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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
Two places I've been thinking about busking both require permits for nominal fees (Madison, WI (if using amp) and Savannah, GA). Savannah then has stipulation that "A performer or entertainer may not...soliciting donations for performance" and recently a musician friend in Madison was told he could not have "Donations" sign on his tip basket...so apparently similar conditions exist there.
For musicians it's easy...put the hat out with a bit of seed money and people get the idea as they pass by. But if not doing a trickle show...how to hat the folks? Any ideas on "Non-Hat" Hat lines? Thought I had was to have volunteer come up, just before last trick, and read the legal stipulation from the permit stating performers can't ask for money (just one line, and then rewarding the volunteer with small trick or trinket), then do finale. Of course one can always perform as normal, then pack up and move if police decided to enforce...but I'd like to see if it could be done within the confines of the law...any thoughts?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
I would not work there. what need to go there, perform and not allowed to ask for money. why do they do it that way?
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HerbLarry Special user Poof! 731 Posts |
Time spent "thinking" around laws is wasted time.
You know why don't act naive.
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Robert and herb larry are right. You are wasting your time and energy trying to "sneak around" the laws of the land. The Filth is not gonna say: "golly gee, he didn't actively solicit donations, he rally really snuck around the law with that clever turn of the word- we're powerless!"
If they don't like what you're doing, and they know they can get away with it, they'll shut you down even if they know what you're doing is legal. That's why they're called Pigs... You need to follow your own muse here. Our suggestions can't help you. I say that while wishing you the best of luck. It sucks that your rights are being trampled on so blatantly.
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
These laws are common and becoming more common. This is something I do: when someone gives you a tip, tell them "you didn't have to do that - I told you it was free".
Timing is everything: don't say it till they put their wallet away, as then it becomes more work to put the money back in the wallet then it does to just drop it in the jar. And notice the exact phrasing: you DIDN'T have to do that - implying they already did. Make a funny statement as they drop it in ... draw attention to them, so everyone else sees them doing it. By telling this guy not to tip, you are encouraging everyone else to do the same. Nobody can give you flack about it, what could they possibly say ... "Your honor, we arrested him because he was on the sidewalk and told a guy not to tip him". -JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Also it's my belief that the purpose of these laws is not to stop people from collecting a tip per say, but rather it is ammunition to chase someone off a pitch.
Unless there is an actual complaint against you, I doubt anyone would ever care if you asked for a tip or not. But, if someone were to complain about you ... the cops can just come over and send you packing. I've worked Myrtle Beach with this type of law, and not once did anyone ever bat an eyelash at me ... cops were always friendly and let me do whatever I wanted ... nobody ever came around to see if I was asking for tips or not. I think you should go into it with the it's better to ask forgiveness than get approval approach. -JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Sleeveless New user 89 Posts |
I ran into the same problem a number of years ago. I solved it by reading the regulation word for word as I put out my hat. My audience new what to do and there was nothing the enforcers could do. I hope this works for you, too.
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MagicMax7 New user Las Vegas 33 Posts |
I agree with HerbLarry and Gaddy. If they want you gone there's not much you can do unless you feel like making a call to the ACLU and spending a few years fighting for your rights. Before I was lured to the bright lights of Sin City I called the Madison area home (no culture shock there . Have you tried getting your busk on (you know you'll use it) in the Dells? That seems like a better place anyway and not too far from Madison. Just a thought.
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-30 20:35, Sleeveless wrote: My closing line is similar; "My agreement with the city of Providence is that I am allowed to perform so long as I do not 'actively solicit funds.' And I will not 'actively solicit funds.' I will not tell you that you HAVE to give me money, that would be rude. And I will not beg you to PLEASE give me money, that would be pathetic! I simply point out, that in the city of Providence, tipping is not something done with cows!" Alternate ending; "I simply make the observation, that Tipping is not a city in China."
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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