Need advice on busking and housing in Italy, especially Venice

[Irina]

Hey yall, I am heading to Italy in September, and I need advice on busking (anybody knows anything about face-painting rules? is it considered busking or you need street artist licence?) I also need advice and may be contacts for housing - I checked hostel prices, and they are very high...anybody knows any dirt cheap places to stay? Thanks! peace-Love, Irina

[gav]

Can't really give you any solid advice apart from what I've seen.
Italy has a lot of illegal street sellers and hence they have special 'financial police' that go around enforcing the law. I don't know how that relates to face painters.
Try airbnb.com for accommodation.