Contribute to a Canadian Hocus Pocus Parade for the Linking Ring [Aug 31 deadline]

Submit your ideas to Ryan Pilling by August 31.

 

From the July 27th Facebook post by Tips & Tricks for Magicians:

ATTN: Canadian Magicians

I spend a lot of my time researching and reading through the dusty pages of The Linking Ring magazine.

My attention always perks up when I come across one of the many Canadian Hocus Pocus Parades, which were an almost annual tradition between 1943 and 1972. It's wonderful to see magic from both the famous and not-so-famous, including many who are the namesakes of our Canadian Rings; Ernie Crockford, Roy Cottee, Sid Lorraine...

Other than one "Canadian 4F Gala Parade" compiled by Joan Caesar in April 2016, this tradition has been long lost to history.

Well, here I am attempting to pick up the torch and spark something.

I'm reviving the Canadian Hocus Pocus Parade! And I'm inviting you to be a part of the legacy.

Canada's greatest strength comes from diversity of its people and regions, and I'm hoping to put together a collection of great magic with an equal variety, from magicians coast to coast to coast.

I'm looking for your most creative magic, be it inventions or adaptations.

If you have it written up, that's great... send it along.

If not, you can film a quick home video to teach the idea to me, and I'll write it up.

Bonus points if you can send a performance or demonstration video that we could include as a digital supplement to the Parade.

What makes a good magazine contribution - an idea that looks/sounds FUN to PLAY with.

A quick trick, a new use for a common prop, something easy to make, etc.

What makes an ignored magazine contribution - difficult or complicated routines.

If you can't decide what to send you're welcome to send along more stuff and allow me to choose.

I'll give you a timeline of August 31 to get your submissions to me.

Thanks!

Maple flavourdly yours,
Ryan Pilling
ryan @ wowryan . com
(Calgary, Ring 66)

P.S. You are welcome to forward this invitation to your local clubs and Canadian magician friends. I'd especially appreciate your help if you know magicians from more remote regions. Worst case is that I get so much I can do it again next year!

Carisa Hendrix, and Trevor & Lorena at IBM Pittsburgh [Jul 12 - 15]

From the March 7th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

How many of these amazing magical artist can you name?  As the talent director for this years I.B.M. convention I looked to contract artists you know, and ones you should know.
 
Oh, and don't forget to register now for I.B.M. 2023 convention before we sell out like last year!

www.IBMConvention.com

 

 

 

From the March 4th Facebook post by IBM Convention:

More amazing artists have been booked to attend, are you coming to Pittsburgh in 2023?
www.IBMConvention.com

 

 

 

ICYMI: Plaque rededication on the 100th anniversary of the International Brotherhood of Magicians

On June 6th, Dean Gunnarson participated in a rededication of a plaque at the building where it all started over 100 years ago.

 

From the June 5th article, "Winnipeg still a magic city 100 years after international organization’s founding" by Sam Thompson at Global News: 

Internationally-known illusionist and comedy magician Brian Glow says the brotherhood, which is the largest organization of magicians in the world, was founded in Winnipeg in 1922.

The city’s long history of magic — which includes a 1923 performance by the legendary Harry Houdini, who escaped from a straightjacket 30 feet above a downtown building — is largely due to its geographic location.

....

Although the brotherhood became so popular that it moved to the U.S. less than a decade after its founding, Gunnarson said the city has a long history of famed magicians to this day — from himself and Glow to the likes of Doug Henning, Darcy Oake, and Greg Wood.

“Sometimes we don’t appreciate things in our own backyard… and Winnipeg has such a vibrant, rich history of politicians, entertainers — and of course magic,” Gunnarson said.

Read more.

 

From the June 6th article "'The magic city': 100th anniversary of International Brotherhood of Magicians marked in Winnipeg, where it all started" by Devon McKendrick at CTV News Winnipeg:

IBM was started by three magicians, including Len Vintus, who is from Transcona, in 1922, and now the organization has around 15,000 members with local groups in more than 88 countries.

"He created the world's largest magic organization with no computer, no smartphone, no fax machine, all with a typewriter and a mimeograph machine," said Dean Gunnarson, who is a Winnipeg escape artist.

The IBM was created to connect magicians who lived outside major cities and were unable to attend magic club meetings.

"(Vintus) promoted magic, the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba. He was a real ambassador for this city and province and, of course, magic."

Read more.

From the June 29th article "World’s largest magic club celebrates 100th anniversary, Winnipeg roots" by Cody Sellar in the Free Press Community Review:

To celebrate the anniversary, local members held a ceremony at the original headquarters on June 6, recreating the unveiling of the 1986 historical building plaque by setting the veil ablaze.

Transconian Melvin McMullen, better known by the stage name Len Vintus, founded the organization in 1922 at the age of 19. He rented an office on the seventh floor of the building at Main Street and William Avenue and set to work.

“He was absolutely driven. Wore a suit and tie and vest every day of his life that I knew him, until he went to the hospital with a stroke,” said Dean Gunnarson, a Winnipeg escape artist who became friends with McMullen until his death in 1999.

...

The Winnipeg ring has now morphed into the Magic Club of Winnipeg, run in part by brotherhood member Carey Lauder. He’s helped teach a host of young magicians, including Darcy Oake. He said for some kids, magic provides a crucial confidence boost.

“It’s like kid Toastmasters,” he said, citing parents who told him their children gained the self-assurance to speak up in class and other such things.

Lauder, who also works at the magic counter at Toad Hall Toys, said McMullen’s legacy is a point of pride for the Winnipeg magic community.

...

Gunnarson said his tombstone is carved in the shape of the province and inscribed with the title: “Mr. Manitoba.”

Read more.

IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam with Shawn Farquhar hosted by Gabriella Lester [Jan 3]

From the December 22nd Instagram post by the IBM:

Calling all young magicians🙌

Come join the first ever IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam. For those of you that love magic, or want a chance to connect with other young magicians ALL over the world, this is your chance!!

When ⏰
January 3rd 2023

Where 📍
Online via Zoom

Who 👤
Teens who love magic

Special guest✨
Shawn Farquhar
@magichampion

Hosted by🪄
Gabriella Lester
@thegabriellalester

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I.B.M. - Official (@ibmmagic)

 

 

Ryan Pilling's Inside The Ring [season 2 premiere: Oct 25]

From the October 10th Facebook post by the IBM:

On Tuesday, October 25th Ryan Pilling ventures back... Inside The Ring!

Each month Ryan digs through the archives of The Linking Ring magazine to find the hidden gems of magic buried within those pages. He dusts them off, polishes them up, and lets them shine! It's a show about "new" old ideas and the magicians who came up with them.
 
Showtime will be October 25th at 6 PM Pacific, 9 PM Eastern. It will be broadcast live on the I.B.M. Facebook page where you can watch and participate in the chat.

 

 

 

 

IBM Online Open Mic Magic and Trivia Show [Sept 20]

From the September 18th Facebook post by IBM:

The all new IBM Online Show.....The Open Mic Magic and Trivia Show on 20th Sept 2022 right here on the IBM Facebook Page.
Please join us either here on Facebook or join us live on Zoom, reserve your place using the link below.
Some fun to be had Tuesday Morning (11am UK - 6am Eastern - 8pm AEST)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-open-mic-magic-and-trivia-show
Our guests this week: Phil Cass (AUS), Adam Evans (UK) and Joel Howlett (AUS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

IBM Ring 2100 virtual open house [Sep 17]

ICYMI, from the August 14th Facebook post by IBM Ring 252:

Ring 2100 is the IBM's only all digital chapter. It meets via Zoom on the third Saturday of each month. There are no officers and no dues. Just magic and fellowship. All members of the IBM are automatically considered members of Ring 2100. Doesn't matter if you have a local Ring affiliation or not. You are a member of Ring 2100.

From the September 12th Instagram post by IBM Ring 2100:

What’s Happening✨

Saturday, September 17th, IBM Ring 2100 will again be On-The-Air with our next Virtual Gathering.

Our topic will be "Bright & Colorful Magic".

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I.B.M. - Official (@ibmmagic)

 

Billy Hsueh in the Surrey Now-Leader

Congratulations Billy!  Thank you for your hard work!

 

From the July 27th article "Presto, he’s president: World’s largest magic organization now led by Surrey’s Billy Hsueh" by Tom Zillich in Surrey Now-Leader:

The role of international president of the IBM is rare for a Canadian, as only eight residents of this country have held the office, four of whom are from Vancouver, and Hsueh is first of Asian descent.

“It wasn’t something that I sought out to do, but it just kind of happened, the process of me being on the board and the committees when I was 16, 17 years old,” Hsueh explained. “I kept volunteering my time and worked my way up the board, and eventually they nominated me as vice-president and then president-elect, now I’m president.

He added: “It just feels really good to represent an organization that I’ve been part of since I was, like, 11, and being able to give back, as much as can, for everything this organization has done for me.”

Read more.

 

 

Presto, he’s president: World’s largest magic organization now led by Surrey’s Billy Hsueh.
The role is rare for a Canadian. Hsueh is first of Asian descent, and also 2nd youngest in 100-year history of @IBMMAGIC.https://t.co/6ynVEzSTIT@sdpmagic @canadasmagic #SurreyBC #magic

— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) July 27, 2022

 

The article mentions that 8 Canadians have held this title.  They include:

1. Len Vintus 1922–1926
2. Bruce Posgate 1980–1981
3. R.J. Obie O'Brien 1993–1994
   
4. Joan Caesar 2008–2009
5. Shawn Farquhar 2014–2015
6. Alex Zander 2019–2020   [youngest]
   
7. Billy Hsueh 2022-2023    [second youngest]
   

Who are we missing?

