Dear citizens, We hope this message finds you well. It is with mixed emotions that we write to you today to announce a temporary ban on the practice of magic within our community. Over the past few years, we have witnessed an alarming increase in the misuse and abuse of magical powers, resulting in serious consequences for both individuals and the wider community. While magic has long been a part of our cultural heritage and has brought wonder and joy to many, it has also been a source of great harm. We have received numerous reports of magical accidents and incidents that have caused injury, destruction of property, and even loss of life. Additionally, the use of dark and forbidden magic has led to the rise of dangerous cults and criminal organizations, threatening the safety and security of our citizens.
- John Morrison, September 22, 2023
Although the town continues to hold a soft spot in the hearts of many locals, empty storefronts and a dwindling night scene have turned the once-bustling town into a state of desertion. Although the difficulties of COVID-19 played a role in the closing of Northampton restaurants like Bistro Les Gras and Sylvester s, not all closures stemmed from the pandemic.
Additionally, the use of dark and forbidden magic has led to the rise of dangerous cults and criminal organizations, threatening the safety and security of our citizens. After careful consideration and consultation with experts in the field, we have determined that a temporary ban on magic is necessary in order to protect our community and preserve the well-being of its inhabitants. This decision has not been taken lightly, as we understand that magic holds deep meaning for many of you.
Northampton’s Stayin’ Alive
By 11 p.m., the club was booming. Almost everyone who had entered now danced under a disco ball, shaking and moving with plastic cups in their hands on a Saturday night while the DJ played Afrobeats and Reggaeton.
The music reverberated through the floor, making it difficult to hear. People’s voices went hoarse trying to chat over the DJ’s mix. Despite all the bodies on the dance floor, the temperature remained comfortable, and the pleasant smell of Nag Champa incense wafted in the air.
The crowd was a diverse group. Ages ranged from 21 to people in their mid-50s, all of whom wore casual clothes and danced to their own beat while projecting no pretenses. A pink neon sign hung over the bar: “Come as you are.” As cliché as it may seem, the message rang true.
“I think I’ve been here four or five times, and every time, it’s like, a different group of people,” said Rick Gifford, an elementary school teacher and resident of Northampton. “Which is so nice, a different group of people every time.”
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tellus & The Satellite Bar functions as a new restaurant in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts serving craft cocktails and New American-style food, such as a “Wagyu Double Smash Burger” or a vegan “Hot Pocket.” But starting at 9 p.m., the space transforms into a full-fledged nightclub. Tables and chairs are moved out of the dining room, revealing a dance floor. The lights dim and the DJ enters, and by 10 p.m., the doors open to club-goers.
After years of empty storefronts, limited venues, and the lingering impact of the pandemic, Tellus & The Satellite Bar brings a resurgence to an otherwise depleted town.
The club’s revolving musical line-up reflects the diversity of Tellus’ patrons: nights designated to Motown vinyl, 90s rock, throwback hip hop, emo, punk, a Queer dance party.
“We cannot be all things to all people, but our space is welcoming for everybody,” said Amanda Riseling, a co-owner of Tellus & The Satellite Bar with Nhan Bui and Jeremy Werther. “Really, that’s not lip service, it really is for everybody.”
And she was right. Patrons ranged from locals to tourists, all joining together on the dance floor. A bartender at The Majestic Saloon drank a cocktail with his friends while a hostess from India House spoke with the bouncer at the front door. A medical student from New York arrived at Tellus after her waiter at HighBrow recommended it. Shocked by the absence of TV screens, she was wowed by the carefree energy of the dancing crowd, and even more thrilled by the $3 cover charge, a far cry from the typical $20 covers in Manhattan. Outside, groups took a break from the club’s warmth while bumming cigarettes and exchanging smiles and names.
View this post on InstagramCOVID-19 undoubtedly impacted our social lives, but the desire to make up for it felt all-encompassing at Tellus. “After Covid, people just need to move their bodies, they gotta wiggle you know?” said Maz, a Smith College graduate student who wanted to leave out her last name. “We needed this.”
“Dancing is one of my favorite things to do and like, I couldn’t do it for so long,” said Susanna Hoffmann, a Saturday night club-goer. “It just, like, brings a sense of community.”
While people craved company after the pandemic, the surge for socializing expands prior to 2020. It was only apparent because now, there was finally someplace to go.
“Downtown after like 9 o’clock, um, it’s sad at a lot of places, most places,” said Amy Cahillane, the Executive Director of the Downtown Northampton Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the town. “It’s been just super quiet downtown.”
Although the difficulties of COVID-19 played a role in the closing of Northampton restaurants like Bistro Les Gras and Sylvester’s, not all closures stemmed from the pandemic. The owners of the restaurant Wine Witch closed their doors in September after being open for only six months due to “financial realities.” The Green Room, a popular cocktail bar, closed in August after the bar manager left for New York, causing his entire team to leave in solidarity. Patria, the restaurant now replaced by Tellus & The Satellite Bar, closed last November after an altercation between the owner and his sous chef.
While the lingering effects of the pandemic surely contribute to stressful working conditions and economic struggles, Northampton’s dining scene started declining years ago.
In 2019, eateries such as ConVino Wine Bar and La Fiorentina Pastry Shop closed due to Northampton’s changing landscape. High rent, the influx of dispensaries and the increase in panhandlers have been blamed for the closures.
