"Crashing" events

[mnozzolio]

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions/experiences with "crashing" events, such as art shows, festivals, etc. In other words, have you tried to perform unannounced? Curious minds want to know.

[Stretch]

Do it all the time. That is how I got my practice in when I first started as a "stilted" strolling entertainer. After 5+ years, I still do it.

I have only one rule: If they call me, they have to pay. If I call them and they don't hire me, I won't show up. Unless it is a bonfide charity, then I might show up if I feel like it, when I feel like it and stay only as long . . . as I feel like it.

And of course I respect the space of any entertainers that might be present.

Often I'll bring a friend along to take some pics or shoot some video. I generally will wear a different costume than what I would wear at a paying gig:http://www.stiltwalker.com/mvc346x.jpg


These pants have my web site URL prominently displayed down the pant leg.

I have stilt walked the 10K (6.1 mile) Bolder Boulder four times, and gotten my pic in the paper at least three times as a result. And you could clearly read my web page address in the newspaper photo!

I've never been asked to leave but once. Got a great newspaper article out of it. Read it here:http://www.westword.com/issues/2001-07-19/news.html

So I would encourage you to use good judgement and go for it.

Walking tall, and stretching imaginations!

Bill "Stretch" Coleman
http://Stiltwalker.com/


------------------
Walking tall and stretching imaginations!
Bill 'Stretch' Coleman

[Peter Voice]

I agree with everything Stretch said. I started doing 17 years ago and still do it.
I would like to add a couple of important points.
Crashing festivals gives you good exposure to other festival directors. If you do a great act, it will be noticed.
If you can crash an event and make great hats, it helps establish the credibility of your fees. Eg it's Port Fairy Festival weekend and last year you crashed it, made great money and had a very good time but this year another festival wants to book you. He has to match or better your expectations. The booked gig is better because you are paid regardless of weather or crowds but crashing a great festival is usually worth it. It is a great way to meet other performers. Personally I think every-one SHOULD do it.
It's also astounding the variety and number of events that will work for you.

[martin ewen]

Crashing festivals as gorilla-marketing is generally acceptable, crashing them because you see an opening to earn money and entertain without impacting on set pitches or programs is also ok (just my opinion) crashing them specifically because you have not been invited is really the only instance where it is considered bad form.
Jazz festivals, arts festivals etc usually have no objection to additional entertainment providing its within the atmosphere that they are trying to produce and in most cases on public land there are grey areas of authority that can be exploited but having said that it really pays in the long run not to piss people off, if you can respect that its their promotion money that get the crowds there and try to inhance the event and if possible liase with them then so much the better.
I know of a few people who have either crashed street performance festivals or in some cases have merely threatened to, because they were sore at not making that years cut, who, because of that attitude have more or less blacklisted themselves.
I doubt you'd be asking about this unless you were dealing with something specific and it might be easier to know more about that or I may be mistaken and you may simply be asking for moral guidance in which case god have mercy on your soul.

[mnozzolio]

Thanks for the supportive comments. To elaborate, the events I had in mind primarily were arts/crafts shows and sales, and town celebrations, i.e. "Springfield Days."
FYI, I play accordion. Last summer, I had submitted material to a large arts festival that was seeking street entertainers. I never heard back. I at least wanted a formal "no." I showed up at the event anyway and started playing on the fringe of the where the main activity was taking place. Within a few minutes, the president of the festival board asked if I had permission to play. I said no. He said, "that's OK, but why don't you move up to where all the people are."

If I had gone in and immedately started playing in the midst of the activity, I might not have been welcomed. I've "crashed" a few other events, as well. I guess my overall opinion is to show up; find a spot where I won't inhibit or interefere with the event, and leave quietly and respectfully if asked to do so.

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

[This message has been edited by Lucky Diamond Rich (edited 12-31-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Lucky Diamond Rich (edited 12-31-2001).]

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Stretch]

Don't hold back man, tell us how yu REALLY feel!

Walking tall, (everywhere, not just at festivals)

Bill "Stretch" Coleman
http://Stiltwalker.com/


------------------
Walking tall and stretching imaginations!
Bill 'Stretch' Coleman

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

recovering button pusher!


LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Lynneski]

Forgive me, but I need to inject a few facts here. I'm most familiar with a few Ontario locations, but my understanding is that many cities in Canada have prohibitive bylaws, fines and enforcement (or else rigid, annual audition structures) that make Euro/Oz/Kiwi-style "just show up and work it" street performing very untenable in a lot of the country.

In the case of Waterloo festival, the festival is granted an exemption from a fine-based anti-peddling bylaw, only for the duration of the fest, and only for contracted artists. In other words, you could be fined or nastier because you'd be breaking the law.

Not necessarily fair, but c'est la guerre.

