Welcome 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!
Joan Caesar, International President
From the entire staff of The Linking Ring, the Web Portal writers, editors and from the rest of the magicians that make our organization work, we wish you a festive and magical holiday season. Remember that it all starts within your own heart. This has been an interesting year in many ways.We have lost a few friends along the way but we have made many more. The 2008 combined convention with The Society of American Magicians in Lousiville was certainly one for the record books and we now we turn our attention to Nashville, Tenneessee in July! In all, we have many things to be thankful for -- but most of all, to each individual member for weaving the fabric of brotherhood throughout the world with your deep interest in the magical arts. There are some great stories within this month's Linking Ring (read more) |
There is plenty of holiday magic in the Windy City area to get you in the spirit. Before plunging into what's appearing or dissappearing, I thought I would mention the I.B.M. Virtual Online Regalia Shop & Store. If you are looking for something for that hard-to-buy-for magic fanatic you might try clicking here. The guys at The Magic Supply Company out in Blue Springs keep a pretty good stock of all things related to the I.B.M... And now, here are a couple of reminders including Fred Paul Bailey's The Devil's Daughter. I also have notes on Keith Cobb, Neil Tobin, Gordon Meyer and Bill Pack... (read more) | |
The Chargers' Blood Drive, November 15th at the Town & Country hotel in Mission Valley, was a huge success. Taking part were Ring 76 magicians Magic Mike Stilwell (who brought along Vic Ballesteros), Charlie Gott and Kenny Shelton. The magicians were able to do strolling magic and entertain those who were waiting their turn to donate the gift of life. Lynn Stedd White is one of the founding members of the annual Blood Drive celebrating its 30th Anniversary. To celebrate her work at this event, the San Diego Chargers made her an honorary member and presented her with a Chargers' jersey bearing the number "30" signifying 30 years of Chargers Blood drive. (read more) |  Magic Prescriptionsby Joel A. Moskowitz M.D. Psychic Blues & Hand Springs - Mark Edward December, 2008
Mark Edward is an equivocator, fibber and mountebank. Which begs the question; if a liar admits to lying, can he be telling the truth? The opening deprecations of Mark Edward are entirely false. Rather, he is a literate, informative, intellectual, a student of the psychology of humans, a foe of those who would defraud the public for personal gain and as an author and practicing psychic, he is first and foremost, an entertainer. He has written two books, personally published (aka Mindscapes Unlimited), spiral bound, "Psychic Blues" Confessions from a Happy Medium. pp 241, (2007) and "Hand Springs" The Charleton's Book of Palmistry", pp 187. (release set for 2009) (read more) | |
Howdy friends. The end is indeed near. Some may think I am talking about the economy but instead I am talking about the end of 2008. As we draw near to 2009 it is time for our final push to do more shows, buy more magic books and tricks, and to spread magic throughout the land. Many magicians find this month to be the busiest month of the year with holiday parties albeit a bit off from previous years due to the economy. But keep positive and do the best you can. Don't let your audience settle for less even if you settled for less pay. Give them the best show you can. This week starts the beginning of this column going to a blog. Also this week David Solomon is in town and will present a workshop at H&R Magic Books; we talk about the Houston group helping the Austin magic club with their holiday banquet; H.A.O.M. and the S.A.M. Assembly #19 will meet tonight and will feature a mini-lecture by professional comedian David Trevas; Jerry Gray is recovering from a broken arm; plus who's working where. (Read More...) |
[a bit late but of interest...] Over the past 25 years I have attended many magic conventions, workshops, and seminars. I have enjoyed each one. Even the bad ones were good. After a while they all begin to run together. Only two really stick out in my mind and have their own identity that sets them apart. One is my first magic convention. You remember yours. The one where everything you heard and saw was new and exciting. The dealer's room was indescribable and all you had to do was buy every trick they had and you would automatically become the greatest of the great. Stand back Copperfield! (read more) | |
 Magic New Zealand Sponsored by International Entertainment Issue Number: #623 Sunday 30th November 2008 Editor: ALAN WATSON
Alan's Message: Two weeks ago we published an item from John Taylor from Australia on "People wrongly advertising themselves with awards". Since then I have received large number of complaints from Australian magicians about other Australians using false promotional material on their website sites. Suggest that you lodge a complaint with your State/Territory Department of Fair Trading (Australia) or the ACCC (Australia) as they will prosecute offenders. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com (read more) |
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In addition to the assorted magic reading material prominently available on our living room coffee table, including Genii, Magic and of course our own Linking Ring, my wife chooses to broaden my world horizons with a few other choices. This includes this week's edition of People Magazine which currently promotes the sexiest man alive on the cover, Hugh Jackman. I quietly think to myself,... when I was his age, was I ever that remotely handsome or for that matter that Australian? This brings me to a few notes floating about the entertainment industry of late. It seems that handsome Hugh is toying with the idea of using his bountiful talents to play the part of magic's past mega superstar Harry Houdini in a Broadway musical. (read more) |
We received a communication from Sonny Fontana this morning. It is with deep sadness that he reports on the passing of the great Christian Fechner... Christian Fechner's career started as a magician, musician, and record producer before he embarked on creating successful films, including classic titles like Camille Claudel. As a performer, Fechner won the invention prize at the 1979 FISM and has devised magic effects for David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy, and many others. Fechner's past literary projects are among the most lavish magic books ever published. His bibliography of French conjuring books is the most complete to date, and his two-volume Soirees Fantastiques. (read more) | |
 THE BUZZ - Latest Links And Magic Info... December, 2008 by MEL KIENTZ December 2008 and the Holiday are upon us. With the economy in the dumper it will truly fall on each of us to jump start the spirit of the season in those that touch our lives. As usual, there are several stories that have come across my desk and I pass them along to you. Involving half of the Dynamic Duo from the Rio Suites in Las Vegas, Richard Abowitz has penned a good read on Teller that is worth the price of admission to this edition of the Buzz ...have a look...(read more) |
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Weekly Round-Up
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Hugh's Hunting
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