talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,
I was wondering if anybody knows of any magic clubs that do not discriminate against people with tattoos?
I tried to join Manchester Circle of Magicians but was rejected by Derek Lever because I have tattoos & he "doesn't like them"
I was a member of the Order of the Magi about 21 yrs ago, I knew a magician there called Andrew Normansell & he told me join the MCM.
I would like to join a magic club, but the way Derek Lever treated me has put me off.
I emailed him asking why my application was rejected & he said my tattoos are the problem!
So if anybody can advise me on a friendly club that doesn't judge people without actually meeting them in or as close to Manchester as possible I would be very grateful.

Thank you

Ryan

Oh dear, another one for the Derek Lever list of grievances. Where are the tattoos?

If someone doesn't want you as a member, don't join. As with many societies/clubs/members only groups, you will find they all have one thing in common - falling numbers. Most 'exclusive' clubs eventually exclude themselves out of existence. Moreover, don't put too much stock in clubs in any event. Forums can be just as useful and most have regular meets where people who share a common interest (magic) get together and exchange ideas, without giving a monkeys what anyone looks like. I've learnt more through magicians I've met through forums than anywhere else!

K

russpie wrote:Oh dear, another one for the Derek Lever list of grievances. Where are the tattoos?

I am a tattooist, so I am naturally heavily tattooed.
Not that it should matter, but my tattoos are all over my body, visible tattoos are neck, palm of hand & a facial tattoo.
The thing is they have never even met me, I rang Derek Lever to enquire if I could email an application over, we had a brief conversation over the phone and he asked me what I do for a living, I told him I'm a tattooist, he then asked if I had tattoos, I said "I have" He went on to say "I don't like tattoos, however i suppose you're entitled to the same rights as anybody else" I wasn't quite sure what to say to that.
He then said "I have a feeling your tattoos will annoy some of the other members, but send your application & registration fee in and I'll ask the committee"
1 week later I got a rejection letter, so I emailed Derek asking his reasons, his reply was "Hi Ryan, your tattoos are the problem. sorry"

The ironic thing is, they meet at Salford Masonic hall and I am a freemason & have visited Salford Masonic on many an occasion.

kevmundo wrote:If someone doesn't want you as a member, don't join. As with many societies/clubs/members only groups, you will find they all have one thing in common - falling numbers. Most 'exclusive' clubs eventually exclude themselves out of existence. Moreover, don't put too much stock in clubs in any event. Forums can be just as useful and most have regular meets where people who share a common interest (magic) get together and exchange ideas, without giving a monkeys what anyone looks like. I've learnt more through magicians I've met through forums than anywhere else!

K

I totally agree Kevmundo, I certainly wouldn't want to part of his club now, I just thought it would be nice to surround myself with people who can help me grow as a magician as well as a performer.
I emailed The Magic Circle to ask what their take on magicians with tattoos is, this is their reply:

"Dear Ryan

The Magic Circle would certainly not refuse anyone because they have Tattoos! I know of no other magic club that would refuse you for that reason."

So going off that advice I will try my luck with the Order of the Magi (which I was a member of 21 yrs ago) If that fails then I guess its back to the drawing board!

Sorry for ranting
Ryan

Well, as a fellow Freemason (going in the Chair next March), ex-Rotarian, and a member of just about any club that's ever been invented, I can assure you that you sound like a Gentleman, and you wouldn't ever be excluded from any event or society meeting that I was attending! It sounds like you've made the right decision!

(oh... and I have tattoos!!)


K

Well thank you sir.
I'm JD at my lodge, Would love an invite when you're WM.
Ryan

I don't like tattoos and would never have one but they're most certainly not a valid reason to be excluded from a magic club or society! Whether you have tattoos or not is irrelevant - the only applicants who could reasonably be excluded are secrets seekers and time wasters.

People can be funny about tattoos, I've got a couple, only small, a chain of hearts around the ankle and a small Tinkerbell on the shoulder but always used to make sure they weren't visible if I was meeting clients. But when it comes to clubs my opinion is always that if they're going to turn you down for something as shallow as your appearence then it's their loss. To be honest, if the club's got that sort of attitude then you're better off without them.

I find this hilarious! Derek Lever sounds quite a character! I bet he didn't even consult the committe and I suspect ten to one they don't even know anything about it! Still, I can forgive Derek anything after he banned Kaufmann from Blackpool!

mark lewis wrote:I find this hilarious! Derek Lever sounds quite a character! I bet he didn't even consult the committe and I suspect ten to one they don't even know anything about it! Still, I can forgive Derek anything after he banned Kaufmann from Blackpool!

Well I'm glad you find it amusing!

I'm just surprised to see Freemasons identifying themselves so publicly! Guys, it's supposed to be all secret handshakes and global domination isn't it?
/troll
T.

There is nothing to say we can't identify ourselves as masons.
As long as we don't discuss 'secrets' in public we are doing nothing wrong.

I was joking, hence the /troll sign-off and the smiley.
T.

Ted wrote:I'm just surprised to see Freemasons identifying themselves so publicly! Guys, it's supposed to be all secret handshakes and global domination isn't it?
/troll
T.

Not at all! The Freemasons aren't a secret society, they're a society with secrets - very much like magicians.....

Ted wrote:I'm just surprised to see Freemasons identifying themselves so publicly! Guys, it's supposed to be all secret handshakes and global domination isn't it?
/troll
T.

Quite right! But I have to say, my current plan for global domination is flat-lining somewhat. I'm struggling to conquer Cambridge at the moment so I may be some time!

K