Hey all! Here is my story/background/questions

I have some friends that invited me to Key West with them. I'd be the baby sitter as well. I've never been, but they suggested I make some money down there by busking. I've done some balloon animals for tips before, but not magic or anything. I've been doing magic/balloons/sideshow for about 15 years.

So what do I need to know? Ive read some info about permits,and insurance and fees and all that. Im not really sure whats current info and not. I see a few of you on here perform at key west, and I don't want to do stuff that's already there either. I do balloons, fire eating, magic, mouse traps, human block head, a little animal trap stuff, glass walking, mentalism...

Posted: Mar 17, 2012 3:29pm
Sorry, posted too quick... hate when that happens... anyways, I'd be grateful to any help you can give. I don't want to fly down there and find out I shouldnt have come, or cant perform because of rules or its too crowded, or I'm competing with a great performer. Thanks for all your help in advance!!

Kameron Messmer

It's over-crowded with extremely territorial local acts, the local laws are unnecessarily restrictive, and there is a permit system in place for any pitch you might like to use -- if you can even get the permit in the first place.

Call the Key West City Hall and ask about getting one. It'll be an experience.

Also the spring breakers are in town this time of year.

See if you can find Michael Trixx - he works the Keys and can tell you pretty much everything you need to know. You can visit his site and send him an e-mail at: http://michaeltrixx.com/

Chance, I'm surprise you didn't mention performing as a constitutional right and fighting the City if they tried to fine and shut you down. I would think that Key West's restrictive laws would heat up the fight in you. Whaddya say?

There are guys fighting it. Key West has been brought to court a couple of times that I know of, and they have always lost. They wait a couple of seasons and do it all again. Miami Beach did the exact same thing -- lost a big case, got their hand slapped really good by the courts and were made to dismantle their illegal busking statutes. Which they did. For 2 years. And then they changed around 2 paragraphs, instituted a different permit system, and began violating rights all over again. Key West and Miami Beach seem to be working off the exact same play book. They can pull these stunts as often as they like and they know it. Over a 30-year period these tactics will keep the streets how they want for 80% of that time, even if they lose repeatedly in court, and even if they have to pay out big fines. It seems as though these are odds they have already figured they can live with so long as they get that 80%.

Your tax dollars at work. We pay these people. We just don't pay them as much as the downtown businessmen's association does.

Technically, Key West succeeded from the Union in 1982 and as the "Conch Republic" they are not obligated to uphold the First Amendment.

-JoeJoe

Looks like a mess to me...
http://www.buskercentral.com/buskers/blog.php?u=2&b=102
Fortunately, I went there in 1980 and haven't been back since...too humid

Oh yes, back when Capt. Tony was Mayor.
It's a very different place now.

Would love hear about or get links to any court cases involving Key West and street performing. Would also be interested in current "fights" if there are any. PM me if you want or post...your choice.

Call the City Attorney's office and ask them about any recent (last 10 years) and/or ongoing litigation. It's public information. They can't (legally) withhold the info.

This might be helpful;

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/C......809-3770

Talk to david breth (at mallory square), or surgei (the bronze statue, but I think he works duval street)... they will help you out I'm sure..

Thanks to all for the input. Your help is appreciated.

After reading "Callahan's Key" (Spider Robinson), Key West is on my "bucket list" but only if I can rent a car in Miami and make the 7-mile bridge.

The old bridge was just two narrow lanes. An oncoming RV was a bit unnerving.
Good shots of the bridge in the movie; "True Lies".

In "Callahan's Key," they were taking 24 refurbished school busses from Long Island to Key West! At whichever key it is that has the state beach, Jake the hero decides to pull off and go swimming (followed by the other 23 busses) you can imagine the joy and relief on all the cars that were behind them.

The only state beach that comes to mind is Bahia Honda. Beautiful spot. Caught lots of conch off that beach (and others) in my teens.