TH I'm glad to hear you say that If they don't need a license for the reasons you are sugesting where does it stop? then would it be fair to say we as buskers don't need to be licensed?
TH I'm glad to hear you say that If they don't need a license for the reasons you are sugesting where does it stop? then would it be fair to say we as buskers don't need to be licensed?
I know this whole kerfuffle happened, because like Queen said, there were too many panhandlers using guitars as "props" in downtown Nanaimo and just being a royal pain in the ass, often drunk and high on drugs. But I don't like the licensing at all. I also don't like the injunction you guys were handed. That really blows my mind how heavy handed the Gary Korpan and the City of Nanaimo and the BC Supreme Court was. I mean, this is ridiculous.Originally Posted by Piper
I doubt the city will dump the busking licensing rules anytime soon. We've got a serious drug problem downtown. And I think the city feels that the panhandlers would simply pick up where they left off and begin to again infest the Nanaimo waterfront and the Nanaimo city streets with their "props" and we would be right back to square one (not that it's not much better now - especially on the lower end of Commercial Street!).
Myself, I would like to see the licensing removed to give it one more try. We are missing some great street performers. I mean, even if someone like David Gogo decided to play some blues on his acoustic guitar at the Nanaimo waterfront, he could not do it, I suppose, because has hasn't got a license! Same goes for someone like Valdy, or Randy Bachman, or Diana Krall. No license, no play! Technically, they could get their instruments taken from them - and maybe even arrested? Imagine Diana Krall locked in the back of a Nanaimo RCMP police cruiser?Elvis would be pissed!
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TH
Last edited by TH2008; 08-24-2008 at 08:24 PM.
TH, Now that this busking thread has had an incredible amount of attention I have to thank you and many more who have posted on this thread. I think we are still a long way from being satisfied with the busking situation in Nanaimo but it really helps when you have people like yourself who can see things the way they are and can relate to some of the issues about busking. I said back a few pages that you never know who is reading what you write but I learned this weekend that the concerns with busking and the unfair enforcement by bylaw officers is getting to the people that have the power to change things and make them right. I hope they do the right thing. I was really shocked when I went on google and typed busking in Nanaimo and it brought me one click away from this forum. I know now that both Queen and I have got the tools to tell it like it is and I hope one day we can both say we have no fear going busking in Nanaimo. TH, if you run for mayor I will vote for you and I don't even know you.
Piper you are beating your head against the wall.I understand your frustration as i now am on three licences which I have paid for. I havent busked on any of them.
I know how important it is to you that rules are in place for a reason and should be followed. Reality is that these bylaws pit busker against busker. It looks good on paper for the city to have "control".As long as you try to follow the letter of the bylaws you will drive yourself crazy. you are being victimized by your own sense of what integrity ought to be.
Find a store owner who has a good location and will give you permission to be there. This is what Danny has done on Port Property even though it is not a busking spot. Set your self up as a nonprofit group such as Crimson coast Dancers or the Blues Society. Get a government grant to operate as "The Church of Buskers for the poor". Then you can collect donations and get free money without even playing a note. You might even pay yourself as a director.
Find sponsors who love your music and pick your own spot.
You already know that you cant fight CITY HALL. Why bother ? Become a true capitist and make the system work for you. God knows you have worked your butt off to do the right thing. Kudos to you for raising your five kids with a work ethic and a sense of right and wrong.
Also understand that for those on the city payroll their jobs are at stake.
Elvis would understand if Diana Krall was arrested as he was put in JAil in New York for busking. Just another cross musicians have to bear. At least until they win a grammy.
On August 18th busker Tim Landers done a delagation at city council asking for a review of the current street entertainers bylaw. According to Legislative services at city hall I was told today that all city council members chose not to make a motion to review the bylaw and no action will be taken. It just gives you an indication of what Nanaimo (Culture capital of Canada) really thinks about culture. Also a conversation I had today with Bylaws Randy Churhill clarifies that the theatre one group has no right to ask buskers to vacate a busking spot to accomodate their show. Bylaw enforcement have no knowledge of the theatre one group having permission by anyone to remove buskers or take over a busking spot when they choose. I know what I will be telling them.
I actually should say some of the people in Nanaimo have no respect for Cuture in our city as I know most people respect the fact that we got this title and would not want to be put in the same category as the ones who don't
Well..........Grammy award or no Grammy award, if you have no busker's license in Nanaimo, even the rich and famous could get tossed in the Nanaimo RCMP lockup, I reckon. Or at least have their instruments taken away. I can't help but wonder how many really good artists have been deterred from playing on the streets of Nanaimo, because of this busking bylaw and the licensing issue.
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TH
Well it takes me back a few years when Dean played his guitar on commercial st with a tiny little amp and it was a pleasure to listen to him, He was an incredible busker and had a great attitude. When the bylaw was changed he quit. I still see him around town on occasion and he tells me he misses playing on the streets. Randy Churhill told Nanaimo daily news the street entertainers bylaw is working but I have never seen him on the waterfront and the bylaw is not working or we wouldn't have so much to write about.
Today I would like to Change my attitude a bit about busking in Nanaimo. When I heard that condos were being put up along the waterfront my first thought was there goes any busking spots close to these places. It is possible that this may not happen as at least 2 people on the city's payroll understand that busking is important for our city. I had a chat today with Veneta Roberge (deputy license inspector) I was shown a picture of the modifications proposed for Mafeo Sutton Park and I was impressed by what I saw. While talking to Veneta she indicated that a change in some of the spots are planned for the future with the input and ideas from buskers and possibly the public. Even if all of the current city councilors appear to have no respect for buskers (My view from the last council meeting) it seems that bylaw enforcement who deal with busker issues is prepared to take the issue in the direction that council should have done a long time ago. It's possible that with the right people working out a plan to make busking bylaws work properly that things could change for the better. We are still left with one more problem with busking and that is Port Athority. Port Athority property regardless of who manages it is part of Nanaimo and a 2 teared busking system on the property that is managed by the Port is not acceptable. The city's definition of busking applies to all property in Nanaimo where buskers are performing and the rules do apply when the Port Athority decides to allow busking on what is a public walkway. The word DISCRIMINATION will allways be on the minds of licensed buskers who are not allowed these so called special permits that the Port Athority made up to give to BUSKERS under the ice cream shop,(Parking Lot) where tickets for parking violations are given out by Robins Parking (Contracted by the city) to enforce parking violations. As one of the busking issues appears to be going in the right direction we will work on the one that isn't and hope the management of the Port property gets a reality check for the future.
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