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A Master of the Streets
Presents:
THE REAL ART OF STREETPERFORMING
By Clown Kevin who performed in 40 countries in the last 25 years.
There are very few street artists in the world
that will ever make it to such an international level. Kevin has won several international prizes for his talent.
Entertaining on some of the toughest streets in the world is not an easy job. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes. Turning your show into real art requires you to read the atmosphere. Setting up a show at the wrong place, at the wrong time, could cost you serious injury, deportation, fines and even your life. I remember well performing on the streets of Jerusalem with the electric feeling of danger in the air as bombs went off almost daily around me.
Whether in Jakarta during Black Day, in Berlin when the wall came down, or in Detroit where many of the kids pedal crack and guns, it is the intent of this book to give you, as an entertainer, the deepest perception of today’s world in the streets.
We are sure no book has ever been written that covers so many entertainers and distant lands. So sit back and put yourself in a street performer state-of-mind as you read Masters of the Street.
Busking is not for everyone,
nor is it for anyone.
Just for some of the other ones.
- Kevin
Kevin Enright now lives in Switzerland and has been using Europe as his home-base for about 20 years.
This book was completed in 2005. It took 25 years to assemble enough information for this book. Some of the messages are quite strong as, under the freedom of expression, the author openly communicates his real feelings.
Chapter Outline
Manual skript 95%percent completed on Feb 19. 05 DEADLINE FOR SKRIPT IS MARCH 15 05
Introduction 3
Australia 9
New Zeeland now edit.
The street kings of Europe now edit
Switzerland 13
Germany 35
Spain 42
Portugal 47
France 48
Belgium 52
Holland 53
England 55
Scotland 58
Cyprus Now edit
Israel Now edit
Egypt / Red Sea Now edit
Asia Intro 60
Confucius 66
Thailand 96
Brunei EDITED to here, FEB 2005
SECOND PART TO BE COMPLETED MARCH 15 05
Indonesia
Japan
Philipines
Canada
Conmen and games they play
Internet information
Internet scams and hoaxes
The History of Sword Swallowers
Agencies that hire Street Artists
Street performing festivals of the world
Newspaper clipings of Kevin
Glossary / Index
Introduction
Can I make you laugh? Can I tell you the message is peace and fun? Can I write about kindness and destroy an old enemy with a nice word? Can I tell you about a spiritual state of mind? Can I beg you forgiveness in the case of mishap? Can I say that it was my friends who carried me thru when I was weak and without them I’m nothing but a feather blowing in the wind. Can I say my wounds heal everytime I can find a kind word to write ? Can I write my story of happiness and sadness with great truth even if the story is sad? The endgame is coming nearer as we get older and I hope my story will touch a few hearts and connect a few missing links between special people, who got lost in the world and did not make it back home. Most of you know nothing about street performing and I hope this book will really give you a good insight into our unique world. Some say we are freaks. But we all know who the real freak is, so lets move on to more interesting subjects and let’s go deep into the soul of this wonderful art, where only a few performers have ever gone.
Profit was never my real motive, neither was religion. Just needed to be free from a no risk lifestyle. Behind all the hardships, sorrow and makeup, there is a happy man who has seen many parts of the world and feels he is at peace with an international lifestyle. I would love to share with you all a magical day.This book is dedicated to my mother, Matthew E., my sister Cheryl and my wife Barbara, Vince M., Jeff K., Stephan H., Stephan S. from Detroit, Juan from Joy, Alberto from Madrid Blues Bar, Uwe and Hämpu. You are the ones who carried me. I’m very thankfull to you all. I’m standing well today. You all inspired me dearly. Thanks to you, life has been most pleasant.
Behind the Mask of Kevin the Magical Clown
My name is Kevin Micheal Enright. I was born in Chicago in 1962, but grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At 18 years old, the first stop of my decades-long journey was in Europe. As a pantomime and balloon clown, I went to Amsterdam, a place overflowing with street performers and liberal rules-- good reasons to go there. I can recall well the August nights in the Leitseplane Plaza. The square was full of clowns, mimes, magicians and musicians from all over the world. For me, it was awe-inspiring to see so many artists doing their thing. Coming from the USA, I couldn’t hide my amazement at how a country allowed activity that was 100% illegal back home.
Today, stiff fines and a world dominated by private companies who are paranoid of lawsuits are preventing buskers from performing, outlawing them from roads, shopping centres and even out of the parks. After performing in over 40 countries, I decided to write this book. But take heed: This book does not make the world look any more exotic than it really is. I highlight the truth and realities that every artist will have to face. In my travels, there has been a lot of joy and just as much sorrow. It’s a big world out there and I still wonder if I ever will make it home.
Now, as I finish writing in 2005, I can clearly see that people are so busy they allow things to get out of control. Only when a person can look past others’ complexities, can he or she find their real qualities. I decided to write a book as there does not exist a Lonely Planet Guide for entertainers and, without meaning to be boastful, I have travelled countries much more extensively than many travel-writers, or most of the other authors of the Lonely Planet or rough Guides. I speak six languages to some extent and have entertained millions of people from all walks of life, young and old alike. But now, it’s not what I did that counts, but what I can do for others. On this basis, I will share interesting facts on people and street culture and what I have learned about western entertainers.
This book is perhaps the most factual and up-to-date book ever written about street artists or entertainers. This is mainly due to the fact that this type of book could only be written by one who truly experienced the world as a street artist. The only real secret of a street artist is mastering survival. I recorded over 100 SPs in research of this book.
*Masters of the Street is written in special English for my less-than-fluent English friends.
Special thanks to : NAME ALL WHO HELPED RESEARCH OR INSPIRED ME
All people who helped me with the book should be mentioned here: Publishers, Co Author, Researchers. Special thanks to Toot the Clown, Performers.net, Mr. Cellini, Jeff McBride, Jeff Sheridan and David Blaine, Perry the Hobo, Bill Bryson for inspiring me to write about a special lifestyle which almost all people wonder about at times. I make no claims to know all of these people personally, however their books or lifestyles or arts have inspired me greatly.
Street Performing is perhaps the most misunderstood job in the world. Governments from all over the globe are looking down on us. They know we are not paying taxes correctly and are not easy to find when needed. The people in the West are spoiled by television and watch shows with a fixed audience and all the props ready at hand. In my life, I have seen hundreds of street artists fined, arrested, deported and living daily in fear of harassment. Instead of governments respecting street artists, we are prosecuted and repeatedly told: No street performing allowed! The police and their superiors have all forgotten the most important things on Planet Earth: freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom of using our cities to see and hear the joy, laughter and music that street art can present. The atmosphere of a good street show is second to none and costs almost nothing. Sadly, performing on the streets is not yet understood by our greedy governments, who only protect the buildings and companies and their commercial interests.
I have read some books on street magic but none that offer insight on all kinds of street artists. Jeff Sheridan and David Blaine both wrote nice books on street magic. Jeff covered more of the history of street magicians, while David Blaine skillfully presented up-to-date magic and new wave techniques with an all-American street perspective.
But so far, none have written a book that could tell what it is really like for street artists around the world - not just in the USA or England. In my opinion, this is not the whole world; it is only just the beginning.
After some research, I discovered there were too many tourist travel books. Most of these books never speak the truth at all. They only tell a western tourist how to think for himself and make biased critiques. So what is really out there? Real artists never think about taking pictures of the fake tourist attractions. They want to know the real dangers so they can see the real picture. Whether the image is positive or not is inconsequential to many of us. We are the real, free spirits of today. I wonder if the world will ever wake up and realize it. This book is not for people of yuppie idealism. We street artists were born to explore, not to drink cappuccinos in cafés or waste away on fast food, booze and unreal happiness. I never saw a Seinfeld program in my life, although I watched Colombo a few times. So let’s talk about what I do know: the streets.
