Buskers have been entertaining us for centuries in one way or another and mostly I think they're fantastic, one of the things I enjoy most about going into the city is checking out who's busking along the Hay Street Mall that day. I'm guessing most cities have their regulars, we have a guy who Aimee calls 'interpretive dance guy' (?), he's very cool and good looking too which is a bonus :) I've seen this young man below before and he was there again on Friday evening playing a little bit of funky jazz, a little bit of rock & roll, he was brilliant! I found this super informative site
Buskerworld which tells you everything you could possibly want to know (do you?) about busking, including the essential 'busker etiquette'. I think it's about $25 per month for a buskers license here in Perth, do buskers have to have a license in your city? We had heaps of rain on Monday, Perth is looking 'refreshed'..nice! Hope your week is progressing well, happy Wednesday, take care.....
I love the street musicians and we have some pretty good ones here in Seattle and there are some in Portland as well! Fun to hang out and listen although some people passing by tend look at me with a question on their face -- "what's that old broad doing here???" Ah, but never to old for good music and handsome musicians!! Hope your week is going well, glad you got a break in the heat!!
ReplyDeleteI also love seeing street musicians and have been lucky in most major cities I've lived that there are some great ones. There's been concert pianists and violinists playing in the subways of NYC, Boston and Washington DC...I love that! They do need licenses in NYC and Boston...not sure about DC. Oh, and great captures both!
ReplyDelete(BTW, yes, those were mallards yesterday! They've been hanging out lots:).
Yes, buskers do pay in Toronto and it's difficult to get a license, I hear. You have to be good!
ReplyDeletefirst I had to visit the Busker site and learn about Buskers...aha it's street performers! and alas I've not seen any here in Palm Harbor...maybe at events...Dunedin is right down the road, a more artistic community so it's possible they have Buskers routinely...same goes for up the road in Tarpon Springs...a Greek community!! enjoyed your post and photos!
ReplyDeleteYour top photo is really cool, Grace. We have Buskers here too. Some are really, really good!
ReplyDeleteLovely monochrome work on the photo Grace. I had no idea that a busking license was required so I just googled it. The UK is split it seems... in England and Wales you need a license from your local authority but in Scotland you don't.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful b&w photo, Grace.
ReplyDeleteAlso here buskers need a license.
I'm ashamed to say I don't know...
ReplyDeleteOurs have to have permits, undergo a rehearsal before receiving one and are restricted where they can busk and what times.
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to my music of my choice, at home...
ReplyDeleteCool photos, specially the first one. Many many many buskers in Barcelona, you can't take the metro without being...entertained. The problem here is that they're mostly really bad (seen as a former pupil of a Conservatoire de la musique, french music high school). But the few good one redeem the awful ones. We even have a yearly busker festival.
ReplyDeleteYou have to have an audition to get a permit to play in the subway in Toronto but I'm not sure if you need one for playing on the street.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the term "Buskers"! Is that an Aussie term??? And I do love street musicians!!! I think I prefer the term "Buskers"!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know the word busker either, but street musicians are everywhere I think. In Amsterdam it is limited to half an hour playing and the volume must be low. There are certain places to perform, it is not allowed on every corner of the street.
ReplyDeleteNo license needed here. No fee and hence often it´s not nice what you get to hear... or see. Many beggars from Eastern Countries, Punks making you take another route. Perth really was very clean. And I remember that Opera Singer who did a great job (if you don´t happen to work in a shop right beside).
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working in Chicago I used to see buskers quite often. I don't see many here in Phoenix and when they are around it's usually on the cooler winter and spring months. It's way too hot to in the summer.
ReplyDeleteIf they have to pay $25.00 per month to do this, they must be making some good money to make it worth while.
I'm not sure about the street, or the time of year, if that plays a factor. I see some who do it regularly, including a guy who sings Elvis tunes and looks like Elvis would today if he was still alive: old, chubby, and in a rhinestone jumpsuit.
ReplyDeleteDo homeless on the streets qualify? We have relatively few of the performance types.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen buskers in Hartford. It is too small. But, I have seen them in bigger cities and they can be great fun.
ReplyDeleteNice looking guitar.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. He wears a Boston Red Sox hat and Crocs. I have no idea how to add audio to a blog but I'd like to hear him.
ReplyDeleteNo license needed here. it seems to be left up to the mood of the police.
I admire buskers. They are very brave to display their talents unplugged with nowhere to hide. Many a professional musician must have honed their skills on the street before being swept up by the masses.
ReplyDeleteBuskers can be good entertainment. Yes ours have to have a license too.
ReplyDeletehas the rain cooled things down? here we call them street artists .. i dont believe there's a license fee for performing on the street but if you want to do it in the subway stations i believe there is some sort of license fee ...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there's a website to list buskers' activities. They are great in bringing life to the streets. A little funk music is always nice in the streets when the sun is shining. It makes people happy. Have a good Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteIt's rare to see these folks in our little town, but I've seen them elsewhere and have often been surprised at how talented they are!
ReplyDeleteNo policy here but to ignore, then occasionally harass them! So stupid.....aloha?
ReplyDeleteThe b&w composition is just great!
ReplyDeleteThese streets musicians are so talented! Love your first picture!
ReplyDeletehugs
Léia
Very interesting post Grace, have a blessed Easter! party hire perth
ReplyDeleteNo idea if you need a permit, I hope not. We mostly get beggars doing this, playing awful music!!
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