 

 

 

Congratulations Billy Hsueh and Rod Chow

Congratulations to:

• Billy Hsueh, incoming President of the IBM, and
• Rod Chow, incoming President of SAM

 

From Joe Turner's July 1st Facebook post:

Congratulations to the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92, and to my friends Billy Hsueh and Rod Chow for becoming International President of the IBM and National President of the SAM, respectively. Two great guys, and one fantastic Ring. This commemorative congratulatory ad produced by Ring 92 is wonderful. Well done, all!

 

 

Atlanta: Gwyn Auger lecture [July]

From the June 25th Instagram post by Gwyn Auger:

Well … it’s on the website and I keep pinching myself but it must be true! I’ll be giving a little talk about assistants at the @ibmmagic convention NEXT MONTH!!!! I still think I must be dreaming!!!!! Big big thanks to @magichampion for making this happen!

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by magicassistant (@magicassistant)

 

 

 

 

Winnipeg: IBM celebrates 100th anniversary on Magic Day [June 6]

From the May 29th Facebook post by the Magic Club of Winnipeg:

Upcoming events!! Hope you can get out.

After the Monday June 6th plaque ceremony, we are heading over to the King's Head. Please pass on to any friends who may not be getting our posts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!!

International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) 100th Anniversary

The International Brotherhood of Magicians will be celebrating it’s 100th Anniversary with a variety of events in Winnipeg.

On Monday, June 6th , also known as Magic Day, a plaque rededication will be taking place at 1:00pm on the corner of William and Main. (Originally dedicated on June 6th, 1986 with Doug Henning and Mayor Bill Norrie)

A display on the history of I.B.M. is currently up at the Millennium Library until mid June.

There will also be an I.B.M. lecture at the Transcona Museum, date to be announced.

The International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.)was founded February 10, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Len Vintus (stage name of Melvin Justus Given McMullen) of Transcona, Manitoba, Gene Gordon (a.k.a. Gordon Avery) of Buffalo, New York, and Don Rogers (a.k.a. Ernest Schieldge). The I.B.M. was started by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post.

The International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) is an organization for both professional and amateur close-up and stage magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St. Charles, Missouri. There are over 300 local groups, called Rings, in more than 88 countries, largely concentrated in cities of the United States and Canada. The organization publishes a monthly periodical entitled The Linking Ring, which features tricks, coverage of shows and events in the magic community, and interviews with magicians.

Winnipeg has a vibrant magic community and history with many internationally famous magicians having started in our great city. 

Just to name a few;

• Doug Henning who it’s has been said brought a whole new era to the world of magic
• James Cielen an I.B.M. Gold Medal winner
• Dean Gunnarson World’s Most Daring Escape Artist
• Brian Glow a touring corporate Magician
• Darcy Oake top finalist on Britain’s Got Talent
• Other local magicians that played an important part in Winnipeg’s magic history;
• Mel Stover, Ray Starr, Gene Shelley, Terry Greenwood, Joe Kaufert, Ivar Roberts aka Richard Haldane, Greg Wood, Sean Fields and Anders Boulanger who have made a living performing magic locally and throughout Canada.

Dean Gunnarson on the The Weekend Morning Show (Manitoba) with Nadia Kidwai

Listen to the February 12th episode "International Brotherhood of Magicians celebrating 100th anniversary!" 

Lance Burton Teen Seminar free and online in 2021

From the May 27th Facebook post by the International Brotherhood of Magicians:

FREE online Lance Burton Teen Seminar for 13-19 year olds who are I.B.M. Members or who are 13-19 and are children or grandchildren of I.B.M. Members. July 6 and 7.

 

 

 

 

IBM convention online July 8th-10th, 2021

I spy Jay the Juggling Magician and Alex Zander from Canada! 

From the April 28th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

The talent line up for the first ever online IBM magic convention is super cool. Lots of new faces and old friends.

If you are a proud member of the IBM please SHARE this on your Facebook timeline. Heck, tag people you think might not know that should be attending the convention. We want to make certain everyone is aware that registration to this year convention INCLUDES a one year MEMBERSHIP to the IBM. It's the best deal of 2021...

Keep Calm and Perform Magic
www.IBMCONVENTION.com

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Billy Hsueh!

Additionally, you can join Billy Hsueh as he hosts another episode of "Hsuehnanigans" (Games & Nonsense) tomorrow night.  On the agenda:  Quiplash 2, Trivia Murder Party, and Joke Boat.  More details here.

From the January 19th Facebook post by Billy Hsueh:

It took a couple days to process, and I still can’t believe it...

