Have You Heard...
March 2, 2009
by Maria Ibâñez 

Greetings, a new month, March, began with the March Magic in Miami; the legendary John Calvert performing in Florida; Illusionist Alexander Blade opened at the convention; Levent and his comedy magic; the "Magic Classroom" makes its debut; Solyl Kundu set to appear at The Magic Castle; new bells about to ring, or not, by magician's choice; Siegfried and Roy performed at fundraising event; the I.B.M. releases the schedule for the upcoming convention; a new convention is born in New York; TAOM being dedicated to Ramon Galindo, and so much more happening that we might have to "Ask Alexander" in order to keep track and research it, but, you can find out more about it by reading below. As always, please do send me any news either by clicking here on my name, Maria, or by clicking on my name at the bottom of this page on the link provided. (read more) (Español).

Reading the opening paragraph you realize that spring has almost sprung and that the busiest of times is here for performers. Now is the time that conventions begin to take place, sometimes with the choice of more than one per week going on somewhere and now is the time to begin making your choices of where to spend your money and/or where you would like to go on your trips. This year, even with the economy being as down as it is, there is no doubt that if "the price is reasonable", "the talent is strong" and the venue is "a great location", magicians and lay people alike are willing to invest a little money for entertainment and magic. We saw this personally this weekend at the March Magic in Miami mini convention as you will read below. Jay and I will be going to Nashville in June to attend what is referred to as "The Greatest Annual Convention on Earth" from June 30th through July 4th. We will be celebrating a historic Independence Day, complete with fireworks, at vacation destination, Nashville. Have you registered yet? Click here

This is not magic but I would like to thank everyone who has sent such lovely e-mails, cards and phone calls with congratulatory words with regards to our new grandchild. E.J. has quickly become the apple of our eyes and we only wish we had already made the full move up to Palatka in order to be nearer to him. For now we have to be content with going up every weekend and spending as much time with them as we can. Until next time...

please do continue to send me any information you would like to share. As always, please keep a dream in the making for you create your tomorrows by what you dream today.

Maria Ibáñez

IN THIS ISSUE

"Ask Alexander" just one of the benefits of I.B.M. membership
Fifty Dollars ($50) discount on I.B.M. Convention?
Ali Bongo improves-word from Jack Devlin
March Magic in Miami
TAOM dedicated to Ramon Galindo
Solyl Kundu to appear at The Magic Castle
Siegfried and Roy at Fundraising Event
LIMAC, a new convention is born in New York
For whom the bell tolls?
Fantasma Ring 257 Fleamarket/Auction to be held
Birthdays for the week
   Terry Harris (2)
   Javier Arrillaga (3)
   Dean Dill (8)
   Aaron Fisher (3)
   Herb Gager (4)
   Jeff Quinn (5)

ASK ALEXANDER?

Did you ever wish you had the ability to search, electronically and quickly, through a magic resource that seems endless? Did you ever wish you had at your fingertips the name of, workings for, creator of or other information for an effect that you knew had been published but you couldn't remember the volume, year or other details of where? Did you know that just such a resource is not only available but at your fingertips if you are a member of the I.B.M.?

Just recently I was granted the right to spend a week researching and looking through this "Ask Alexander" area of the I.B.M. Portal, and I was amazed at the ease of navigation, endless information available and a great deal more.

So, how do you get there from the Portal? The Portal is a magical place with all sorts of hidden treasures. Just place your mouse over the "Endowment Fund" line on the left, and on the drop down menu that opens, click on "Linking Ring Collection". The entire Linking Ring publications from 1923 to 2007 are now available on line. At the bottom of the page there is a link that will take you to "Ask Alexander" and will explain this further for you. Here is a direct link for, Ask Alexander  however, do make it a point to mouse over the different navigation bar links on the left of the page because there are many, many magic treasures hidden within that you will never find unless you visit the site often and look through the different areas.

FIFY DOLLARS ($50) DISCOUNT FOR I.B.M. CONVENTION?

