Busking at the Olympics, Vancouver

[PeterIrish]

Good idea? Bad idea? Any thoughts? Any comments on busking in Vancouver or the Olympics in general?

[Rachel Peters]

I bet you anything there are a LOT of restrictions.
I know there are people in the area who would know, but not sure exactly who.
Checkerboard??

ANyway, I'd be pretty confident that just showing up would get a shut down pretty quick. That's just my guess.

[Doctor Eric]

Granville island will be prebooked, I think. You could try working the art gallery, but where the !?@# are you going to stay? You realize people are subletting their apt's for like $6-12,000 for that month there, right? The hotels were booked months ago.

[Marcus Wilson]

When the Olympics were held in Salt Lake City you had to go through a ton of security to get to any of the attractions. I'm not just talking about the sporting events or the concerts I am talking about any place which was set up for people to be. So you would need to set up and try to attract a crowd who are on there way to or from an event. There was no way to set up where the people were.

But that was a few months after the Twin Towers and in Salt Lake City.

[dawndream]

Here's the low down:

The free areas to busk in town are found here
License restrictions and free busking zones:

http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/streets/retailUse/busking.htm

It refers to the new laws which are shown here:

By-law info (Schedule C - describes the official event zones where
licensed busking is prohibited, all other sections of the city allow
permitted buskers to perform.

http://vancouver.ca/COMMSVCS/bylaws/2010/2010.htm

The thick black line is only for "accredited" persons who have gone through the VANOC process.

There is a way to busk in this area through I *Heart* Van arts association with the Yaletown business association in Yaletown. Apparently, inside the black lines this will be the only busking pitches & they are supposedly only giving them to locals.

- SEEKING TALENTED BUSKING ACTS to complement the diverse talent on the stages of the festival

50 FESTIVAL BUSKING ACCREDITATION PASSES ARE AVAILABLE.

(These are special passes issued by the Yaletown BIA specifically for the Made in Vancouver Festival. Busking licenses issued through the City of Vancouver, Translink and all other licenses are not valid in this area. This is to enforce that only festival accredited buskers are ensured busking positions in the festival.)

To be considered for one of these passes, you must SUBMIT AN ONLINE VIDEO AUDITION.

STRICT DEADLINE: Monday, January 25

Email your audition video to at busking@iheartvanart.com with the following info:

- Name
- Description of your Act
- Amplified? Yes or No
- Number of Years Experience:
- Link or attached of Video of your work: (mandatory)

If sending a video via email, please send only low-res videos.

NOTE: Incomplete information WILL NOT be accepted.

Only accepted busking acts will be notified via email by Wednesday, January 27 and will move on to the accreditation process.

Granville Island is allowing people to busk throughout the time there, however on the weekends it's known performers to the Island in Triangle Square or the Courtyard. The draw is still on for Amplified & unamplified busking, and the draw (which I believe may be open to out-of-towners, but I would call to verify) will be held for all of the spots on the island during the week days.

The beaches & parks board does not allow amplified busking without a license (or you end up like Spandy Andy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dke4vZNwE_0) but non-amplified busking is permitted as long as you follow regulations.
You can find all those regulations here :

http://vancouver.ca/PARKS/arts/busking.htm

Lonsdale Quay has been looking for performers as well, they will have a jumbotron for the Olympics. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nv...540365275.html

Yesterday I tried to go to the art gallery, and the Jumbotron Erection was in my (free) spot.I have to go get a license today to be able to perform in the usual Gastown, chinatown areas too...

So there you go! I did all that research just for you Peter!

[Doctor Eric]

From what Heather told me, as long as you have a Granville Island permit, you're on, but when I was there, they were discussing cutting off the permits at a certain date. For instance, I have one for this year, and I could go and get on the draw if I wanted, but they may not be selling any more now. Dawn: is granville st., around the corner from the art gallery still closed off to vehicular traffic? If it is, I'd recommend working there, it's a much better pitch, I did 8 or 9 shows there, the money is a little light, because it's mostly locals (although it's the same crowd as the art gallery) but it's bigger, and there aren't a bunch of fucking heroin addicts hanging out.

[jeep caillouet]

What about the steam powered clock and or Robson St.? I use to work them.

[PeterIrish]

Thanks so much DawnDream for your super helpful and info-packed response. I seriously appreciate it, and everyone's comments.

[Bennett]

Good idea? Bad idea? Any thoughts? Any comments on busking in Vancouver or the Olympics in general?

Ya this is really a good idea.I appreciate your innovative mind because Vancouver is really a great place for tourist and when Olympics will be organize it's value will also increase.

[theballoonman]

quote
"Ya this is really a good idea.I appreciate your innovative mind because Vancouver is really a great place for tourist and when Olympics will be organize it's value will also increase."

its a (not great) sign of a slow economy...trying to lure buskers to an olympics to fill your hotel....
bwahaha

[George Gilbert]

Got this in my e-mail about a week ago ...

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/tlg/1553375284.html

[dawndream]

so the DV BIA (Downtown Vancouver Buisness Association) has closed off the streets and created the "Granville and Robson street corridors", prime for street performance. It's a free pass, but you have to get it from Barbara downtown. phone 604 685 7811 or email barbara@dowtownvancouver.net

[buskerjames]

dawndream, I am new to this forum and just wanted to say that I got a permit from the BIA in Vancouver on Saturday and was treated like gold. I also was chosen for the translink auditioned buskers and found that it wasn't worth my while to do the translink stations. I also posted a video on youtube about our busking experience in Vancouver over a 4 day period and a blog on busybuskers@ning.com/ here are the links,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FVeeWwoxLg

http://busybuskers.ning.com/profiles/blogs/busking-at-the-2010-olympics

[queen of the water]

I just found this forum. I am the sister of Busker James and his busking partner. I find it amazing that they want to have buskers, are in fact crying out for them and yet Translink would not give their"Idols" a free pass.
No park and rides and a lot of traveling to each station.Even with the licence there is no surety that an unlicenced busker will not take your spot.
I am glad to have any opportunity to have shelter in the winter, however I found Granville Street much more lucrative.
Every busker I met was friendly.

[buskerjames]

Here is our busking experience at the Olympics,

http://www.slide.com/r/ui_I7VoZ2T93JD_dic7EE8n94CVpX6uE?previous_view=lt_embedded_url