IBM Featured Articles

The Linking Ring For August 2008

32995 — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:53:20 -0600

AUGUST 2008
TLR Notes
by Lincoln Rings

What this Portal column needs is a good proof reader but Mel is too cheap to hire one. So here I sit flipping through all of the pages of ads touting a bunch of stuff my wife won't let me purchase... maybe a can pay cash! The Linking Ring cover story this month is by William V. Rauscher. He takes a look at Magician John Calvert: A Legend in Legerdemain. Going strong at ninety-seven, this is a look back at his historic career. This is followed by Associate Editor's, Scott Humston description seeing John Calvert's full evening show for the first time at Capitol Theatre in Bowling Green, Kentucky in June. (read more)

Casting A Literary Spell

32995 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:31:27 -0500

Magician's Library Spans Centuries
by Kathleen Renne
The Calgary Herald

Stephen Forrester lives a Houdini-inspired life. The 47-year-old is a locksmith by day, Merlin by night, and collects and researches magic books in-between. In fact, his five-bedroom home is rapidly being overtaken by books; more than two rooms currently house his collection of 6,240 volumes.That doesn't include his inventory of antique padlocks and handcuffs, including a pair Houdini actually used. (Read More)

THE REEL MAGIC

32995 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:54:50 -0500

Web Notes
by Mike Durant
Review of Reel Magic

Things certainly are changing quickly in this ‘information age' and that is especially true in the world magic. When I first started dabbling in the magical arts, printed books and magazines were the only ways to ‘distribute' magic knowledge. Video tape came next and then the Internet, replacing books for many people. But magazines continued to ‘hold their own'. Sure there were electronic newsletters like Alan Watson's excellent and, despite the name, very international Magic New Zealand. (Read More)

New News is Good News!

33528 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:50:48 -0500

Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
August 25, 2008

Howdy friends. Houston isn't the only place in Texas where magic is alive and well. We are a big state with big ideas (perhaps you have heard about our penchant for all things large). Well, Austin, Texas is now publishing a slick, full color magazine about magic around our great state...including Houston. The premiere issue is out and ready to read. The cover of the first issue features Walter "Zaney" Blaney who will be the featured guest of honor at this year's T.A.O.M. convention next week in Ft. Worth. We are proud to have Walter and his family as members of our Houston magic community. Also this week, the I.B.M. Ring #39 annual flea market is tonight, upcoming lectures, who's working where plus other happenings around town. (read more...)

IBM/SAM Convention Photos

32995 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:20:36 -0500

The IBM/SAM Convention
Photo Memories Page
by H Rick Bamman
Image Magic Photography
imagemagic@comcast.net

The IBM/SAM Combined Convention in Louisville, Kentucky was an amazing event. To help you remember the people and events, we dispatched our professional motionless picture director to record the groups and individuals that made our stay at the Galt Hotel Complex so special to the over 1,900 registrants. We will add more memories later this week. See something you like for your photo album? Drop Rick an email. You can also visit his OnLine Photo Site by clicking here.

SUCOP SUCOH

32995 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:55:41 -0500

SUCOP SUCOH
Thru the Mirror of Time by Paul Kieve
A review by
Joel Moskowitz MD
August 2008
Magic Currents Ring 76, San Diego

Not to be confused with the book of the same name published in 1634, this Hocus Pocus authored by Paul Kieve is a Scholastic Press publication (2007) targeted for the nine to eleven years old, which is when many magic obsessions begin. Daniel Radcliffe, in his introduction, praises Kieve as one who taught him some tricks. Kieve may be less widely known than the stage name of Radcliffe, Harry Potter. Now that is impressive credentials! (read more)

Derek McFaull - Broken Wand

32995 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:53:21 -0500

DEREK McFAULL
by Elizabeth Warlock
British Ring 25,
The United Kingdom

We have great sorrow in announcing that our President, Derek McFaull, passed away today August 4th 2008, and may he rest in peace. There are few people who could successfully combine spiritual duties with those of a more earthly nature, but Derek McFaull took both in stride. As Chief Welfare Officer of Ring 25 since 2003, he looked after the health and welfare of some 1,700 members. This involves sending cards and messages to the sick and bereaved. Despite this being an almost full-time job, he also was a part-time Church of England (Anglican) minister, attached to Salisbury Cathedral, as well as being Chaplain to the Ring, performing any services which may be required by members, including the interdenominational service which always concludes the annual convention. (read more)

IBM/SAM Convention Review

32995 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:16:49 -0500

Convention Review
I.B.M. Ring 129
Kansas City, Missouri
Heart of the Ring Newsletter
by Steve Steiner

The long-awaited IBM/SAM Combined Convention was held in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. A virtual who's who of magic attended the week-long convention billed as the "Magic Event that the World has been waiting for...". This was the first such combined convention in 35 years and those in attendance vowed that it wouldn't be another 35 years before the event happened again. (Read More)

2008 DRAGON Award

32995 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:37:56 -0500

Prestigious Dragon Award
Given at the
IBM/SAM Convention
July 22, 2008
by Jane Stuart

Michael and Hannah Ammar were presented with the 2008 DRAGON Award by The J. Marberger Stuart Foundation, Inc. at the DRAGON Dinner at the Kentucky The Galt Hotel on Tuesday July 22nd at the joint International Brotherhood of Magicians and The Society of American Magicians Convention. The DRAGON Award is presented in recognition of outstanding teamwork in the art of magic.

Who Competed In Louisville?

32995 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:16:04 -0500

Great magic ideas this month in Louisville, Kentucky! More concepts and amazing thinking goes into the building of a magic act especially when it comes to performing for your peers. The best way to see what's cutting edge in this artform is to take a look at the performer/contestants at this year"s mega magic convention at the IBM/SAM Combined Convention. We thought it would be a good idea to give you a list of those people that that took on the entire world of magic by showing off their latest concepts for your entertainment pleasure. The People's Choice Award and a purse of $10,000 was awarded to Marc Oberon for Close-Up Magic and An Ha-Lim for Stage Magic.