|
|
weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts |
The highly successful SYM "Weekend of Wonder" Convention for
young magicians will continue on the West Coast July 23-25, 2010 in Ontario, California. Young magicians between the ages of 7 and 17 may participate in a concentrated fun and learning experience with professional mentors, shows, gifts, workshops, demonstrations lectures and exciting social events. The first 2008 convention was so well received that SYM director Jann Goodsell and her committee have decided to repeat the W.O.W. experience at the Doubletree Hotel only 5 miles from the airport. Excitement is already being generated among southern California magicians, although young people are welcome from anywhere in the country or abroad. Reasonable pricing has been established for parents and siblings in attendance. Ms. Goodsell, along with SYM leaders and supporting S.A.M. National Council Members and professional performers will participate, as before, to create a valuable experience for the attendees. Registration information and details will be posted at the SYM web site http://www.magicsym.com/ as they become available. Mark Weidhaas WOW Registrar |
Alex Palombo Regular user Abington, Pennislyvania 105 Posts |
I'm going
Philadelphia SYM Assembly 96 Member
Magicians' Alliance of Eastern States Member MAGICIAN DIRECTORY member |
weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts |
Only one more week. It is going to be a blast! Do not miss this.
|
weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts |
There is still time to register for the Society of Young Magicians' Weekend of Wonder convention, July 23-25 at the Doubletree Hotel, Ontario California - a convention for young magicians.
Instructors and performers include Stan Allen, Shawn Farquhar, Ice McDonalad, Tony Clark, Kyle Eschen, Sterling Dietz, Joel Ward, Mark Cannon, Steve Marshall, Five Past SAM Presidents and many current SAM Officers. More info at http://www.magicsym.com/wow.asp or call 303-586-1960 to register. This will be a convention the kids will remember for a lifetime. |
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
So, why aren't you having any names that the kids actually know or care about - dan and dave, aaron fisher, lee asher, wayne houchin, daniel garcia, marcus eddie, eric jones, jason england, derek delgaudio, jeff McBride, ponta the smith, david blaine, paul Harris?
Mark Cannon is a great guy and knows his stuff, but I'd wage none of the people who regularly buy instant downloads or custom printed cards have any idea who he is. And ice does a fine bird act, but how many dove tricks were sold last year - let alone to the under 20 set? Dan and Dave got it right with Magic-Con. It wasn't revolutionary, but it did get young people into the same room with smart people who they were willing to listen to. Good luck on your event. Maybe next year talk to dan, dave or someone who has their finger on the pulse on the youth in magic. |
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Truthteller,
From what I heard, the event was a smashing success. The point is that youth want engagement, and this occurs from having great performers. It's not always about having the flashiest names or the hottest trends. Sometimes, youth are attracted by excellent people who possess great knowledge of the field. And that's what this weekend demonstrated. I commend the organizers who put on a fantastic event. Regards, Mike |
Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
WOW was awesome.
My nine year old daughter had the time of her life hanging out with half a dozen girls her own age who have an interest in magic. This was not a gathering of kids who spend all day watching YouTube, buying the latest special deck or down loading the newest move video. This was a gathering of young magicians between the ages of 7 and 17 who have a strong interest in magic. Their skill and knowledge level varied but the common bond was simply magic. I was in awe when they listened in dead silence for an hour to Sterling Deitz as they sat in a ring around him at the side of the stage. He didn't share the latest move but instead talked of the creativite process and exercises to stimulate ones creativity. Stan Allens Q&A was also awesome and I loved the stories he shared as much as the kids around me. I also found it interesting to note that most of the youth in attendance had an stronger interest in stage magic and escapology rather than close up. I didn't attend Magic-Con so I won't spout an opinion on something I know nothing about. I'm sure it was good but I do suspect my nine year old daughter and her group of friends from WOW would not have had as a good a time ... just a "parents hunch". Sincerely, Shawn Farquhar |
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
How many people were in attendance?
|
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
How many kids were in attendance? How many came from the genii forum where the event was advertised? How many more may have had the opportunity to learn from experienced magicians had the people in charge reached out to locations where young people are known to congregate?
