Kip Barry's Magic and Performing Arts Center is the latest nightlife and entertainment venue in Braun Court, across from Ann Arbor's Kerrytown Mall. Located at 325 Braun Court, owner and founder Kip Barry describes the center as a magic store with a theater inside.
The shop will carry a full line of magic and novelty items and be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday. The theater seats up to 50 people in front of a new stage, where magic shows, lectures, poetry readings, and jazz performances will take place. Theatergoers can also avail themselves of a concession stand serving cupcakes, cookies, and coffee. Five employees will staff the operation.
The theater is also open for other performers. "It's going to be for community theater, where an outside group can four-wall it, which means they can rent it for their small productions...we're going to have variety acts," Barry says.
Barry has been practicing magic since age 9. He is also a jazz singer who has toured in 60 countries. This will be his sixth magic store; he previously sold his wares locally at a kiosk at Briarwood Mall and at Elmo's.
"I'm looking [for this theater] to be sort of a new-age vaudeville, especially in a place like Kerrytown, because that community there is not only smart but creative and very family-oriented," Barry says, adding, "I want things that are family-oriented yet not so mainstream that you can see them just anywhere."
A Christmas show will take place on Sat., Dec. 15. Call (734) 985-5184 for more information.
Source: Kip Barry, owner and founder, Kip Barry's Magic and Performing Arts Center
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar
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