Ok I am in a small town here in Pennsylvania. I do some Street Performing on weekends & street festivals in the area and am looking to broaden my horizons and get to know more of my fellow Buskers out there.

I’d especially like to meet those of you who do it full time, you know as a living. Having devoured the Cellini DVD’s and his book, stuff by Gazzo, Jimmy TalksAlot’s Book & Blog and even chatting with Kozmo, I want to move ahead with the next step, I want to get hands on with my fellow performers. {Ok that sounded kinda bad, but you know what I mean}

I love Street Performing, and I’d like to start getting together with people who do as well. The Café is great but nothing beats Hand’s On learning.

So anyone for the Pa area out there?

Hey John, I believe that we have met before.
I'm from West Chester and I met you performing at the Ren. Faire. At that time, I never street performed. I really have only street performed twice as there are very few oppurtunities to street perform in my little town. I love street performing, but I am definitely a beginner busker. There really isn't anywhere to perform daily in a college town.

-Joe

Hello John,

We've met at the annual PMC holiday show at the Dutch Apple and at Central Market once or twice. Since school started, my time to busk at Central Market in Lancaster has been cut way back to an occasional Saturday and on First Fridays. I'm glad to hear that you are still out there.

Uncle Yodie

John if you don't mind can you shoot me an email and let me know a good place to work the next couple months in PA? .. And just curious have you tried Kennet Square? .. I'm fulltime I live in Baltimore MD . ..

G.G.

georgegilbertmagic@gmail.com

Hi John,... I wasn't sure if I'd write `cha,.. not sure if it pertains, but here goes,..

Many years, tears, and beers ago; my folks lived in Lebanon, Pa. I was Busking fulltime, at the time,... everywhere but there. Rolling thru, for a family birthday; I fell in love with a beautiful reason to stay there for the summer. The only work in the area, at the time, was `the Three Mile Island Clean-up'; so I decided to stick to the streets.

I used to hang out at `The Illusion House', in Harrisburg. They used to thro me street-fest gigs. Marc DeSousa was hanging out in the area at the time, as well,... with the S.S.S.,...Society of Stoned Socerers. He used to let me in on `garage partys'. They were usually pretty good.

My `big secret' in the area, was Hersey. I used to play the City Gardens, on the weekends. Usually to a middle-aged/elderly crowd,... they were quite pleasant. For adventure, I'd hop the Turnpike to Philly. Usually Wednesdays. The Comedy Club had 5$ entery, and open-stage. The streets, in Philly, then; in the daytime, were pretty contolled. But the National Property, like the Liberty Bell Site, were controlled by National Park Rangers,.. they were always pretty cool,.. if I asked first.

One other sweet spot I had, was at Slippery Rock College, a bit north of Pittsbirgh. I used to play outside the Mess Hall from 11:30 `till 2:00. College kids, at least then, were a lot of fun.

Hey John, that's my thoughts,... hope it gets you thinking a bit,.. maybe tickle ya a bit. Thinking back, Pa. was a BEAUTIFUL place! Getting out there, you'll run into folks!

,..if by chance, you run into a sweet lady named Laurie, from the Lebanon area; don't play cards with her. She lays down seconds, like other women lay bolonia on bread!

all the best, galagher

Hello out there.......
Greatings from Bensalem PA.
check out my web sight for the details.
and drop a line any time.

George, I was thinking about trying Kennet Square. Looked like a good place to go... right on their main street. I drive by there every once in a while. There may not be much foot traffic, though. I don't think there are any buskers that work there, but I don't know for sure.

-Joe

I'm about 1 1/2 hours north of Harrisburg, but I visit about one weekend a month. While interested in busking, I'm no where near ready, unless I loose my job tomorrow ;0 The only guess I can think of would be Strawberry Square during the weekday lunch time, but that is just a guess.

Michael

WOW,

So there are a few of you out there in PA.

that's great to hear. We need to start getting together and share some ideas and such.

I do the Lancaster Central Market most Saturdays. I got my permit for Fells Point so I plan on hitting that on Saturday evenings.

So; if anyone is down my way sometime give me a shout.

I may try downtown Harrisburg on the next holiday event, who knows.

John,
I'll try to make it out to lancaster sometime.
Do you need a permit for the lancaster Central Market?

Thanks,
Joe

Nope

But if you haven't performed there before You'll need to talk to the Market Master when you get there.

I am a busker wannabe. I have wanted to busk downtown on a night the Revolution plays as there isn't really a lot of foot traffic at any other time except possibly noon hour during the week.

Only 2 things have prevented me from getting out there and trying:

1. I'm sure to get hassled by the cops. As soon as 3 or more people congregate they assume it's a mugging.

2. The very real possiblity of getting shot and robbed by a crackhead or 15 yr.
old punk.

York does have a farmers market a few days a week with very limited hours, very little parking for customers and from a local radio program aired recently is struggling to stay open.

Manal -

Check out my buddy's Magic Group forming in York. He runs an online store as well and has fun too. Here is the info:

"The South-Central Pennsylvania Magician's Guild has started a mailing list to keep area magicians informed of Guild events and activities. There is no cost to join the Guild, infact there is not even any formal member registration. We simply meet and discuss magic once a month - usually at an area restaurant for a nice meal and evening of magic. For example, we meet tonight at Old Country Buffet in York to discuss Torn and Restored Newspaper methods. A few magic friends from the Maryland area will be attending as well. Everyone is welcome!

If you are interested in what the Guild has to offer and the events we have coming up, please go to the website:

http://magicvault.net/mailman/listinfo/m......ault.net

you can enroll for our email discussion list. You may also email me directly and I can add you to the list if you like. My email address is mreed@magicvault.net
"

York isn't that far away so if you ever want to hang let me know.

Thank you John,very nice of you.I will look into it after I have had a nap ( been working too many hours).

Jim

Ever since I spent time abroad in Europe and bigger cities in the USA, I was always drawn to busking The state capital has a very di view of it, lumping it in with vagrancy and panhandling. Every attempt by me has gotten shot down by the city council who just do not see the draw for tourists and atmosphere.
UNTIL recently, where I hear a local guitarist has made some headway, and may be opening the door in Harrisburg Fingers crossed!

I was going to suggest getting with local IBM or SAM meetings...will meet lots of folks, including buskers, or those wanting to try (and some who never thought about it, but would try). But sounds like you've got your guild going strong...good!

Did you make any headway at all?

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