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It’s with great sorrow that we report the passing of former International Brotherhood of Magicians president, June Horowitz. Current Grand Rapids Ring 211 President, Jeff Brodrick, has confirmed that she died on June 27th. She was 104 years old. 

Born June Olive Warsaw in Chicago on September 12th, 1913, Horowitz was a respected magician and committed member of the magic community throughout her life. Her father was a stage magician, and she would often join him on stage before she found her true calling in close-up magic. She was a regular and welcome presence at Abbott’s Get-Together events. A math teacher by trade, she was the first woman to have a star installed on the Magician’s Walk of Fame in Colon, Michigan. Hers is number ten, between Neil Foster and Karl Carl. 

In 1987, she became the first woman to serve as president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a position she held for the traditional period of one year. Even as her age climbed into triple digits, she was still an active member of the Grand Rapids IBM Ring 211, better known as the June Horowitz and John DeVries Magic Club. 

Horowitz has been the subject of numerous interviews regarding her life, in and around the magical arts, as well as her experiences in one of the Interlochen Arts Academy’s first camping seasons, but what really caught my eye was this video of her reacting to a trick performed by a young magician.

Everyone here at Genii Online would like to offer our condolences to Horowitz’s family, friends, and fellow magicians of her ring.

The 2018 IBM Annual Convention is nearly upon us, folks. It’s time to make sure you’ve got your dates right before you make your way to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to attend. 

The convention will start on July 4th and run through to the 7th. Registration is still open. If you’re looking to take advantage of special hotel rates, you’ll need to be booked in by June 15th. 

This is the 90th IBM Annual Convention, and the Brotherhood is celebrating the big nine-oh with a huge array of magical education and entertainment. Included in the base ticket price are:

  • Thirteen lectures from notable magicians.
  • Three Evening Shows at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
  • Seats for the close-up and stage magic competitions (registration is still open for both the adult and youth categories).
  • Over $20,000 in prizes, trophies and awards.
  • The Lance Burton Teen seminar for young magicians courtesy of Jeff McBride and Dr. Lawrence Hass.
  • A cabaret show.

The following shows and events cost extra, but they all sound like a good time:

Hell, I’d pay good money just for proof that The Amazing Johnathan is still alive, never mind capable of performing.

You’ll also find the following performers wandering the convention floor:

All that magical talent on display, plus a chance to meet/kidnap Steve Valentine. Sounds like a good time to me. 

The International Brotherhood of Magicians puts on a massive convention each year (and registration is still open for the 2018 bash in Grand Rapids, Michigan). But plenty also happens at the regional level thanks to dedicated work by I.B.M. chapters around the world. Magi-Whirl is one such event.

Magi-Whirl is the work of Ring 50, a chapter representing all stripes of magicians in Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland. The convention is happening May 4-5 in Alexandria, Virginia.

This year, Magi-Whirl has four educational lectures just for magicians. Scott Green, Dan Harlan, Krystyn Lambert, and Dr. Michael Rubinstein will be dropping the knowledge at the closed-door lectures. Registration for the full weekend is $75 for Ring 50 members and $85 for non-member magicians.

Any and all guests are welcome at the Magi-Whirl Gala Show, and advanced tickets are just $15 for adults and $10 for children. The Ring 50 website has more information about the event.

To get a sense of the talent involved, check out this adorable bit by children’s magician Scott Green. He’ll be performing at the gala as well as hosting a session.

If you want to hit up the International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention, happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan July 4-7, you should register in the next two weeks: ticket prices will go up on March 1.

Performers for the convention include: Pop Haydn, Nick Lewin, Jeff Hobson, Larry Wilson, Michael Finney, Jeff McBride, Rick Merrill, Nick Diffatte, David Malek, Luna Shimada, Niels Duinker, Mistie & Kyle Knight, Patrick Martin, Steve Valentine, Kayla Drescher, Chris & Neal, Michael Trixx and Stuart MacDonald. 

The Amazing Johnathan will also be performing a special late-night show. It’ll cost you an extra five bucks, but you know he’s worth it, and besides, all the proceeds are going to charity. 

Registration for the Stage and Close-up contests has also just opened, so check out www.magician.org/convention/contest-2018 if you’ve got the skills to bring home the gold. 

The International Brotherhood of Magicians has honored Criss Angel with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Members of the organization bestowed the rare award on Angel following a performance of his Mindfreak Live! stage show in Las Vegas. He is the youngest recipient of the IBM Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I’m grateful to be recognized by my peers with this highest honor and vow to continue to take the art we all love even further, especial in my next live project I’m currently creating,” Angel said after receiving the news.

“For all that you do to encourage and promote the art of magic around the world, we the International Brotherhood of Magicians honor you,” the group said of the news by Facebook post.

Angel has been performing Mindfreak Live! at the Luxor for a decade. The show will end its run with a final show on October 28, 2018.

The International Brotherhood of Magicians is taking early registrations for its 2018 annual convention. The event will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from July 4 through July 7.

The current pricing tier will be available until February 28, 2018. Members can purchase registration for $280, and non-members can register for $355. Registration can include a membership application.

Several performers have already been confirmed for the event. Michael Finney, Nick Lewin, Jeff Hobson, Pop Haydn, and Larry Wilson are all scheduled to perform.

The IBM has members across 88 countries, making it the world’s largest magician organization. Members can include both professional and hobbyist magicians.