busking in the states and fringe festivals

[miquee]

hello everyone....
i have got a few questions... well only one actually but its a rather complicated one. WHERE CAN I PERFORM IN THE STATES IF I WANT TO SPEND THREE MONTHS TRAVELING IN AUGUST SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER?
Firstly, if i want to work in the street or square for a few days while visiting, can i do that in baltimore, boston, key west, san fran, new york etc etc (because in some of these places you need to audition right?)
Which fringe festivals are worth busking? Are there any festivals at all where you can just show up and perform or is everything super bureaucratic (spelling?). any cities where i can perform without auditioning or audition on the spot when i get there or getting arrested. or whose ass do i have to kiss to get permission? HOW?
fuck man, in italy the police watch and enjoy the show.
thanks any info will be sincerely appreciated and if you got any questions about italy let me know...
ciao mike

[harmonicakev]

boston.cambridge

You can do Harvard Sq with just a readily available permit; $40 I think, at City Hall annex; they have a web site - Cambrige Arts Council.
I'm not sure if you need a permit in Boston now. Probably not on Boston Common.
Check this web site:http://communityartsadvocates.org
for info on this and many other places, mostly US, some international.
There is at least one thread on Boston busking at Performer's net.
People have successfully "pirated" at Quincy Market, but it's not easy, and besides, the whole rest of the city is now open, including Dock Sq. aka Sam Adams park, so what would be the point, unless an opportunity just happened to present itself.
I've heard rumors of street performing in Providence RI, and also Salem MA, but no solid evidence on those. Break a leg. -Kev Mac

[miquee]

thanks alot for the info... sorry it took me so long to respond but i have been super busy... okay, so boston is a definite possibility...
anyone have any other places that are easily performable, or somewhat easilyt performable, or something like that...
anyone know something about philly? new york? jersey shore in september? is baltimore crashable? D.C.? places on the west coast?...etc etc etc... thanks and happy showgoing...

[Irina]

NYC fringe festival is in august, they have outdoor gig in Thompkins Square park in the Village, and if you participate - you get discounts on admission to the theatre shows. I don't remember their site - google it...You'll not make any $$ there, but it's a lot of fun and you'll get official volunteer invitation, if you are not USA citizen it'll help crossing borders with props, as you can get hassled by immigration if they think you come here to work for $$. You can always work in NYC - Washington Square, Central Park, Battery Park etc. August id kinda hot, though.

[Peter]

I did some circle shows in Chicago at Grant Park a few years ago. It was a great place and the hats were good, no police problems.

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

Florida

here are some locations in the Sunshine State that you can busk in:


St. Augustine- (has a permit system)
Daytona Beach-(has a permit system)
Clearwater Beach
Key West
Ft. Myers-(has a permit system)
Hollywood
Miami
Tampa/ Ybor City

[Guy]

Hollywood

Can you tell us more about the pitch in Hollywood please?