talkmagic.co.uk

Hi
I've just been browsing through a thread on the subject of invite-only forums and it never ceases to amaze me how many people there are "out there", "on this planet" that are into magic and all it's various sub-categories.
When one considers how many people there are out there supposedly discussing it and exploring it you would think you would actually get to see more magic in the world around us?
Personally I have only ever seen magic when I've gone and looked for it. Apart from on 2 occasions I can think of.. the first being when a magician was browsing in a new age shop I was working in (as a reader) and just took my breath away with a playing card that changed it's value in my clasped hands... I was just knocked for six for the rest of the day! And that is what started my exploration from being a pure Tarot reader into being someone interested in magic/mentalism.
The second occasion was in my "local" pub they were trying out a young magician earlier this year but by the time I arrived it was all winding down and I saw nothing.
You'd just think that after all the props, tricks and books that are sold week in week out in the magic industry that some of it would surface a bit more often from time to time.. it never ceases to amaze me how many cultures and subcultures we have in this rich society of hours.

The phrase, 'All talk and no action' comes to mind....

I think it depends on where you are in the world. I was born and bred in Montreal Quebec. Both Montreal and Toronto are really into magic. Montreal more so then Toronto creating names such as Richard Saunders, David Acer, Romaine, Carl Cloutier, Gary Kurtz, Rick Bronson and a bunch of lesser known but very influential in the magic world such as Gary Ouellet, Alain Shaquet, (sorry don't know how to spell his last name) He did magic live every after noon for 15 minutes on a very popular french afternoon show. Many restaurants featured magicians, all the clubs did. Vancouver BC same thing producing Shawn Farquhar, Julianna Chen, Murray Hatfield, Murray Sawchuck, The Chow family, Rod Chow winning many major convention titles and now his 2 kids, (I think the oldest is 6) is doing the same thing. Magican's do a lot of busking on the streets because it is warm and touristy. Magic is quite common and the norm. Go to Philly? Lots of magicians, but it is not nearly as common. Where I am now? There is one restaurant magician making a living at it. One who goes elswhere to make a living at it(and he has a part time job), but in general magic almost unheard of. There was a shop here for awhile, (failed) we do have an active IBM ring but still magic is sadly under represented.