19 charity groups across the Conejo Valley. The second yearly benefit will be performed in two shows Saturday at the Forum Theatre inside the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

``I've been involved with Community Conscience for several years now,'' said DePalma, who graduated from Newbury Park High School and attended Moorpark College. ``A friend recommended the organization to me, but it means more to me now that my mom has terminal cancer.''

DePalma, who is a regular performer for Disneyland's private parties and a member of the Magic Castle's prestigious lineup, said he recruited several talented friends for this year's shows.

``These people were hand-selected by me to make a good all-around show,'' DePalma said. ``Usually this is the type of show you'd have to go to (Las) Vegas to see.''

The performers come with exemplary slight-of-hand pedigrees. Dan Birch is a leading cruise-line performer who has appeared on television programs such as ``Quantum Leap.'' Scott Cervine is the winner of the Magic Entertainer of the Year award. Shirley Lorraine has been recognized by the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. And Andrew Goldenhersh is a top performer for private parties and will appear in an upcoming film.

Last year, the event raised $1,500 for Community Conscience. Agency representatives plan to raise even more this year since last year's attendance was affected because it was held Easter Sunday.

Sandy DeVries, director of development for Community Conscience, said the agency couldn't do a show of this caliber without DePalma's help. ``Chris has access to these magicians. We wouldn't be able to do it at the prices we would offer.''

The payoff is worth it, DeVries said, since the money goes toward paying off the mortgage on the office building.

``Without (Community Conscience), a lot of agencies wouldn't be able to have an agency at all. Or they wouldn't be able to provide the services they do,'' DeVries said.

The second annual Conejo Valley Magic Show will be held Saturday at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Forum Theatre at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.50 for the afternoon show, or $11 for seniors and students.

All tickets for the evening show are $17.50.