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MagicalChris New user Oregon 53 Posts |
This may be a stupid topic.. I wanted to know if anyone gets asked to leave, or not to perform in a certain area because they may consider it loitering or something of the sort..
thanks, _________________ -cHw |
btaxin Regular user san francisco 152 Posts |
Chris-
This is not a stupid question. Getting moved by the police is part of the deal when you're working the streets. The best way to deal with it is to be extremely mobile so you can easily move and find another spot. Consider this when you decide what you're going to present. You've got to be able to set up quickly, and also be able to pack up and leave quickly. Good luck! Bob Taxin |
Magicman0323 Special user Just outside parts unknown. 713 Posts |
I'm lucky enough to be friends with all the local police officers, so I don't get asked to move often. But it has happened to me before, and like btaxin you DO have to be able to get outta dodge in a hurry!
You'll wonder when I'm coming, you'll wonder even more when I'm gone. - Max Malini
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MagicalChris New user Oregon 53 Posts |
Alright, thanks for your help! Maybe it would be a good idea to get one of those stools that you step on and it just does into like a hat or whatever!
That way the audience still sees you doing magic while your getting out of there. |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
This is not a stupid question. Getting moved by the police is part of the deal when you're working the streets. The best way to deal with it is to be extremely mobile so you can easily move and find another spot. Actually, I mentioned once that the first time I'd performed, my show was broken up by a police officer... oddly enough, when I tried to pack up and move, he stopped me with a spiel about how I could be picked up for loitering and what not. (He also asked the crowd to move along saying; "He's not going to jump me." I wanted to respond; "They don't think I'm going to jump you... they want you to leave so I can get back to work!" But I also wanted to sleep in my own bed that night, so I refrained. :dance:
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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dmb1025 New user 29 Posts |
ive been asked to leave many times, so if it happens say thank you and close up shop.
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btaxin Regular user san francisco 152 Posts |
Once, during a street show in Paris, the police tried to shut me down and the crowd booed them away! They left, rather than confront the crowd. I thanked them and continued, and they were very generous with their tips. However, after everyone cleared out, the police were there to arrest me! Ever since, when the police ask me to leave, I leave (and set up somewhere else).
Bob Taxin |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Chris,
It's certainly not a stupid question; in fact, it's one that should be raised more often. Bob Taxin has probably the best answer: Be extremely mobile. If you are hassled by the authorities, you are NOT going to win in the long run. Just do what they say and chalk it up to the cost of doing business. That's why, in my street work, I stick pretty much with organized festivals and the like; anywhere that I have permission -- or am even encouraged (or, best of all, paid by them) -- to perform on the street. That way, if you are there, you obviously have a right to be there. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
Robinson New user Michigan 28 Posts |
Sorry Chris, i'm a cop in my night life... doing what they say is the best thing to do. I never enforce this because I end up watching And the only reason cops get forced to keep street performers from working is because the gov't isn't getting a kick back. Its the truth. I think it's stupid, so thats why I dont care and watch the show.... what are they doing to do fire me : )
The best kept secret of magic.. practice
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Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
yea it hapens,
hay Mr. Robinson we need mor cops like you!!! have a unfortunately As of late, most cops would rather deal with the harmless street performer than drug dealer or mugger not fair but that is life. Be polite, clean up quick. btaxin you were stuck beteen a rock and a hard place, If you had a good enough crowd to boo away the cops, how do you gracfuly end your show early?
