POOF! Kozak to appear in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Internationally acclaimed comedian-magician Kozak

is coming to Moses Lake.

A self-described "comic magician," Kozak has performed for more

than 25 years all across the globe including a "command

performance" for Prince Charles and Princess Diana in England.

MOSES LAKE - Internationally acclaimed comedian-magician Kozak is coming to Moses Lake.

A self-described "comic magician," Kozak has performed for more than 25 years all across the globe including a "command performance" for Prince Charles and Princess Diana in England.

"I do comedy and magic mixed together ... with a lot of improvisation during the show," Kozak says.

Paul Kozak began his career more than 25 years ago as a street performer in Pittsburgh.

"I never saw a magician growing up," Kozak says. "I was 21 or 22 the first time I picked up a magic book, just a paperback for something to read."

But that one book was all it took for Kozak to become interested in magic.

"I was thunderstruck and knew with certainty that's what I was supposed to be," Kozak says.

Kozak says he learned to do magic through reading books, other working professionals and "trial by fire."

"I'm completely self-taught," Kozak says. "That's part of the magic of becoming a magician, it's becoming one on your own."

Kozak is currently performing at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, as part of a five-year contract.

Having worked a wide variety of places, Kozak says the incessant travel can get tiring.

"My favorite place in the US to be is not on an airplane," Kozak said, laughing.

Although Seattle rains too much for Kozak's liking, he says Vancouver, British Columbia, is favorite place to perform in the Pacific Northwest.

Having spent most of his time on the west coast, Kozak says he's never been to Moses Lake, but hears a lot about it from a friend.

"I'll be there because of Mr. Larry Pierce," Kozak says. "I've shut down my show here to come out there for the New Year. I would do anything for this man."

Kozak says Pierce is "a real good friend" who he met almost 10 years ago in Arizona.

"It's amazing how God works," Kozak says, "That a total stranger can turn out to be a great friend is amazing."

Kozak says he performs seven days a week and has not had a day off in the last two years.

 "I've never missed a show, because I am old school, and the show must go on," says Kozak, who joked that his busy schedule keeps him "from getting married again."

"The good lord has blessed me with two talents and that's what I love to do," Kozak says. "It's an amazing thing to meet your calling and to do it. And not only to do it, but do it well."

Kozak is getting ready to accept his fourth Merlin Award.

"Its the equivalent of an Oscar award in magic," Kozak says. "It's international in its scope."

In 2005, he was awarded his first 'International Entertainer of the Year" award and in 2007 and 2008 won "Comic Magician of the Year" for an unprecedented consecutive win.

"That's the only way you get good at doing anything is by doing it so I do it a lot," Kozak says.

Kozak added that he has been unsuccessful in getting the awards committee to name him "Intergalactic Comedian of the Year" but this year the award of "International Comic Magician of the Decade" was created especially for him.

Kozak says his approach has changed in performances. Now, he looks at it as "service work" instead of a career.

"I used to go on stage and take from the audience," he says. "Your ego gets involved and you're chasing fame and fortune and being on TV weekly. I've been through all that and when you have been through something that changes your life I feel like I am giving back to the audience."

Kozak will perform New Year's Eve at The Steakhouse at Moses Pointe, located at 4524 Westshore Dr.

Tickets are $215 per couple and include dinner and entertainment. The show is limited to 90 couples and reservations are required.

Call 509-764-2275 for more information or to make a reservation.