Busking in Ottawa

[Phil]

I am a student at Carleton University here in Ottawa. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience or information on busking in Ottawa: rules, licenses needed etc. Is juggling on Parliament Hill possible? Or would lighting torches from the eternal flame be frowned upon?

[Fabrice]

I am a magician from gatineau but I am new
to busking. I would like to meet you or exchange with you on this art. I
do fire breathing, closeup magic, bed of nails, blockhead, etc. You can
perform on the byward market without any permits whatsoever, youjust
have to arrange something with other buskers. As for fire, you have to
contact the fire dept. and tell them what you areplanning to do. Try and
sound professional. I don't know about the parliament hill.

call me or email me
Fabrice's Magic
VP of the Outaouais' Association of Magicians
fabricel@sympatico.ca
fabrice@performers.net

[dodger]

I grew up street performing in the Byward Market, at the pitch outside Oregano's. I now work in Montreal, since I go to school here. Ottawa's not quite what it used to be, but it's still good. Mostly, there just aren't any experienced acts who live there and work the pitch regularly. Used to be we had Kent Walker, the Cowguys, Martin Laniel, and before them David Aiken. These days, people come in and out of town, but no one seems to work it steady. For this reason, there isn't much respect for it. Rickshaw guys have started moving in, and will get downright nasty if you work it too much. Also the city will schedule events right there without contacting anyone (since there isn't anyone to contact.)

Still a good pitch, though. It looks small, but get them sitting down and you can have surprisingly big hats. Make sure you keep the pedestrain lanes clear -- keep moving the crowd in if people can't get through on the back. Also, whatever you do, do not block the road. The police will stop shows if someone is standing on the road.

Good luck -- it would be good to know that the pitch is being worked again.

-Dave

[ 06-02-2002: Message edited by: dodger ]</p>

[Brian Wilson]

Bad news.. this year market administration is discouraging circle acts from performing on the corner (so I heard from Tawny Ross.) Each year they've been adding restrictions, last year it was no fire. This year in a show some lady was hit in the head with a juggling prop in someones show (anyone know who's?)- she complained and now the pitch is closed down. The workable allowable spot allows for a large half circle and is in between patios - it's a workable spot but doesn't have the charm or full circle capability of the corner. The new spot is just down William from the corner - right in front of the Old Christmas Shoppe (which closed.)

[dodger]

... and I bet the Byward Market Association still has a juggler on their logo. Goes to show how important we are to business and tourism associations... smile.gif

The spot Bri mentioned is still a good place to work. Sometimes it is better than the Oregano's pitch, because it gets shade earlier. (In July in Ottawa, shade is important.) Try commiting to a more relaxed, intimate energy than you would on the other picth, and ask the people to move in to the space with you.

-Dave