How to be a Magic Insider

I love meeting people after my shows - especially those who have an interest in magic. And I enjoy meeting them even more if they developed that interest during my act. And within that group, there’s a subset of hobbyists that really stands out to me - the magic outsider who wants to be a magic insider.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but I’ll notice something about them that marks them as an outsider to our trade.

I remember meeting such a kid just after one of my shows. Cards in hand, he hovered nearby, totally looking the part - torn jeans, leather bracelet, the lot.

“Oh, you do a bit of magic?” I asked with a touch of enthusiasm.
“Yeah.”
“What kind of magic you do?”
He jutted his chin as he said, “Street.”

Those who are just getting into magic may not see why I thought that was a funny response. Those who’ve been in the business a few years will laugh because they’ve met the young and enthusiastic.

I'm not the gatekeeper of what it means to be an insider for magic.

But for anyone looking to be a magic insider - looking to become a magician - it can be frustrating. Magicians are secretive by their very nature. So it may not be obvious at first what to learn and how to develop those new skills. And it certainly won't be obvious how to communicate to a magician that you are trying to become one of them.

I can tell you where you will not find these answers – YouTube. A foundational goal of a magician is to protect the secrets. And as stated in another blog, my goal as a magician is to give people a really wonderful experience that they can’t get anywhere else. I want to blow some minds. And more importantly, their minds need to remain blown. I want them to remember the feeling of amazement and keep it with them... always.

If I reveal the secret, that amazement is gone. The magic has been destroyed. My goals are defeated.

Given the goal, then the difficulty in answering the following question becomes apparent: how do you gain access to the best knowledge inside of the most innermost magic circles from YouTube videos only? How can one learn to value the mysteries from a community that exposes the secrets in the most public forum available today?

Well, you can’t; you can learn tricks, merely.

Okay, you’ve found me out.

This isn’t really a blog to poke fun at beginners or to trash YouTube magicians. This is a cleverly disguised bit of PR for your local magic club. The magic club, their meetings, and their sheer variety of members is a perfect place to see what it means to be a magic insider.

“Yeah, but there’s not a magic club near where I live.”

NONSENSE! They’re everywhere! I used to attend the magic club meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. I had to drive more than an hour each way. And I did this every month for several years. Great bunch of guys; I learned a lot. And not just about magic, but what it means to be a magician. I learned how to honor the art and uphold its standards. And now, no matter what city I live in or even visit, I seek out the local club first thing. What a priceless resource!

Magic has always been intended as a live performance. So, since you’re here at your web browser, go ahead and start searching for your nearest magic club. Swing by and show them how passionate you are to learn. But also keep your ears and mind open to any advice. You’ll be a magic insider in no time.