CFD vs Buskers

I’m rehearsing for a show I have coming up. There are going to be a lot of new routines and it’s vital to give them a little time in front of a paying audience… the catch here of course is that you can’t try them out until you try them out.

That’s one of a hundred reasons I love street performing. It provides performers a venue to test out and hone material. Having an audience that can come and go as it pleases and pays what it wants makes trouble spots, and high-points, crystal clear. I was looking forward to hitting the street in the coming weeks and was reminded by Travis Bernhardt that it’ll be Car Free Days (CFD) on Commercial Drive this weekend. “But they don’t really like buskers there,” he said.

Apparently it’s not only true– it’s policy. Eden Cheung directed me to this somewhat depressing exchange on Facebook today:

Guess what… busking still won’t be allowed. There are so many reasons why this position doesn’t make sense but Vancouver comedian, performance artist– and yes, Busker, Byron Bertram expressed his frustration better than I:

My point of view is that we are actually offering free entertainment. If people want to tip us at the end of our show, they can and want to with a smile on there face. If they don’t and/or can’t afford to they don’t have to and won’t. It’s the most democratic form of entertainment (in my opinion) in the world. That has always been the tradition of street theatre for centuries. Rich and poor alike can enjoy an outdoor show and decide, what, if and how much it’s worth. Don’t you think it’s a double standard if you’re able to sell something like clothes, food, CD’s etc on car free days yet street entertainers aren’t allowed to apply there trade (with a city permit mind you) at no cost to you and at a 100% donation based if people want to pay? I understand the need and want for a free gathering celebration, but in my opinion this rule of yours is misguided.

Click here to read the whole thing.