Busking in Nanaimo

[Piper]

TH the kids who attacked me both got 6 months in jail and 12 months probation but there is no reason for the beating I just know that they were drunk and looked like they were doing drugs. All of this stuff has taken it's toll on my family but I have learned to stay calm and defend myself There is nothing they can do to me for speaking out, they can't sue me I have nothing they can't put me in jail cause I would be out in an hour. The only thing they can do is shoot me I am so glad to be introduced to this forum as I can tell people the truth and I have no fear of retaliation from the big guys running the city. I too have done recordings before CD's were invented I have recorded 6 tapes in the same studio that Ian Tyson records. I have many trophys for my knowledge of music and my overall score at the Kimberly accordion championships is 97% in 1992 & 1993. I still have my score sheets.
It's just unfortunate the fairness and eqaulity is not part of bylaw officers or Port athority's agenda but like Queen of the waterfront says they are in damage control mode. I also know for a fact that letters to the editor were not printed one of them was sent by my wife and the other by a friend who has been listening to us for 8 years. So now it's wait and see what happens next.

[kickidee]

Can the police actually remove you when there is nothing in writing? No one for example has to show up in court without first being served the paperwork or charges. We have a fundamental right to a defence when action is taken against us. How can you defend yourself if you don't even know what the charges are? This is 2008 not 2003 and that should have no bearing on today. I would love to see why this peculiar and damaging ban was implimented and who has the athority to remove persons from public property without public knowlege. As I have said something is curiously amiss here.

[queen of the waterfront]

Hi Kickadee
The answers to your questions are illusive.
I recieved a call from bylaws yesterday while i was looking after my granddaughter.

She wanted me to meet with Randy Churchill and herself to discuss these bylaws.
I believe I have been targeted by the Port Authority and the city of Nanaimo for more than five years.
I went to the access centre nad got the forms for a human rights complaint.
Then my brother and i went to bylaws as I will no longer deal with any City or Port officials without a witness.
Supposedly she had no idea that i was banned. However she had spent the morning with Mike Davidson the Port Authority manager. Apparently he wanted to have a meeting with me.
i showed her my complaint form and stated that i am tired of being harassed, victimised and criminalised.My reputation as a musician and a person has been and is compromised every time they send a police officer to try to remove me. Which by the way they have never had the courage to do.

As a blind female I find it strange that they always harass me when i am by myself. Thank God I had a cell phone on Friday night and could call a witness.

My brother and i went down to the Port Authority to speak wit Mike DAvidson. On the way we found two young fiddlers playing at Newfoundland to nanaimo. They were cute and capable i gave them two bucks.
Mike Davidson was on a conference call ,everone else in Athority was in a board meeting.The secretary wanted nothing to do with us and referred us to the students at the wharfingers office.
They too know nothing.

from ther we went to leonard Krog;s office . Our complaint was heard with kindness and consideration.
Mr Krog assured us that he will get answers.I believe that he will.
I neglected to mention in my story that I did call bylaws on Friday night before the whole situation happened. I was referred to the City yard who told me there were no bylaw officers working that night. They gave me the RCMp number which i did not call as I didnt want a scene.
Again I have to say if there is a bylaw it must be eforced equally. If the Port doesnt allow buskers that means all buskers not just me.
And yes I am still choked

[TH2008]

TH the kids who attacked me both got 6 months in jail and 12 months probation but there is no reason for the beating I just know that they were drunk and looked like they were doing drugs. All of this stuff has taken it's toll on my family but I have learned to stay calm and defend myself There is nothing they can do to me for speaking out, they can't sue me I have nothing they can't put me in jail cause I would be out in an hour. The only thing they can do is shoot me I am so glad to be introduced to this forum as I can tell people the truth and I have no fear of retaliation from the big guys running the city. I too have done recordings before CD's were invented I have recorded 6 tapes in the same studio that Ian Tyson records. I have many trophys for my knowledge of music and my overall score at the Kimberly accordion championships is 97% in 1992 & 1993. I still have my score sheets.
It's just unfortunate the fairness and eqaulity is not part of bylaw officers or Port athority's agenda but like Queen of the waterfront says they are in damage control mode. I also know for a fact that letters to the editor were not printed one of them was sent by my wife and the other by a friend who has been listening to us for 8 years. So now it's wait and see what happens next.

Hey, Piper, Do you have any vids up on the web? If so, please post the link. If not, maybe you guys can shoot video of your busking in Nanaimo and put them up on youtube.

