Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:37:53 -0500
From: Mary Horsley <mphorsley-AT-earthlink.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] busking


Steve Hansen was one of the first professional shows I ever saw.....My
librarian in Santa Maria took me and my nieces down to Santa Barbara to see
him. It was an experience!

Mary H. 


On 2/24/08 11:10 PM, "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com> wrote:

> Steve W. mentions Steve Hansen a most gifted street performer. One day I
> happened to be on the UCLA campus, and saw Steve crossing the campus with his
> puppet equipment packed on his  back at the same time a photographer was doing
> a fashion shoot. By happenstance, Steve ended up in the background of the
> fashion shoot for PAY.
> 
> Being in the right place at the right time seems an important aspect of good
> busking.
> 
> ALAN COOK
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Widerman-AT-aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 3:01 PM
> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] busking
> 
> I performed a marionette act in New York City during the late 1970's and
> early 1980's. I was inspired to do it by Steve Hanson, the Puppetman, a
> talented  
> busker whom I met during the time he was working in New York. This was during
>  the Koch administration, and enforcement of vagrancy laws and other
> street-related free enterprise was rather lax. It is now virtually impossible
> to  
> perform outdoors in New York City without being stopped by the authorities. It
> is remarkable how much the atmosphere of the city has changed.
>  
> Busking is a great way to hone your skills. Income is directly related to
> entertainment value, and you can fix things or try new things out on the next
> audience in a few minutes. Skilled street performers are very engaging--by
> necessity. However, you are also at the mercy of the weather, the local
> enforcement, and other street vendors and vagrants.
>  
> Although people would forget me, they always remembered the puppet. Once,
> while performing in Athens I was recognized by someone who had seen my act at
> Fanuil Hall in Boston! The South Street Seaport would schedule street
> performers, but I found their scheduling to be too restrictive. My regular
> spots  were 
> in Central Park near the entrance to the zoo during the day, and in
> Greenwich Village on 6th or 7th Avenues near 8th Street in the evening. I
> recall  
> busking in Georgetown during the 1980 World Puppetry Festival in Washington,
> DC, 
> helping to pay for my attendance to that Festival.
>  
> Having a good spot is key to income, so territoriality is a big issue. I
> would often work a lucrative spot as long as possible, meaning until  I
> required 
> use of a restroom. I met many other buskers and street vendors,  and sometimes
> notables could be found in my audience on the  sidewalks.
>  
> It was very hard work that at times seemed hopeless, and at other times was
> very gratifying. Later I opened a puppet theater, ending my street performance
>  days, but that's another story.
>  
>       -Steven->
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> One thing about busking is that the income is directly related to drawing
> the audience and putting on a good show.
>  
>  
> In a message dated 2/23/2008 11:57:22 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> grego-AT-gregoland.com writes:
> 
> On Feb  23, 2008, at 9:30 PM, Rolande Duprey wrote:
> 
>> Busking is  hard.
>> 
>> I did it on South St. Seaport once (NYC) -- made enough  for the ride
>> home.
>> 
>> Anyone else busk with  puppets?
>> 
>>  Rolande
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
> (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duff
> y/
> 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
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