Seatle, WA

[scot]

Has anyone here done street in Seattle?

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scot nery
mailto:scot@juggle.comscot@juggle.com</A>
deadjugglers.com

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[This message has been edited by scot (edited 09-09-2001).]

[Juggleboy]

I live in Bellevue, and trust me- there is NOWHERE to go busking here. I tried at a mall once and they said I couldn't, and there's no public places that anyone goes to. I've gottta find a way to get to seattle. Do you know if there are laws about performing in seattle center, by the space needle and fountain?

[stickman]

I've worked the pitch near the old curiousity shop. Actually just up the road. It's workable for a circle show in season. Used to be alot better for me, but was still workable 2 summers ago. Last pass through, only saw a ballon guy, and some musios working at the time. I used to make the trip from Vancouver, Canada for the fried oysters at Igors as much as anything else. Not sure about the regs, but nobody ever gave me a hassle. Then again didn't stay long either.

Stickman

Http://www.weeble.org

[mnozzolio]

"Busker" rules prompt lawsuit

By Susan Gilmore

Seattle Times staff reporter

Photo GREG GILBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Michael Berger affixes the ID tag required of Seattle Center performers. He has filed suit against the Center over the rules.


Seattle Center may be a public park, but that doesn't mean street performers can perform there with no restrictions.

Or can they?

That's the crux of an argument Michael Berger is making in federal court. Berger, a street performer who calls himself "Magic Mike," claims that the Center has trampled his constitutional rights by regulating his magic tricks.

"It's against the law and it's discriminating. They're only doing this to street performers," Berger said. "The Seattle Center makes me do things that are unconstitutional."

Berger filed suit in U.S. District Court asserting that the Center's rules for buskers like him violate the First Amendment.

The rules went into effect two years ago and require that street performers obtain and wear photo identification, stand only in specific spots at the Center and not ask for donations. They also must buy a $5 annual busker license.

Berger, 57, who has been performing magic and making balloon animals at the Center for years, said he has been harassed continually by Center security. He claims he has lost about $10,000 in potential income under the new rules.

"Street performers require spontaneity and inspiration, not regulation," said Berger. "Why should they single out 15 to 30 people and make them apply for a permit and have to wear a photo ID as if they were employees of the Seattle Center that can be hired and fired?"

Elena Garella, Berger's attorney, said the issue is broader than Berger's constitutional rights.

"It's a question of what is the nature of the Seattle Center," she said. "Who is it there for and why? Magic Mike's beef is the Seattle Center has become increasingly rules-oriented and is limiting the activities ordinary citizens can participate in."
Gary Keese, assistant city attorney, said the rules were adopted after entertainers began arguing with each other about who could perform where. "These are rules we consider reasonable: time, place and manner rules regulating activity," Keese said.

The Center has set up 16 locations where buskers can perform, and they have to stay within five feet of those spots, said Berger.

The new regulations also help the Center control buskers who draw large crowds at the Center. Berger argues that he draws just small crowds, but Keese said the rules have to be made for everyone.

"Street performers swallowing fire and throwing swords gather big crowds," he said.

Garella said Berger is a local institution. "He's been doing this for 20 years, blowing up balloon animals and giving talks about education.

"It's increasingly hard to perform in the park," she said. "The $5 fee is not onerous, but it's the principle of the thing. Walking up to young families and offering to do sleight of hand — requiring a permit [for that] strikes at the heart of the ability to talk to another person in a public forum, as a city park."

A trial in the case has been set for May, but the judge has ordered that all papers are due by March 4. The city has tried to get Berger to provide information on his lost income, but he hasn't complied, so the city is asking that the lawsuit be dismissed.

Berger said he hasn't provided the information because he's so depressed. His lawsuit claims the rules have caused him severe emotional distress requiring treatment for depression.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com

[UCO]

Playing Seattle can be good I have not played in years but I did get a good start there.
There are a couple of different places to go.
One is the Westlake center you have to stay on the sidewalk and not cross the invisible line into the mall area, but whatever never was hassled.
I think they have something against structures though.
Two: On good days there is a park at the end of pikes place market that fills up with sunbathers and people watching the view and traffic: I prefer this spot.
Three: the waterfront which I had poor luck on but it is possible to make it work. Hint get a ferrie schedual,
Permits and regulations only exist at the Seattle Center. But unless there is something happening it is usualy dead.
Hope it Helps

[Irina]

I was working in Seattle Center a couple of years ago. It is very pleasant and very slow. I had no problems with their management whatsoever, but I don't draw any crowds, I was just sitting on a stool waiting for kids to come by and get painted, reading books all day...But Seattle has a lot of festivals - that's the main reason to go there. If you want to work at the festivals - apply in winter! They all have rediculous deadlines, Bumbershoot deadline is 4th of March...The only gig you can get in right away is HempFest, which is a lot of fun, but you can hardly breathe because of dust and it's not very profitable. I do miss Seattle, though - it is so beautiiful, and people are really nice and friendly. Green Tortouse hostel is a good place to stay, and you can trade 2 hours of maid-work a day for free rent in a dorm, they have 40$ a day private rooms too. By the way, does anybody know pay-per-week cheap SROs there?