Ocean City

[caricatureguy]

Anybody familiar with this pitch? I am having a hard time getting a permit for doing caricatures for tips on the boardwalk. They are trying really hard to persuade me from coming there for the summer for some reason though they let any other type of performer work the pitch. They do not like caricature artists. I think the Mayor may have had an unflattering likeness made of him when he was a child.

I have the ACLU on them now possibly (they have been there before) but I wanted to know if anybody else had any experiences worth mentioning... I'm new here by the way. I'm a caricature artist who has been busking for about 15 years professionally. Really happy to have come upon this site. Very cool.

[caricatureguy]

update

Come find me in Ocean City this summer!!! The ACLU came through!

[Stephon]

I live a couple hours from OC. I've thought about busking there, but they have this interesting rule that they can shut you down if you gather a crowd/stop the flow of traffic.

Makes it kind of hard to keep an audience.

[caricatureguy]

swami

They have a lot of stupid rules that the ACLU is concerned about or so they have told me. I'd say try and get a permit. They only cost a dollar for the summer. The feeling I get is that the ACLU is going to try and make them change their code concerning buskers.

[JoeJoe]

Do yourself a favor and find a better pitch - unless your working off a clipboard, your easle and stool are going to get pushed into the sands when a tram comes along honking it's horn.

The small area designated for performing is because of the trams - that is an area where no two trams will ever pass. You will see a tram stop and wait for an oncoming tram to pass before it enters that area.

I have personally witnessed three people getting hit by those trams ... be very careful, you don't want some nutcase kicking the back of the tram and claiming he couldn't get out of the way because of your line!

You never know when those trams are coming, they get held up a lot. Sometimes every 15 minutes, sometimes 5 minutes. It was impossible to time them out. On many occassions, I had to jump onto the sands and pull my crowd into my performing space. Your permit says you can't do that, and if you end up having to do that your permit may get revoked.

I was lucky - the cops REALLY liked me. Early on in the season they (jokingly) challenged me to a handcuff escape ... which I accepted. I was the talk of the station. But I was still warned on several occasions to keep the crowds down, it was hard to do. You'll see what I mean by July 4th.

Anyone that actually wants to work the boards is either a complete beginner that can't draw a crowd, or a total nut case that likes to live dangerously.

I rate it as one of the worst pitches anywhere ... the people are vacationing there because they can't afford to go anywhere else. The boardwalk is small and doesn't need an entertainer to create a problem. I left for greener grass.

On the other hand, it's a fun place to go. The best times are after 2:00 AM when the trams stop running, if you don't mind drunks. If I were you, I'd look into one of the boardwalk store fronts letting you setup ... I think there are some arcades around 17th street with some wide open space against the boards, and somewhere there is a space where a chalk artist used to be. You might even be able to get Trimpers or The Peir to set you up with great space where you'd do much better.

JoeJoe

PS: All of this information is over 10 years old, I have no idea what it is like there now. I would hope the situation has improved.

[JoeJoe]

Wanted to add, about the rules ... the city can easily justify those rules in courts, they just have to show that people can get hit by the trams - something which like I said, has actually happened. The courts are not going to let people get hurt to protect our rights to juggle.

Their system is more for people on vacation that want to bring their insturments and play a little music. The city likes the feeling that street entertainment provides, but they simply can't put people at risk to allow it. That would be irresponsible on their part. The fact that they allow any performing out there at all amazes me.

It's defidently not the place a professional busker wants to work.

JoeJoe

[caricatureguy]

Thanks

I do use a clip board. I am used to being in very crowded areas (like nightclubs and such) and I don't draw a huge crowd. I think the biggest has been about 12 people if that. I'm with you on the pig situation. I try to draw all the locals and shop owners and such as I can when I am not extremely busy. After all, who is going to have my back if I get robbed or something happens? There are cameras in some of the shops and I am going to try and find out which ones have them facing the boardwalk. I think I can use the entire 3 miles of boards too. That's what's fun about what I do is that I just walk around and mingle with people. I think that OC is probably the best place ever conceived to do exactly what I do. That's why I want to go there. As far as the vacationers being poor, well, that may be true. There are however 250,000 of them that will be going to the boardwalk within any given week this summer. I do my sketches in 60 seconds or less and I think that puts me in a pretty good position to make some dough this summer. I have never been to a place like OC that actually has the draw that OC has. All of the stupid little Tshirt shops and whatnot are PACKED with people buying stuff, and there are 2 or 3 on each block that are all full. It almost seems to me that people are just looking to spend money on stupid stuff all week long and I want to be there when they do!