Meanwhile, despite being a college town, Northampton’s nightlife revolves around Bishop’s Lounge and The Majestic Saloon, both of which are carrying the local entertainment scene for millennials and Gen Z. Otherwise, live music comes in the form of various 1970s cover bands playing tribute to The Eagles, ABBA or Led Zeppelin at the Calvin Theatre.
“There’s a bunch of our downtown entertainment venues that aren’t open right now, or certainly not open with a robust calendar of offerings,” said Cahillane. “With no late-night entertainment, all of that late-night traffic that used to go out, I think dropped off.”
Although the town continues to hold a soft spot in the hearts of many locals, empty storefronts and a dwindling night scene have turned the once-bustling town into a state of desertion.
Riseling personified Northampton as the loveable friend who’s going through a hard time, causing grounds for concern. “Other people want to come in and wanna talk s*** about [Northampton], and you’re like, ‘Nope, no, no absolutely not,’” said Riseling. “But amongst ourselves, we’re like ‘it needs some help – how can we help you?’”
Riseling says that besides being the Roman Goddess for “earth,” the name “Tellus” is a play on words: “Tell us” what you need.
“We want our space and what we do to be like a conversation,” said Riseling. “We see that there’s a need and so this is our response, and how do we meet that?”
And what does Northampton need? Better music, better food, and someplace fun, according to Riseling. “We want people to come in here and have fun, and there are multiple ways to do that,” said Riseling.
“I was at Tellus until, like, 1 o’clock in the morning, or 1:30 in the morning, and just the notion that I could be in downtown Northampton out that late, having a drink, I was just so happy,” said Cahillane.
Based on the crowd that surfaced on Saturday night, better music and a sense of fun officially arrived in Northampton. “It only took six years,” said Luis Fieldman, a journalist for MassLive who covered the Tellus & The Satellite Bar’s opening weekend. “Finally, something good in Northampton.”
Fieldman’s friends agreed with him as they stood outside Tellus on Saturday night. “It’s a better Basement, like the Basement 2.0, or 3.0,” said Cid Ferreira. The Basement, a Northampton dance club where Tellus co-owner Nhan Bui previously bartended, remains closed since the pandemic.
“[Bui]’s trying to restore something that Northampton lost and it’s great,” said Gifford. “It’s better.”
“Our mission statement is ‘make it better,’” said Riseling. “And that’s not just for us to be like, we’re coming in to save everything. Of course we’re not. We’re asking to have a conversation with people about how we make it better.”
The conversation to “make it better” has already begun circulating among the locals, offering a semblance of hope for downtown Northampton. “We need more bars that are locally owned and locally committed,” said Carlos Garcia, a Northampton resident who attended Motown night on Oct. 29. “With the amount of empty storefronts, it’s nice to see an establishment open up and stay open.”
“If it can bring back that late-night scene and encourage other bars that people will actually come out, then I think that would be great,” said Cahillane. In addition to the benefits of being open late, Cahillane remarked on the high quality of the food and drinks at Tellus. “I don’t want to say it will make everybody step up their game, because there are other places that are great,” she said. “But I’m excited to see something of that caliber downtown.”
And what does Northampton need? Better music, better food, and someplace fun, according to Riseling. “We want people to come in here and have fun, and there are multiple ways to do that,” said Riseling.
During this ban, all individuals are prohibited from practicing magic, regardless of their skill level or intent. We understand that this may cause inconvenience and frustration for those who rely on magic for daily tasks or who find solace and self-expression through its use. We assure you that we are actively exploring alternative solutions and resources to assist those affected by this ban. In the meantime, we urge all citizens to adhere to this temporary ban and to report any instances of magic being practiced to the designated authorities. We have established a special task force to ensure compliance with this ban and to address any concerns or questions that may arise. We recognize that this ban may raise questions and concerns, and we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication throughout this process. We encourage you to attend our upcoming town hall meetings, where officials will be available to provide information and address any concerns you may have. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this challenging time. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer, more harmonious community for all. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Title/Position].
Reviews for "Is Banning the Solution? Debating the Future of Magic"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Magic ban announcement". I have been playing Magic for years and this ban just ruins the meta for me. The cards they banned were essential to many decks and now I have to completely change my strategy. It feels like they didn't even consider the impact this ban would have on the existing player base.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - The "Magic ban announcement" left me feeling uncertain about the future of the game. I understand that balancing and keeping the meta fresh is important, but I feel like they overdid it with this ban. It feels like they are trying too hard to push the latest sets and make players spend more money. I would have preferred if they took a more measured approach to the ban list and considered the impact on the players' existing collections.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - The "Magic ban announcement" completely killed my excitement for the game. It feels like they are constantly banning cards and changing the rules, which makes it hard to invest time and money in building a competitive deck. I don't understand why they can't find a better way to balance the game without ruining strategies and decks that players have spent time and money on. It's frustrating and makes me question if I want to continue playing Magic.
4. Emma - 1/5 stars - I am extremely upset with the "Magic ban announcement". It seems like they don't care about the players at all. They banned cards that were essential to my favorite deck, rendering it useless. I've invested so much in building that deck and now it's all wasted. This ban just feels like a money-grab, forcing players to spend more on the latest sets to stay competitive. I am seriously considering quitting Magic after this disappointing move.
5. Michael - 2/5 stars - The "Magic ban announcement" feels like a slap in the face to the loyal player base. It's frustrating to see the game constantly changing and having to adapt to new ban lists. It's not just the financial impact but also the time and effort spent in building decks that becomes wasted. It's becoming harder to justify investing in this game with the constant changes and disregard for the existing players.