Be a Better Busker

In my spare time, I work busking / street performing on the cobblestones of the French Quarter. It's a great way to both make money and practice/rehearse.

This 'part time job' started many moons ago, when Tom Frank introduced me to this wonderful art form. It was at the Taste of Cincinnati back in 1988... I made more $ in one day, then I did in an entire week (working as a movie projectionist at the time.) I never went back to work after that day. I spent a month living, learning (and maybe just a tad bit of partying) with Tom and then headed off to Chicago. The summer I spent there was the stuff dreams are made of (good friends, good times, good money & good magic.) I then traveled to NOLA for the winter and have been here ever since.

If you're interested in learning more about Busking / Street Magic (the REAL street magic) there's some great resources to jump start your career (in fact, these days there's TONS of info on the subject... I'll try & stay concise.)

1st and  foremost, I'd recommend Jimmy Talksalot's "To Lure With Spectacle" this is a wonderful / concise tome that will give you all the basic info you need before attacking the streets. http://leapinglizardsmagic.com/lure_with_spectacle.htm

Jimmy also has a wonderful blog that contains much of the above info... and more:
http://jimmytalksalot.blogspot.com/

Watch Talksalot "Lure With Spectacle"

Cellini's "The Royal Touch" is an amazing book that contains a great selection of  strong street magic and info on how to apply that magic to the streets. It's a beautiful book. One of my 'top 10' and considering the # of magic books I have / read... that's strong.

The Art of Street Performing. Back in early 2000, while running my Big Easy Magic Shop (RIP) I answered a phone call from a guy named Ted. He was interested in coming to town & documenting Cellini's work. Cellini was hesitant to do the project, but after a bit of thought (mainly on how he could/would help others) he decided to do it. It's no surprise that within a couple years of producing these videos, Kozmo became a top-tier busker... I've no doubt, this info can do the same for you. Kozmo's busking DVD's are great. Strong info from strong performers that will have you making big bux before you know it.  KozmoMagic has produced several DVD's on the art of Street Magic. His Cellini series is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Once you get the basics down, you can wade into the deep end with Eric Evans & his 'Street Magic & the Art of War' ... this book is like art... it will make you think. http://www.secretartofmagic.com/secret2.htm

There are some great forums on the internet that will make you a better performer.

Danny Hustle's 'Buskers Cafe' is a wonderful spot full of top notch guys with great advice.
http://buskerscafe.com/forums/

The Sidewalk Performers Forums are very active and full of info to keep your hats overflowing
http://sidewalkperformers.freeforums.org/portal.php

The 'Sidewalk Shuffle' section on the magic cafe is worth a browse now and again...
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewforum.php?forum=6&39486
the powers that be saw fit to ban me from that site... an act I still thank them for to this day ( with all the other great busking related forums... I'm not sure why guys still post there but they do, & that info is worth reading... so do it.)

Last, but certainly not least...  http://www.performers.net/  . This site (which has been online & active since 1997) has TONS of info on ALL aspects of street performing. Bookmark it. Visit & Revisit this wonderful resource.

You can also learn alot by researching youtube (but you probably knew that ;)
I'll humbly suggest ya take a peek @  some videos of NOLA busker magi on my YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/connjure

There's SO much more I could write about (and so much I've glossed over &/or omitted from this list.) I'm sure I'll be returning to this subject soon enough... stay tuned & in the interim; FAT HATS!