Key West

[Lee Nelson]

thats the real deal

sticky
you said what id been thinking ever since that that whine started.
street is street. too many people from north of the border dont really know what that means
you gotta help yourself

cheers
lee

[gwennybean1]

Chiristopher Cool,

I read your critique of Key West's Mallory Square and I have a few comments. First of all, I grew up on Mallory Square as both of my parents are excellent performers so I speak from personal experience in whatever I say.

Second, Mallory Square is NOT a festival......it's a Sunset Celebration. My mom worked on Mallory for about 3 years and we lived in Key West for about 8 years, my father on the other hand still works on Mallory and is in my opinion very successful. I've also worked various festivals throughout the U.S., and Sunset Celebration is NOT a "festival".

Next, where it's true that some of the buskers can be confrontational and overly competitive, they are not ALL dirty, or toothless, or on drugs. That is an unfair assessment. Mallory Square has some performers that stay year around, but many are there for a short time and then move on. So perhaps you didn't get a true picture of what Mallory Square is at ALL times. And perhaps you fail to understand, since you hail from Canada, that in the United States busking is not such an accepted profession. In many places the police hassel you, or the nearby store managers complain that you are taking their business, or one performers actions have ruined it for ALL future buskers in a given area, the list goes on. Mallory Square is one of the few places designated for buskers in the entire country. I speak from 7 years of being around music (busking) and performing from west coast to east coast. In fact, my parents played in downtown Vancouver, in Gastown near the fabled Steam Clock and on Granville Island at the Public Market. In each instance we were treated kindly and well rewarded for our music. There were a few others playing at the time, some dressed better than I, some dressed worse. But I felt I was clean and well manicured......same as we were each time at Mallory Square.

To slam all of the performers and the entire Sunset Celebration because of a few is unfair and unwarranted. The quality and character of those performers and vendors that made Mallory Square Sunset Celebration a reality and a tradition to many tourists that visit Key West, is not to be sullied by the appearance or actions of a few of those who take advantage of the efforts of people like Will Soto, the Cookie Lady, Jeep, Dominique, Michael Patrick or Love 22. These are the people (and others like them) that created the Sunset Celebration.

Every profession has those that don't live up to the industry standard, busking is no different. If you are truly interested in finding a place like you described in your editorial, try visiting the French Quarter in New Orleans. Maybe it will be an educational experience for you. If not, at least you can go home and enjoy hassel-free busking where people are more presentable and hospitable to your needs.

gwennybean1

[jimmy talksalot]

mr. cool
we're all waiting for you here in the french quarter in new orleans.

[Christopher Cool]

What's This Thread About?

Performers.net is a place for performers to network.
The forum "Specific Pitches" is a place to rant, rave or ask about performing in specific cities, countries or pitches.

UCO asked "Is this place really that bad?
I have heard nothing but nightmarish stories coming out of Key West. No community, Split pitching, all that kinda monkey shite.
Whos got the skinny?"

I took the time to answer his question using my past experiences from working this pitch on a several occasions.

If you guys would like to rant about "Christopher Cool" start a new thread under "Blah Blah Blah", "Who's Who?" or maybe "Festival Discussions".

It's nice to see these new members on here.

Gwennybean1: What is the difference between a celebration and a festival? Mallory square's event has food vendors, merch vendors and performers. This event has a start time, an end time and is advertised to the public. To me that is a festival, but you can call it whatever you like. Here is one of many quick definitions of a festival: "a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration." Read your dictionary and you will find that the Sunsets at Mallory Square is a festival.

No where did I say that all performers in Key West were dirty, toothless or on drugs. In my first posting I said
"There are a few nice guys out there but be careful."

Yes I did say there are very shady characters there. Here is what everyone on here has said so far:

Isabella: "Most of the acts were a dirty, toothless man escaping from a straitjacket or juggling."

The Amazing Beaumanz: "Although there is a seedier side to Key West." And "At times certain aspects of the festival doesn't seem fair.(rules apply to some but not others) "

Jesus: "I didnt see anything too impressive in Key West either."

