(MASSACHUSETTS) Beginning today, the fair city of Cambridge is making it easier for performing artists to express themselves. The city wants more buskers so it's eliminating permit fees. The Cambridge Arts Council announcement is meant to offer more opportunities for artists to showcase their talents without having to pay a fee.Believe it or not, one doesn't even have to be a resident. It's open to all. The only slight catch is they want to see your act first before they waive the $40 fee. The performers must stick to the city’s street busker ordinance which sets parameters on performance times, locations, and noise.

The process just highlights the differing states of confusion when it comes to busking and street performing. While one city is busy regulating and restricting - even outlawing busking, t...

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(INDIA) An article from the Media India Group has some insight that reveals a history of busking.This year buskers are expected to turn the celebratory tune up a notch in Kolkata.

"India also has a rich tradition of street performers. Many renowned artists were known to be inspired by the creation of humble street musicians.

A man with a pointed mustache and colourful elaborate turban playing Ravanhatta (ancient instrument) on the streets of Jaisalmer is a common sight.

Similarly, mystic minstrels of Bengal or locally known as Bauls stroking their Dotara (musical instrument) in the shadowed streets of Shantiniketan (small town in West Bengal) are part and parcel of the cultural scene."

Indians have been busking before it became cool!

Check out the full article at the...

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(WWW) A website by Isaac Wexler has included a history of busking as a means to promote his courses on successful street-performing. A busker for over ten years, Busker Pro is his way of giving back the knowledge and experience of his career as a busker.Some interesting notations include the furthest recorded history of law affecting buskers in ancient Rome back in 462 BC. It was made a criminal offense to sing or make parodies about the government or officials in public places. The result was a very harsh death penalty to the performers without noble protection from the privilege of justice.

Another was in 1530 when Henry VIII ordered the practise of minstrels and players, fortune-tellers, pardoners and fencers, as well as beggars that if they did not obey the law, they could be whipped for two days....

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The street performer best known as the Naked Cowboy has thrown his cowboy hat into the ring for Mayor of NYC.“Today, I would like to announce that I am entering the race for the office of the Mayor of New York City. Why? Well, right now this city can’t afford wasteful spending. What we really need is smarter spending. Folks come up to me every day and tell me they’ve lost their life-savings, that their small businesses are barely getting by. And small businesses are the key to getting this city back on its feet. So we need initiatives that help put them on the right track. But the city can't afford to back an 18-wheeler full of money into every problem. It’s time to tighten the belt, but of course that’s just a saying because I don’t even wear a belt. But that’s my point – I don’t need a belt. I don’t need the ...

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(WWW) Some job searches have started including busking and street performing as a viable means of employment. On an updated career page, an article by Brett Helling discusses definitions, salary, qualifications, responsibilities, skills, working conditions, experience, and employers.Walk-by acts: buskers perform their act continuously for a long time. This happens mostly with musicians and mimers who perform their repertoire while people walk by them. Occasional passers-by stop to hear a song or two but no defined audience forms.

Circle acts: these acts work more like a “show” and have a distinct beginning, middle, and a grand finale ending. The performers first attract a crowd that will stand in a circle around them to watch the show. Circle acts are well suited for theatre, dance, acrobatics, magic, etc...

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