Salem, MA

[harmonicakev]

Question; Does anyone know anything about busking in Salem, MA. i.e. any street musician sighting, any hassles with the local peace officers? I'm guessing this would be a city for smaller acts , probably not enough traffic to support big circle acts, but I could be wrong.

[Irina]

Salem

I lived in Salem 12 years ago, and I never saw any buskers there. If I were back there - I would try to work in the next town - Marblehead, it's a very wealthy beach town, beautiful place...Salem also has a beach, and on hot weekends it's packed. Anyway, Salem is about 30 minutes on a commuter train from Boston, you can go and check it out for yourself, and if it doesn't work out - go back to Boston or Cambridge. Cambrige has permits for musicians and jugglers - about 40$ a year, you can get it pretty fast in a local town-hall, and it's a great pitch and a fun place to be in summer. Salem is also very famous for its Halloween, it's wall-to-wall crowd, you could do very well.

[Subliminal shock]

well today was my first busking day, i live in salem and that was where i played. i found playing music was quite good and the other buskers were quite nice, i earned about $20 which i think was very good for a first show. i called the police before i went out and they said that the only issue with busking was if you use an amp and disturb people. there seemed to be quite alot of tourists for trafic and downtown has a few open places for big circles but probably not for much. hope this was helpfull at least somewhat.

[harmonicakev]

Thanks!

Thank You Irina (belatedly) and subliminal shock! I had heard that fall was the worthwhile time in Salem. I'm not sure if I will bother to try it; I'm not too interested in attempting any truly unplugged shows, and I'd hate to waste the time of traveling and setting up, only to get shut down. Are folks using amplifiers at all, or is everyone acoustic? and who are these other (quite nice) buskers??

[Subliminal shock]

well all i know about the amps is that if you use them and someone calls the cops you'll be shut you down, i didn't see anyone else with an amp buty on halloween it's nessisary cause it's all so loud, they don't bother you then deffinately, i don't really know what it's like normaly (i'm all acoustic). i only cought one name of other people his name is whinn (not sure how to spell it) just look for all black with a mustach.

[harmonicakev]

hwo Goth!

Dressed all in black? In Salem? well that narrows it down...

seriously, thanks for the info Mr. Shock.... I actually went to Essex Street today to check it out, and I was able to identify 2 good-looking spots for a solo music act like myself. Didn't see anyone busking today, and it hardly seemed busy enough....

A lot of witchcraft related establishments, stores, museums and the like...

I've been told that one needs to "audition' for the city council to get a (free) permit.... I probably will try it this fall, just to do something different.... it is only slightly longer of a drive for me than Boston, and parking is way cheaper...Ciao - Kev.