Busking rules in Kitchener

[Lynneski]

(As Reported in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thursday, June 28, 2001)

"BUSKERS MUST GET LICENCES
-by Jeff Outhit

Wanna sing, dance or juggle for pedestrians in downtown Kitchener? Go get a city licence.

Councillors have voted to regulate the street busker trade with a bylaw to crack down on panhandlers and amateurs.

Apparently, the Kitchener Farmer's Market has been flooded with buskers this spring. Some add to the atmosphere but others are amateurs who create problems for vendors and shoppers. There are also panhandlers who beg under the guise of busking, city staff have reported.

New city rules require buskers to get a $10 licence and wear a badge with their picture.

Buskers cannot use amplifiers but may sell recordings of performances. They can't block traffic or pedestrians or let their audiences do so.

The city will review the buskers bylaw in a year."

[worldwidese]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lynneski:
[B](As Reported in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thursday, June 28, 2001)

"BUSKERS MUST GET LICENCES
-by Jeff Outhit

Wanna sing, dance or juggle for pedestrians in downtown Kitchener? Go get a city licence.

Lynneski-were you at some stage a performer or busker? Seems like you always have good, sound, helpful advice and you are on our side of the fence. Thanx. Kelly.

[Freddy]

I worked Kitchener City Hall last night for the KBIA. and noticed there were still quite a few guitar playing, down on their luck type "buskers".

They were not wearing any identification, and I would be surprised if they had the license.

I wonder who and if they are enforcing this new bylaw ?

On the other side though, they were not really doing any harm and remained in "cubbyholes" and were quite unobtrusive.

On a personal note: I had two great shows and the crowd was tight, deep and responsive, I was even able to reach that fancy Indian brick with the fire breathing.

[Lynneski]

Aw, shucks, thanks Kelly.

Somewhere in a previous life I was a working vocalist with a band that toured round Ontario bars, and did some commercial/jingle work. Mostly I came to the conclusion that I wasn't talented enough to live the life to which I wanted to become accustomed, so I made the jump to the other side of the curtain. I make my living now as an event producer. Funny, tho, I'm still not living in the manner to which I'd like to become accustomed ;-)

Phil, I think the responsibility to enforce the bylaw would fall to the Kitchener bylaw officers. Maybe cuz it's new, they're leaving a little grace period. Good for you for carving out a workable pitch. We need more standing pitches in the area. And good, too, for the city of Kitchener to take steps to recognize the differences between pro performers and ummm, other folks, for trying to be welcoming without spewing out too much red tape.

Lynne