We just arrive yesterday in Amsterdam and we had a few surprises!
First of all, the city decided to give only 10 licences these year to play on the main spots with amplification. So forget it if you come as us to play here for a few weeks.
Also even if you are lucky and own a license, it's only possible to play with amplification 3 days a week, thursday, friday, saturday and from 12h to 13h, 15h to 16h, 18h to 19h and 20h to 21h, so even if you have a license you can play only a few shows three days a week!
Also i was told that you can not use fire anymore.
Well, we started our trip from Canada with Amsterdam and now we don't know where to go, who has a good idea?

The website Savage Content has put together a brief history of busking for those interested. It starts with Rome and crosses over to "America" and ends with today's busking stars.
Check it out at the link below.

A brief history of busking

(DARTMOUTH) The majority of students at Dartmouth University in New Hampshire are graduating with debt - and way too much of it - since the average graduate carries $35,000. That's why many young people are turning to alternative means - not just to survive, but to thrive.A Huffington Post interview with William Imbert reveals how he included China, Switzerland, England, Manhattan, and Princeton to juggle, piano, and unicycle away his student debt. Also figuring into the equation was teaching English and some 300 tennis balls.

"I was 24 years old and on my own in a foreign land. I began doing street performance and living by the beach for $80 a month."

Included in the interview is how he paid off his $15,000 student loan, 3 great tips for street performers, and a quote...

[ Continued ]

(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 ]

(SAN DIEGO) Believe it or not, California's only busker festival will celebrate it's 14th year at Seaport Village in San Diego. This year features 24 eye-catching acts including knife throwing, sword swallowing, pogo stick tricks and juggling on unicycles."Happening Saturday, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th, the Busker Festival at Seaport Village celebrates the fascinating and unique talents of street performers who come from across the world to entertain us here in San Diego."

As an added attraction, this year introduces Busker University. Learn tips and tricks of busking from the professionals.

If you happen to be in southern California, be sure to check it out. This may be your only chance to experience these bloody buskers. As usual, it's free and open to the public. Be sure to bring lots of...

[ Continued ]