Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan King on January 29, 2010 at 10:59am

Amen Roger. Thinking outside the box is the way to go. You really never know til you try, and you'd be surprised at how many people will hear you, wherever you are, and take note.

One thing to keep in mind is, "get permission."

I was shocked to learn that in Denver, Colorado, you need a street performer's license. Just to set up on a curb somewhere. And (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think you can get fined if you don't have that license. That really surprised me.

Is it like that anywhere else? You need a busking license or something?

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on January 29, 2010 at 1:50pm

Heck yea, in Wichita KS, you need a street performer's license to play on the streets... and then you need the permission of the business the borders the public sidewalk where you sit down to play.... and yes, you can be fined if you don't get the license....

But, even with the barriers, I'll be out there this spring....

the best,

Wichita Sam

Nathan King said:

Amen Roger. Thinking outside the box is the way to go. You really never know til you try, and you'd be surprised at how many people will hear you, wherever you are, and take note.

One thing to keep in mind is, "get permission."

I was shocked to learn that in Denver, Colorado, you need a street performer's license. Just to set up on a curb somewhere. And (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think you can get fined if you don't have that license. That really surprised me.

Is it like that anywhere else? You need a busking license or something?

Permalink Reply by Rich Amazing Dick Leufstedt on January 29, 2010 at 2:25pm

I'm gonna spend my $ 1.00 this Spring and busk for beer money .
Up here in Worcester Mass theres been talk in the music community to try and start a busking scene.
I'll be there with my CBG and Ukes.
AD

Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on January 30, 2010 at 7:07am

York Pa has a minor league ball team, The Revolution. I'm looking into busking around their front gates during home games.

Permalink Reply by One String Willie on January 30, 2010 at 12:56pm

Doc Oakroot shared this a few years ago--its' a web site that lists open mics

http://openmikes.org/

Some of the info is outdated, but it is another place to start looking.

Best regards, Willie

Permalink Reply by samsunight on January 31, 2010 at 6:29am

Places that I've gigged, or seen someone gig that surprised me:

1) Farmer's Market- There's one over in Delaware that advertises music on Saturdays. There was a bluegrass band there one Saturday.

2) Gift shop- A lady who owned a gift shop was looking for someone to play jazz guitar while people milled about. Easy gig and decent money.

3) Daycares- Willing to play kid's songs?

4) Art festivals

5) Flea Markets

6) Busking- check to see if it's legal first (wrote this before I saw the other replies. Keeping it, rather than changing the numbers around!"

7) Town Squares- many towns have an "Arts Council" that try to have some sort of live entertainment

8) Libraries- larger libraries try to have "events" that attract families in the evenings. They would have a conference room that they would let you use.

More when I can remember....

Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on January 31, 2010 at 7:52am

One thing we tend to do is think in terms of playing in natural music areas.
That limits your possibles. Think in terms of areas where music might seem a little odd.NOW your possibilities just opened up!
We forget sometimes since we're consumed with these instruments that MOST PEOPLE never heard of them.Hard to believe but its true.Those are the people your going after, those are our targets if you will,
What you will find when you play in an area where the people are not familiar with your music is how open folks are to a new form of music ( to them).They will come to YOU asking 2 questions, (1), do you build your own and how much they are?"
)2) how do you build one"?