Erie's magic and comedy club set to open 2023 season in February with Michael Winslow

Bobby Borgia has a goal: to deliver both comedy and magic to Erie.

"I want to bring Erie something very positive," he said.

The owner of Kellar's: A Modern Magic & Comedy Club, 1402 State St., thinks he's done all that with his 2023 season, which kicks off Feb. 2 with comedian Michael Winslow, also known as "The Man of 10,000 Sounds," following an opening by local comedian Lisa Chimenti-Foster. Borgia, who is both the club owner and a magician himself, and Erie native James Warren, who worked at Hollywood’s Magic Castle, will perform that weekend at Kellar's magic performance bar, Cocktails & Conjuring.

"We have some amazing shows coming up," Borgia said.

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He said he's booked comedians and magicians through June at the club for ages 18 and older. He anticipates starting a Sunday brunch open to families in March that will include a meal followed by a show.

At the custom-built magic performance bar, patrons can experience close-up magic by sleight-of-hand artists and specialty cocktails like the Top Hat, a chocolate martini with chocolate dipped marshmallows. Borgia said a show ticket isn't required for Cocktails & Conjuring, which is open Thursdays through Saturdays starting at 5 p.m. Magic Hour, Kellar's version of Happy Hour, runs to 6 p.m.

The February main shows all start at 7:30 p.m. and are $30 plus fee. Here's the lineup:

Feb. 2-4

Main show: Comedian Michael Winslow, whose voice act was featured on "America's Got Talent" and who has appeared in movies including the "Police Academy" series, "Spaceballs" and "Gremlins."

Opening: Lisa Chimenti-Foster

Magic Bar: Bobby Borgia and James Warren

For subscribers:Erie's Lisa Chimenti-Foster is a teacher by day, stand-up comic by night

Feb. 9-11

Main show: Gina Brillon, a stand-up comic who has appeared on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," E!'s "Chelsea Lately," "The View" and NBC's "Stand-Up for Diversity."

Opening: Lisa Chimenti-Foster

Magic Bar: Bobby Borgia and James Warren

Feb. 16-18

Main show: Matt Stanley, who combines stand-up comedy and mind-blowing magic, alone on Feb. 16 and with Garrett Thomas, an internationally recognized sleight-of-hand magician, on Feb. 17 and 18.

Opening: Garrett Thomas

Magic Bar: Garrett Thomas

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Feb. 23-25

Main show: Ryan Edwards, who performs his own style of magic and mentalism and has appeared on TV shows on numerous networks.

Opening: Garrett Thomas

Magic Bar: Garrett Thomas

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Kellar's is named for Harry Kellar, a magician from Erie who died in 1922 and was a mentor to Harry Houdini. Borgia opened Kellar's in 2020 in the space that formerly housed Jr.’s Last Laugh Comedy Club and is near the neighborhood where Kellar grew up.

Like other businesses, Kellar's was forced to close at times because of the coronavirus panic and also was closed in the latter part of 2022 for reasons Borgia didn't want to discuss.

For information about Kellar's or tickets, call 814-461-0911 or visit https://kellarsmagic.com.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @ETNmassing.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Kellar's magic and comedy club set to open 2023 season in Erie