Incidentally, I have been there a couple of times to scout and get your drift about the tram. That thing is obnoxious. I can see how that would be a problem for most entertainers. I'm not scared though.

[JoeJoe]

When I was there, you were allowed to use the entire boardwalk until July, at which time it is restricted to a few blocks near the downtown area.

I hope you do good there, you very well might ... but for a busker that wants a crowd, it's not the place to be. There are 9 million tourists here in Myrtle Beach, and the season is a lot longer here than it is in OC.

The problem with Myrtle Beach is the cops threaten to arrest you if "any money exchanges hands". I found private property for my pitch, I intend to challenge them on that when I am more financially secure. It will be good for the publicity.

JoeJoe

[caricatureguy]

I have become a big fan...

Ocean City lifts unconstitutional ban on strolling caricature artist
from
performing on the Boardwalk

MEDIA RELEASE:
June 2, 2005

CONTACT:
Deborah A. Jeon, Managing Attorney 410-889-8550 ext. 120
Rick Griffiths, Attorney (410) 889-8550 ext. 134

Caricature artist Adam Pate will be allowed to do his lightning fast
portraits of passersby on Ocean Cityıs Boardwalk this summer, after a
letter
from the ACLU of Maryland spurred the City to reverse its initial
rejection
of his application under an ordinance that imposes unconstitutional
restrictions on free speech. Mr. Pate was told by City Solicitor Guy R.
Ayers III that he was forbidden from performing on the Boardwalk
because he
accepts tips for the caricatures he draws. But when the issue of free
speech
on the Boardwalk last arose, back in 1995, a federal judge ruled that
it was
unconstitutional to discriminate against speech that contains
commercial
content. ACLU managing attorney Deborah A. Jeon, who filed the 1995
case,
threatened a return to court if the City did not lift the restrictions
on
Mr. Pate.

³Ten years ago, the court ruled that there exists no real substitute
for the
Boardwalk as a forum for artists,² said ACLU attorney Rick Griffiths,
who
co-drafted the letter. ³The First Amendment clearly protects the type
of
expression Mr. Pate wishes to engage in. It was in the public interest
of
all who visit and enjoy Ocean Cityıs premier venue to remove this
unnecessary and unconstitutional restriction.²

The current Peddlers and Solicitors ordinance of Ocean Cityıs Town Code
imposes a year-round ban on soliciting donations on the Boardwalk. But
because the Boardwalk is a traditional public forum, it should only be
subject to reasonable and content-neutral time, place and manner
restrictions when there is a substantial government interest in
regulating
protected speech. Mr. Pate performs his drawings rapidly and with
creative
spontaneity, which people find entertaining and educational. That he
solicits tips with a notice on his drawing board does not affect the
sincerity of his artistic expression. The ACLU could see no
justification
under the First Amendment to exclude Mr. Pate from this traditional
public
forum.

³People around the country love my quick caricatures, and they have
recommended that I go to Ocean Cityıs great Boardwalk,² said Mr. Pate.
³This
is the first time Iıve ever had any trouble doing my pictures in public
places. I have a right to perform, and now Maryland beachgoers can have
fun
watching me this summer.²

The current ordinance is very similar to an Ocean City ordinance ruled
unconstitutional in the ACLU of Marylandıs 1995 case, Markowitz v.
Mayor and
City Council of Ocean City. In his ringing defense of free speech
rights in
that case, U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Garbis called the ordinance
³vastly overbroad² and said courts have allowed government to restrict
free
speech only when necessary to protect the public safety of health. The
ACLU
had brought suit on behalf of a member of the Libertarian Party who
wanted
to collect signatures on the Boardwalk, along with a puppeteer and a
juggler
who regularly performed on the Boardwalk.

