Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
July 21, 2008
Howdy friends.  Many of you will miss reading this week's column as you will be at the combined I.B.M./S.A.M. convention and experiencing the real thing.  All is ready and shaped up for this to be a spectacular event.  I wish for everyone that you have a great time, as I know you will.  Several local magicians will be in attendance so be sure to say "Howdy" when you see someone from Houston, and tell them that I sent ya!  Meanwhile, back at the ranch here in H-Town, the "H" stands for hot...but that is typical for this time of year.  But the magic here is always hot, too!  This week we had a lecture by Jeb Sherrill plus the circus has come to town.  Be sure to read on as there is more to report on both. (Read more...)

Fantasma Magic
Digital Downloads
by Mike Durant
July, 2008

The I.B.M. started out (in 1922) as simple correspondence between a few magicians. After a time, the organization took shape as more and more magicians took an active part.  They talked about the latest effects in letter after letter having to wait for the next envelope to show in their postbox.  It's now the twenty-first century and things have changed...not so much in the content but more in the delivery. The folks I am going to talk about in this column have only been in the retail magic business as a company for a few years (since 2006 to be precise).  But it was started with a vision of what they could do for magic in the delivery of products and ideas.  And they have done an amazing job, so let me start off with just a little ‘hype' and an ‘attaboy' or two for Fantasma Magic. (Read More)

Louis Martelle has passed away at the age of 81. He had been a member of The British Ring since 1949 and throughout that time had been a supporter of and worker for the Ring. He started in magic at the age of eleven when he saw magicians at the local vaudeville theatre and managed to borrow Hoffman's Modern Magic from the local library. He performed for the local churches and private parties until he was fourteen, when he left school and joined Murray, the famous Escapologist, as an assistant. (Read More)

Siegfried & Roy
Events in London
by Paul Stone in
Magic New Zealand®
July, 2008

Here are the details of the two forthcoming Siegfried & Roy events in London. The first is on Sunday 28th September and is a 'Tribute to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium'. I am attaching the two sided promotional flyer for this event for you. The vent will also launch MAGICARESTM The Magic Charity. Full details about the Charity and its Mission Statement and future plans, and the performers appearing in this unique show are detailed on the MAGICARESTM website www.magicares.com. (read more)

The amazing Paul Gertner has been added to the IBM/SAM Convention schedule as an Early Bird Close-Up Show not to be missed in Louisville on Sunday July 20, 2008. He will be doing his one-of-a-kind shows at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00. During the show he will demonstrate how a trade show magician gets a message across by doing an actual pitch all about the activities going on at the convention. What a hoot! Word has it that he will be featuring two effects developed just in time for this special soiree called Heartbreaker and Bite Me. Do you want to see a sneak preview.... click here - it's a hotlink to his newYouTube Channel. These new effects will be available for release at the convention in Louisville. Now aren't you glad you already got your reservation for the convention?