From: Widerman-AT-aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:23:30 EDT To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet cart Hi Hobey, I am replying privately again. I busked for many years, sometimes making a living off it, mainly in Manhattan, but have tried it in Boston, Georgetown, Athens, Aix en Provence, etc. I had people who recognized, not me, but the puppet, in Athens who also had seen me at Fanuil Hall in Boston. Amazing! Starting out busking is the biggest hurtle. I was inspired by Steve Hansen, who seemed to be able to draw a crowd and pull down hundreds of dollars anywhere he went. After you have "worked the streets" for a day, you will quickly realize it is not begging. It is extremely hard work! Sometimes you perform for no one, and sometimes you have big crowds. You are also at the mercy of the weather. You begin to have a sixth sense for all of this. Although I don't busk anymore, there are times when I find myself somewhere thinking I could make a fortune right here right now if I had my puppet. Reality is that you won't get rich, but you might be able to sustain yourself for a while. My first time, I was a nervous wreck and I went to a quiet corner next to a main corner in Greenwich Village just to try it out. I had such success that I quickly moved to the main corner. "Spots" for buskers are territorial and can make a big difference in your income. You must balance keeping your spot with eating and bathroom requirements. I think your cart will be both an attraction and a burden. I carried one puppet, a top hat and a boom box, and could quickly blend into the crowd in the blink of an eye (see collapsing stage in "Raiders of the Lost Ark.") You will quickly learn the protocol from the other street vendors and local law enforcement. If a police officer asked me to move, I would immediately disappear. If they walked by me, it was like a stamp of approval from the Governor. You might find a friendly officer who will tell you how to stay out of trouble. Fortunately, I was never arrested. I believe Asheville would be very busker friendly. I could glean that I could easily make a lot of money for a week or two there, just from my short visit. I don't know if their is a large enough population to keep you going once the residents have seen you, but you can figure all that out. You'll become adept at counting change and finding a way to turn it into bills. Good luck, and let me know how it goes. -Steven-> In a message dated 8/16/2009 8:14:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, hobeyone-AT-gmail.com writes: I am messing around with making a puppet cart to busk and sell puppets in Asheville. As I've researched the topic I've found some nice illustrations and photos on google image. I've never done this sort of thing. Any of you? I thought I'd do a series of 3 minute acts with a break to sell stuff. I'll probably makke some inexpesive limber JKackks and then some higher end stuff as well as Peepers. The economy has me trying to find new ways of bringing in income and I am going to give it a go. The only experience I've had with busking felt slightly likke begging. I figure if I dress nicer than the passers by and have a puppet wagon theater that looks spiffy I will viewed differently. I thought too that i would do completly different material than my "professional shows" like little puppets , toy theater and mybe some marionettes. I've started on a wagon stage I am attaching a photo of a theater that is an inspirational starting point. Mine will actually be a bit taller and smaller but of the same genre. Any thoughts? [ Attachment: http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20090816/dcca 0ffa/attachment.jpg ] _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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