Saturday I went to a park in Detroit. I wanted to try busking in front of an area where parties were located. That was an area buskers would not have to worry about police officers but of all the different kinds of parties that happen on a regular basis.

I saw a big party. It was a family reunion. I asked who was in charged. I ask that person if they would like some magic there. She told me no. It ended everything already. I should not of asked permission. I should have just set up my props about 15 feet from the border line and tried busking from there. It someone would have interupted me, I could of just asked for forgiveness.

I went to a second party in the park. I was nervous again. Someone saw me and mentioned my name. He knew me from a different party. I asked him if I could set up for magic. He said "Go right ahead." I felt less nervous. During my set up the mother of the birthday approached me and told they do not have any money to pay me. I told her people can leave a donation if they want to. I even told her two dollars is ok. She said "ok" and walked away. After I gathered half the party as a close crowd I started to perform. The performance was very simple because I am use to it. The tricks I did in order is 5" Sponge Bunnies, 8 Linking Ring rountine, The Thing, Misers Dream and Chair Suspension. When I was finished I told the crowd they can leave donations with dollar bills. I increased it by telling the children to ask their mommy or daddy for a dollar bill so it can be placed in the can. I made a few more bucks.

I walked to a second kid's birthday party. Someone knew me at that party too. I just set up asking the name of the party person. I heard kids asking if I was going to do magic. I walked around the party to try to lead them to my performance area. I performed the same tricks in order as I did earlier. Some of the adults were more excited than the kids. At the end I asked everyone to hold up a dollar bill high in the air. Of course they thought it was another trick. I think everyone did place the money in my container like I requested.

I was getting practice that day to see how it felt. The set up without asking permission is the hardest part. Gathering the crowd and the performance is simple because I already got several years headstart on that. Closing with the collection is easy, but I still need better words.

I did give out a lot of my cards. The only thing I am worried about is if I get a phone call about a birthday party and the person says "Can you do that same act you did before where we can leave you donations? I promise a lot of people will be there." They are going to think of me as cheap.

I would feel better asking permission. That way you don't look like you're intruding on their function. Maybe make it clear that any reimbursement is on a strictly voluntary basis. (I notice in the second case, the woman had to come up and TELL you that they didn't have money to pay you with. That should have been brought up first thing to ease their minds.)

You can tell them that you were out there drumming up business. Then tell them what you charge. If they like you, they will pay. It's like the free samples at the grocery store.

But Ed, I am not 52 yet: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/searc......=5242065

I agree with Dave, Gabby and Jimmy: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&forum=6

Jimmy explains it all:
http://jimmytalksalot.blogspot.com/2007/......han.html

Hmmm, I'm not sure that is exactly what is meant by not asking permission.

The way I see it is this... busking takes place mostly ( but not always) on the streets. That way it is up to the skill of the performer to persuade people to stop and then to pay after they've seen the show. Not asking permission, I think, alludes to the fact that it is better to simply set up and perform than to go through the sometimes draconian process of applying for permits etc... this can refer to both working streets and "gatecrashing" street festivals.

Personally I think that what you were doing. Innovative though it seems. Is more like turning up to a private event and offering your services... not exactly busking. What you were doing, I think, takes a lot more brass than busking but it is not busking. Ah... I've got it... this is why I don't see this as busking... YOU made the approach... the crowds were already there and you simply hopped between private functions to a ready- made crowd. A busker sets up and persuades people to stop and watch... they bring the crowd to THEM. Sure, they set up where people are more likely to stop and watch but the people don't have to if they don't want to whereas by setting up on the fringes of a private event you firstly feed off that events legitimacy and energy and you deny yourself the experience of building and holding a crowd for yourself.

Next time out go to the same place. Set up in your area ( and not too near an organised event) and define it as your pitch and try to build a crowd and perform a show... I gurantee you a whole different experience.

Of course, if it works for you then disregard everything I've just said... there are no hard and fast rules.

tom

I understand what you are saying Tom. I should have explained a little more in the first post. I did what I did at the private parties to get as much experience as possible before I hit the streets. I am getting to know the timing on my tricks, the applause, my set up time, how to close, etc. I picked the park area for my practice spot because I would not have to worry about any officers, and the people were already there. This way gives my a headstart before busking in the streets. In other words it is better to start off with "park" busking instead of practicing in front of a mirror, then hitting the streets.

Hey Mike, GREAT!!
It's good to hear you're out there. Man, it made me feel good for ya!! Hey, I like Pitch!, and your trick selection as well. Especially `The Chair Suspension'. Great!! You don't see that everyday in Central Park!,.. Super.,... Man, in a few years, everybody's going to be asking for YOUR video! Keep it up!!!

Hey, about folks thinking you'll play partys for `a hat'; I've NEVER had it inturpreted so. Folks always ask what it'll cost.

All the best,
great stuff,
gallagher

You didn't do a street show. You did free birthday parties.

Why is this in the busking forum? Perhaps it should go to The Little Darlings?

Robert

Thanks Gallagher, I appreciate it. I can feel it is not far away.

Robert, do me a favor and go to "The Little Darlings" and hold me a spot. Stay there and keep holding me a spot until this thread is transfered there. Thanks for your support.

:)

If your going to get them to all hold out dollars in the air as they think its a trick why not make it a trick?

change bag?

lots of little cheap sweets etc?

easy

Not a bad idea at all... Especially while busking and trying to hat parties in the park! I see this as taking some of the heat off the "Pay Me" part of the show. Seems like a pretty brutal crowd to play to.

Mike, the only way to perfect a street show is in the streets. Working next to birthday parties is not a bad idea, but the street is the only place where you can get street experience. Making smart comments to those trying to help may be counterproductive when people stop trying to help you.

I would of never known if you wouldn't have told me.

Call it whatever you want. Don't let someone like Paddy or myself who have actually performed in street atmospheres stop ya.

Robert

I rather listen to those who have been performing on the streets help encourage me.

Double standards there mike

remember when I was posting for help in the little darlings you flamed me almost instantly

but now its you that needs help you expect it?

If people pay for the party space, it sounds more like party crashing and begging than busking- in my view.

If the party space is free, I'm not sure I view it that much more differently. I know that I would see it as an imposition if I was having a party.... But I suppose one takes that risk if one has a private party in a public park... Maybe.

Leapinglizards, I can understand what you mean if it was a paid party spot. I would not take it that far. I would not do a wedding reception or company picnic. It really depends on the occasion and type of crowd.

But it was just a park in Detroit where people come and get free areas. Soliciting is common in Detroit Parks. Sometimes a clown wants to sell balloon scluptures, photographers offer to take a picture and print it on site, guys walk around trying to sell pirated CDs and DVDs, etc. What I did was something new, but not strange to the crowds.

Ok, if it is a free area, then it is a free area. I suppose everything is in how you handle it.