San Francisco-One more time!

[Flo]

So I've been searching through the 'archives' here on p-net looking for info on SF and busking-ish things. I have found some great threads alas, I have a more techincal question.

Among many other things in life I read palms. I would like to set up a table somewhere (Fisherman's Warf, Peir 39, union Square) and read palms. Would I need a permit for this? Would I be arrested if I didn't have a permit? Is it better to beg forgiveness than ask permission in this case?

I'll be moving back to SF very soon! WOO-HOO! biggrin.gif

Any input is very much appreciated!

Flo

[Julia]

I am almost certain that its ok, I wouldn't bother getting a permit for union square, for Fishermans warf its ok too, for pier 39 you definitely need a permit. If you want you can e-mail me privately, and I'll give you my phonenumber, and we'll talk, if you have more questions that is.
Love,
Jewels

[scot]

The problem with palm reading is, you have to set up chairs and stuff. You'll look like a vendor or a con-artist to the police possibly. You could get a vendors' license and you will probably be left alone completely. It's a little tricky finding a place to set up on the sidewalk. I would try it and find out. You can do anything without gettin fined if you're willing to put in the court and law-studying time.
scot

[Flo]

Thanks so much for the input! The difference in both of them is interesting yet important things to consider.

Jewels, Where do I find your email address?? Not listed in your profile and can't really find it on your website--it's still early though, I haven't had enough caffine today smile.gif I would love to speak more to you about this definately! I'll be in the Bay area after the 3rd or so. Shoot me an email and we'll go from there!

Thanks again tongue.gif

[Irina]

There are palm readers on the Wharf - but the trick is, you have to have sign "FREE"+ a tip jar, in order to be cosidered a street performer and not a vendor. The sidewalk is really narrow though...As to Pier 41 - there are so many street performers in one small space,it's super competitive...

[Doug]

I have a similar newby question but I am playing guitar.

Do you need a permit to put a hat out at the Wharf or Union sq?
If so how do you get the permit?
Also someone mentioned insurance, is that necesary or desirable.

Thanks!

[Irina]

There are no permits for street performers in SF, and I don't think you'll have any problems with cops if you play guitar for tips.You may have problems with other street performers though, if you set up in somebody's favorite spot, as a lot of locals are quite territiorial, and now all the buskers from Pier 41 are all over the Wharf on top of each other... There are a lot of musicians on the Wharf, and it would be difficult for you to compete with bands. Union Square, from what I heard, is closed for busking, and it's good only during X-Mas shopping season anyway.There are also stages in Cannery and Ancorage buildings and yoy can perform on the stages there and pass the hat and sell your tapes. Just go to the management offices in both buildings and talk to folks in charge of entertainment - they are really nice.You may also consider working in North Beach at night - all the sidewalk cafes are packed, and it's not as windy as on the Wharf...It's kinda slow now, and there were a lot of smog-days, when the whole city is covered with black cloud and it's freezing...But they say Sept-Oct is the best weather.

[firegirl]

...okay here's a question from me who be movin' to san fran in a couple of months...

anyone have a good source list (or a link to one) of indie comedy clubs or bars which have shows/bands which i can send promos out to???

[i don't imagine that i want to be sticking fire in my face out on the streets with the wind whipping off the bay... ha, ha, ha... that sounds like a recipe for a trip to the er...]

anyhow -- any help is appreciated!

tanks n' airplanes!

[theballoonman]

hey there
one of the best references for san fran lays at laughingsquid.net
its an database anbd email delivery system on EVERY cool event in the bay area(burning man stuff,shows,art openings)sign up on there email list its amazing...second to that get ahold of chicken john at dammit.org he owns a cool bar and also books alot of wierd gigs...
any ques on san fran just email me...
live from edinburgh
nike

[firegirl]

thanx mike -- as always your wise and sage advice is music to my ears!!!

hope ur havin' fun in edinburgh!!!

[HiveQueen]

[quote]Originally posted by firegirl:
<strong>...okay here's a question from me who be movin' to san fran in a couple of months...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey Firegirl -- as far as the SF Bay Area scene goes, check out The Crucible, over here in the East Bay. (Just a few blocks away from the West Oakland BART station, if you're public transiting it.)

They're a non-profit industrial arts school / community resource. Very good folks. Aside from their intimate knowledge of the local scene, they throw periodic fire arts festivals. Worth checking into.

Also, they are always looking for new instructors -- go to http://www.thecrucible.org/about/jobopp.html for application and class proposal forms. I'm told they're looking to expand their fire performance classes, if you can put together a nice little curriculum.

You can reach them at info@thecrucible.org or go to their web site, www.thecrucible.org (http://www.thecrucible.org) for more info. Or just drop by their place and say howdy. A lot of their people will be at Burning Man, if you're going.


And you might want to avoid saying "San Fran" to the natives. That and "Frisco." Just one of those things.

-hq