That's correct! If you are a new member of the I.B.M., you received a voucher worth $50.00 towards the registration to attend "The Greatest Annual Convention on Earth". Although you may only use the voucher once, it is good for a period of two years so put it to use. This year's convention promises to be a VERY memorable one, with talent from around the globe, FISM winners, dedicated to a living legend, Shimada, in the vacation destination spot - Nashville. It will be held at the Opryland Hotel and will have its finale the way the entire convention is being slated to run . . . with a bang, as we bid each other adieu under the spectacular fireworks display. It only takes a moment to do so, register now: REGISTER 

ALI BONGO IMPROVES

Just received word through Jack Devlin, Vice President, The Magic Circle, that there has been some improvement in Ali's condition. Here is the news as received

I am hugely pleased and relieved to be able to report significant new progress in Ali's condition.

I have visited him recently and found his speech improving with considerable mobility on his right side at last. He is now more independent and spends some of his time sitting in an armchair looking at a spectacular view of the Thames. He seems to be much better in himself and is now ready for more visitors. However, please contact myself if you wish to see him, so that everyone does not descend on him at the same time.

Jack Delvin - Vice President of the Magic Circle.
vicepresident@themagiccircle.co.uk

MARCH MAGIC IN MIAMI

A huge success is the only way to describe the mini convention held this Sunday in Miami. Titled March Magic in Miami, this first time event may turn into an annual one. A group of over 150 attendees were treated to a magic fleamarket from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with lunch, consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, assorted chips, sodas and beer, being served from noon until the lectures began at 1:00 p.m.

Aldo and Rachel Colombini broke the ice as the first of three lecturers; they were followed by Levent and John Calvert, respectively. Four dealers consisting of Wild Colombini Magic, Levent, John Calvert and Guy Bavli of Pro-Magic, Inc., in addition to Simon Carmel and Richard Mark with their book as well as about a dozen fleamarket vendors, all left very happy at the end of the day.

Close-up started at the bar at 6:00 p.m. and ran non-stop until 8:00 p.m., under the chairmanship of Ronsted (Ron Olmsted) and with performances by Manny Sanchez, a long time member now living in Germany but visiting at the right time, Julio Carraciolo a/k/a "Warlok" and fellow magicians who performed for the love of entertaining. Assorted cheeses, home made meatballs, barbecue mini sausages and more were offered to those who were there.

As the clock struck 8:00, the double doors opened to a red/black/white decorated ballroom and everyone was welcomed by Maria Ibáñez and Jim Progris as the tables were called to the buffet line. The dinner was an exquisite combination of roast beef, imperial rice, salad, rolls, green beans cooked in gin, brown sugar and almonds; a custom made cream cake with cream cheese and guava or sugar free cake of choice; red and white wine bottles at each table, sodas, and coffee.

It would be a huge oversight on my part not to mention that the entire affair from lunch to dinner and through dessert was home cooked and catered by the better half of the Ibáñez team. Those who know us well know that means Jay as I am a disaster in the kitchen. Kudos to him from all who attended and the gratitude of event organizers Rick del Vecchio and Maria Ibáñez.

Missed it this year? Keep your eyes and ears open, we may do it again next March.

TAOM DEDICATED TO RAMON GALINDO

Scott Hollingsworth, President, TAOM, just sent word that this year's TAOM is being dedicated to Ramon Galindo.

The 2009 TAOM Committee is proud to announce that this year's convention will be dedicated to Ramon Galindo.  His myriad accomplishments in magic and his unswerving dedication to our organization make him the obvious choice for this honor.  Ramon joined TAOM in 1949 and has not missed a single convention during the ensuing 60 years.  As a volunteer, he filmed convention acts for over 40 years.  He has generously offered to donate his personal TAOM film library to the archives.  His many honors include winning the TAOM Herman Yerger Trophy for Creativity and serving as TAOM president for a very successful convention in Austin in 1993.  Ramon has performed around the world, earning many awards and accolades, including being named one of Mexico's "Magicians of the Decade" in 2008. 

Many of you have read about TAOM history; Ramon has lived it. 

A section of the Souvenir Program will be devoted to Ramon's many accomplishments and contributions.  You can publish a personal message or congratulatory note to Ramon in the program.  Watch for details.