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-06-18 22:11, Robinson wrote: The last time I was asked to move, it was on Thayer St. See if this exchange makes any sense to you; OFFICER (a lt.) What are you doing? ME Performing magic. OFFICER What's with the bucket? ME People give me tips. OFFICER I won't have it! ME Um, I have a license that says 'no direct solication of funds' they told me a passive bucket was OK. OFFICER That bucket's a direct solication for funds (Thank goodness he didn't see the sign on my case that reads; "Support Street Magic, Put Something In The Bucket!") And the license says, at the discretion of the police, doesn't it? ME Yes sir. OFFICER I won't have it. I've got you here, I've got the guitar player down the street and the clown on the other block and it becomes a circus and I won't have it. (While I'm getting packed up) OFFICER If you didn't have the bucket out I might change my mind... I really didn't hear the rest of it because it stopped making sense at the point. Either I'm creating a "circus" or I'm not, the bucket shouldn't have anything to do with that!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Talking about a hat or the like: I don't live near New Plymouth city here in New Zealand, and don't intend busking there, otherwise I'd contact the Council and ask, but right now I'm puzzled over the New Plymouth District Council's apparently simple guidelines for busking, yet they include "Ensure that on no account there is any form of soliciting or canvassing for donations..." Maybe it means 'no direct solication'. But to me, hatting a crowd as part of busking when doing magic seems to be what the show includes. If I sell balloon models, I gather that the general rule in NZ towns and cities is to obtain an iterrerant selling licence or the like - and pay some money to obtain it.
The presentation makes the magic.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
That's almost like having a law that says:
Having a lunch counter with food on display shall be legal, but no actual sales are permitted.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
The 'no solicitation' laws are generally illegal; if they want to make it illegal for a busker to ask for money, then they would also need to make it so a church can't solicit donation, nor could a politician solicit a donation.
Of course, explaining that to them is always the problem. -JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Dustin Baker Inner circle California 1006 Posts |
I don't busk that often anymore, but I've been asked to leave spots on occasion.
A business owner walked right up to me and told me to leave because he said I was disturbing his customers - pointing to the crowd watching. I gestured toward the crowd and responded, "I think you're disturbing mine sir." This was followed by laughter from the crowd as well as a vocalized consensus that the man should leave me alone. It occureed to me that he might have been referring to the people inside his shop. So after the performance I went into his shop (a small Café) to apologize for bothering him and them. When I came in, the place was packed! He came directly up to me and thanked me for attracting so many extra customers. Gotta' love it.
Think inside the box. . . it's less crowded.
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Grant Horton New user Texas 51 Posts |
I think I agree with many of you on the aspect of being able to pack up quickly and move, sounds like always it is best to be prepared for anything including being thrown off. I've not had the experience of busking, only walk around on the street so I can't help with that part. However, I can tell you from the skateboarder's side, when I'm out skating at any one spot for a length of time it is just expected that I get kicked off eventually. Usually though if we are filming or the like, we ask to get one more clip, or to just land that one trick so we have it on film. Often the officer/staff will let us depending on the location.
I would think the same applies to magic performances, perhaps ask to finish your current routine, at LEAST the current effect. Then explain that you will promptly leave. Also as always feign ignorance of the law (if there is one) and that you didn't know, most officers if of a respectable nature will take sympathy on that fact as not everyone knows all the laws. AND, if I remember correctly there IS a plea of ignorance of the law that gets people off in the courts as well sometimes, so it IS valid. |
Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
Jimmy Talksalot addresses this in his new book. His opinion summarized is swallow your pride, smile, and move on.
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mota Inner circle 1658 Posts |
I think anyone who has questions about street performing will find Jimmy's book, "TO LURE WITH SPECTACLE AND OUR MYSTERIOUS SOCIETY" invaluable.
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TheGiz Veteran user 335 Posts |
I've been "moved on" on few times. Usually it's because there has been trouble in the neighborhood. A stabbing, mugging etc so they clamp down. I notice the Seattle police clamp down right at the beginning of the football season to make the downtown look safe for the families that come down from the suburbs. They then ease up a little as the season progresses. I've had the same cops watch the show and laugh & leave me be. Other times they whispered, "After this show you have to go." I tried to reason with them but they said you can't be here. A few weeks later no problemo. That's life here.
Prof. Gizmo |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-29 01:24, Dustin Baker wrote: I've been doing some stuff outside the snack bar in a local park. Been there a few times and the last couple of times, the owner has given me a free hot dog! (I would prefer a pizza, but begger's can't be choosers) I wonder if he's doing better business when I'm outside performing!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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