busking book

[Rachel Peters]

fecal matter toss-ology

I'd like to write a sub-chapter, solely dedicated to poo-flinging.
-why it's funnier from apes than from humans.
-and why it's funnier from behind glass than face-to-face.

I don't look forward to the research I'll have to do.

[jesus]

I guess that the other news letter I posted was just the welcome letter. Here is the first news letter full of great tips:

This is the first installment of your 4-part "Hit The Streets"
newsletter.

Today we will cover the basics about street performing.

This is the structure of most street shows.

1. Setting the stage - This is where the performer creates the stage
before he starts the show. Create a stage in an interesting manner and
people will automatically stop to watch you.

2. Gathering a crowd - In my opinion, this is the most difficult part
of any show. You have to stop total strangers in their tracks and get
them to watch your show. Only by doing something interesting or unique
can you get people to stop and watch you in action. In my book, 'Street
Performer', I, go into this in much greater detail.

3. Holding the crowd - Getting a crowd is not the end of your job. You
need to keep them curious and interested in your show so that they hang
around till the last minute when you pass your hat around.

4. Performing your show - This is the part where you actually go into
your show and make sure that each trick you do is better than your last.
You want your show to be exciting, entertaining and building up to a
grand finale.

5. The Finale - This is when you deliver your hat lines and launch into
your final, grandest effect in your show and WOW the audience. You must
have a positive effect on your audience at this point. Leave your
audience with a lasting memory of your show. The happier they are the more
they donate.

6. Passing The Hat - Basically, all you do now is walk about with your
hat and let the kind folk who watched your show drop money in your hat.
It's a sign of appreciation on their part to say that you entertained
them and that they acknowledge your talent.

In a nutshell, that's what street performing is all about. It's not
rocket science but it is not that easy either. You need to have a good
knowledge of street performing and a grasp of certain fundamental skills.
My 'Street Performer' book has all the info you will need about
performing.

Maybe armed with this knowledge I can start to go somewhere with my career.

[Flyin' Bob]

A Jumbly Park Book

Rachel, here's a place to start your research

http://honchie.com/honchie_html/s_results_detailed.asp?id=33

[Rachel Peters]

Yeah, jesus. It's not rocket surgery.
It's not easy. But it's not hard. Do good. Be cool... and um... don't suck.

The monkey book. ...If it's real, I will SO buy it.
Without going into great detail, I will say that I have had some experience in this field -- at least observing and mopping up, in the nursing home I once worked at. Maybe some of them read this book. They were pretty good at it.

[Lee Nelson]

i saw a troop of baboons holding a tourbus of Germans hostage yesterday. It was funny and I laughed. I think this is conclusive that baboons are funny but also just a little bit scary.
Im not sure if this image will stay with me forever but I hope so.

Jesus, that sure was some good advice about street performing, the only way im gonna buy that book is if it gets a personal endorsement from Osama bin Laden

lee

[martin ewen]

yay for hard science

I really appreciate the depth and width of this site.
(and it's shallowness too)
Where else could a subject tangentially shift to baboons and their comic potential or lack of it and then, a street theatre professional writes from deepest Africa with up to the minute observations.
Thanks Lee.

[jesus]

Osama

I would think that for OBL to be interested the book would first have to be slanted towards his opinions on street performing.
Uh oh I fear I am flirting with politics.

[Rachel Peters]

i just got a reply from one of the testimonials. he's a real guy. he really did love the book. helped him a lot, he says. he recommends anyone buying it. He e-mailed his compliment and was asked permission (via e-mail) to use it for the site. meh.
he doesn't know the author.
there's a money back guarentee, he says. i think someone should buy it.
...but not me. because I don't have the energy. ...or care.

[jester]

How do you know he's a real guy? He could be a very clever baboon in an internet cafe spamming off season?

Rhesus monkeys are funny but if you go near them, go in somebody elses car. Oh and stay in the car, they bite.

They love peeling plastic and rubber and stripping trimmings from automobiles. This is of course hilarious if you aren't the owner of said vehicle.

Their backflips are hilarious and their running off with trophies is nearly as funny as watching the faces of the owners who have just had their wheel trims nicked.