Also, I am sorry to read that those thugs only got 6 months in jail for leaving you with permanent disabilities. I cannot believe our judicial system sometimes. So lenient. But I reckon that is another topic for another day.

--
TH

[kickidee]

That is a pretty stiff sentance for kids indicating that the crime was horrific and hopefully that is the last of them and your familly can heal. That is when the bottom of this harassment is brought to light. I hope that Leanard Krogg will do right by this situation, and bring you your familly and extended familly back to freely offer your music to all the people and families in Nanaimo who have enjoyed your talents for so long. It was only $20,00 you were supposed to pay, not your peace security, and reputation. I'm glad you listed some of your music credits but those of us who have had the joy of the addition of your music to a lovely day on the waterfront would know you are bonified without reading them. There is no excuse for banning you because of your views re: the authorities because we all have a legal right to protest against these public servants. You, your immediate family and the Queen are talented musicians, keep us posted especially about what we can do to bring you back to the waterfront with the honer you desrve for your will to entertain and share with this town dispite the pathetic attitude of some of it's leaders!

[RyanCoffey]

I used to busk at the waterfront in years gone by, but it seems that they've tightened the restrictions since then, as apparently now you can't busk if you have sound systems over 15 watt output. I can understand why, if it's in front of certain businesses, but I think they should allow more in certain places along the waterfront (like in the park) where it won't interfere with businesses.

I was down there last week and I saw a local trumpet player, who in my opinion is one of if not the best trumpet player around here, unable to leave his cases open for fear of being branded a busker thus being shut down by authorities. He played a variety of tunes beautifully for a few hours, along with some recorded accompaniment. The volume of his accompaniment, which of course needs to be comparable to the output of his trumpet, prevented him from making any money off of it because it was too loud. Sadly, one the of the best shows on the waterfront goes unpaid. Instead, he's only there when he wants to practice out in the open.

What better way to listen to nice music than under the trees, laying in the grass on the waterfront?

Can't they allow a system so that certain busking spots allow more wattage or a licence that allows a more elaborate setup? Even if you have to book the spot ahead of time, that would be preferable to not being able to play in this way. Being able to busk is more than just a way to make a couple of bucks for a musician, it's a way to practice their craft, both in sense of music as well as playing the crowd. In other towns and cities, I see those sorts of performances in certain locations frequently, and they re very popular. I know there are a handful of grumps out there who will be "disturbed" or "offended" or something if they don't like whatever style of music it is, but I just don't understand these people. I hate country music, but I would never try to stop people from performing it if it brings joy to others.

You can't gauge people's response while practicing alone in a room. Nor are you likely to make contacts and a name for yourself. When I was busking, I got my photo in the paper, I made lots of musical contacts, I had a few people ask me to join their band and oh yeah, I made a couple of bucks. I would have made more flipping burgers because you can only play your instrument for a couple of hours before you get exhausted, but it was much more satisfying plus I had part time work in a conventional job.

So, my point: giving more options for buskers improves the atmosphere of a city as long as it doesn't get out of hand. Street performers bring joy to a place and keep people in the area longer. It's good for our spirits and good for the shops in the area and good for the arts. I'd like to see an atmosphere here that is more like what they have in Victoria along government street. The tourists flock there in huge numbers for a variety of reasons, but I think a that the variety and quality of performers are no small part of that synergy.

[kickidee]

You are so right. I am not a musician, merely a fan, but I began going down to the waterfront to entertain my small children and stayed for the music. Now my teens accompany me at times just from the notion of those happy memories. The park and the beauty got us started and the music kept us staying.

[RyanCoffey]

Yes, exactly!

And this way you can share something with those children and who knows, it might turn into a real interest. My parents took me to classical concerts when I was a kid, and helped foster an interest in music.

[kickidee]

Right again. My eldest is enjoying alto sax in band and both have terrific singing voices! I'll be a happy old woman with musicians right in my family...and it's nice to think that exposure to the buskers at that early age...they loved to put the coins in too...might have been part of this. Happy thought, I might not be a musician but hey someone has to raise them!!!

[RyanCoffey]

Alto eh, that's what I used to busk with.
Yeah, it was when I started performing in Jazz bands of various sizes that I really started to love it. It's a great feeling when the audience is into it.
My favourite thing to do actually. However, one must pay the bills too... it always comes back to balance.