I love magic, and I love supporting magic. I support magic wherever I go, by going to see shows, visiting magic clubs, visiting with magicians, and doing good magic.
One thing that gets me about magic clubs is a lot of the “old guard” are so set in their ways they can’t see past their own biases. This isn’t good for people newer into magic. Frequently at one of the magic clubs in my area (there are three) when someone does a card trick an older magician will say “oh god, another card trick…” outloud for every one to hear.
This isn’t good for magic. People get into magic for a lot of reasons, and to tell them their reason is wrong hurts magic. It makes it less welcoming for new people.
Also, the advice that is given to newer magicians is horrible. One of the worst pieces of advice when someone tries something new is, “stick to the classics, they are classics for a reason…” Whenever I hear that I want to ask them to take out their phone and tell me what kind of music is on it…is it classical? Do they use a Acomputer…or stone a chisel (the classic method)?
Jim Steinmeyer wrote an awesome book called, Allow Me To Give You Some Really Awful Advice.
This book should be required reading for all leadership and pretty much anyone giving advice about magic at a magic club. They should also read Joshua Jay’s article from Magic Magazine called What Do Audiences Really Think.
Jim and Joshua’s writings confirm and back up with data why 90% of advice given at most magic clubs is wrong. Magicians need to be out there doing what they love, and innovating, not living in the 1970’s. We also need to be positive to newer magicians and tell them what they are doing right, not what we like or don’t like.