A fairly long time ago, I organized a busker hunting event for some cityfolks.
What's a busker you ask?
Merriam-Webster defines the term busker as the following:
: a person who entertains in a public place for donations
I prefer to call them Performance Artists
I prefer to call them Performance Artists
Some images for your photoreceptors to enjoy...
Buskquest day arrived and unfolded quite similarly to a day of hunting down character signatures at Disneyland, with no lines to wait in. We spent much of the day guided by a weathered-looking treasure map I created to find the entertainment heroes hidden in the nooks of The City.
The time was pre-motherhood.
The place... San Francisco.
I continue to search for buskers on my own today, now with my son. Always a treat to find an unexpected street performer. This weekend San Diego's very own Busker's Festival was held by Seaport Village. It's been incredible to witness how this event has grown and made a well known mark since its inception back in 2007.
I have a great admiration and respect for these performers. While most entertainers perform to a prepaid audience, these modern day talents are artists at their very core as they must work and continue to keep a crowd going. I thought I'd share a few snappyshots of the talented and delightful eye-candied spectaclemakers.
The magical and enchanting voyage of the Umbrella Ship
Perhaps, you've stumbled into one or more of these famous
buskers of notable fame:
Bush Man
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California
Be on the look out for men jumping from behind bushes round these parts!
Baton Bob
Alanta, Georgia
This baton twirler was honorably named 'The Ambassador of Mirth', and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Opera singer Litz Plummer wondertwin activates her musical powers with fellow songster and operatic tenor, Robert Close to form the singing sensation mainstays posted at the end of Maiden Lane in Union Square.
San Francisco, California
Larry Wright, Credited Bucket Drummer
New York, New York
Johnny Hahn, Pianist Extraordinaire of Pike Place
Seattle, Washington
And quite likely the most ridiculously successful busker, Robert John Burck, better known as
The Naked Cowboy (the nude dude) of Times Square.
A fixture in New York, New York, New York, New York
He performs with his guitar wearing only a cowboy hat, boots and his unspeakables, and claims to average about $1000 per day.
The next time you are delightfully surprised as you round the street corner, make certain to support your local one man/woman bands, jugglers, fire breathers, sword swallowers, cariacature painters, troubadors, minstrels and flea circus acts.
Show them your warm appreciation by placing some greenbacks, yen, euros, francs or banknotes into their buckets and hats. Better yet, bring these performance artists to your next event.
These talented lads and lasses work hard for their money, and are doing their part to make the planet a far more beautiful place to call home. I welcome you to adventure into the lives of those who are divinely passionate and truly love their professions.
The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.
-Mary Oliver
Bye-byeonara
x
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