One thing that’s important to me is to support magic, and variety performers. Whether it’s a local or nationally touring show, I always try to go out and watch. I do this for a couple of reasons, first of all when I was a kid it was a pain to go see shows. I had to hop a bus and travel all day to see a show at a library, or sneak into a casino to see an act. Now it’s much easier, but that struggle to see shows when I was younger placed value on these shows.
Another reason is to support the performing scene. When I go to shows it does it in several ways. First my ticket helps support the performer. Secondly and more importantly the other performers (especially newer performers) see me at these and we can chat and it builds some community.
It can be hard when you are a newer magician to get into the “circles” of people that have more experience. When I go to these shows I get to chat with them one on one. Now I’m not saying chatting with me is a big deal (it’s not, trust me), but for someone just starting out it give me a chance to get to know them.
The other night Penn & Teller were in town performing. My family went out and we hung out with a lot of the local performers, it was a great night and a lot of fun. Not just the show, but the fellowship with the other performers.
Louie