Presents:
THE REAL ART OF STREETPERFORMING
By Clown Kevin who performed in 40 countries in the last 25 years.
There are very few street artists in the world
that will ever make it to such an international level. Kevin has won several international prizes for his talent.
Entertaining on some of the toughest streets in the world is not an easy job. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes. Turning your show into real art requires you to read the atmosphere. Setting up a show at the wrong place, at the wrong time, could cost you serious injury, deportation, fines and even your life. I remember well performing on the streets of Jerusalem with the electric feeling of danger in the air as bombs went off almost daily around me.
Whether in Jakarta during Black Day, in Berlin when the wall came down, or in Detroit where many of the kids pedal crack and guns, it is the intent of this book to give you, as an entertainer, the deepest perception of today’s world in the streets.
We are sure no book has ever been written that covers so many entertainers and distant lands. So sit back and put yourself in a street performer state-of-mind as you read Masters of the Street.
Busking is not for everyone,
nor is it for anyone.
Just for some of the other ones.
- Kevin
Kevin Enright now lives in Switzerland and has been using Europe as his home-base for about 20 years.
This book was completed in 2005. It took 25 years to assemble enough information for this book. Some of the messages are quite strong as, under the freedom of expression, the author openly communicates his real feelings.
Chapter Outline
Manual skript 95%percent completed on Feb 19. 05 DEADLINE FOR SKRIPT IS MARCH 15 05
Introduction 3
Australia 9
New Zeeland now edit.
The street kings of Europe now edit
Switzerland 13
Germany 35
Spain 42
Portugal 47
France 48
Belgium 52
Holland 53
England 55
Scotland 58
Cyprus Now edit
Israel Now edit
Egypt / Red Sea Now edit
Asia Intro 60
Confucius 66
Thailand 96
Brunei EDITED to here, FEB 2005
SECOND PART TO BE COMPLETED MARCH 15 05
Indonesia
Japan
Philipines
Canada
Conmen and games they play
Internet information
Internet scams and hoaxes
The History of Sword Swallowers
Agencies that hire Street Artists
Street performing festivals of the world
Newspaper clipings of Kevin
Glossary / Index
Introduction
Can I make you laugh? Can I tell you the message is peace and fun? Can I write about kindness and destroy an old enemy with a nice word? Can I tell you about a spiritual state of mind? Can I beg you forgiveness in the case of mishap? Can I say that it was my friends who carried me thru when I was weak and without them I’m nothing but a feather blowing in the wind. Can I say my wounds heal everytime I can find a kind word to write ? Can I write my story of happiness and sadness with great truth even if the story is sad? The endgame is coming nearer as we get older and I hope my story will touch a few hearts and connect a few missing links between special people, who got lost in the world and did not make it back home. Most of you know nothing about street performing and I hope this book will really give you a good insight into our unique world. Some say we are freaks. But we all know who the real freak is, so lets move on to more interesting subjects and let’s go deep into the soul of this wonderful art, where only a few performers have ever gone.
Profit was never my real motive, neither was religion. Just needed to be free from a no risk lifestyle. Behind all the hardships, sorrow and makeup, there is a happy man who has seen many parts of the world and feels he is at peace with an international lifestyle. I would love to share with you all a magical day.This book is dedicated to my mother, Matthew E., my sister Cheryl and my wife Barbara, Vince M., Jeff K., Stephan H., Stephan S. from Detroit, Juan from Joy, Alberto from Madrid Blues Bar, Uwe and Hämpu. You are the ones who carried me. I’m very thankfull to you all. I’m standing well today. You all inspired me dearly. Thanks to you, life has been most pleasant.
Behind the Mask of Kevin the Magical Clown
My name is Kevin Micheal Enright. I was born in Chicago in 1962, but grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At 18 years old, the first stop of my decades-long journey was in Europe. As a pantomime and balloon clown, I went to Amsterdam, a place overflowing with street performers and liberal rules-- good reasons to go there. I can recall well the August nights in the Leitseplane Plaza. The square was full of clowns, mimes, magicians and musicians from all over the world. For me, it was awe-inspiring to see so many artists doing their thing. Coming from the USA, I couldn’t hide my amazement at how a country allowed activity that was 100% illegal back home.
