Are there any buskers in the Las Vegas area? I may be getting down that way the week of the 14-18(next week), and would love to see someone work. I've heard that busking doesn't do so well in that neck of the woods; can anyone confirm this?? Let me know.

:jump:

From what I understand (I'm not in Vegas), the casinos don't appreciate anyone out on the sidewalks who may be keeping the people from coming INSIDE and spending their money. It would probably be difficult to busk in Vegas, because that's where the people are...in the casinos.

The last time I was out there, Harrah's on the strip had street performers out on the sidewalk by the outside bar. Kind of a street scene that they put together. The guy I talked to said he was doing well. The also have some street shops etc.

Also check the downtown area. There were some musicians and a juggler down there. They are hired by the downtown association. From what I understand, they get paid well.

Besides that check with Jeff McBride at http://www.mcbridemagic.com. He has the lowdown on the magic scene there or will at least be able to let you know who to contact.

Bro Paul is right. They are "hired." There are a few venues like that, if you can get in to them. The Aladdin Casino has it's "Desert Passage" indoor shopping mall and they frequently have performers there. No magicians though...

And Morgan Strebler (of "Liquid Metal" fork bending fame) performs here at one of the high end restaurant/bars. I believe it's at the Bellagio in a restaurant called "Caramel."

I always look for em when I am in Vegas...but never see anyone, it's too bad really.

Last time I was in Denmark I looked for some Grey Elephants. Couldn't find them either.


Maybe one of these days...

I hear that las Vegas has more magicians per capita than any other city in teh world.

But I guess most folks who go there have a better way to get rid of money than tip a busker. But maybe if you dressed up like a slot machine......

BroDavid

Mickey Silver would do great here!

Las Vegas has less public land per capita than any other city in the U.S. That's not hard when you have 1.5 million people and are still growing, but it's not a great place for busking unless you could make it work on the Strip. And it won't work on the Strip because the public sidewalks are so narrow that building a tip would block pedestrian flow and incite the cops' wrath. Even the freelance water vendors and escort service/religion promoters avoid blocking the sidewalks in any way.

Well, Thanks for the info, even if there is not too much street action. As for dressing up like a slot machine, I'm working on a costume already... By the way Dave... Is Planet Mirth still up and running? As I remember they were the absolute BEST place to shop for magic in Vegas and for that matter, the world.

...and don't even try the "freedom of speech" gambit. It's been tried. It doesn't work here. Although the casinos don't own the sidewalks, they do "own" the sidewalks as far as traffic in and out of their casino is concerned. Oh yeah, and having an ex mob attorney as Mayor doesn't help our plight either.

Yes, Planet Mirth is still there. Earl shares a parking lot with Denny and Lee's. D&L has him beat on general magic stuff and books though. Earl concentrates more now on clowning and kid show supplies.

This was several years ago. I called the city and was told that what was needed to be done was you had to actually talk to people in charge at the hotel casino it's self. If they agreed to you performing on the sidewalk in front of the casino that was fine as long as you were not obstructing traffic etc.... This may have changed over the years as it was late 70's early 80's when I looked into it.

That sounds about right. But you won't be the only one asking. Casinos are still a pretty "tight" community. My wife worked as a valet for a while parking cars. You would think it was a rather menial position, but the only way she got it was on the recommendation of the owner of the Casino, Steve Wynn. My wife knew his wife, yadda yadda,...

You have to know somebody to get anywhere in Casinos. I'm not ready to play that game, which is why I have a "day job" away from Casino life.

Even tho it would still be a hard thing to do the Down town area near the Golden Nugget would be a good spot for busking. Don't go further then the Golden Nugget tho. Well you could go as far as the Four Queens. Any further and you have the pan handlers and street walkers to contend with as well as the other things that can and do happen in the down town area. Yes there are street walkers lurking around,as well as other undesirealbe people in that area if you go past the above two casinos

There are a LOT of great potential places for busking in Las Vegas. The problem is, getting permission to do so. The Casino owners really want you inside their building at the tables, so anything that impedes their money making is considered a nuisance.