Stickman: "Can there be politics, of course." ,"Costuming/dirty." And "Split pitching. Yep it definitly is split up, and the competion is fierce for the same people. Your audience backs the audience from the show beside you. "

Gwennybean1: "some of the buskers can be confrontational and overly competitive,"

You guys are all saying the same stuff. Yes perhaps I should have stated in bold NOT ALL PERFORMERS IN KEY WEST ARE THE SAME. But I never said they were in the first place. Read my posts again and you will see that I'm syaing the same stuff you are. Next time I will be a little more polite about it.

Jeep, maybe you being the chair of the performers committee should read the postings here from all the other performers and say to yourself hmmm, maybe we don't have the best image. Think of some ways to communicate this with the others involved in the celebration and ask yourselves how can we make this a better event.

Jimmy: If you have 3 hours you might be able to watch some of stickmans show. Very repetitive.

Stickman: Are you still a Canadian? I don't think Canada has seen you in a while. Please don't call yourself a Canadian.

Anyways back to what this posting is about...
UCO take a look at the postings they will give you the answer you are looking for.

Once again, anybody not living in Key West? Opinions.

[Christopher Cool]

Jeep?

Jeep, I'm still waiting for your reply.

Just so everyone knows... What lines did I steal from you?
I'm sure everyone would like to know what lines you wrote.

Last thing: "created this country's largest free tourist attraction"

Do a google search: "USA Largest Tourist Attraction" Key West isn't even in the top 50 listings. I also couldn't find it Guiness. So how did you come up with that?

[gazzo osborne]

First of all, I have to side with Christopher Cool. He
is right with the first impression you get with most
of the performers. Its a pretty sad state of affairs
in my opinion. It needs to be cleaned up. In the last
twenty odd years that I have been there, time and time
again I have seen numerous performers show up drunk,
high, strung out on cocaine, crack and pot. I have
seen a guy lying down on his pitch drunk, waiting for
the tourists to show up and Urinating on himself.
Standing up screaming " Sword Swalling Show!!! " And
the tourists are attracted to this performer with a
horrendous piss stain between his legs. I have seen
this happen twenty or thirty times through out 15-20
years. I have seen people ride up on their bikes
directly from the pubs, beer in their hands, while
they're helpers build there rig. I have seen the same
performer drink beer during his breaks. I have also
seen a performer ask two spectators to hold his
straigt jacket and examine it. The Spectator said "
the straigt jacket smelt:" they walked away and the
performer couldn't finish his show. I have seen
performers starve their animals. If you throw tidbits
of food in the circle for the animals they will go
Crazy to get to the food. I have seen performers who
really need a bath, need to clean up their act, come
to work unshaven, their breath stinks, their
fingernails absolutely disgusting, and if you ask them
for a business card you will get their numbers written
on the back of a match book. I have also seen a
performer on a 15 feet Unicycle, so high on acid and
pills. He was screaming to get the crowds attention
and at the same time puking up on himself. I have seen
it and so have the other vendors and artists. The CPS
board did nothing about this. He pukes in front of the
tourists and families. And the so called board did
nothing. He was back working the next night and it
kept getting worse. That same performer was stopped
two months after that incident by three police cars
and was arrested for 25 bags of liquid heroin on him.
He has since been banned performing at Key West. Its
my understanding that some of the performers and
vendors are rallying to get him back. They all say
that" It didn't happen on Mallory Square" I say "but
it did happen in a school zone." Two years ago there
was another performer that was arrested at night in
the Bahama Village. He was searched and was found to
have Crack Cocaine in his thumbtip. He was a magician
performing nightly on Mallory Square. He was asked to
perform elsewhere. There have been numerous fights and
scuffles between other performers. I have been in
fights myself over pitches, timing, length of shows,
content of shows, locations etc. I have been in fist
fights with other performers. There is a performer
currently in prison with 15 thousand dollar bail. The
first time he went was for 6 months for beating up on
his deaf, mute wife. He is currently in jail for Child
Neglect. He has a 10 or 12 year old girl. She runs
around the streets shoplifting, swearing, smoking.
She is not a bad kid. She has just grown up in a bad
environment. Unfortunately she's been growing up in an
area which is a bad scene for children to be growing
up in. I have also seen two Dragqueens at Mallory
Square and for extra bucks they would show there cock
and balls to the crowd. I have also seen a perfomer
kick a lady for not leaving a tenner because she
couldn't afford it and asked for change. This was
allowed in a public place. Prior to that, the vendors
at Mallory Square decided to ban me for doing a few
gay jokes or for the content of my show. But they have
since reinstated me. I don't work at Mallory Square
any longer. I work at a private resort which is akin
to Mallory Square. You can come see me there every
evening. Unfortunately Mallory is a public place but
it has no security guards or police. However if you
have no teeth, and dirty fingernails, and you need a
bath, you have the best prime working location in
America. As far as I'm concerned, Christopher Cool is
right with his first impression. And don't think I'm
exagerating all these stories. I have been down to Key
West for about twenty years. I hope the city is
reading these emails. I might even take these posts to
the city itself because boy oh boy it does need
cleaning up. Also Stickman, you are wrong. This is not
the streets. In season there are crowds up to 15-20
thousand people to watch the sun go down. Its not the
streets, its like a festival atmosphere.

