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M.Frymus Loyal user Oakville, Ontario, Canada! 293 Posts |
So, it just came to me not too long ago. Why not go busking?
I had in mind to go busking before, but I never went for it. Not too sure why. Maybe its that the stuff I had in mind wasn't good. So, I have been discussing with a friend about doing a duo magic/comedy busking show in downtown Toronto. Now, I've never done this before. I do however have a LOt planned out and pretty much set to go for this summer. My question is; Do you think its a wise idea to go busking to earn some money during the summer? Its better off doing this and having fun with my friend then sitting at home wishing I was performing. However, I have in mind that people will recognize me as a busker rather then a magician/illusionist in the future. What do you think?? My second question is a permit. Does anyone know if I need a permit to perform in downtown Toronto? There are a LOT of people. but, do they need a permit? And for those of you in the Toronto area, which place do you think is the best place? My thoughts were beside the CN Tower and Rogers Center? - would I need permission from them or the city? Thanks in advance.
MICHAEL FRYMUS
Director of Photography WEBSITE: michaelfrymus.com 289.795.4195 Filmming worldwide Email: dop-michaelfrymus@live.com |
MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
One thing you do not mention is your experience as a magician and in what area of magic. As a starting busker you will have a lot to learn. It's generally accepted that it takes a year of full time busking to get beyond the stage of sucking out on the streets. How many hours of performing does that equate to for a part-timer? I'm a part-timer, mostly because the nearest viable spot is 3/4 hour away and also travel costs and my health - I'm 66 years old. But you will remain at zero hours of performing on the streets until you get out and make a start!
The good thing is that you are about ready to get out there. How much you will earn, who knows? There are too many variables to take in to account. Go out and find out! Do a search [see top of the screen] for "busking Toronto" and see what info you get. Some of the thread posts in The Sidewalk Shuffle have mention of busking in Canadian cities. You say you "Maybe its that the stuff I had in mind wasn't good." Well, think about where you are going to perform - on a street where as a starter I suggest you perform parlour style [not close-up style] standup tricks [not ones that require a table]. Your priority in what tricks you perform should be: Give the public what they want to enjoy, rather than what you like to perform. Quote from you: "I have in mind that people will recognize me as a busker rather then a magician/illusionist in the future." The future? First you have to get under way in the present. You can leave busking behind at some stage if you find other forms of performing magic suit you better. "a duo magic/comedy busking show in downtown Toronto." This should help your confidence to start with - say for 5 days busking - and then you should get out and work by yourself so you are not reliant on coordinating getting out with your friend, but just get out and do it yourself. There are a few books published about Street Magician work, and a couple of DVD sets. I'll leave others to contribute their ideas on this. Are there any Street Magicians at work in Toronto that you can watch and talk to? Otherwise, probably good pitches are where buskers set up. They will have found good sites already, so see about performing at those places [get there ahead of them, or talk with them about sharing time at the site - or move along half a block or so]. Street Magic should be a blend of you enjoying entertaining others, and getting some money. All the best as you start out, Colin/MagiCol
The presentation makes the magic.
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The Great Zoobini Elite user Boulder, Colorado 443 Posts |
MagiCol's got a good point...You'll become dependent on your partner if you don't do it by yourself. I remember a very good guitarist who just couldn't play without his buddy...He had become wimpy and was too scared to perform alone.
Meet you in Busker Alley
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RayChance New user 23 Posts |
Yes you need a permit to busk in Toronto and depending on where you have to get permission.
Yonge and Dundas Square you need permission, the permit is good for pretty much anywhere on the sidewalks, but as soon as you step onto someone's property ex CN Tower/Rogers you need to ask first. Harbourfront area would be good, Queen Street, Yonge and Dundas... Let me know if you do it cause I'd come watch |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Just to set your mind at ease it is very easy to busk and then move on to other platforms. The British comedian Eddie Izzard, a household name over here, with huge television exposure, began as a busker. Irish comedian David McSavage I believe still busks as well as filling theatres throughout the country.
Its another arena for learning to get good with a crowd, and if you do it right you can make money.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
It is always better to go busking!!! Even if all you do is set up a table
and do a few of your best things. You'll learn more in 1 day than you would doing 10 regular paid gigs. One of the best decisions I ever made was to stop "strolling" and start "busking" at my baseball park gig. It went from an easy gig to a difficult (but great) lesson in all the stuff I wasn't doing right. But I stuck with it.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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