busker arrests, confiscation of equipment

[strollivarius]

knowing that the cops there will take your instrument- here's an idea.

take an old instrument case that you can afford to have taken by the cops- and go through the motion of playing the instrument.

Embarrass the cops with a sign that says:

"YOUR POLICE TOOK MY INSTRUMENT AND CONFISCATED MY TIPS for the horrendous crime of STREET PERFORMING.

I am here visiting your city with no way to pay for my ticket home (USA or wherever)"

I am sure the residents of the city are aware of the plight of street performers. They might even gather together and physically protect you from the police. (especially if you are a woman.)

Also- if you are a resident of the city in question which incorporates those nazi-like tactics- and you would like to see them end to enliven your streets with more performers (and fewer "nazis")you could do the above. After all-Where are they going to deport you??!!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSKER!! (whever he come from)

[omnigut]

Where are the worst places for arrests and confiscations? I heard of the Beggar Kings in Beijing who are a sort-of mafiaesque outfit that runs busker spots. I know that Singapore tried banning it, and some people in India have gone to prison. New York's cops are sometimes a little over-eager (and under-educated). But where else?

Thanks, Nick.

[Kazoo]

I'm in Saint Petersburg Florida where singing or playing an instrument with a sign asking for tips (worded nicely) and not initiating conversation is supposed to not be considered panhandling, but the police ticket anyway. I think it depends if they like you or not. (sigh)

I've been looking for options that are legal I'm not a panhandler even if my weapons of choice as a busker is a kazoo and other easy to carry instruments they are still proper instruments. Not easy though.

[omnigut]

I once called my local cops in New York to find out if I could go out busking in the area, and they said "yes, if you have a license". So I called the local government and asked what this license was, and they didn't know what I was talking about. I never got around to calling the cops again to find out what they thought of that. Perhaps that would work where you are?

How's the reaction to the kazoo?

[Kazoo]

Actually not bad but I do add a tambourine to the kazoo, its odd to play the kazoo but I picked it up because its easy to learn and well evolved. I did travel around Europe stopping only in towns and villages not the cities and made a decent living plus saved my money up. One big trick is avoid cities if you go to a town or village you just need to get the ok of the local police and its alot easier. If you look professional and are respectable to them.

But in cities you have more issues sadly and i don't mean the other buskers.

[omnigut]

Hi Kazoo, sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. Which other issues are you talking about; police? laws? the public?

[Kazoo]

For me I noticed three issues in Europe and in the US for larger cities especially:

1. Competition (obvious I loved visiting paris but all the good spots are taken)

2. Police (I stayed in small cities and decent sized towns you often had no permits or major issues with them if your sober and professional.)

3. Cheaper (larger cities cost more to visit and its hard to camp out, I could always toss out a bedroll and do so discretly in most places)

In my area Busking is not common at all so 1 is not an issue, Police can be an issue but you can work around it by being clean and respctable careful to obey the laws and its sadly the last that hurts me. Tampa Bay Florida is not cheap to live in and finding housing is difficult.

But thankfully confiscating my equipment is not city policy as in harassing Buskers the ordinances at the county and city level ban artistic expression (music specifically at the city level) as panhandling if one doesn't ask for money or intitiate conversation. But again the best way to avoid issues is know the law, be clean and sober and professional and treating this as a job.

[omnigut]

Damn that competition. Unionise busking!

Thanks for all the info, Kazoo, it's really helpful.