Busking in Boston

[Juggalicious]

HARVARD SQUARE PEOPLE: Am I just not seeing the variety/magic/juggling acts? where are you guys? I've been three or four times... but it's usually in passing by to go to my friends apartment. I usually look right in front of Au Bon Pain .

Help please.

Thanks,
Alex

[ 09-30-2003: Message edited by: Juggalicious ]</p>

[gazzo osborne]

Faneuil hall,in boston is the best busking pitch in the world

[harmonicakev]

Hey Gazzo, I guess you are claiming that Faneuil Hall Marketplace is the best pitch financially. For us musical types, acoustics are better in the subway, and the crowds at Harvard Square tend to be more fun but noticeably poorer. According to Etiennes posts after the recent election crowds are "smaller, more stingy with their money, and afraid to laugh." I'm not sure if this was referring to Faneuil Hall or Harvard Sq. Harvard Sq. does not seem to be quite as lively on a weekend night as it used to be. From my point of view, the square has become progressively less special a destination; more national chains, less local one-of-a-kind places. Wordsworth R. I.P.
I would be curious to know if other Boston performers agree with Etienne's statement about this year's crowds? I don't have a lot of direct personal knowledge anymore, as I only busk about 30 times a year these days. My party/festival gigs have been steadily getting better since the down year that followed 9/11/01.
Oh yeah, this thread was originally about legalities.
If you are un-amplified, and not blocking the sidewalk, then the Boston Common is ok. Subways (Music Only, no trumpets) require a permit; I'm not sure, but I think they do a criminal records check.
http://communityartsadvocates.org/saahistoryBoston.html has a bunch of info on Boston and other places where people busk.
the City of Cambridge has a web site with the Cambridge ordinance.

[pablo]

Harvard Square

I have 2 questions about Harvard Square:

Is it a seasonal venue, or year-round?

Are there any quick-sketch, portrait or caricature artists? Are they busy?

I'm looking for a reliable venue for my slow months - December & January & maybe a few weeks in the spring.

Thanks!

[harmonicakev]

if you can perform when it's freezing out, you're all set.

[Butterfly Man]

a trick I learned along the way

Put some vasaline petroleum jelly on your hands and then wait about 20 minutes ... it's like wearing gloves ... without gloves.

[pablo]

Margaritaville here I come!

Yuck, I hate cold weather.

Maybe I'll leave my wife & kids and go to Key West.

Or maybe I'll stay here and get one of those 9 to 5 jobs that everyone else has.

Or maybe not.

[Butterfly Man]

cold ... you don't know the meaning of the word.

Hey ... why not come here? ... in Los Angeles you can be miserable with beautiful sunshine everyday.

[harmonicakev]

busking dock square

Happy New Year all; had a great time working Dock Square, (the other side of Faneuil Hall) on New Years Day. It was so warm that I was sweating. Got to see Jason the ecape artist from NYC do his show. I really liked the way he handled a mean heckler, i.e. nonchalantly, without drawing extra attention to the guy.
According to Steven Baird's web site,

http://communityartsadvocates.org/saahistoryBoston.html

the City of Boston has promised a federal judge that they will no longer enforce the old anti-street performer regulations. There will be another hearing soon, either in January or February I think.
Realistically, it is unlikely that outdoor busking will be possible again until late February or early March. Even the subways are tough this time of year. Ciao. Kevin Mc.

[harmonicakev]

Boston Phoenix article

An article in this weeks Phoenix about the recent civil suit against the street performing laws in Boston at this link:

http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/04383305.asp

OR pick it up free from a box if you live around Boston. Kev Mc.

[Mark Wessels]

the new boston

Hey boston folks,

I know it's still frigid and snow covered but I am eager as hell to hear about what's being tried and what's working as far as newly legal pitches in Boston. This could really make Boston a decent city to busk in. Someone keep us posted.

See you perhaps this summer,

Mark

[harmonicakev]

There is still lots of snow, but it was pretty nice out this Saturday(2/5), 46 degrees F when I had to leave Dock Square to go to a gig. Not as busy as I thought it would be..someone, I think Dave the Juggler, was working Quincy Market's West end...and I think Cesar from Inca Son was working in front of the NE Aquarium. I don't know what that S. American instrument is that sounds like a flute, but I definitely heard that sound coming from the aquarium area.
I'm not sure where any other big circle pitches might be; there is plenty of room up at government center. Musical acts used to work there alot in the late 70's, early 80's, 'til Mayor Flynn got tired of the Jimi Hendrix guy, and started kicking everybody out.
Iwas talking about this with another performer recently, and I've heard many reports about musicians on Newbury Street, but I'm not sure where. Anyone have a clue?
Also, it strikes me that the plaza at Copley Sq. may have potential both for music and big circle acts.
I'm not really sure what the permit situation is. There were supposed to be some negotiations during the last week of January, but with the blizzard and the little storm in the middle of that next week, it's hard to say what's happening. I would guess that they may be requiring permits at some point.

[teeloo]

contortion street performing?

Hi,

I was thinking of street performing in Boston/Cambridge this summer as a contortionist. Never seen it before, but I'm primarily an aerial performer, and that doesn't work for busking

Anyone got any thoughts on whether it would work or not?

[stickman]

Bendy Em

http://www.bendyem.com/

Lovely young lady who's got a great contorsionist show.

Stickman

[harmonicakev]

where are Boston performers?

"There are more (unofficial/sometimes enforced, sometimes not) pitches around Boston... The Common, Newbury Street, Marketplace Center. And I didn't even touch on the extensive Subway scene...(Music only) but my hands are getting tired of typing. I'm sure the other Boston guys will add more...." (JIM)


Where are the other Boston performers besides myself and Jim? maybe in Florida? too bad you're missing all that snow. Maybe they don't have computers? try your local public library.
I'm still curious about Newbury St., in fact the entire Copley Square/Back Bay area. Has anyone seen any busking activity there in years past, and if so where?
and once again, for more information than you thought existed on ordinances, spots, lawsuits etc., go to Steve Baird's web site
communityartsadvocates.org
Still not sure if I really NEED a permit to busk in Boston; we'll find out soon enough.