City Solicitor Ayres confirmed in a May 26 letter to the ACLU of
Maryland
that Mr. Pate will be allowed to perform on the Boardwalk, saying that
his
proposed activity was not prohibited by the City ordinance after all.

[caricatureguy]

I have become a big fan...

Ocean City lifts unconstitutional ban on strolling caricature artist
from
performing on the Boardwalk

MEDIA RELEASE:
June 2, 2005

CONTACT:
Deborah A. Jeon, Managing Attorney 410-889-8550 ext. 120
Rick Griffiths, Attorney (410) 889-8550 ext. 134

Caricature artist Adam Pate will be allowed to do his lightning fast
portraits of passersby on Ocean Cityıs Boardwalk this summer, after a
letter
from the ACLU of Maryland spurred the City to reverse its initial
rejection
of his application under an ordinance that imposes unconstitutional
restrictions on free speech. Mr. Pate was told by City Solicitor Guy R.
Ayers III that he was forbidden from performing on the Boardwalk
because he
accepts tips for the caricatures he draws. But when the issue of free
speech
on the Boardwalk last arose, back in 1995, a federal judge ruled that
it was
unconstitutional to discriminate against speech that contains
commercial
content. ACLU managing attorney Deborah A. Jeon, who filed the 1995
case,
threatened a return to court if the City did not lift the restrictions
on
Mr. Pate.

³Ten years ago, the court ruled that there exists no real substitute
for the
Boardwalk as a forum for artists,² said ACLU attorney Rick Griffiths,
who
co-drafted the letter. ³The First Amendment clearly protects the type
of
expression Mr. Pate wishes to engage in. It was in the public interest
of
all who visit and enjoy Ocean Cityıs premier venue to remove this
unnecessary and unconstitutional restriction.²

The current Peddlers and Solicitors ordinance of Ocean Cityıs Town Code
imposes a year-round ban on soliciting donations on the Boardwalk. But
because the Boardwalk is a traditional public forum, it should only be
subject to reasonable and content-neutral time, place and manner
restrictions when there is a substantial government interest in
regulating
protected speech. Mr. Pate performs his drawings rapidly and with
creative
spontaneity, which people find entertaining and educational. That he
solicits tips with a notice on his drawing board does not affect the
sincerity of his artistic expression. The ACLU could see no
justification
under the First Amendment to exclude Mr. Pate from this traditional
public
forum.

³People around the country love my quick caricatures, and they have
recommended that I go to Ocean Cityıs great Boardwalk,² said Mr. Pate.
³This
is the first time Iıve ever had any trouble doing my pictures in public
places. I have a right to perform, and now Maryland beachgoers can have
fun
watching me this summer.²

The current ordinance is very similar to an Ocean City ordinance ruled
unconstitutional in the ACLU of Marylandıs 1995 case, Markowitz v.
Mayor and
City Council of Ocean City. In his ringing defense of free speech
rights in
that case, U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Garbis called the ordinance
³vastly overbroad² and said courts have allowed government to restrict
free
speech only when necessary to protect the public safety of health. The
ACLU
had brought suit on behalf of a member of the Libertarian Party who
wanted
to collect signatures on the Boardwalk, along with a puppeteer and a
juggler
who regularly performed on the Boardwalk.

City Solicitor Ayres confirmed in a May 26 letter to the ACLU of
Maryland
that Mr. Pate will be allowed to perform on the Boardwalk, saying that
his
proposed activity was not prohibited by the City ordinance after all.

[caricatureguy]

oops

Sorry, I'm new at this.

[caricatureguy]

anybody from OC?

I need a room to crash and clean up for the summer. Anybody got a room? Know anyone with a room? My jeep is comfy, but not that comfy!

[caricatureguy]

update

Things are going well, there are a few buskers on the boardwalk. Most have been there for years and travel there for the summer. The locals are friendly and most recognize me from my picture in the paper (because of the ACLU articles) and say "right on, stick it to the man!" and such. It is pretty friendly. I have decent accommodations but they did not come easy. Things are working out great.