Taste of Northampton

[Juggalicious]

Does anyone know anything about this? Apparently they are hiring Street Performers again this year.

This upsets me for the following reason.

Two years ago my old partner who knows one of the women in charge of the taste asked her if we could do some street performance there. She replied that there wouldnt be space but it was a good idea and would keep us in mind for next year.

It's two years later and the taste has yet to contact us - yet they suddenly have a street performer roster.

I would really like to perform at this taste so if anyone has some information that would be great

Thanks,
Alex

[Daniel Forlano]

I have lived in the valley since 1994. Northampton being a hip town has great potential for street performing. But because the sidwalks are small and there is no square or plaza on Main Street there is no real pitch. (The park is a bit far off.) The Taste of Northampton closes the parking lot behind Thornes Marketplace for one weekend each August and turns it into a festival. In 1999 I set up and did a show at the Taste. It rocked. But I was asked to leave by the owner of Eastside Bar and Grill. A few months later I walked into the Chamber to enquire about the situation. Kristen recognized me, told me she was looking for me, I was great and wanted me back. But the following Spring she took leave and my contact with the Chamber dissolved. I sent promo and spoke with the chamber in subsequent years with no luck. I returned each year to see what they were doing with the pitch: 2001 - a tent with yoyo competitions; 2002 - an inflateble jumping chamber. Inflatable chamber!?! No way, I thought, it could be put to much better use. I figured I would start lobbying all the restaurants who exhibit at the Taste to find out who would be more interested in live entertainment and all the benefits of a great street show.

Meanwhile, the next Fall, by mutual aquaintence, I met a guy by the name of Lee Ross. He was introduced as a sort of "been around for a while" character. He lived in Western MA too so we met up. I didn't know him but I expressed my interest in the potential of a buskers festival in Northampton. We sat around talking it up (what streets could be closed, where the pitches would be). I mentioned performing at the Taste and how it would be a good place to start.

The following Spring I saw buskers being advertised as part of the Taste. I called the Chamber and it turned out Kristen had returned to the Chamber and basically resumed interested in a busker component. It just happened that the same winter Lee contacted the Chamber, Kristen had returned to former position. She asked Lee if he could contact me.

The busking component of the Taste has been contracted to Lee. Send Lee your promo if you want to be considered. I have tried twice, last year and this year but have yet to be able to perform there again even though I come highly recommended by influential people in the valley and the performers at the Taste last year and this.

Last year I stopped by the Taste. I was thrilled to see circle shows in downtown Northampton and I hung around with the performers for a while. When Lee saw me he said I made him uncomfortable and he wanted me to leave.

I live up the street, a ten minute walk from the pitch. I left for my spot at Faneuil Hall, Boston!

It must be my act.

[Juggalicious]

Thanks for the insites- sounds like you have a lot more info about it than I do.

How do I contact Lee?

Thanks again,
Alex

[Daniel Forlano]

Call the Northampton Chamber, 584 1900, ask for Kristen, she can give you Lee's contact info.

[Butterfly Man]

it's just Pepe's old act anyway ...

"When Lee saw me he said I made him uncomfortable and he wanted me to leave" ...

if it's any consolation ... he feels the same way about me ...

and to be really honest ...

I feel the same way about him.

[Juggalicious]

Is there some sort of animosity towards this Lee guy. He seems like a nice guy to me (from talking to him via email).

...just getting the info from everyone

[Jim]

Ahem.... let's be professional here.

If you don't have something nice to say...
... well, you know the rest.

Let's not go down that road.