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Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Hello everyone,
I really want to start busking I have done as much research as possible. I have checked with my local council it it will not cost a thing to do which is a bonus. Iwas wondering though, to all you busking veterans out there what are the essential tools of the trade? Apart from the tricks of course. What are the essentials? Best Wishes, Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Luke,
Grab a copy of "The art of street performing 1" with Jim Cellini. You can get a copy from Kozmo who posts here all the time. Then watch it 100 times, take notes, and go out and do it, a lot. More than anything else it takes nerve and a bone deep desire to succeed no matter how bad you suck when you first go out. Cheers, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Water, a place to put your gear, and the guts to do the show.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Isle Of Wight, England: In that case an Umbrella I mean it, a small one that you can forget about until it ****es down.
You will thank me. Mario |
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kid iowa Loyal user Oklahoma 300 Posts |
Hand towels, water, sunblock, snacks, GOOD shoes (trust me, you can't spend too much on a good pair of shoes), hat (to keep the sun out of your eyes, and to collect the money).
Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile...can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, "I served in the United States Navy." J.F.K.
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Moisture-wicking-underwear.
.......What?? I'm serious!! The months are getting hotter and who can do a show with your fruit-of-the-looms pasted like crazyglue to your.......allright, allright....I'll shut up now.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Hey Mighty Fool...I know what you mean lol, I wear two pairs of underwear due to my straightjacket escape. You see at the end my britches fall down so two pairs of underwear are a must as much as a saftey precation.
johnny
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
I have found some really cool "wicking-type" t-shirts and under garments at the local sports shop. Apparantly, different athletes have the same problems except without the Straight Jackets or C&B!
I have been wearing them and I must say they work very well! Give'em a shot.
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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Cory Gallupe Inner circle Nova Scotia, Canada 1272 Posts |
I know the buskerfest down here in Halifax is brutal. It is soo hot it is not even funny. A lot of the performers have to wear t-shirts and shorts, which can be a down side because you may not be able to do what you planned on just wearing that. I know, with my new shows, I have to wear a jacket, to produce, and vanish a jumbo coin at the beginning of the routine. Im gonn have to change that if I perform next year. (Which I am hoping on doing.)
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Busking Kit...
Sexy smelling body spray, how the H*LL can you go wrong with that...and you really might need it and never really know that for yourself... ain't it better to be safe than sorry? Raise your hand, raise your hand if you're SURE! johnny
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
Ummm, that would be good advice anywhere where you have a nice breeze and a lack of outdoor creepies and crawlies, and other biting and stinging beasts. It didn't take me long to realize that any sexy-smelling body spray will attract attention of the insect kind. I work renfests and mostly outdoors, and the sexy-smelling stuff attracts the bugs like, well, honey. Better to take a good shower before you hit the streets and take a spare shirt. Just my $.02 (USD) worth. YMMV. Joe in KC |
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MOTO42 Loyal user Whitehouse Texas 225 Posts |
Something involving a high concentration of DEET is a must to keep the bugs at bay. Shop around an find the brand that has the highest percentage of the good stuff.
Depending upon your venue, a small can of mace may not be a bad idea either. Get the foam kind, you have to aim a little better but I hear that the sprays tend to get the user almost as bad as they get the crook. And "Don't forget to bring a towel."
"One man's miracle is another man's warm-up"
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Amon Regular user Chicago, IL 134 Posts |
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/organ......roduct_5
I sling one of these over my shoulder (see link above) and it does well (the picture doesn't show how much space this thing really has). Seems my whole show can fit into the bag, and there's even a side for a water bottle, and a side for a rolled up close-up pad. I just set it next to my table and because it has an open top I can work right out of it. This is not good for the rain though, unless you lay someting water resistant over the top opening. -Amon
here and now
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
WOW!
That is quite the hot set up! Thanks for posting it. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Everyone's covered some VERY good stuff. Here's my contribution, gleaned from not only street time but trade show time as well:
GOOD supportting shoes - cross trainers, or anything with a ood, solid built-up insole. The agony of the feet isn't just a phrast on ABC Sports in the USA... Support stockings. I am NOT kidding. Same reason. Dr. Scholls Gel Inserts - if you ain't Gellin', by the end of the day, you'll be yellin'! and BANANAS! Potassium helps stave off leg cramps. If you are allergic to bananas, see your physician or local health food store for a good food suppliment that's rich in potassium (but make SURE you see your doctor FIRST - some folks have issues with too much or too little potassium and safety is a BIG concern in ANY health matter) Call this Prof. Darrow's Trade Show and Behind The Bar Trade Secret. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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FlippingWonderful Regular user 122 Posts |
To add, when you start off you may find you shout too much and then go get a sore throat and can't talk for a day or so... so get some throat sweets.
Also depending on what you are doing, you may want some hand cream... You also need a way of collecting money... some people use buckets. I use my umbrella, therefore having one prop and killing two birds with one stone. |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Chapstick - better one with a good sunblock IN it.
Just an addition. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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Gerald Veteran user Arkansas 325 Posts |
Great suggestions! Let me add my two cents: When you have a cold or sore throat or have a tired voice after a long day and still must perform, a concoction called "Entertainer's Secret" can really help. It clears your voice for maybe 45 minutes at a time. I learned about it from a street singer. I know some opera and other professional singers use it. I recommended it to a ventriloquist friend and he uses it all the time. I’ve used honey and lemon, five fingers of tequila , everything you can think of, but this stuff works the best. Their web site is: http://www.entertainers-secret.com/
Regards, Gerald |
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SeaDawg Special user The Lunatic Fringe 718 Posts |
One other very handy item is lubricating eye drops. Even with transition lenses in my glasses, the sun kills when performing. After a long day on the pitch, my eyes can feel like gravel. A couple of drops sure helps.
Many of these posts seem to centre around a theme of be good to your body, it is the only one you have got. When performing, it sure helps not to be distracted by physical discomforts. The street is tough enough without making it tougher on ourselves. Regards, The Seadawg
Crazy people take the psycho-path thru the forest...
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
When I was doing the RenFaire stuff, I was performing in a robe that was made of heavy black velvet. I never had any trouble with heatstroke. Why? When I was not performing, I went into a shady spot, out of view of the gilpins, drank icewater and peeled back the upper part of the costume. That way I aired out and cooled off.
You have to be very careful when it gets too hot. Heatstroke will sneak up on you and lay you low.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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