NEW YORK -NEW YORK

[Miss Banana]

Ok. I think this thread definitely needs a panel discussion. It is silly to feel like a criminal because you want to entertain people on the streets of New York. I need to work up my show and am finding it difficult due to the no permit, no amp, no fire issue. No fire is easier to deal with than no amp. But I wanna go somewhere to make money with a street show and I just to get out there to practice it more often than I can now (which is not at all at the moment) so that I can actually have a structured piece to tour with. Arghh!!! Frustration!!! How can I practice when it is illegal?

Do we need to band together to create new pitches or fight the noise ordinance?

Just came back from NOLA where they are trying to make it illegal as well. Why are enforcement officers in the USA not concentrating on actual violent crimes?

I would have put this in another topic but I believe it is vital and more specific to the NYC street scene.

[Pyromancer]

Fire is banned completely everywhere, just because *some* people can't be responsible, leave a giant mess or just don't know what they are doing in general...
After my show, there will be drops on the floor. Some. I have seen people making a bigger mess while soaking a single torch, than I make during my full 30 minuit fire-only show.

And ofcourse, the hysteria around "safety" doesn't help much either. Appearently, we need to live in a safe, harmless world. Every potential danger has to be removed. Because people are afraid, to every insurers' delight. But moreover, because people are becoming more and more incapable of carrying any responsibility for themselves. You trip over? Normal response would be the conclusion that you should look better next time. But nowadays people rather sue someone else for their own mistakes...

Who is making the rules and why?!? In Covent Garden, the rule is no voice amplification, but music is allowed. In Amsterdam at the Leidseplein the rules are opposite: absolutely no music, but use your microphone as much as you like. Anyone here, who can come up with some general applicable logic?

[ 05-26-2003: Message edited by: Pyromancer ]</p>

[Steven Ragatz]

I think it naive of us to expect things like fire manipulation, and especially, fire breathing to be accepted outside of the most controlled environments. Claiming that the imposed restrictions are due to law suit happy trends is only part of the picture. In reality, there is danger, and one that is in many respects, unnecessary. Because of the venue, namely on the street, there is little real control over the behavior of the audience. As the performer, their safety must be paramount in our minds - but much of the time it isn't. More often than not, we are willing to risk physical injury to someone in the audience for the sake of a bit or a laugh. It can be very entertaining, but is it any surprise that others are not willing to take those risks as well? I understand and accept that this aspect is one of the elements that makes street performing so appealing, but have to acknowledge that it probably won't fly with anyone who is taking on the responsibility for the audience, whether that be police, or producer.

The role of performer is inherently one that carries responsibility. You have a responsibility to your audience's mental, emotional as well as physical well being. They are your best friend and should be treated with the appropriate respect that they deserve.

No matter what you do, or how careful you are, doing fire is dangerous. The fuel is toxic, highly flammable and always being used around an open flame. It doesn't take a OSHA license to figure that one out. Moreover, it's dirty, smells and makes smoke. Considering the number of cities that are adopting ordinances against cigarette smoke in public, it should come as no surprise that they might not also have a problem with open gasoline flames.

The accident a few months back at the Great White concert should be a sobering experience for all of us that do fire manipulation. There have been other tragedies because of pyrotechnic acts, but that one in particular hit home due to the heavy publicity. It is all to easy to say that they were negligent and that "I am different - I am careful and safe." If you truly believe that you are infallible, then I believe that you are lying. There is risk, and the risk is real, and that's why it is such a powerful theatrical element. But we can't possibly have any grounds to think that others will be willing to share that risk with us as we ply our trade for a few bills and coins in the bottom of a hat.

Steven Ragatz

[ 05-26-2003: Message edited by: Steven Ragatz ]</p>

[Miss Banana]

Woah there hoss...

I was merely bringing up the issue of the lack of pitches in one of the largest most populated and most touristed cities in the world. Fire is an entirely different issue. I am personally trying to phase out the fire aspect in my show exactly because of all the various restrictions around the world. Hell though, everything is dangerous is it not?

No fire should be another thread. I am discussing new york's inability to welcome street performers into their city. Yes it is illegal to perform anywhere (south seaport excepted) unless you have a permit from the parks authorities which you must reapply for every month with a nonrefundable $25 fee, and half of applications get "lost" in the system somewhere anyway.

No amplification anywhere... well hey, in the "city that never sleeps" we are finding that the financially well endowed prefer sleep to all might raves, but there appears to be no increase in fines for the car alarms that go off incessantly through all hours of the night or the honking taxis that keep me awake. It just seems that "they" are enforcing the wrong things here. real, violent crimes are still occuring and enforcemnt are spending their time confiscating a street performer's amplifier, or a venue for allowing people to smoke inside or dance without a cabaret licence.

Sure, street performers should be regulated and why shouldn't the city get a slice of the performer's pie? Hell everyone else seems to need a permit for their business... but there should be realistic ways of regulating it rather than making it a criminal offence to be an entertainer.

I am just venting my frustration at feeling boxed in in this town.AS for washington square park, enforcement are total assholes in that park. It is not a realistic pitch... especially for new females trying to fight their way in for a slot.

[Miss Banana]

I meant that I was a new performer to the street who happens to be female, not a new female...

[Steven Ragatz]

OK, so you don't want to talk about fire...

If you want to get practice so that you can develop a touring show, hook up with a business and perform under their umbrella. Restaurant walk arounds or being hired by a festival/marketplace may suit you. You may not be passing the hat, and the money may not be all that great, but you will be able to do the work and get it on its feet. I found that theme park, and related work, was especially good for this sort of thing. No glory while you are there, but it beats not doing anything at all.

Steven Ragatz

[Pyromancer]

Well, I do want to talk about fire, Mr Ragatz. As it is my profession.

But let's take this discussion to a different thread indeed.

David Boelee aka Pyromancer

[ 05-27-2003: Message edited by: Pyromancer ]</p>