Victoria BC

[Rachel Peters]

Hi, all y'all.
I'm heading a bit West this summer (Western Canada) and I would LOVE to hit BC and specifically Victoria. Vancouver could be fun too, but I know nothing about regulations or pitches. I don't know where to go.
Now, Granville people tell me there's no pitch for chalk art.

Has anybody worked Vic?

It's more my style to just show up somewhere, but I'm afraid of making the trip and coming up short with no place to work.
...It's a bit trickier than a circle show. I need time and space and a few days on a single pitch.

If all else fails, I could conceivably show up, find a private company's plot of concrete and ask their permission, to attract customers to their location.

Not sure about permits either, apart from Granville, which is a "no" for chalk, they say.

[Juggalicious]

on your way stop in kelowna... there is a pitch near the water front - near this statue:



heres another photo


the road curves right there. a few different spots were tried throughout that park and that one worked best - you can do small shows all day - but its better to wait until just after 6 or 7ish - slow build but worth it -

you just show up - no pass needed. we performed there for a weekend and didn't have any problems. we've sent other performers there as well who have worked problem free.

[jeep caillouet]

places to work in Vancouver

You can work at the zoo, steam powered clock, and Robson street and I'm sure there are other places as well in Vancouver. Good luck.

[Aaron Gregg]

Hi Rachel. There's been a guy working chalk in Victoria for a couple of years though I haven't talked to him - he's on a different license system and geographicaly separate from the circle shows. Lucky for you though he is on the easy license system - near where I perform the pavement I don't think works for chalk art.

For the area that chalk would work you can just show up at city hall and get a busking permit. Perhaps don't tell them exactly what you do, maybe say statue or something. I'm just suggesting that cause they can be a little weird. Feel free to email me when you get to town and we can chat. If you search my name you'll get my website and contact very quickly.

It would be nice to put a face to a name. Don't believe a word that Sharon said.

-Aaron

[Rachel Peters]

Thanks, Aaron. That's a huge help.
...and Sharon is one of my most flavourite people. She could tell me just about anything and I'd believe it, that genius.

[Schuyler]

I'm just going to hijack this thread and make it a little more general. I'm headed out to visit friends in the Comox valley in May, and I'll be there for a couple weeks. Are there any good or just plain any pitches in the valley or am I going to have to head out to Vancouver or Victoria for a little bit?

[Keith M]

Rachel,

I am new to busking and plan on doing a circle act. I would also like to venture to Kelowna and Victoria this summer. I found a couple direct applications with attached rules for both cities.

The Victoria application also includes a section of rules for chalk like how many days in a row you can work a spot.

http://www.festivalskelowna.com/fileadmin/images/The_Kelowna_Buskers_Program_Application_2009.pdf

http://www.victoria.ca/common/pdfs/business_street2.pdf

My question is as far as busking goes or these applications are there any hidden requirements I as a new busker may not know about (especially in regards to Vic. or Kelowna)? I have heard things like "public liablity insurance" and first aid are requirements of a street worker. I may be in the wrong thread for that but maybe you guys know the answer.

[stickman]

I'm sure you could find a spot up on Robson Street. Thinking of a spot, but having trouble describing it. Just ask where the steps are and you'll be there.

Stickman

[Laurent Piron]

In Vancouver, the spot in front of the Art Gallery (Robson) is open to anybody !!!
Its not an easy spot, but there is space, and a lots of poeple passing by !!!

[dawndream]

Vancouver Art Gallery is the hardest pitch in the city - but it does make small amounts of cash.
Festivals are the best places to busk here.

But classics are Robson street, Gastown, Granville Island (probably the best for circle shows) * now Granville street sidewalk is 2X the size. I haven't tried it, but seen people try. I think it will make a great pitch soon as the construction lays off.

English bay is good, but sometimes risky - you have to have a 'park license" to busk there & sometimes will come around & ticket you if you don't.