Boston auditions

[UCO]

When does the auditions for fanuill hall? Sorry about the spelling

[Jim]

Auditions are April 23 & 24. Applications are due by March 19 to get an audition slot. Call 617-523-1300 x7030 for more info.

However, if the auditions go anything like last year, you may be coming a long way to audition for 10 minutes, only to realize that they aren't accepting new acts. I honestly don't know why they held auditions last year (except that it was a nice publicity event for them.)

Also: No fire, No knives, No profanity, "No Politically Incorrect Language."

Good Luck!

[UCO]

Sounds like a drag honestly; Do you play there?

[Jim]

Yes, I play there.

A lot of people auditioned last year and had great auditions, but I don't think they accepted any new variety acts. There were a few new musical acts.

Also, keep in mind that even if you do audition and get accepted into the program, you will not be working there every day. There are MANY variety acts and ONE pitch that is scheduled in two-hour slots. If it's your first year, I wouldn't expect more than two spots per week during the season... the spots are generally good, but unless you're living in the Boston area and have other work, you can't really make a living on Faneuil Hall alone... especially if you're traveling a long distance to get there.

I'm saying this now because I think a lot of people were really let down last year after getting their hopes up. Other Boston acts should feel free to chime in here....

[UCO]

Thanks for the tip,
If I was to pass threw a weekend or something of the sort is there a chance to play?
Is there a draw or another pitch?
M

[Jim]

Boston is discussed in detail here:
http://www.performers.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32

[harmonicakev]

They did let in 4 new musical acts in '04, but the total number of acts on the marketplace roster was the same in 2003 and 2004; 20 variety acts and 16 musical acts, (36 total), going by their published roster. In 2002 there were 45 acts total on the roster; 23 variety, 22 musical.
There were 32 variety acts on the roster in 1999 (14 musical acts). I believe some of the performers were complaining about not getting enough spots at that time.
Should I audition anyway, or just play unscheduled anywhere else in Boston?

[Peter G]

I would like to second Jim's comments about Boston and especially Faneuil Hall...

With the change of owernership a couple of years back, Faneuil Hall has become an exersize in frustration. For years Faneuil Hall was a great place to work, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone anymore becuase there is way too much s#@t to eat, just to get a couple of shows a month. After losing one major pitch a couple of years back (South Market), and another one this year (Sam Adams) I truly believe what people have been saying for years: Faneuil Hall is over. We bostoners are just hanging on with optimism because we remember what it used to be; not because of what it is now.

Keep in mind, your schedule is made by people who don't understand how much money is at stake, and anyone of us locals can tell of a month that they just got SCREWED. I myself have opened the schedule to find that I have simply been LEFT OFF for the whole month. And trust me when the month is July and the response from the managment is to offer you Monday mornings (or whatever unworkable spot no one else wanted) you just have to hope you have other bookings on your calendar to get you through. I would hate to see that happen to someone who is spending extra money to be here.

Finally, Faneuil Hall is just antithetical to the Busker spirit. You can't make your own schedule, work when and where you want.

Just one bitter performers opinion


Big Hats,

Peter Gross

PS Gazzo likes to get on this board and others and scream that Boston is great. It's kind of a joke; he started doing a couple of years ago because a couple of people asked him to stop telling people to come here (including me) and ever since then he does it all the time.

But look around, if Boston was so good, why isn't the Gaz working here? He shows up once in a while to visit family, but usually he is following a different course - finding a city where there's no one else who can really put over a show, claiming the best pitch for himself and working every night of the week. Besides, the more people he sends to Boston, the fewer will want to share his pitches.

[Joan]

Hi everyone. I was actually thinking of coming in to tryout too. Do you think it will be different this year with the new ownership? Has anyone gone to talk to them? Do they appreciate what we do for their bussiness yet? Anyway see you in April.

[Peter G]

Joan -
There's no way to tell but the general assumption is that this year will be either:

Business as usual: with new ownership, those in charge may want to 'watch' how FH works for a season before trying to improve things

Worse: The owners or current staff feels it time to show how much money FH can make. The staff may also feel pressure to perform, which would mean they would work harder than usual to show good cash flow. To generate more money, they will probably try to rent the pitches out to 'special events' which will close down street performing at prime time - weekends and evenings.

See you in April.

peter

[harmonicakev]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Peter G
After losing one major pitch a couple of years back (South Market), and another one this year (Sam Adams) I truly believe what people have been saying for years: Faneuil Hall is over.


Hi Peter G! You never know, maybe that new restaurant that moved in and immediately started complaining about street performers will fail;
or maybe they'll open up Marketplace Center again.
Marketplace Management no longer books Dock Square/ Sam Adams Park. So far no reports of police harassment there?
Stephen (Baird) would appreciate if anyone who is harassed while busking in Boston could let him know right away.
http://communityartsadvocates.org/StreetArts.html
The City of Boston has agreed in court not to enforce the old ordinances, but it is possible that at sometime an individual law enforcement officer may forget this fact.

[harmonicakev]

http://communityartsadvocates.org/images/SAABostonPics/CourtTranscriptDec23.txt

fascinating reading for some (incredibly boring for others) - Kev

Hurray for Judge Gertner!