[gazzo osborne]

My earlier post I decided not to mention anyones name.
I thought it would be unfair to the guy who trains the
cats, to the sword swallower, the guy who plays the
banjo and his dog that walks the tight rope, the guy who
balances a fridge on his chin, and the guy that used
to juggle pins on a 15 foot Unicycle but now lives in
Texas, and also the guy who hangs upside down while
escaping from a straigt jacket. The black guy not the
white guy.

[Christopher Cool]

That is why

I'm glad someone isn't afraid to agree with me.

[jimmy talksalot]

gazzo,

i 'm just another magician living in your shadow. i never knew, i want to be the first to apologize. you see i thought i was standing up for...well you.
i 've always looked up to you. i have not been to key west... but now i've learned so much. but i guess the question begs to be answered why 20 yrs. gazzo sweet jesus why? [staying on topic of course] why would you spend so much of your life amongst catastrophe. i'm suspicious that it has been good for you and others, contrary to everything i've heard of course.

any way the arguement was never over how bad key west is, i don't know ain't been there. arguement was over character of the person "informing" us about the pitch. and the ridicule of others.

you see lets say there was a guy somewhere in montana and he had a show a little abrasive lets say sort of like yours, [but without your rep of course] they would want to know a place where they could express themselves without red tape.

i mean no disrespect your a real street performer no question.

i'm afraid of people like Christopher Cool taking the little we already have away. we're not all on top like you. maybe in 20 yrs. i will be, but i want that chance too.

[jimmy talksalot]

its hard enough working and finding spots in this country as it is.

[Christopher Cool]

What are you talking about?

Jimmy,

What are you talking about?

"i'm afraid of people like Christopher Cool taking the little we already have away"

What have I taken away?

Do you even know who I am?

Jimmy you do talk alot and about nothing.
This thread is about Key West and you've never been there so why not go to a forum where you might be able to give helpful advice.

[jimmy talksalot]

sorry thought i was. point takin. i will. i still think your uptight.

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

WOW!!

I started this thread to thank everyone in Key West for their HOSPITALITY. I may not get a great pitch when I'm there, but I can certainly say that i have been treated with respect by most of the performers there. THANKS GUYS!!

The seedier side of Key West isn't just the performers at Mallory Square, it's everywhere!!!! It's what makes Key West just what it is. A place that EVERY lifestyle is socially exceptable.

That's exactly why I go!!!! To let the "hair" down a little and make some money too.

Chris I don't agree with slamming people on a public forum, that clients could possibly be reading. I know it's always 4:20 at my house, but aren't you the pot calling the kettle black? Do you, or haven't you smoked pot???? Or any other....???? I remember your straitjacket smelling like ass on several occasions!!!(and a certain weatherman could be a witness!!)

