Teaching as the New Door Gig

Something disturbing happened recently. I am planning a west coast tour for next fall, and I was offered a door gig. That in itself is not surprising. What is surprising is that the door gig was not a performance, it was a clinic. Hello? Teaching is what a lot of musicians do to make a living so they can support their musical endeavors. Now teaching is considered a door gig? Adding insult to injury, I was asked to “submit a proposal”. Who is saying yes to being treated this way? Someone must be consenting or it couldn’t be happening. Needless to say I (politely) turned it down.