Mallory Square, Key West,Fl.

[gav]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Dallas]

let me explain....

An event calls me and wants me to travel 100 miles, stay 3 days and entertain their crowds. This will cost them.

This place and ours, says, we will let you come work, EVERY night, no travelling, no hotel, etc.

You know coming here, that if you wish to perform 365 days a year, you need to get your OWN apartment, figure out how to get to the pitch, etc.

And you also know, that there is much more to these events than a bunch of performers doing tricks. There are vendors (food and other), there is ON SITE security, musical acts, etc. All when combined, NEED to have some organization. This takes time and patience. And many people take the time out of our own busy days to go to meetings, and the like, for one common goal: We want the wheel to spin smoothly.

A band comes out and plays for what seems like 4 homeless people and I am trying to converse with a crowd of 400. They are sometimes very aggrevating and loud playing for those 4 homeless people. And they get a CHECK!!
In the early stages, I'd get pissy about it. Even angry.
Then I spoke with some of the people who visit these events...

And I hate to burst some bubbles here, but a major percentage of the TOURISTS that come to our event, come to the EVENT. It's the whole thing. The loud ass bagpiper, the conch fritters, the juggler, the jewelry and art. ALL OF IT.

Clearwater's festival is situated right next to a covered, $2 million dollar, playground. A few years ago, the city shut down the playground for rennovations. HOLY CRAP!!! I got to see first hand how many people come just for that. NO LOCAL KIDS AT ALL! Sounds like a dream to some, but I'll be the first to say how much I MISSED THEM!

You ask about selection, yes. Whether you know it or not, we as organizers protect our best interest(the wheel) and I personally will watch/listen to each and every act to ensure that your material doesn't offend the families that visit our event. I will ask you to tone it down, and when needed, I will ask you to leave. PERIOD!

We LEASE, from our city, this park for 4 hours every day. And YES, we can say what goes on in this park during these 4 hours. If ours Rules and Regulations, don't fit into your routine, then there is another 20 hours of the day that you can be in a "PUBLIC" park. Invoking your rights and artistically expressing yourself.

For those of us who have chose to make one of these wonderful places our home, we knew this before we even unpacked our bags...YEARS AGO.

It's the people who after a period of time habitating one of these places, that decides that they might be able to make the "wheel" spin smoother and when their idea is, for lack of better words, "shot down". They try to throw a wrench in the "spokes".

Both of our events have been going on for a LONG time. Theirs, twice as long as ours. And if you spent less time worrying about the "wheel" and more about your show, then everything would be great. Granted, things at both aren't "perfect" for everyone and will NEVER be.

There will always be riffs between performers, riffs between performers and vendors, performers and the musicians(not that they aren't performers), etc.

But, if you can put up with us, we will put up with you. 365 days a year.!!!

[gav]

It is an organized festival that just happens to run 365 days a year.

Sorry, I thought 'festival' was just a tag used for promotional purposes.
So the acts get selected, scheduled and promoted in specific pitches and get paid retainers and expenses ?

[Dallas]

I have time in, was once addicted to drugs, and am living proof that some people can change without going through a twelve step process.

Maybe I should retire.......NOT!!!

[Dallas]

but it's not "raw" street

It is an organized festival that just happens to run 365 days a year.

[gav]

Judging by the press they are both getting, they're certainly not doing much for the reputation of street performers in general.
I don't care how long anyone has been performing in one place, it shouldn't give them more rights than others unless they are paying rent for that space !!!
It goes against what street performing is all about.

[Storm Surge]

Soto and Riggs

They both have some time in. They're both drug addicts. Both are jerks. Both are jealous of each other. Both should "retire".
That is my two cents for an open forum.

[Dallas]

Will Soto

One of the most respected, nicest and admired performers I have met in my 20 plus years of working the Street!!

I'd like to see someone come here and try to take my spot after working here 15 years. I'm more afraid what the "tourists" would do, not myself!!!!!

Longevity is a wonderful thing and jealousy really sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dallas]

oh...

And I bet Mark won't start crap with Will away from Mallory Square!!! Dude's like a 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do!!!!!!!!!!

[Dallas]

that article about Will and the event, is a trip...

Although not all, but almost everyone has skeletons in their closet. Will's Hill is exactly that, WILL's HILL!!!!

Will Soto, Jeep and Michael Patrick are the ONLY reason's I'd ever left my GRAVY BOAT and went South.

It sucks that they don't publicly invited Michael back and apologize for kicking him out. No drugs involved, No stealling of money involved, no record at all, and was thrown out by the same people that allow others with these ,to "head" the organization.

I'm no Saint!!! And everyone knows that, but come on...Michael deserves justice!!!!!PUBLICLY

I've been going to Key West for 16 years now.SIXTEEN! And because I have never been there for a CONSECUTIVE 30 days (or whatever it is) I still pull out of the bottom bucket. But yet, when anyone of you from Key West have ever stopped by Pier 60, I have openned my doors and welcomed you with open arms. Kinda sucks to be me...

I love coming down and hanging out, I loving doing shows on Mallory, but I HATE most of the crap one must deal with after dragging your gear to the "Kiosk"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again, Bad Press for Key West and Mallory Square. Sorry to hear it. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...52a1eed9ed2ebf

Things here are FANTASTIC!!!!

Hope to see ya'll soon,
Dallas

[Storm Surge]

Does anyone have a copy of the checks will soto wrote in the busker fest? you know the ones that weren't any good?
I want one for my memorabilia collection.

[toddvarious]

that was....

... a very interesting storie. I ws unaware of the beginnings but new of the end. please say hello to mark for me. I'll see you guys on the first of the year. and i'm bringing a ten foot ladder this time.

[RINGON]

Jeep, Last of the Big Time Nice Guy's. No reason to change.

[jeep caillouet]

change

Dang, I wish I could change!

[RINGON]

I remember being at the end of the dock for the first year I performed in KW. Summers, no keys, Will's call. I was happy any day I performed. You could learn so much, just being there. I worked very hard and sometimes smart. I was always writing. The small bullshit stuff was to few and I made the mistake of taking things too personally. I am very greatful for the humillity shown to me by Rondini, both. and Mustafa and sometimes you Jeep. Mark's back, good for him, I hope he makes the best of it. In short, Mark was good, I've seen better. Hey, David Hassellhoff is a judge on America's got talent. Anyone can change. Good luck.