I am humbled to be the IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians Board of Trustees Nominee for President-Elect this year. 

For the past 12 years I have it has been an honour to be a part of this amazing organization; meeting and working with so many people who keep it in top shape has been such an incredible experience and eye opening experience. We still have a lot of work to get done, and the team I get to work with is absolutely stellar.

IBM JAM : Ryan Pilling hosts "Inside The Ring"

Tuesday night (October 20th), join Ryan Pilling as he hosts the first episode of "Inside the Ring" as part of the IBM JAM series.   A little bird has told us that there's a good chance the first episode will include an appearance by Linking Ring columnist (and Canadian) Andrew Woo.

Keep an eye on the IBM Facebook page [facebook.com/IBMMAGIC] for details!

 

Hidden Wonders in The Linking Ring

Congratulations to Shawn Farquhar who's show Hidden Wonders is featured in the May 2020 edition of The Linking Ring!

You can read Simone Marron's article "The Wonder of Hidden Wonders" starting on page 24.  

Matt DiSero on the cover of The Linking Ring

Congratulations to Matt DiSero who is featured on the cover of the May 2020 edition of The Linking Ring!

You can read David Peck's article "Matthew DiSero: Celebrating Thirty Years in Showbiz" starting on page 16.  

A letter from Alex Zander, IBM International President

From the IBM Facebook page:

*** Letter from the International President ***
I am reaching out to all members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians with important news as we talk #coronavirus, #conventions, and how to #KeepCalmAndPerformMagic

As the worldwide organization of magicians, we have been closely following the coronavirus outbreak, and want to assure that your health and the health of our communities come first. 

The IBM Convention is still months away, not until July 8-11th, 2020, and planning is in full swing. We are continuing to work hard to provide another exceptional gathering of talent and an unforgettable opportunity to learn from the true greats. If the virus continues to present issues in the months ahead, we will surely keep you informed of any changes, as we monitor the medical response in the United States, and will do our part keeping communities safe by respecting official event restrictions. 

We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh, PA July 8-11, 2020 for the magic convention of the year. For details, visit IBMConvention.com
With regards to Ring meetings, we cannot offer specific guidance about whether you should or should not meet because our Rings are located in diverse countries, states, provinces, regions, and communities. Rather, we urge you to follow the recommendations of your local/state or federal medical authorities and governments. Obviously, everyone’s safety is paramount and we are confident that you will do what is best for all concerned. 

We are here to support you however we can and will help you through this challenging time. We have been hard at work and ramped up our release date to proudly announce three exciting new projects this month:
—————————————————
- I.B.M. JAM Live- a Two-Week Facebook Live streaming event with new performers daily, featuring lectures/talks/JustAboutMagic sessions with Q&A from world renowned stars, experts, and creative forces in the world of magic like Jessica Jane Peterson,Harrison Greenbaum, Shawn Farquhar, Ryan Pilling, David Kaye, and many MANY more with over 14 world-class acts - all rallying together to spread joy in the face of adversity. See the full talent list, watch the Facebook Live stream and comment on IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians @ 8:00pm Central Time. EVERYDAY March 22-April 4 2020. Then rewatch in the members-only area at magician.org!

- Free Landing Pages for Rings- this incredible offer is ready to be seized by your Ring to reach magic lovers in your area through local search results. Includes magic keywords and your customized Ring meeting location, contact info, and URL by city!Take a look at the live example sites at MagicInVancouver.now.site, MagicInToronto.now.site, MagicInNYC.now.site and soon to in your city too! Just email royaltie@magician.org for your free Ring landing page, or visit MarketingMagic.now.site for one of the best offers in web design with an I.B.M.-exclusive.

- MyMagicMeeting.com - Free videoconference Ring meetings around the world and across your phone, tablet, or computer. We now provide free access to Rings and magic communities internationally to meet across distance. This can include an I.B.M. Host to facilitate the entire hosting process (no need to learn videoconferencing software!), introduce new performance ideas, workshops, creativity challenges, and bring in special guests and international stars of magic from our worldwide JAM Live sessions right to your local group! Visit today and register your next ring at MyMagicMeeting.com
—————————————————
We continue to work around the clock to provide world-class benefits to our members and magic community, all at no extra cost, and hope you can join us for these exciting new projects to keep our communities strong at the world’s premier magic organization.
- Alex Zander
International President,
International Brotherhood of Magicians

Billy Hsueh appointed IBM Territorial Vice President for BC

Congratulations Billy!  Thank you for all of your hard work.


 
From Billy Hsueh's Facebook page:

Excited to announce that I have been appointed the position of IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians Territorial Vice President for British Columbia!

Thank you Murray Hatfield for your years of service! I hope to continue the good work you have done for the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92, the Victoria Magic Circle and the Fraser Valley Magic Circle.