tional Brotherhood of MagiciansWelcome to our Magic Web Portal. The I.B.M. is the world's largest organization for magicians and for people interested in the magical arts. Our Brotherhood is made up of nearly 12,000 members worldwide with over 300 local groups called Rings in more than 73 countries. The I.B.M. is considered to be the most respected organization for magic collectors, amateur and professional magicians in the world! If you have a sincere interest in the art of magic, we invite you to learn more about our organization. There is plenty to see here so take your time and look around. You may be amazed!
Jack White, International President
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For more than two hours, the audience at a Richard Osterlind show in Dry Ridge, Ky., could not believe what was unfolding before their eyes. They shook their heads in disbelief, buried their heads in their hands, and looked at one another in bewilderment. This was how they responsed to Osterlind crawling into the deep crevices of their minds and reading their innermost thoughts. He knew special people in their lives, important dates, addresses where they lived, and pets they owned. He knew what numbers they were thinking, what cards they pictured in their minds, and a whole lot of other information he should neither have known nor had access to. | |
With the death of John Booth Wednesday, the magic community has lost another legend, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians mourns the passing of the man who has held the longest running membership. |
Steve Dacri sends word that Carl Ballantine, 92, died on Nov. 3, 2009. The Magic Web Channel site states Ballantine was "the only magician who never did a trick. Actually, in his early career, he did a manipulation act, but, as Carl says, 'when I saw Dick Cardini do his act, I threw away my show. I knew I could never be as good as Dick, so I stopped with the real magic.'" | |
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Salwak prepares for The Los Angeles Times reports Dale Salwak, "The Gentleman of Magic," is preparing for some diplomatic sleight of hand: He wants to arrange for some North Korean magicians to visit the United States and coordinate the visit with the International Brotherhood of Magicians' convention next July in San Diego. The L.A. Times story also recounts Salwak's visit to North Korea as part of the government's 26th Spring Art Friendship Festival. Salwak was the only American, and it was no easy feat. "Traveling to North Korea is not a simple matter," he told the Times. "One doesn't just buy a ticket, hop on an airplane and fly there. It took two years to sort out the regulations and the logistics. Travel in and out of North Korea is always supervised by the highest echelon of government." Read the story here. | |
Michael Lair's Shrink Drink, an effect where a twelve-ounce can of soda pop diminishes in size to an eight-ounce can, won the 2009 I.B.M. Originality Contest. Part of the contest requirements is the effect is published in The Linking Ring. This is so the members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians will be able to construct or perform the effect for themselves. Lair, a magic dealer and part-time professional, is from Canton, Ohio. Sit back, relax, click the video below, and enjoy Lair's presentation of Shrink Drink. I.B.M. members can learn how the effect is done by turning to Page 61 of the October 2009 issue of The Linking Ring. (Click for video) |
Linking Ring photographer The Linking Ring's photographer, H. Rick Bamman, has captured an array of magical performances and behind-the-scene shots from the I.B.M. Convention in Nashville, Tenn. He has gathered them together in a video slideshow he titled, "Chasing the Award of Excellence." The International Brotherhood of Magicians conducts an annual contest in stage magic, and this year 29 magicians from around the globe vied for the coveted International Award of Excellence. Six finalists performed in the Gold Medal Show: Minsoo Choi, South Korea; Nathan Kepner, U.S.A.; Yo Kato, Japan; Peter Pitchford, U.S.A., Richard Forget, Canada; and Jei Min & Hanna, South Korea. |
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