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Nearly a week has gone by since arriving and I must admit the whole scene has changed quite a bit since last time around. To begin with, a licence issued by local authorities is now a must-have for the (mainly classical) musicians who play around the cathedral. Every monday, they have to show up to participate in a draw of the number that will be theirs for the week and which basically tells every one whatīs their place in the queue and also what days, times and venues to play. I have seen the famous list and heard from a source I know to be reliable that the local police regularly control the permits. Performances are limited to two hours and, as is logical, the higher the number you draw the smaller your chance is to get a good pitch.
Living statues on the Ramblas are now limited to a certain part of same; basically between Ferran and Sant Pau streets on one end and from Escudellers street to the Columbus statue in front of Maremagnum on the other. Iīve seen several colleagues working the very top next to Catalunya Square but do not know whether or not this is with the blessing of the Guardia Urbana. As for other types of performances, Portal del Angel Avenue or the sea front of Villa Olimpica could be good sites; this (saturday) morning there was a jazz quartet on each extreme of Portal. And of course, Ramblas at the low end is rather popular with those on both sides of the fence; the other day in the afternoon there were four performers active (two puppeteers working separately, a didge/percussion duo and myself) and all of us had crowds watching.
By the way, if you plan to come from France and think it might be a good idea to do a show or two in Gerona, which is after all the first and only big city between the border and Barcelona I suggest you donīt try it. Unless you want to get involved with the local boys in blue who will shut down anyone without a permit and might even confiscate working material. Nearly happened to me. And to go through all the hassle for this piece of paper they may or may not give you... Just isnīt worth it.
Living statues on the Ramblas are now limited to a certain part of same; basically between Ferran and Sant Pau streets on one end and from Escudellers street to the Columbus statue in front of Maremagnum on the other. Iīve seen several colleagues working the very top next to Catalunya Square but do not know whether or not this is with the blessing of the Guardia Urbana. As for other types of performances, Portal del Angel Avenue or the sea front of Villa Olimpica could be good sites; this (saturday) morning there was a jazz quartet on each extreme of Portal. And of course, Ramblas at the low end is rather popular with those on both sides of the fence; the other day in the afternoon there were four performers active (two puppeteers working separately, a didge/percussion duo and myself) and all of us had crowds watching.
By the way, if you plan to come from France and think it might be a good idea to do a show or two in Gerona, which is after all the first and only big city between the border and Barcelona I suggest you donīt try it. Unless you want to get involved with the local boys in blue who will shut down anyone without a permit and might even confiscate working material. Nearly happened to me. And to go through all the hassle for this piece of paper they may or may not give you... Just isnīt worth it.
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