Kellar's Makes Magical Reappearance

Contributed photo

Kellar's is indeed back and ready for its next trick. With a fully stocked bar and fully stocked schedule, Erie's spirits are set to levitate when live performances resume on Thursday, Feb. 2 with Man of 10,000 Sound Effects Michael Winslow.

For undisclosed reasons, Kellar's Modern Magic & Comedy Club vanished from Erie's culture and nightlife scene last June, leaving fans to wonder whether the act was an illusion or reality. 

However, club owner Bobby Borgia rematerialized seven months later with an exciting announcement — Kellar's is indeed back and ready for its next trick(s). With a fully stocked bar and fully stocked schedule, Erie's spirits are set to levitate when live performances resume on Thursday, Feb. 2 with "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" Michael Winslow. 

As before, comedians and magicians will trade places in the spotlight each week (known in the biz as a "transposition.") Outside the main theater, any drinking-aged adult is welcome to enjoy a seat at the Cocktails & Conjuring bar during its sleight-of-hand operating hours (5 to 11 p.m., Thursday through Saturday). There you may be regaled, astounded, and quite possibly perplexed by professional prestidigitators (such as Borgia himself) — try not to spit out your magic-themed drinks.

Now, without any further ado, the February lineup:

Michael Winslow

Feb. 2 - 4

Imagine your favorite studio's sound effects department going acapella and you'd have Michael Winslow. He combines these vocal gymnastics with an energetic physical performance that is sure to entertain. In addition to being rediscovered on America's Got Talent, Winslow has appeared in all seven Police Academy movies, Gremlins, Spaceballs, Family Guy, and more. Opening the Kellar's relaunch will be local comedian Lisa Chimenti-Foster.

Film Society of NWPA's Movie Magic

Feb. 8

The Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania is excited to bring some MOVIE MAGIC to Kellar's with a new weekly film series. Movie Magic will take place Wednesday evenings through April with a program featuring some of the best films of this awards season. The season premieres with a showing of Elvis. The weekly offerings present an eclectic array of cinematic choices including upcoming showings of Everything Everywhere All at Once, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Menu, The Fabelmans and more.

John C. Lyons, Director of Programming for the Film Society said "The Film Society has brought the movies to Erie for over 12 years, and built a culture around the art form. Bobby (Borgia) and Kellar's were the partners we've been waiting for ever since the pandemic closed down our previous series. He understands the audience experience and we couldn't be more thrilled to join forces." Check out the rest of the Movie Magic Schedule or puchase tickets at the Film Society of NWPA website.

Gina Brillon 

Feb. 9 - 11

Actress, writer, and comedian Gina Brillon won over the America's Got Talent judges in 2021 with her unapologetic candor and authenticity, riffing on body positivity, her upbringing as a Puerto Rican woman in the Bronx, marriage, and motherhood. She made several other appearances on-screen, notably her one-hour TV special Pacifically Speaking and a role in Gabriel Iglesias' The Fluffy Movie, both released 2014. 

Matt Stanley & Garrett Thomas

Feb. 16 - 18 

Midway through February, Kellar's pivots to magic with two masters of illusion in Matt Stanley and Garrett Thomas. Stanley is the everyman's magician, his comedy-infused routines delighting large crowds and small the world over. Meanwhile, Thomas is regarded as "a magician's magician" with an expert understanding of how to play with human perception — it's little wonder he was the 2020 winner of Penn & Teller: Fool Us and has been a consultant to superstar stuntman and illusionist David Blaine since 2003.

Ryan Edwards

Feb. 23 - 25

Ryan Edwards would love to read your mind — or at least the subliminal and nonverbal cues that might give away what's on your mind. Such is the keen intuition of a mentalist, and Edwards has a reputation as one of the nation's best. NBC, the CW, TruTV, SyFy, the Space Network, and CHCH have variously tried to either pick his brain as a consultant or demonstrate his skill on their networks, an ability honed by years of careful observation. 

All shows 7:30 p.m. // Kellar's A Modern Magic & Comedy Club, 1402 State St. // $30 // kellarsmagic.com/tc-events