The International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) is one of the world's largest fraternal organizations for professional and amateur magicians. Local chapters, called Rings, promote the performance and theatrical art of Magic around the world.
I.B.M. Ring #199, the Triangle chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians was officially chartered on May 1, 1970 through the effort of Dr. William Spooner. Ring #199 had its roots with an active group of Raleigh professional and amateur magicians called The Capital City Magic Club established in 1960. Charter members of this Ring included:
Steve Adams, Tom Adams, Orville K. Barnes, Hersey Basham Jr., George A. Boisvin, F.A. Cash Jr., W.T. Cash Sr., Jack Cates, Danny Christian, Barry Cooper, Carl Edwards, Robert Gregory, Abner Harrington, Burton James, Jimmy Johnson, Walter Keezell, Robert Kepley, David Klaiber, Fred Long, Dennis Martin, Tom McAfferty, Harry Milliken, Ernest Morrison, Robert Nelson, Robert L. Newton Jr., Elisson Poland, Asa F. Rice, Larry Rockman, F.L. Schrodt, C. Shaw Smith, Richard F. Snavely, Richard Spainhour, William E. Spooner, William L. Tadlock, M.B. Willis and William H. Wysong.
In 1970, the Ring was dedicated to the memory of Wallace Lee, one of North Carolina’s best known magicians. In 1997, the Ring added the name of master Tarheel magician Richard F. Snavely to memorialize Dick’s decades of service to the Ring and to the advancement of the performance art of magic within the Triangle.
Over the decades, the Lee-Snavely Ring has served as the Triangle's host to the world’s top magicians including: Harry Allen, Michael Ammar, Gene Anderson, Carl Andrews, Danny Archer, Lee Asher, Jay Scott Berry, Eugene Burger, Cellini, Aldo Colombini, David Copperfield, Tom Craven, Daryl, Lee Earle, Doc Eason, Daniel Garcia, Dan Garrett, Paul Gertner, David Ginn, Joel Givens, Tony Griffith, Dan Harlan, Jeff Hobson, Troy Hoosier, Max Howard, Joshua Jay, Bob King, Tom Ladshaw, Joe Lefler, Trevor Lewis, Vito Lupo, Rich Marotta, Jeff McBride, Jerry Mentzer, Ray Mertz, Alain Nu, Pavel, Dr. Charles Pecor, Petrick & Mia, Barry Richardson, Dave Risley, Jay Sankey, Samuel Patrick Smith, Rick Thomas, Danny Tong, Mitch Williams and many others.
The Ring also shares its own roster of magic notables including:
- Dr. William Spooner, Past International I.B.M. President (1985 – 1986), Trustee of the Endowment and Development Fund (1982-Present) and I.B.M. Medal of Merit recipient (2012)
- Michael Ellis, Past International I.B.M. President (1990 – 1991)
- Michael Gorman, Past International I.B.M. President (1991- 1992)
- Phillip Willmarth, Past International I.B.M. President (2007- 2008), Editor of the official I.B.M. journal, The Linking Ring (1992 – 2007), recipient of the Academy of Magical Arts Literary Fellowship (2007) and author of The Magic of Matt Schulien, Fun with a Handkerchief, The Ring and Rope Book, Trevor Lewis Close-Up, the Jim Ryan Magic Series (4 volumes) and publisher of four booklets by Eugene Burger (Audience Involvement, Secrets and Mysteries, Intimate Power, Burger on Schulien's Card Discoveries).
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Steve Beam, pasteboard architect, publisher of The Trapdoor magazine
and author of the acclaimed Semi-Automatic Card Trick library and Digital Effects-The Magic of Joe Mogar - Ellison “Penny” Poland, author of Wonderful Routines of Magic and Wonderful Routines of Magic Addendum
- Steve Pressley, author of Endless Possibilities
- Fred Rosenbaum, creator of The Szechuan Sampler mentalist effect
- Joshua Lozoff, film & television actor and master magician with roles in the feature films Clueless, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Feud, Windmills of the Gods and television series including Cheers, Sisters, The Adventures of Brisco Country Jr., Step By Step and Sparks
- Hughie & Virginia Olmsted, founders of The Magic Corner, the Triangle's oldest and premier magic shop. The iconic shop was originally located on Chatham St. in Cary in 1975. It eventually moved to 1213 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh and later to its current location on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh
- Jon & Kelly Ferrante, current owners of The Magic Corner, the Triangle's premier magic shop at its current location, 3684 Capital Blvd in Raleigh
- Roger “Skip” Way, senior columnist and writer for The Funny Paper and The KIDabra Journal entertainment trade magazines
In 2007, I.B.M. Ring #199 created and sponsored Magic Youth Raleigh, a program dedicated to teaching the performance art of theatrical magic to Triangle youth. Skilled and accomplished Triangle magicians serve as mentors to this new generation of future performers. The program is open to Triangle youth between the ages of 7 through 17 years with a serious interest in studying the art of magic.
The Magic Youth Raleigh program was honored by its selection as the pilot model for the international I.B.M. Youth program with local program director Roger Way’s appointment to the I.B.M. Youth Committee chair in 2009.
I.B.M. Ring #199 enjoys a rich and ongoing history of service to the Triangle through education, volunteer community service and the professional advancement of the performance art of theatrical magic.
The Lee-Snavely RIng #199 currently meets at 7:00 PM on the first Saturday of each month in the
New Horizon Fellowship Annex, 820 E. Williams St in Apex, NC.
Magic Youth Raleigh currently meets at 6:00 PM on the first Saturday of each month at the same location.
Parents, Visitors and Young Magic Enthusiasts are always welcome.
Additional information regarding the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Lee-Snavely Ring #199 and Magic Youth Raleigh may be found at the following websites:
