(LONDON) The humble street performer is no longer a victim of a cashless society. A new digital method called a contactless payment terminal can accept a tip to the busker with the wave of a card.In a test of the new method, patrons were seen waving their credit/debit cards in front of the reader. The project was launched last weekend by the Busk in London organization as a trial. A few performers were seen testing the new transactional device.

Charlotte Campbell, a full-time street performer who was part of the trial, told BBC News that the new tech "had a significant impact on contributions." Said Campbell, "More people than ever tap-to-donate whilst I sing, and often, when one person does, another follows."

The reader needs to be attached to a smartphone or tablet. It is then...

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French Bohemians Georges & Cerika will act as cultural hosts, performers and exhibitors at the upcoming Victoria International Busker Festival.

Victoria International Busker Festival

When
From Friday, July 15th, 2011 to Sunday, July 24th, 2011

What & Where
One of the world’s most unique festivals! Will feature a range of performers from around the world on event stages along the downtown Inner Harbour, in Bastion Square and at Bay Centre in Victoria, BC, Canada.
A very first for Victoria

Victoria International Busker Bistro

A bistro with a European touch at the heart of the Busker Festival

Come join us for evenings of uplifting Live Bohemian music that will make you feel you just traveled all over Europe and back .
Browse our unique Bohemian Arts pieces.
Live the experience of a personalized Stone Reading by Cerika.
Enjoy the gourmet food menu of the Busker Bistro or simply stop for a refreshing pause, a cool drink or a beer.

Schedule
The Bistro will be open from 12H00/noon t...

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Il Calabria BusKers è un Festival Internazionale di Artisti di Strada, un grande evento che racchiude in sé la magia del teatro di strada: clown, musicisti, danzatori, mangiafuoco, acrobati ed altre personalità artistiche locali, nazionali ed internazionali che si ritrovano per le vie di Reggio Calabria, esibendosi nelle splendide cornici offerte dalla città dello Stretto, favorendo socialità e civismo,valorizzando il territorio, condividendo l'arte e coltivando la meraviglia e lo stupore.

La strada che diventa incontro e palcoscenico indiscusso di un evento che coinvolge una città intera e la sua provincia, catalizzandone l'attenzione. E il Festival non è solo un'occasione unica per trovare, in tutte le sue forme, l'arte nella strada e tra la gente, ma è anche il modo per farla esplodere in ciò che è capace di portare con sè: la libertà, la condivisione, il viaggio.

Guardare oltre i muri, vedere la bellezza e diventarne protagonisti.Un contenitore dentro il quale sviluppare diverse azi...

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(ARIZONA) You wouldn't think Arizona would have come this far - but Downtown Phoenix, Inc. thinks the time is right. Lo and behold, there's music and performing where there once was none. It seems the desert southwest has caught the busker bug.

From flea markets to sporting events to outdoor malls, there are buskers plying their trade and free to now express themselves artistically. The times - they are a changin'.

And why not? Making a more vibrant community can only enhance revenue for the cities thru increased sales in shops and restaurants.

The atmosphere is rhythmically changing into something we can all appreciate when we try. Add a dash of interviews and you've got a nice recipe for explaining Busker Nation.

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(SWEDEN) Buskin' City is a unique busking development for Sweden with a soon to be launched website for pro street performers. Every participating city provides a pitch for an artist. It can be a street corner, on a square, or on a main shopping street.Bringing culture to unused public space is the main theme. National and International buskers book themselves easily on a city's calendar.

Halmstad, Varberg, Kalmar, Kristianstad, Jonkoping, Landskrona, and Vastervik are among the 7 cities that have signed up with more expected to join the movement. Each city grants a travel refund up to 1500SEK.

With new approximations about busking popping up almost daily, be sure to include this in your book of ideas. See if you can dream up new and interesting approaches to busking like the one above.

For more information,...

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