January - Two Important
Announcements for the
2009 I.B.M. Convention
in Nashville, TN
by JACK WHITE

We have two new and important developments surrounding the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) annual magic convention for June 30th to July 4th, 2009, in Nashville, Tennessee at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.  Convention Chairman, Terry Richison, has decided to extend for one extra month the registration fee that was suppose to end on December 31, 2008. The price freeze means that the $210 dollar registration is good until the end of January 2009, saving you $40. (read more)  

Around Chicago
with DON WIBERG
January 2009

Happy New Year! January in the Windy City is usually a time of much snow and more cold. Although this is never guaranteed. Recently within one week, the weather in Chicago ranged from below zero to 60 degrees above zero. The old saying used to be, "If you don't like Chicago's weather, wait a minute and it will change." The revised saying should be, "If you don't like Chicago's season, wait a minute and it will change." In any event, the magic scene seems to slow down a bit but there is still some activity throughout the area. Some of the news has to do with a couple of event in the near future. I'm mentioning them now so that you can mark your calendars. (read more)

Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
January 5, 2009

Howdy friends. Happy New Year! The celebrations of the season are officially over and we are nearly a week into the New Year...the last one with two zeroes in the middle for this millennium. That means we won't see consecutive double zeroes for nearly another thousand years. Kinda makes ya feel small, eh?  Or not...whatever. Houston area magicians celebrated the end of 2008...or was it the beginning of 2009? Well, 50-60 people showed up to enjoy some food, beverages, conversations and fellowship last Saturday night, January 3rd. (Read More...)

BJ Hickman
Signs To Lecture at
The I.B.M Convention
in Nashville, TN

Dale Salwak has announced that BJ Hickman has signed to present a special lecture at the Nashville I.B.M. Convention, June 30 to July 4, 2009.  His spot in the "Big Three Event" this year marks his 40th anniversary as an IBM member. From his home in New Hampshire (USA), he performs at hundreds of festivals, art centers, theaters, schools, and special events throughout New England, a dozen years at Hollywood's Magic Castle, and speaking presentations throughout the United States. He has earned the credit of being "the entertainer who keeps getting invited back." (read more)

Magic New Zealand
Sponsored by
International Entertainment
Issue Number: #629
Sunday January 4, 2009
Editor: ALAN WATSON

Happy New Year to all! We are back from vacation - so where did we go? To a magic convention, where else? We also have a few notes to catch up on... Greg Britt - Queens New Years Eve Honours • Obituary - Larry White • Potter & Potter Marketplace Auction • Las Vegas Magic • Celebrating 100 - Kyle Peron • Cruising With Paul Romhany #50 • 70th Anniversary Of The Magic Circle Of Victoria, Australia • David Ginn Presents His First 2009 • Lotsofmagic.co.uk • I Saw A Guy Doing The 6 Card Repeat Trick? (read more)

Branded Into Your
Audience's Memory
Review by
Joel A. Moskowitz, MD

How would you like to devastate street urchins in the manner of David Blaine? There is a saying, "Build a better mouse trap and the world will build a path to your door". Walt Disney took it one step further: He built a better mouse! Tim Trono didn't invent the principal or even the idea for the blister gadget. He did create a better instrument to elicit acclaim from audiences. Want a device applauded by Daryl and Paul Harris? Contact Tim Trono at Murphy's Magic Supplies. (read more)

MagiCurrents Ring 76
January 2009
San Diego Magic Notes
Editor:  Don Soul

San Diego's magic legend J.C. Wagner will be one of the featured lectures at this summer's I.B.M. Magic Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Wagner has been working on a special program of his most popular effects for this lecture with some surprise new material thrown in as an added attraction. If you can make it to Nashville and Operyland for the Convention say hello. J.C. appears every weekend at the Little Club in Coronado doing bar magic. The I.B.M. has extended your opportunity to register for this year's convention and save $40. You have until February 1st to register at $210 then the registration fee jumps to $250. If you are planning to go to Nashville don't let this savings slip away, register today. (read more)

Convention Dealer's Room
2009 • Nashville, TN 
by DANIEL HERRON
I.B.M. Dealer Chairman

Toys! Toys! Toys! Sure there is an abundance of talent, great shows, fantastic lectures, fellowship, and fun...but ALL of us enjoy getting to see the latest and greatest effects and props from dealers around the world! The Dealers' Room is a priority for the I.B.M. and bringing in some of the greatest dealers and creators of magic is our goal every year. This year is going to be excellent. In the Opryland Hotel, the sky is the limit because the Dealers' room is going to be a focal point of the convention. (read more)

The I.B.M. Web Portal
A 2008 In Review
by MIKE DURANT

It is that time of the year when we take a look at the past twelve months and dream about the future.  There have been a great many really 'magical' things on the internet in 2008.  First and foremost, the I.B.M Web Portal site, where you are reading this right now. It came together and has grown into something really special. There are a lot of people that you can thank when you happen to run into them.  Kirk DeWeese and his Electronic Wizards at Micro.com did a great job of getting all the behind the scenes heavy lifting done to put this together and kept it working. Great job guys! (read more)