Today, stiff fines and a world dominated by private companies who are paranoid of lawsuits are preventing buskers from performing, outlawing them from roads, shopping centres and even out of the parks. After performing in over 40 countries, I decided to write this book. But take heed: This book does not make the world look any more exotic than it really is. I highlight the truth and realities that every artist will have to face. In my travels, there has been a lot of joy and just as much sorrow. It’s a big world out there and I still wonder if I ever will make it home.
Now, as I finish writing in 2005, I can clearly see that people are so busy they allow things to get out of control. Only when a person can look past others’ complexities, can he or she find their real qualities. I decided to write a book as there does not exist a Lonely Planet Guide for entertainers and, without meaning to be boastful, I have travelled countries much more extensively than many travel-writers, or most of the other authors of the Lonely Planet or rough Guides. I speak six languages to some extent and have entertained millions of people from all walks of life, young and old alike. But now, it’s not what I did that counts, but what I can do for others. On this basis, I will share interesting facts on people and street culture and what I have learned about western entertainers.
This book is perhaps the most factual and up-to-date book ever written about street artists or entertainers. This is mainly due to the fact that this type of book could only be written by one who truly experienced the world as a street artist. The only real secret of a street artist is mastering survival. I recorded over 100 SPs in research of this book.
*Masters of the Street is written in special English for my less-than-fluent English friends.
Special thanks to : NAME ALL WHO HELPED RESEARCH OR INSPIRED ME
All people who helped me with the book should be mentioned here: Publishers, Co Author, Researchers. Special thanks to Toot the Clown, Performers.net, Mr. Cellini, Jeff McBride, Jeff Sheridan and David Blaine, Perry the Hobo, Bill Bryson for inspiring me to write about a special lifestyle which almost all people wonder about at times. I make no claims to know all of these people personally, however their books or lifestyles or arts have inspired me greatly.
Street Performing is perhaps the most misunderstood job in the world. Governments from all over the globe are looking down on us. They know we are not paying taxes correctly and are not easy to find when needed. The people in the West are spoiled by television and watch shows with a fixed audience and all the props ready at hand. In my life, I have seen hundreds of street artists fined, arrested, deported and living daily in fear of harassment. Instead of governments respecting street artists, we are prosecuted and repeatedly told: No street performing allowed! The police and their superiors have all forgotten the most important things on Planet Earth: freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom of using our cities to see and hear the joy, laughter and music that street art can present. The atmosphere of a good street show is second to none and costs almost nothing. Sadly, performing on the streets is not yet understood by our greedy governments, who only protect the buildings and companies and their commercial interests.
I have read some books on street magic but none that offer insight on all kinds of street artists. Jeff Sheridan and David Blaine both wrote nice books on street magic. Jeff covered more of the history of street magicians, while David Blaine skillfully presented up-to-date magic and new wave techniques with an all-American street perspective.
But so far, none have written a book that could tell what it is really like for street artists around the world - not just in the USA or England. In my opinion, this is not the whole world; it is only just the beginning.
After some research, I discovered there were too many tourist travel books. Most of these books never speak the truth at all. They only tell a western tourist how to think for himself and make biased critiques. So what is really out there? Real artists never think about taking pictures of the fake tourist attractions. They want to know the real dangers so they can see the real picture. Whether the image is positive or not is inconsequential to many of us. We are the real, free spirits of today. I wonder if the world will ever wake up and realize it. This book is not for people of yuppie idealism. We street artists were born to explore, not to drink cappuccinos in cafés or waste away on fast food, booze and unreal happiness. I never saw a Seinfeld program in my life, although I watched Colombo a few times. So let’s talk about what I do know: the streets.
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