(OTTAWA) — Buskers in the ByWard Market want the City of Ottawa to see them as performers, not panhandlers, and keep its hands out of their pockets — and their hats and guitar cases.“I’m going to move if they don’t change,” said Paul Perreault, a Cirque du Soleil-trained acrobat.

Just in time for the municipal election, buskers are getting organized in response to a city bylaw that went into effect last spring. The bylaw requires street performers in the Market to pay up to $200 for licences, rotate positions frequently and make do without voice amplification.

In response, buskers have formed an association, endorsed a candidate in Rideau-Vanier and voted unanimously in favour of a proposal to amend the bylaw.

Perreault said the current rules are so restrictive, they’re making top-notch international...

[ Continued ]

(CLEVELAND) Maurice Reedus, Jr. is one happy man since Cleveland has opened it's streets to buskers and street-performers.Thanks to the "Sax Man" legislation, he can now blow his horn legally on the streets of Cleveland after twice being arrested this year.

"Let Freedom ring!" declared Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman once the legislation was passed. "All of the major cities have lots of street performers. This is the home of the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. This should be a musical town."

Officially, the Street-Performer's Ordinance covers, but is not limited to, "acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reciting and clowning."

Reedus is also the subject of a new movie. While everyone knows of the iconic Sax Man, few know his truly...

[ Continued ]

A veteran Nanaimo busker claims she is being told by the Port of Nanaimo to conform to busking rules along the waterfront, without knowing exactly what those rules are.

Cathy Davis said she's been told by the Port that they regulate all busking on the federally owned property. She also said she's been told that there have been complaints about her and others who have joined her busking at the waterfront.

Last month Davis sent an e-mail to Mike Davidson, property manager at the Port, asking him to list the nature of the complaints, without revealing who made them. Davis has so far received no reply.

Davidson told the Daily News in an Oct. 2 story that the Port issues its own special permits. Davis said she has also heard nothing back from Davidson about getting such a permit.

Davidson did not return calls to the Daily News on Wednesday.

While the weather is now too foul for busking,...

[ Continued ]

(LONDON) You won't believe how Biggin Hill Airport Byelaws have been revised. The Honorable Elvis impersonator Dave Quinn (pictured) has been shown the door.
Absolutely no buskers or even beggars!

(SHANGHAI) For the first time in modern Chinese history, buskers and street-performers may be able to perform their art without being stopped. "We'll be the first city in China to open arms to street-side performers," said Luo Huaizhen, a playwright who for the last eight years has urged the Shanghai People's Congress to allow street performers.

Shanghai residents will be able to see artists and performers doing creative shows in public spaces for the first time since the World Expo in 2010 when it was temporarily allowed. China has forbidden buskers because crowds gather possibly leading to discussions concerning the government.

Busker Central noticed a few years ago when the Chinese government started draining the street-performer website with useless connections. It has since had to block China...

[ Continued ]