SOLYL KUNDU TO APPEAR AT THE MAGIC CASTLE

The Magical Entertainer of Kolkata, India, will appear in the Palace of Mystery of the Magic Castle from July 13 through July 19, 2009. Also, he will lecture on his magic the afternoon of Sunday, July 19.

Please stop in and visit Solyl Kundu if you are in the Hollywood area during that time.
Better yet, make friends with him here on The Magic Classroom and then meet him in person at the Castle!

SIEGFRIED & ROY AND MONTECORE
AT FUNDRAISING SHOW

During a final performance this past Saturday night, in Las Vegas, Illusionists Siegfried and Roy and the Bengal tiger that bit Roy on the neck during a 2003 performance, virtually ending his career, Montecore, shared a stage. - shared the stage again Saturday night for a haunting final performance.

Dressed in black robes and with a face covered in a skeletal mask, Roy made his entrance on a fog covered stage, often times steadying himself on Siegfrieds shoulders as he made his way across.

They performed a S & R signature illusion where Siegfried, dressed in all white robes and a mask, stands inside a cage which is then covered in a huge drape. Roy removed the drape only seconds later and in his place is now a huge tiger and Siegfried is now behind the man with the skeletal mask who is now standing between Roy and the tiger.

Although no words were said, only kisses were blown at the audience, an announcer at the event left the crowd with this final thought: "Within all of us there is an illusive melody, which when heard and followed will lead you to the fulfillment of your fondest dreams." The performers' manager, Bernie Yuman, later confirmed the tiger was Montecore.

LIMAC A NEW CONVENTION IS BORN IN NEW YORK

Craig Dickson, Wizardcraft Magic, has sent us word that LIMAC, a new convention, is born in New York.

A new convention is born, and it is going to be a great event. A lot of people are supporting this, SAM Assemblies, IBM Rings, Organizers of the Magic Camp et. al. New York has not had a premiere convention is quite a while and this is shaping up to be just that. Come on out, join in the fun.

Saturday - April 4, 2009 - Long Island Magic Arts Convention, Hempstead, NY...
The Long Island Magic Arts Convention takes place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island, New York on April 4th. Performers include Eugene Burger, Jay Sankey, David Oliver, Skippy, Balloon Buster and more. There will be workshops and seminars held with the performers on Sunday as well. Events include lectures by Eugene Burger, Jay Sankey, and Don Caldwell; 10 magic dealers; a close-up magic show and Junior Close-Up Magic Competition plus A Night of Magic evening show at 7:15 p.m. For registration information and/or show tickets visit magicartsconvention.com.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS?

Catchy title for this section. Guy Bavli shared with us the new line of bells that are being produced and which will be available in the very near future. Matching the look, weight and feel of the well known Tels Bells, the three new bells will offer different uses; one is a break away bell, one can be made to ring by the spectator but not the magician, the third breaks away and hangs off a special string on the command of the performer. The possibilities are endless and as an owner of the original bell I can hardly wait until the rest are on the market. Thank you Guy for the innovation to what is already a great effect.

FANTASMA RING 257 TO HOLD FLEAMARKET/AUCTION

Fantasma Ring 257 will hold its annual auction/flea market on March 4, 2009, at Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave, Las Vegas, NV starting at 7:00 PM. Viewing of items and flea market will begin at 6 PM. This is a great opportunity to get rid of some of those magic tricks, books, DVD's, CD's, posters, and magazines taking up space in your house, provide you with a bit of extra money or to pick up something at a great price.

Everyone is welcome to sell or purchase items. No charge for admittance.

Complete procedures for the auction can be found on our web page, IBM 257.com or contacting John McClenahan, at doctormagiclv@embarqmail.com or 702-395-3856.

BIRTHDAYS FOR THE WEEK

Terry Harris (2)    Javier Arrillaga (3)    Dean Dill (8)
Aaron Fisher (3)    Herb Gager (4)    Jeff Quinn (5)

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear friends
Happy birthday to you.

Be sure to watch this space for ever changing news of what's happening in the magic scene. If you have any information or reviews on magic happenings or events, then please send it to me. You can leave a public comment, suggestion, advice, opinion or question on this week's article by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of this blog. If you prefer, then you can leave a private message by sending an email to: Maria Ibáñez