(LONDON) An article in The Guardian examines where the streets have no change - and how buskers are surviving in cashless times.A recent hot topic, the article asks is it time performers turned to contactless readers? After all, dropping coins in a hat is increasingly, well, old hat.

Speaking of hats, they're down in London. Again, society is changing. Spending our money is much more convenient nowadays using plastic rather than carrying around coins and notes. Americans have gone plastic for decades but now it's becoming more of a world-wide trend.

For buskers, touchless card readers are now "the thing" since people are carrying around a lot less cash. With plastic, even if you get robbed right there on the street in broad daylight, the poor crook doesn't have access to your PIN number(s)....

[ Continued ]

Craic In The Granite' returns again to Aughrim, Wicklow, Ireland. As usual we will be hosting a Busking Competition at the Pavilion and will be presented with the Deirdre Heffernan Memorial Trophy and a cash prize. www.CraicInTheGranite.webs.com

MONTREAL (AFP) — Canadian acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil, created in 1984 and now performing in all corners of the world, is celebrating its silver anniversary with the launch of its 25th show "Ovo," about insects.

The circus company, with 19 traveling and permanent shows now playing, sold 11 million tickets worldwide last year and has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents since 1984.

What started as a ragtag group of 20 street performers has blossomed into a global entertainment empire with an estimated net worth of three billion dollars and 4,000 employees in 40 countries.

Founded by former fire-eater Guy Laliberte, whose idea to transform circus acrobatics into sensational, plot-driven theatre has revolutionized this sector of the entertainment industry, it has however always remained true to its root

The performers originate from n...

[ Continued ]

(ANTARCTICA) Busking in Antarctica, four British Antarctic Survey's employees took part in Musequality's charity busk and world record. The coolest buskers in the world, the strings on Danny’s guitar cable froze, Paul’s saxophone froze, Tony’s fingers froze and Riet froze. The Antarctic Minkes busked as the temperature dropped from -8°C to -15°C in Antarctica. Musequality funds communal projects for disadvantaged children in developing countries giving them the skills and qualities they need to turn their lives around.

YouTube Video

(LONDON) "Whether it be organ grinders, fiddle players, bagpipers, accordions or Romany street singers, traditional music was always a fixture in day to day London life in the early 20th century."So says the London Evening Standard's article and slideshow featuring London buskers through the years.

The streets of London have been a training ground for many artists over the years.

Some buskers have been successful at becoming famous starting with their performance in the street.

Take a trip back in time with some vintage photos and see how busking still plays an important role in the iconic capital's cultural scene.

For the full effect,
click the link below for the full story
and stunning pictures of
London's past buskers.

...

[ Continued ]