[Rachel Peters]

out-stupiding

I have a friend named Kyle. He and I used to always compete in "out-stupiding" each other.
All it ever took to get him to do something stupid was to say, "If Peters were here, SHE'D do it." It would insult his masculinity, and he'd... I dunno, eat dish soap or something.
He gets the occassional brilliant idea, and one of them was to slather his rusted car in Cheez Whiz and peanut butter (completely --when crusted up in the sun, it looked like more rust) and drive through African Lion Safari (the local drive-thru safari, where the baboons tear you car apart, like Jester described).
I can't remember why, but I wasn't able to join the party the day he attempted it. He packed the car full of giddy teenagers and video taped it. ...it was supposed to be huge. The monkeys were supposed to go nuts and rip his car to shreds. Nothing happened. The baboons must have caught on. But it COULD have been real cool... had it worked.

...good story, eh?

[gav]

I've got 2 guesses as to who this guy is.
Tom Piccard, or Chance.
Just guesses though, not really going on any solid evidence here, just a hunch.

[jesus]

From Shawn

Here is an email that I recieved today:

Dear Geoff,

I received an email yesterday from a reader who doubted my claims. I've
included the email here to share it with all of you...and I just want
to say this...This is a free world so you are entitled to your own
opinion, but "Don't knock it till you have tried it"...that's all I'm
saying.

************************************************** **************

Hi Shawn,

I was just wondering if you could prove your expert status as a
street performer before I consider buying your book.
I find it strange that no one in the international street performing
community that i know has ever heard of you, especially considering
that you have claimed to be
performing for many years all over the world. I know many other street
performers that have done the same, and they all know of, or have heard
of each other,
but none of them have ever heard of you. When googled, your name only
comes up in regard to your book, when as a professional performer it
should come up with a wealth of links to your accomplishments, or at
least some images of you.
Do you have a website that show cases your performance history and
skills? Can you tell me where it is that you have most performed ?
I'd really like to believe that you have the knowledge that you claim
to write this book you are selling for such a high price, but it is a
bit difficult to do so.
Enlighten me if you can.
Thanks
(i've not included the writer's name)

This was my reply....

Hi xxxx,

I did find your email interesting...and your doubts are well founded.

My real name is Shawn Leban. It's not my stage name.

I'm highly protective of my real identity. You might be rolling your
eyes now...and I understand.

I have a few reasons for this. Firstly, many street performers are a
close knit community not willing to share much in the way of information.
It's understandable since they want less competition.

Secondly, if everyone knew who I was, the places that I do busk at will
be closely watched and I will have competition. As good as I think I
am, I'm not willing to take my chances.

Thirdly, no matter how good you claim to be, there will be others who
think you suck. I don't want my peers to think I'm unworthy of writing a
book.

I've performed at many street festivals...from toronto, waterloo,
halifax, fremantle...to festivals in singapore and japan. If I were to tell
you my performing name...you will definitely know who I am...or at
least be able to find links to my act.

I've sold quite a few copies of the book and guess what? Some of the
"popular" performers have bought it too. They will not tell you...but I
am.

There is a reason I offer a 90 day money back guarantee...just in case
you think my book is crap, you can return it. Just for the record, I
have not had a single refund for the book...and if you want, I can even
refer you to customers who have given excellent testimonials.

$29.95 is not a high price, considering the value the book offers.

There is a saying that you can never please everybody and I don't
intend to. If you want to give my book a try, go ahead...if not, that's cool
too. There are thousands of performers on the street...I'm the only one
who has written a book on how to do it. Ask yourself why...and then you
will realise why it's best that my I keep my stage name private.

Thank you.

Shawn Leban

************************************************** **************

Well,...what more can I say?

Have a good day.

Shawn Leban

[Rachel Peters]

i got the same one.

[gav]

with that info, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out who it is. There are very few performers who have performed at the fremantle buskers fest, as well as halifax, toronto and waterloo.
I'll scratch Chance from my previous guess, because I'm pretty sure he hasn't done waterloo and halifax.
Of course, there still is the chance that the credentials are made up.

Perhaps it's actually nick nicholas(not his real name) and he just posted to promote his book slyly ?He's done all those fests I think.

Martins done all those too, maybe it's really him.

I don't know if Tom Piccard has done them or not.

[Rachel Peters]

now, please.
Martin's book would have involved bigger words, projectile vomiting on Japanese people, and at least one chapter anayzing poo/bum jokes. And that's a book I would read.

(have we forgotten that every one of his links leads to one certain site? ist possible this whole thing stems from Steel Town? The Hammer? The Tim Hortons Capital of Canada? Home of the Tiger Cats? "OSKY WA WA!")