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.
