(ORLANDO) Universal Orlando is hiring hundreds of energetic street performers both full and part-time for their Superstar Parade.Universal is seeking dancers, animated character performers, drummers, roller skaters, stilt walkers, and "little people" no taller than 4' 11".

The parade centers on new floats designed around four movies and TV shows. Each position comes with an array of Universal Orlando benefits such as free theme-park admission and assorted discounts.

Auditions for roles in the Universal Studios parade will debut sometime in the Spring. Some limitations apply. Stilt walkers can weigh no more than 180 pounds and that will be verified at the auditions.

Universal also wants marching-band style drummers and those candidates should have a one-minute drum solo ready (some will be...

[ Continued ]

What do buskers Crystal Bowersox, Philippe Petit, and Glen Hansard all have in common? These buskers have all made mucho dinero doing what naturally comes best.Crystal Bowersox was runner up on the ninth season of “American Idol”. She presently has made over half a million dollars in music sales and appearances.

Philip Petit, the famous Frenchman who tightrope walked between the now-extinct trade towers in Manhatten, has enjoyed a Hollywood movie remake of his feat in "The Walk" no doubt enjoying countless Francs in revenue and licensing fees.

Glen Hansard has made a bundle peddling the Indy movie "Once". Between touring and the play on Broadway, Hansard has made lots of money off the film that won a Oscar for best song. It was a stormy inheritance from street to sta...

[ Continued ]

(BUSKING) It seems as little as ten years ago, the term "busker" or "street performer" was looked upon with disdain. Suddenly, now it's the "in" title to tell new-found friends and acquaintances. Strange as it may seem, public perception has shifted in favor of said buskers. The internet has seemed to have had a positive impact on the perception of street performers world-wide.

Wannabe buskers abound on the internet. Some sites have sections dedicated to busking. Unfortunately, once entered, one finds several performers that have only been thinking about busking but somehow never found the backbone to discard their day job to busk full-time. This may be a good thing, however, as some may not have what it takes to begin with. It would probably only add to the long lines at the unemployment office.

...

[ Continued ]

Move over Penélope and Scarlett - a struggling musician-turned-diva is the real feelgood story behind Woody Allen's new movie.

When British cinemagoers flock to Woody Allen's latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona this week, they are likely to have been drawn by the triple attraction of Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem, who star in the tale of a love triangle conducted in one of Europe's most charismatic cities. But in Catalonia the true hero of the film is an Italian busker who has never been anywhere near the studios of Hollywood.

The film has already garnered a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, but last week a less publicised award - a Catalan film festival award for best original music - went to Giulia Tellarini, whose "Barcelona" forms the opening soundtrack to the film and has already been adopted by the city's tourist board.

Tellarini and her band a...

[ Continued ]

Hoping to get over to Lawrence this Saturday. The Jay Hawks are at home playing football and there is a good crowd milling about in Downtown Lawrence. They are busker friendly. Hopefully will keep me busy. Wish me luck.
BlackBeltMagician