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There's hardly anybody in key West now. Spots are good and money is good so come on down. And I'll take you sailing too!
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Not Mallory but the streets... the city is proposing many new ridiculous and hardship restrictions to work in the streets here. It's very embarrassing, if that's the right word, what there doing to our freedoms here.And it seems we have little recourse with out a good attorney and $$$$$ Insurance, where we can stand on the side walk, two performers per block,( Who was there first) , no closer than 50 ft. from a corner etc. etc. YUUUUUUKComment
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how about now??/
what's kayo wesso really like todaY???Comment
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Mallory is really pretty good these days. we haven't had a juggler in weeks now. usually we have 8 to 10 all doing the same or nearly the same show. We have only one balloon clown too. The street is is a different thing. The city is voting Tuesday night on new rules. We'll see then.Comment
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Apply in November get in December ,for the street only. No permits needed to work Mallory.Comment
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Hi Nick.
I've been working Victoria for the last 13 years. Way back when there were a lot more people coming through and working here and most stayed for a full season. Though lots of people avoided it because of the strict rule against amplification and music.
Then a few years ago the ownership of the main pitch went from the city to a weird non-profit sorta government body, that runs like a corporation. Overnight the licenses went from $10 to $350 a year and are now at $500 a year plus needing 2 mil of liability. This was not the performers' doing, in fact we had to get tonnes of media coverage to get them to back down from charging us $2000 a year and making the show slots 1 hour long with 30 minute breaks in between.
I don't know of anywhere else that charges performers that much for a piece of concrete. There are a limited number of licenses and some new performers have been added but it seems no one really applies because of the rules. The shows are limited to 45 minutes, and I once got a written warning for doing a 47 minute show. We have 15 minute breaks between shows which has made it tougher to get in enough shows.
It's not closed but it's very bureaucratic.
-AaronComment
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A rather belated reply, but I was just browsing the forum and I have to stand up for Southbank.
I found them really helpful and welcoming, I missed the auditions but was given a short-term (3month) permit as an out of town busker. I just had to email them some paperwork, photos and contact details for 2 referees. I'm only doing a statue act, but I believe they issue short term permits for circle acts also.
Oh, and the email adress from their website isn't reliable, so call them.
Queen St Mall on the other hand are officious prigs, who don't return your phone calls until after the auditions have passed....Comment
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I live in Toronto and it's not impossible.
The Transit system has annual auditions, but these spaces are best suited to musical acts. They are very confined spaces underground.
Harbourfront also has annual auditions. These are great busking spots but are extremely limited in what you can do. You audition for the summer spots and are limited to the areas they schedule you to.
Dundas square has it's own system that I don't totally understand how to get in. But it is it's own system. And similarly, doing a pitch at the eaton centre (mall) has limited hours where you can perform.
For the rest of the city, you can get a $35 permit to perform in any other part of the city. It's a bit of a hassle, but worth it if you're going to perform anywhere else in the city. It is essentially allowing you to operate a "business" on public property and there are certain by-laws you need to co-operate with in terms of where you set up a pitch, no amplification or fire, you can't block a business entrance, and you need to control your crowd from blocking the sidewalk.Comment
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B.C.
I am travelling to Canada this year and was going to go to B.C. to work,
I hear you can't work Victoria as it is booked up all summer i.e. it is closed to any traveling street performers.
Also I hear Vancouver is booked up every weekend but I can go in a draw for the week days.
To be honest I think this is bollocks and I ask you all your thoughts.
Imagine if we did that in Melbourne (where I live) and kept the summer months to ourselves,
Imagine if Covent Garden did that.
Are you 'special' people having to pay $$$'s the play these locked down spots?
Who makes these stupid rules over in B.C. ?
What shall we as a body of international street performers do to continue to travel and perform ?
I'd love to go back to Vancouver and Victoria,
Anyone got any more info on how to get a copy of the key to unlock the cell doors and dissolve this bollocks.
NickLast edited by nick nickolas; May-16-2012, 02:01 AM.Comment
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BC is weird. Surrounding the Olympics there were EXTREMELY heavy restrictions and, since it is such a major tourist area, they already have heavy restrictions in place. As I understand it, there was actually a ban on it (all together) for a while a couple of years ago. I'm not an expert on it since I've never busked out there, but this just what I've pieced together about it from news articles and talking with other buskers.
Even Toronto (where I live) is extremely restrictive. I have my permit for the city (which isn't much money, basically just gives the cops a way of distinguishing us from pan handlers that they can understand)... but most places which are "tourist oriented" (i.e. eaton centre, dundas square, harbourfront) are either separate $300 permits or often require auditions and then they schedule you.
I sometimes wonder why I even bother renewing my permit since I don't have enough money to buy my way into the good spots... But even if we are within the bylaw restrictions and have our permit, if a cop tells you to move, you move! Otherwise you lose your permit (among other things).
Wish I could be of more help about BC... hopefully someone can chime in who's Busked BC more recently.Comment
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Nick the last time I saw you was un B. C. And it was a great place to work back then. I've been working back in Key West know for a while .The street is $150a year plus 2 milll. In insurance plus USDA liscence if you use an animal. Plus they tell you where you can stand on the side walk. I prefer the stret myself but no provisions for that. So I work at Mallory, it's still free but there can be a lot of politics.Comment
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what happened to b.c.?? $150 /year that's it??? insurance is not that much either. exactly how much controll do they really have over your spot in kayo weso?? down to the foot & inch ?? limited to certain streets??? is there a formula you can use to look at a map??? is it certain predertermined spots all over the city??? would like to know thanx. mallory square (free is good if you don't know how your act will work there ) is nice but the ability to move around is even nicer.
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You have to stand 1foot from the curb facing the the building , and you have about a 3x5 spot for the street. Insurance is about $250. You can't draw a crowd or block the sidewalk. I usually work in the street for new years eve. Too many people to hassle you. Fantasy fest and some other large events you can't work the street at allComment
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Come to San Francisco! Am I worried about competition? Naww...It would be cool to make SF into THE street performer capital of the world! We're well on our way.Comment
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