I am ceratin, working pitches like the ones in New Orleans, Venice, Key West, and the like ,have given me the education needed to adapt to almost EVERY environment imaginable, from family crowds to drunks!!!!

I coordinate a festival paterned after this successful event. We have much fewer performers, and are more strict than them. But isn't that why most people leave here???

I have lived in hotel rooms, people couches, my van, and still rent a small apartment on the North End of the beach. And through out all my tribulations when i step in the middle of my circle i give 110% like every show is my first. I have been here 10 years, I left here for a year and a half and started the FORT MYERS BEACH street scene that is still going strong today!! Thousands of tourists a year come to this beach with their kids and families specificly to see my show. I consider myself a succesful, accomplished street performer. I lie my head down EVERY night, satisfied with my accomplishments and owe ALL of it to the learning experiences from spots like Key West!

[gwennybean1]

okay chris you ask me what the difference is between a festival and a celebration. well i would say since i grew up with parents working both..a festival is a planned event in which people hire performers to work for pay..yes indeed there are performers, vendors and so forth but festvals usually happen once a year. Mallory Square on the other hand is not planned in advance, it happens every night...and the pier doesnt pay its performers..it is up to them to get their own show and make their own money. Now that answers that question. Now i want to move on the the "line steeling" that you boys have been up in arms about. Okay i want to know who actually "owns" these lines? What does it matter if everybody uses everybody else's lines? who says that Jeep or Dale or Michael Patrick owns the trademark on "i could be your kid out here" or "no penalty for late payment"?? As far as im concerned if it gets you a show...use away. Everybody doesnt do a show at the same time anyway. One person does the first show and then its up to the others to try and attract a crowd with whatever they can. Also i would like to say that i agree with The Amazing Beaumanz..he said that he didnt agree with slamming performers on forums because clients may be reading. That is very true. Say somebody signed on to this to see if Key West would be a good spot to spend the summer. Then they read what you and Gomez have said and the performers on Mallory lose their crowds. Most of the people on the pier..including my father feed their family on whatever they make a night and it is in my opinion very wrong to take that from them..You wouldnt like it if people bashed Canada and took your tourists away. Im sure you would be just a mad as the performers at Mallory are..and yes i have to strongly agree with you that some of them drink, some of them smoke pot..some of them may even do crack and heroin..but in my opinion if it doesnt mess up their show..then who are you to tell them that they arent worth being there? If their problem starts messing with their ability to do their act perfectly then they should be fined or even kicked off..but not everybody is like that. How you described people on the pier is called "generalizing" and i am glad you corrected yourself and said that not everybody is the same. Some may beat their kids and their wives and get so messed up that they spend the weekend puking their guts out..but why do the tourists have to know that? their not doing job interviews or trying to get into their personal lives they are just their to be entertained and it shouldnt go any farther.

[jesus]

All I needed to hear to join in

Now i want to move on the the "line steeling" that you boys have been up in arms about. Okay i want to know who actually "owns" these lines? What does it matter if everybody uses everybody else's lines? who says that Jeep or Dale or Michael Patrick owns the trademark on "i could be your kid out here" or "no penalty for late payment"?? As far as im concerned if it gets you a show...use away.

I have actually heard someone that works in Key West say "Whats wrong with stealing someone else's material? Its already proven so you know it works."

Sounds like proof right here that we are talking about McStreet Performing, which in my own opinion (which btw should carry no more weight that the screen on which it is typed) is shit.

Yes if you use stock lines, do a stock show and perform your finale up high you will get a decent hat.
Yes there will always be certain stock lines and ideas that will creep into shows. But why strive to be just like everyone else?

I think it is sad that there are so many people getting into doing shows just for the money.

And with that said, almost everything I saw in Key West smacked of least common denominator.

(Please note that none of what I said is an attack on anyone personaly but rather a coment on the quality of the performances.)