Busking in Nanaimo

[All Ages Music Concerts]

Grants from the city should be made available to accomodate a buskers festival just like the $5000 they give the blues festival each year they also allow them to busk and keep there money while the buskers have to donate what they collect to charity

The Nanaimo Blues Festivals does alot more than just play in the streets. They have a great place for those to go to *Underground Blues* in Lois Lane. There is zero tolerance to drugs and alcohol for those wanting to come in and enjoy the jam sessions. They are a fantastic society that does alot for the community and I would never have a negative thought or word to say against them. All thumbs up to them. http://www.nanaimobluesfestival.com/ They are a non-profit organization.

Negativity feeds and draws more negativity. Sorry ,, but this thread seems to have too much negative words then positive ones. We live in this community and yes we do have to work with the City of Nanaimo in a businesslike, professional manner.

Busking is a form of arts and entertainment but they are also working as self -employed and this comes under business management and licenses. In every business there has to be rules and regulations to protect the public and those employed. Looking for better solutions for the business is great but everyone has to work together with an open mind.

[Piper]

Let me tell you playing on the streets is no easy job, If buskers were given grants of $5000 for putting on shows I'm sure they would be able to have a space for people to go as well. There is no doubt they are a fantastic society my sister is a member of the blues society. You don't seem to get the point here. Buskers don't get grants nor are they allowed to put on festivals without giving all donations to charity and having bylaw officers breathing down their necks while putting on a show. But they are artists just like carvers, jewellery makers, painters, jugglers, magicians & more. If you look back at the last 59 pages on this thread you will find that we have worked with the city and the end result was an illegal injunction courtesy of Dave Nichols at Bylaw services and Darren Kiedyk with the city licensing department. I work hard for every penny I get as a busker NO HANDOUTS from the city. And I have been at it for a very long time.

[All Ages Music Concerts]

The Nanaimo Blues Festival does not get a hand out. I get every point you have made. Yep we all work hard for our dollars. Buskers are still self employed people and are not a non profit organization. I am self employed too and why would I expect to receive a grant to work. Sorry ,, I have not missed your point.

[queen of the waterfront]

Reply to All Ages . I am a Blues Society member. I played the festival this year with my six piece blues band.
if you have not heard yet The BLUES UNDERGROUND is no longer with THE BLUES SOCIETY.
SKY HIGH PRODUCTIONS has become a selfemployed organization which is for profit.I havent decided how I feel about that yet.
Will they still get grants from various organizations?
Who will now get the monies from the BOOT?

i love the Blues Underground. It is a fabulous venue for youngsters. One of very few places where families can watch their kids perform.I am not sure if they will still get grants as the BLUES SOCIETY has done in the past. remains to be seen.
I totally support the BLUES SOCIETY. Summertime blues is one of the best things to happen to Nanaimo in years.

BAck now to Piper's point.
The same can be done with a BUSKER"S SOCIETY. It took volunteers , time and effort to produce a SUMMERTIME BLUES and a BLUES UNDERGROUND.

The same can be done with a BUSKERS FESTIVAL.
When busking is taken seriously by council. citizens and buskers themselves, Nanaimo could have an awesome Festival.As long as we liken buskers to panhandlers we will have a poor opinion of street entertainment.

It is time for positive change in Nanaimo's street scene.I am tired of having to fight to be able to play. I am tired of ridiculous spots and busker police. i am sick of council saying no amps for buskers while thousands of watts are put out all summer on the streets and in the parks.

Buskers are musicians. Some might become another BLUE RODEO or BARE NAKED LADIES or ALLISON CROWE. If we stifle our street musicians they will go elsewhere. Or like me start playing in bars, lounges and out of town festivals. I am playing at Fairwinds tomorrow. PLAyed the RED ROOM last weekend, Gabriola on Sunday. I dont need to busk in fact I dont have the time anymore.
I do want to see street entertainment in Nanaimo become a positive thing. A level playing field , no discrimination between licenced and unlicenced buskers.
There are thousands of people who have looked at this thread, many have commented. CHAnge is possible with input from you the public.

[Piper]

Queen of the waterfront I was just going to mention about Sky High Productions as I read about it on the Nanaimo blog but thanks for beating me to the punch. It's just another example of buskers being treated as second class citizens. Thats why this thread must go on It just proof of what some people really think about buskers. Maybe I shall get government papers to start a buskers society then we can all get grants and be equal.

[queen of the waterfront]

Piper you would have my support on that one for sure.

[Piper]

Play the Accordion go to jail ?? I don't think so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2QOnxbRiYU

[queen of the waterfront]

Too Funny. I love it!

[kickidee]

That is a hoot, and pretty neat too. Evryone having fun, and playin along. Thanks piper, a good chuckle.

[Piper]

Today I was going busking but changed my mind because of the weather I was sitting at home when I got a knock on the door, The guy at the door told me his name was Jeremy from Victoria and he saw the celtic music sign on my truck and would I mind if he came over to jam for a bit. Jeremy came over after supper and we jammed together for over an hour and a half. This guy is absolutely amazing -Guitar, Tin whistle, and incredible singing. If anyone ever gets the chance to see him at a gig I highly recomend that you go see him. He is great and very talented. His website is, jeremy@jeremywalsh.ca