Or are those 'the wrong kind of kids?' The face of magic has changed. We can poo poo the kids who look at youtube and keep trying to prop up magic organizations whose average members age is rigor mortis - or, if we truly care, we can decide to adapt to the landacape and bring those with passion into the fold. I met dozens of kids this summer who learned all their magic from youtube - because that's all they know about. Shame the magic clubs don't care about them to help show them the way. How long has your daughter been performing magic, Sean? (Not a snide question, curious about how/when family interests transfer) |
Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
Hey Truthteller,
Sorry to take so long to reply. I'm in Korea and doing shows. I'll answer your questions as you asked: Not sure of the final numbers but it was not big. I'm not sure it was their intention to make a big event. The format they used would not have worked well with a large crowd. It seemed to me they wanted the kids to have the opportunity to learn and bond with the people who volunteered to teach and share. All acts were volunteers and covered all their own expenses (travel, hotel, food, etc.) Not certain how many came from the Genii forum, although a number of the parents I spoke to did read the Genii forum so I suspect some kids were a direct result of the parent discovering the event. I am sure more would have come if they had focused on other avenues of advertising. Boards like Ellusionist and Theory 11 would have been good choices. Your next few paragraphs aren't really a question but I think they deserve a reply. No they aren't the wrong kids. Yes, magic has changed, but is it for the better? Cannot change be guided? I would never suggest "poo pooing" the kids who learn from YouTube, but I would suggest educating them and magic organization like the SAM and IBM can be a big part of the process. I belong to several Rings and Assemblies and the average age is not "rigor mortis". In fact we have thriving youth programs that has produced plenty of excellent magicians, many who have gone on to great success and do it as a full time profession. I too have met dozens of kids this Summer, all around the globe, who have learned their magic in a more traditional fashion from mentors, books and magic clubs. I think the magic clubs do care and that they held an event designed to help, an event I might add that was not designed to be profitable, is a indicator of their commitment to the future of magic. You did have one final question. Hannah has been involved in magic for most of her life. She was a part of my show since she was nine months old. She did not however express an interest in learning more magic than she needed until about two years ago. Even then the interest was there but not too strong. I will tell you that since WOW, an opportunity to hang with a bunch of girls her age, she has set a new goal to develop a stage act and wants to form a local SYM club... In closing, I think it is awesome you seem to really care about the future of magic too. We may see the approach in different ways but our goals are the same ... cheers, shawn |
MagicianSilver New user Lynden, Washington 50 Posts |
Hey Shawn,
Your response shows Class as always!! Let's not forget to mention the magic stores and vendors that gave away a tremendous amount of magic and items that probably exceeded the cost of registration. Ed Watson acted like Opra all weekend handing out gifts and magic for all. Creative Magic even provided backpacks to hold all the stuff that was poured out upon the kids. What fun!! I wish I could have registered. Kudos to Jann and David Goodsell, Bruce Kalver, Ed Watson, Arlo, (aka petals around the rose) Mark and Sheila Cannon, and the rest of the team for providing such a great experience for the attendees. Sincerely, Sterling
"If you're not living on the edge. Then you are taking up too much space.
www.MagicSterling.com |
afuntimevent New user CT 82 Posts |
Hi, Truthteller -
Early on, several performers expressed an interest in helping, until they found out they wouldn't get paid. This isn't a criticism, it's just the way it is. Nor was this an either-or: the older kids were very familiar with Youtube, magic forums and the latest trends, and no one suggested that they not continue that path. Shawn said it well, and the organizers are grateful for magicians like him who were willing to donate time, talent and/or merchandise to help and/or mentor young magicians. The kids learned about many aspects of magic and performance, but more importantly, they were surrounded by people who put them first. I believe their exposure to people like Shawn and Sterling, who shared their passion so unselfishly, will stay with them for a long time and will give them an appreciation of what they *can* learn - whether it's online or in person. Marlene Clark S.A.M. National Secretary |
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
I have been teaching magic to young people for well over 20 years. In fact, it was some of my students who bob mccallister had to use to charter the nyc sym.(The local chapter didn't have any at the time!)
This summer alone I had contact with over 12,000 young people. I had well over 2,000 students in the various classes I offered. While most are normal kids with the interest normal kids have in magic, a small percentage had a real interest in magic and a handful would maybe be considered magicians in the way young people who go to magic stores or buy stuff from websites or watch youtube videos are. Not one - not a single one - had heard of any major magic organization, let alone belonged to one. (In truth, one's girls grandfather was just 'accepted into some magic group' but her interest in magic was cursory. I say this to encourage those claiming to want to foster an interest and involvement in magic among youth to open their eyes. Of course the kids you see at magic lectures are going to be kids who know about magic clubs - but when you look at the numbers in the real world you see this is a small fraction of a tiny percentage of an miniscule population. I know, its not happy to admit one's message is only reaching a fraction of a tiny percentage - and, if you read ellusionst or theory 11 forums, realizing the message that is being received is being rejected as out of touch and irrelevant. But the realization is the first step. I mean, when you have andy dallas claiming in print that kids aren't interested in david blaine and the new magicians - how much more shut eye do you need to see? The ibmsam convention was - by many published reports - a waiting room for the afterlife. While I am sure there were a handful of young people there, again, its a tiny fraction of a small percentage. If you want to keep patting yourself on the back while preaching to the choir, go ahead. I, however, will choose to keep my eyes open and looking forward. |
weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts |
Andy Dallas? I believe you are referring to me, Mark Weidhaas, in regards to David Blaine. However, you have taken my quote way out of context. I was speaking in reference to your quote, "Kids want to do what they see on tv - and that's closeup/street magic."
What I said in return was "Get with the times - kids today are not watching close up/street magic. That was last decade. Now they are watching stage performances on America’s Got Talent." Brad, as a "truthteller" you shouldn't put so much stock in "published reports." I would guess the average age in Atlanta was 45-50. You have not been an S.A.M. member for some years - you have not seen the progressive changes we are making. You should join us and help get your ideas implemented. As I mentioned before, I'd be happy to talk with you at TAOM. |
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
No, I was referring to an article which quoted Andy Dallas - then SAM president - in regard to the current level of interest in magic. It was published prior to the IBM SAM convention. I published a response to it that was disseminated (without my knowledge) via a few forums. Not that I minded.
And I tend to put stock in published reports when they are corroborated by every person with whom I have spoken who isn't a board member of the SAM. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Society of Young Magicians! » » WOW - Weekend of Wonder, 2010 (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |