So last Saturday night, I took my act an hour down the road to a street festival in the lovely city of Paducah, KY. I did some TT\silk tricks, my interpretations of Whit Haydn's four ring routine, Fiber Optics, and Gazzo's Street Cups. Audience reactions were incredible: Lots of applause, laughs galore, and plenty of "That's amazing!". However, at the end of seven shows in 3 1/2 hours, my total hat was $104. Bear in mind that this same act made nearly $700 the previous weekend in a "poorer" neighborhood with ALOT smaller crowds and only four shows. After I talked to some of the other performers, I found out that the crowds really do love the live entertainment and are more than willing to lavish a performer with lots of love.... just not lots of money.
Just another lesson learned in the ways of the street performer I guess.


Sammy the Kid

None-the-less, I wouldn't generalize the pitch based on any one single night. Only when working a pitch full time do you get a real feel for it - for example, I make nearly double on Tuesday than what I make on Thursday ... even though I do the same amount of work for the same number of people.

People operate in groups, and sometimes the group is 'tight', and other times the group is 'loose'.

-JoeJoe

Oh I'm definitely gonna go back, if for no other reason than to test some new material... and because its a cool town with a great arts district.

Sammy the Kid

Sounds like you're doing very well to me.
Keep it up. Very few make $700 in only 4 shows.
You must be doing something right.

Frank, Man I thought I was just about breaking average with $700. I mean it was GREAT for the area I was playing. Makanda, IL is a small town of about 300 hippies\artists (my people) and a little tourist traffic. But when I played Paducah, I kind of expected a little better than $104. Paducah is a MUCH bigger city (25,000+ population) with an arts district twice the size of the entire town of Makanda and a bigger tourist area. Maybe it was just karma keeping the books balanced so I didn't make too much money and get the swelled ego....
Still, I love working the streets. Of all the venues I've worked (schools, civic group banquets, churches, stage, and birthday parties) outdoor street\festival work is the most fun.



Sammy the Kid

I think JoeJoe is right. One crowd can change the whole evening. When they are having a good time, I am having a good time and I think that translates into better performances.