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Thanks for all the pointers Kazoo! I'll have to wait till I'm actually down in Ft. Lauderdale to scope out private venues, I'm just trying to do as much preplanning as possible. I haven't done alot of busking and only did it once outside of Pittsburgh, so this forum has been a great help for finding out about other cities and how to work them before I get there. I'll be down in Miami Jan 5, then over to Ft. Lauderdale in beginning of Feb. If anyone wants to hang or show a new guy around let me know!
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Which is one of the main reasons that I don't live in Ft. Lauderdale most of the yearTrue, so if he needs a crowd then he will need to approach malls or other major locations. Ft. Lauderdale has touristy places such as boat piers used for tourist trips, lots of people in season and they must have likely right of way privileges. If a group of them say ok perform you can have a captive audiences as the tourists wait for the boats to leave and they return. Its a matter of needing to find big enough venues. And I did circle shows and still do at major city events with some others but its only a matter of size. You need to have people that need to stay long enough for a show and find private property that will allow that. Churches and other venues might also hire them for a show for a bit of money up front and the right to collect tips, perhaps enough up front to pay for the travel.
I might suggest mix it up do a circle show that is shorter than usual and more intimate performances one or two entertainers at other venues to optimize profits. It just takes more work and effort in Florida its not always easy, when I toured Europe on my own I had to avoid major cities due to the best spots taken. So I went to smaller places towns and villages, made likely less money and had to work harder but had the benefit of no major Busker presence if any.
Thinking outside the box is what I'm good at this would just take more planning and maybe one person with a DVD and mini-player with a show on it to scout out spaces getting permissions. And yes I prefer to be solo I have more options and can play more places easier BUT for a serious act like this footwork and calls are demanded. I know that area and you can't just pop in and perform, I can't see that as an option in most of Florida if its a circle show. There are exceptions but as a guideline we locals work alot harder or end up flipping burgers.
. I usually come back to visit once a year at Christmas. I don't see my family very often so, I usually stay for a month or so.
I have been proactive in a lot of ways. I've scouted at least a half dozen locations down here, I contacted local events like Clematis at Night (no reply) and the Riverside Arts Market (worked it--it was nice), I've also worked Key West and I'm looking for an opportunity to get up to Clearwater to give it a shot. I also have local contacts that I've developed over the last ten years and usually pick up one or two corporate gigs while I'm down.
You're right though, there's not a lot of opportunity for big circle shows down here. I wish there was, it's what I do and it's what I love to do. Even if it wasn't big money I'd work a small pitch that was close to me for the pleasure of working--however, I'm not going to break my neck opening a new pitch while I'm on vacation.
CateComment
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I'll probably be gone by the time you get here, but I'll keep an eye out for something that might be useful for you. I will warn you though, this isn't a great area for busking and it's especially bad for developing. If you already have a professional show, you might be able to convince some people to let you play on their property, but if you're just starting it's going to be a hard sell.
If you do a small show or a walk by show, there are some places on Lincoln Road that might work out for you. The licensing procedure seems to be kind of complicated though.
CateComment
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Thanks Cate. Well I've been performing in Pittsburgh for over a decade, I have a few shows I've created over the years. Some that would work on street and some that just don't. I'm working w a new partner now and we're testing out a new show together. When we busk it we're going to throw in some extras I think too and maybe remove a few things to make it better for the environment. Should be good times.
It's a shame Ft. L isn't a good place for Buskers. I don't understand why towns wouldn't like us. Maybe they just associate us w panhandlers and won't give us a chance. Oh well. I'm planning a nice tour of the whole country this year, so it shouldn't hurt me too much if a few places are going to be a little tougher to perform in.Comment
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Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If they talk about street performing in Hollywood they will probably mention me. I have performed at almost every major event for the City of Hollywood for the past 13 years. They hold some great events.
I have always said, if I leave Clearwater, I'd move to Hollywood.
The park you mention is very nice, but as was stated, not worth the time unless there is an event.
On the beach, the Broadwalk, as it's called there, there is an ampitheater that frequently has musical acts. Further North of the ampitheater there is a fountain/water park/handball courts. This is where I work when there.
Hotels are within a stones throw from the pitch and resonable.
There is also a pizza joint right there that is very popular.
Also near a bar called NIck's that's just south of there.
I have worked this pitch alot and have never had a problem. Could be from the fact that the city hires me for all there events and they know me. I don't know.
If there is a permit needed for that area, it would be worth getting. There are ALOT of French/Canadian snowbirds there. And for me, Canadians ARE like canoes.
There you have it in a nut-shell,
Good luck!!Comment
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Wow
This is why I went from going on this site 50 times a day, to once every couple of weeks....
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Why's that? A lot of the info you gave was really helpful. I already used a bunch of it... it is a bummer that we don't get more traffic on here though.
See you next week.
CateComment
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Clematis....
This is a really great event I'd usually go there on Thursday for any gig I did on the East coast for the weekend.
Last time I talked to the "big guy" he said that once construction is completed, they'll allow buskers back.
They tore down the library and are building a park or something there.(last I checked)
Did you go out to the Broadwalk?? Any problems??
That was my problem....All the info and no one letting me know if they tried it or checked on it.
I may just show in West Palm next Thursday on my way to Miami anyways. Or just work my pitch here.
Looking forward to meeting you.
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