Barry Grateful Performing Arts Center

05/31/2026

💥I'm honored and grateful to my hometown newspaper, the Toledo Blade, for sharing a piece of my story and my new memoir, The Illusion of Control. Growing up in Toledo, I never imagined that the winding road of magic, music, recovery, and life would someday bring me back home as an author.
My sincere thanks to the reporter, photographer, and everyone at the Blade who took the time to tell the story. It means more than I can say.
One small correction: they were kind enough to add an extra year to my age. I'm actually 62, not 63—but after performing in more than 80 countries, surviving myself, and accumulating a few miles along the way, I suppose I'm earning them one year at a time.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the book, shared a kind word, attended an event, or simply followed along on this journey. I am deeply grateful.
The article is linked below.

Kip Barry learned the hard way that alcohol wouldn’t solve his problems. “When I was a young guy, I had panic attacks,” the 63-year-old magician and ...

05/22/2026

https://www.wtol.com/video/entertainment/television/good-day-on-wtol-11/kip-barry-talks-about-travels-sobriety-new-memoir-the-illusion-of-control-good-day-on-wtol-11/512-c36edff0-073b-4a4c-abf2-b71864b46684

Toledo native, illusionist and now author Kip Barry returns home to discuss his memoir 'The Illusion of Control' and overcoming personal challenges to find success.

05/22/2026

Yesterday, on my way back down South, I had the privilege of stopping in my hometown of Toledo for a truly meaningful day.
The incredibly kind people of Toledo, along with Producer Wendy Sheridan and the wonderful team at WTOL CBS Toledo, invited me to appear on Good Day to talk about my memoir, The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival, and to reflect a little on the long journey from Toledo to stages around the world. I even did a little magic 🪄
After the interview, The Toledo Blade also did a photo shoot and feature interview, which was a real honor. I’ll share the story and photos later once it’s published.
Very grateful for the warmth, encouragement, and kindness shown to me by my hometown. It was something I will not forget. ❤️
— Kip Barry

05/19/2026

🙏 This week has changed the meaning of this book for me forever.
On May 5th at 1:10am, my sister Vicki sent me what would become the last text message she ever sent anyone. They found her a day later. Then just days later, after that tragic fall and terrible suffering, she passed away.
I never imagined while writing The Illusion of Control that life would bring our family here. But Vicki believed in this book deeply, and one of her wishes was that people would read it. So today, I’m sharing her words in her honor.
This was her final message to me:

“Your book was very good! I pray it sells well! I didn’t know I was related to such a talented brother!!!! I thought I knew ALL of your talents, but you have many more! So I will pray you have good luck with your sales! My friend from work is reading it now!
By the way, Dave was head of sales at Catholic Knights of Ohio, and I worked there too for two years!
Love you much, Vic”

Vicki was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was generous, encouraging, funny, loyal, and full of heart. I will carry this message with me for the rest of my life.
This memoir is about survival, addiction, recovery, music, magic, family, and the uncomfortable truth that much of life is beyond our control — no matter how much we wish otherwise.
If this story helps even one person feel less alone, I believe that would have made my sister proud.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey, read the book, or reached out to our family this week. Your kindness has meant more than words can say.
The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival by Kip Barry is available now on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.
amazon.com⁠�

05/04/2026

04/21/2026

— Today was the day.
This upper GI hernia operation had been scheduled for a long time, and Peggy helped me prepare with the kind of quiet love that helps steady my vagabond spirit.

I just didn’t want it to overshadow the visit, the people, or the joy of being back in Ann Arbor yesterday.

If there’s anything to take from this moment, it’s this:
we can face hard things with grace,
show up with heart anyway,
and let love carry what we don’t say out loud.

I’m healing tonight — grateful, humbled, and reminded that purpose doesn’t pause when life gets complicated. ❤️🙏

04/19/2026

✨ A Sunday to Remember

Today’s book signing was more than an event — it was a reminder of how far the road has led, and how beautiful it feels to share the journey with others.

Meeting my sister afterward at that little bakery brought it all home. Life, family, and the stories we carry — they’re what make every chapter worth writing.

At this point in my life, I’m learning that control isn’t about holding on — it’s about letting go with grace, trusting the process, and being grateful for every soul who shows up along the way.

Thank you to everyone who came out, shared a smile, or simply believed in the message behind The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival.
Your kindness means more than you know. 🙏❤️

TheIllusionOfControl

The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival
https://a.co/d/0eA32AVo

04/18/2026

We are delighted to be back in Ann Arbor. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at 2 pm at Jersey Mike's. This Ann Arbor location is at Westgate Plaza, off of Jackson Rd.
The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival

What if the one thing you thought you controlled… was the very thing controlling you? In The Illusion of Control, Kip Barry pulls back the curtain on a life that, from the outside, looked extraordinary—but behind it was chaos, survival, and a relentless search for something real. From a childhoo...

04/11/2026

⭐WE'RE HEADIND TO ANN ARBOR NEXT WEEK⭐️

I’ll be doing a special signing for my new memoir, The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival, on Sunday, April 19th.

If you already have a copy, bring it — I’d be honored to sign it for you.
If you haven’t picked one up yet, you can grab your favorite version on Amazon — paperback or Kindle — and bring it with you.
Message me for the time and location.
I’d truly love to meet you 🙏✨

TheIllusionOfControl