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abracadanny New user 69 Posts |
For 3 years I have been telling myself that I was going to go to NYC and do busking. I've done research, read build on it, watched DVDs, Been to magic lectures about busking, and put together a show. But as you all know it just comes down to doing it and I still have not. There are multiple reasons but the main one comes down to,(drumroll please) I'm scared to do it. I know for a fact my first couple times I will suck and I am not a fan of failing. I have decided that this coming summer I will go out and do it. I'm not doing it to make money. I could break even or loose money for all I care, but I am trying to do the 10,000 hour rule. Also, I could learn a ton from doing this. But I'm posting here to get some help about busking Specifically in NYC. I'm from NJ and I go to Midtown often but have never been to Washington Square Park and have only driven through Central Park. So here are my questions.
1. Which is more crowded and have more people who will stop and watch between Washington Square Park or Central Park. 2. I know that the parks are verry big and have different areas with different things. Because I'm not familiar with the parks, Where do people busk in the parks(cross streets) 3. Where do you perform? Clearly you don jus go into the middle of a crowded area and set up you're show because you would be "disrupting walkways" but you don't want to go where nobody is. 4. I know there are of limit spots in both parks and things you cans be within a certain amount of feet of, but I don't know what those are. 5. Lastly, I don't want to upset other performers by doing my show to close to them. What is the rule of thumb for respecting boundaries of other performers. Thanks. Magical Wishes, Danny |
troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day Danny
I would like to encourage you do what you plan - and just go for it mate. I have been busking in lots of places in different countries and yes the issue of what the rules are can be a concern. For instance in Beijing China I quickly worked out that the police would arrive soon after a reasonable crowd was formed (and they had big sticks and no sense of humor). In Munich Germany the undercover police explained to me I needed a permit and took the details from my passport and promised that if I continued to perform it would not be a simple warning next time - lack of competence with the language was an issue because I could have got a permit no worries if I knew where to go. Waikiki Beach area in Hawaii - no permit needed but make sure you are on the correct side of the road and not blocking foot traffic. Lots of other places like pacific Islands and Indonesia - no problems at all. In Australia - different rules in every town and city. The way forward I have found is to look it up with a google search - I found the following info on a Blog when I googled "Busking rules in New York City". All the best with your plans and I hope you go well. The next bits are from the Blog: Taking It to the Streets: Need-to-Know Info on Busking in New York City Busking in streets and parks Despite tension between performers and police – and some very public legal battles about street performance as a First Amendment right – performing on the streets of New York is legal according to the official website of the City of New York. NYC focuses heavily on permits (you even need a permit to play tennis in the parks), and it can be easy to get caught unaware by law enforcement. To reduce your likelihood of having problems with police, keep these things in mind when busking in New York City parks and streets: No performances between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. if you're within 50 feet of a residential building; 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. everywhere else. Stay at least 500 feet away from schools, courthouses, churches, and hospitals during operating hours. You need a permit to use an amp. The cost is $45 per day. Apply for a Sound Device Permit at your local precinct. Apply for a Parks Special Event Permit to perform within earshot of a park. Applications must be filed at least three weeks in advance of your desired date, and cost $25 for up to a month of performances. To perform at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, apply for a Ferry Terminal Performance Permit online. Where can you perform in the parks? In addition to requiring a Special Event permit in order to play music, some NYC parks also have contentious rules requiring performers who accept donations to perform in specific locations. These performance spots are marked by a medallion set into the ground, and performers must set up directly behind the medallions. Union Square, Battery Park, the High Line, and certain portions of Central Park have all installed a limited number of medallions throughout the parks. Maps of the approved performance locations in these parks are available online in the city’s FAQ sheet for performers. In all parks, performers are also asked to keep off of the “furniture,” so avoid tables and benches. Bring your own chair if you need one! All the best mate. Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob) |
NYCTwister Loyal user 267 Posts |
Hi,
Assuming a show geared for adults, but can also play to kids - It's best to do recon. Take a day start in WS around one, get a feel, and then go to CP and spend the rest of the day. No pressure and it might help with your jitters, since you'll be doing something towards your goal without the pressure to perform. Having said that, WS is always crowded for the most part. You'd probably have to hat more aggressively there. CP is crowded in nice weather esp, on weekends and during the summer. WS is small so set up where you think is good and see how it goes. CP is huge so you want to set up near the places where the foot traffic merges, 65 and 5th, 59 and Columbus, Literary Walk, Wollman Rink etc. Though there are a lot of rules, basically you will be OK as long as you don't block the walkways and/or entrances, make a nuisance of yourself, or create a danger. If you're approached be polite. If asked to move, move but ask where it would be OK. You have the right to perform in the parks, without permit, but most officers aren't sure of the rules. So let them tell you where they're comfortable having you perform in their area. It's a little trick that saves a lot of hassle. There are a lot of un-used places in CP. You should find a spot you like. Common sense should take care of whether you're stepping on someone else's spot, or not. This is the main pdf spelling it out - https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/57......-faq.pdf Follow the link on the bottom for the official city website. That's all you should need. Have your show down pat. Read all the first time threads here. Take a friend the first few times, for moral support and to be a photographer. Hat aggressively right from the beginning, even if you thought you sucked. People expect it in NYC, and you deserve it, so get the money. Being funny goes a long way here. Above all, get over your nerves and have fun. If you're not having fun people sense it, and you'll have a bad time. Just sayin' Good luck.
If you need fear to enforce your beliefs, then your beliefs are worthless.
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abracadanny New user 69 Posts |
Thank You Bob and nyctwister
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Eric Evans Special user Rio Grande 668 Posts |
Cellini thought every magician should work a year on the street. He thought the lessons there were the most important, and would help a magician grow, faster than any other method. It worked pretty well for Whit Hadyn. Just ask him.
Of course the lessons learned come at a price. And that would most often be the blow to most magicians egos. And being a magician, you know we have pretty substantial egos. We have to, it's part of the role we play. Bravo to you for you giving it a go. Speaking of New York specifically, don't forget the Streets. Last time I was there it was only unlawful to work the Avenues, a sidewalk show on any of the Streets around Time Square for example, was perfectly legal. I can only imagine with DeBlasio in office now, things have loosened up even more. As to Parks, I liked the Promenade in Central Park best. Washington Square was too weird for me, the energy there was whacked at the time. Break a leg, and restore it. |
abracadanny New user 69 Posts |
Thanks Eric!
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Bobert New user Stephenville TX 88 Posts |
The "Mall" or Literary Walk in Central Park is a great place to get your feet wet. I spent a full spring, summer and fall working there and it really built my confidence. Also there are some great performers who will also occasionally work the Mall. You will learn alot, have fun and you will make a buck or two. Get out there and have some fun!
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eric.qq New user NYC 10 Posts |
Hi, I moved to NYC finally. And think about go busking downtown.
I read this post now, it's Sep. 2018. how is your busk Danny? |
D. Yoder Veteran user 376 Posts |
I have busked in Washington Square, Battery Park, and in Central Park without any issues. Granted, I was only there for an hour or two and then moved on to play tourist with my family so I don't know how it would be to regularly busk there.
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