Utah busking laws?

[deskit2004]

Hey, I'm a magician and would like to start performing on the streets. I live in Utah and I don't know what the laws are about busking. Do I have to have a permit? Is it allowed in Utah? Does anyone know or how can I find out?

[Spike McGuire]

Sounds to me like you need to invent the scene. Here's what you do if there is no pitch you can use on a daily basis.

1. Get a calendar of all the out door events (the big ones).

2. Call the people in charge of said events. Explain who you are and tell them what you do. Tell them you would like to come down and perform then see if they have any kind of entertainment budget. If not tell them you would like to come down free of charge and all you would like in return is to be able to pass your hat. If they tell you that you would need to pay a vendors fee, try and work your way around it, and if you can't just blow it off.

If that works out it will eliminate the need for a street performing permit because you will be part of the event.

Other things you may consider if you are going to become serious about street performing.

Sound system; draws a bigger crowd, and that will in turn draw bigger hats. Look into them here.

http://www.performers.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2245

Insurance; I don't know exactly what you will be doing, but this is always good to have.

http://clownsoftheus.com/ (the site looks cheesy but the insurance is the best)

Lastly, read everything in the library at p.net.

After your first night of street performing come back here, tell us everything and our expert panel will help you figure out some more money makers for next week.

-----Spike

[Rex Boyd]

Sometimes when you are not sure what the "rules" are then maybe there aren't any. If you ask someone in authority who also doesn't know the answer they are likely to just say no to anything to avoid having to make a decision. When in doubt you can sometimes just pretend you know what you are doing and get away with it as long as you are sensible about not causing a nuisance. If you are just passing through you can say "sorry I didn't know" and take your money and run. If you plan on working the same place for a while it's best to investigate a bit. If there are no rules then take it upon yourself to make some and offer your services as a busking coordinator to that hassled city official or shopping centre pencil pusher to make his or her life a bit easier.

Good luck,

Rex