For meself, I think it's all in the approach. Landing onself in the middle of an existing fest and elbowing out a pitch without regard to other artists, the schedule, the funds and effort put into building the fest audience is sure to get you a frosty reception. Asking if there's a timeslot/space that you might work might more likely get you results, if the schedule hasn't been compressed and compromised by weather. It's the old "bees with honey, not vinegar" thing. No "sucking festival organizers cocks" required - just a simple nod to etiquette, and the recognition that you're there to gamble, and that the fest built the edge.

Lynne

[Thom]

I would think that simply calling and asking to crash the festival would be the easiest way.
At the few fests I've crashed, I've sent the president an e-mail explaining that I'd like a little exposure, won't interfere and would perform for free. I've never had a problem and I've never had a, "no". I've even had access to the performers "lounge" and perks offered on a couple of occasions.

However, let me qualify that I called fests that I would fit with and I knew had a less than stellar budget. With bigger and better fests I might have been turned down. It has also been a few years since I did this, times might have changed.

Have you thought of typing a form letter and sending it to the fests you want to do for free? Tell them about you and what you will and won't do.

Thom
www.thombritain.com (http://www.thombritain.com)

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

recovering button pusher,

LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

spam
I know of a showman who claims
he's too pure to wear festival chains
such a strong, mighty show
but to Nelson he'll go
and put the fat lie to his claims.

Rich, pipe down with the self righteousness, willya?

[Lynneski]

Boy, and I didn't even have to poke him with a sharp stick!

Rich, why the fury? We can peacefully co-exist. If you choose not to partake of the festival format, power to ya. I'm sure that you, and hundreds others, make a tidy living on your own terms.

The thread asked about what happens when you crash an existing festival, and I provided some information on the restrictions that I know about, and within which some of the fests have to work.

In some cities the regs are stupidly prohibitive (Vancouver's ban on fire and sharp implements being one example), and various individuals (performers and producers alike) are trying to educate their communities on how to be more receptive.

The festivals with which I'm familiar are supposed to be a celebration of the artform and its purveyors. Granted, many of them got their start as a means to drive traffic to urban merchants or shopping districts. But the best of them are simply that - a presentation and celebration of variety street performers, street theatre and spectacle.

You're certainly free to deride whatever you see fit. But be consistent, man. If you think festivals have made things too easy, turned artists all soft and squishy so they don't have to work for their edge and their bread, then performing at or crashing one would certainly be beneath you.

Lynne

[martin ewen]

Jesus rich, get a santimonious grip, your contradictions are showing, are you not crashing the Christchurch festival at this very moment, or are you using the collection of all your buddys to merely overlook your distate for festivals on this occaision cos it suits you. Are you working it? or just hanging out? No matter, your booked into the Nelson festival at the end of the month, are you doing wellington as well? (you did last year or was it the year before) and are you doing the auckland fest like you did last year? must be nice to have your cake and eat it but its messy when you dribble it publicly.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: martin ewen ]</p>

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

recovering button pusher,

LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Yo.

My limerick says that I know of you, not that I know you. Those verses state what I've observed. You put yourself on a level above performers who do festivals, but then, you do festivals. I call 'em as I see 'em, and hey, even if you were being straight up about it, its still self righteous talk, and I say it stinks up the place. So put the soap box away, ya corporate soulselling festival slut, you're no better than the rest of us.

[martin ewen]

'My oppion is,
that i choose not to crash festivals at,all!As I think festivals attract a cretain type of act aswell!'

Really and what type of people do they attract?

"I was just visiting,some old friends,"

Oh I see, friends who work at festivals, who are "hardcore" and "real" (just like you) and somehow sidestep having to suck the organisers cock to justify being there.

Usually at about three years old you come to learn that the world doesn't in fact revolve around you , you cry and the tit just doesnt appear. its an introduction into subjectivity and you learn more about it throughout your life.
There's more than one truth richy, sorry if you or your higher power are hurt by this, you appear to be viciously opinionated (which is a quality I admire) but you fail to realise that opinions and truth are two different things. (its called a messianic- complex and in part involves voices in your head)
Your entitled to your opinions which I choose to disagree with.
I think in this instance that given you perform at festivals and that you choose to hang out at festivals even when not performing, that your opinions about festivals being inferior to the street is just another way for you to try and bignote about how fabulious and hard core and real you are.
I think you presume we're interested.
You insult my friends- some of whom run festivals and some of whom (like you) work them, other than that your opinions mean very little to me.
I respect your commitment to street theatre but I'm not intimidated by your pedegree or your thinly disguised physical threats-

"I hope you can back up these,words!As I am sure I will see you out there on the street's somewere,it is a small world you know!!!!And maybe we can sort this tecnicallity ,out then!"

you come of sounding like a thug in my opinion.

One last thing because i just can't help myself,
"As for the cake,man you have been eating the same old cakes for years"

Your appearance may have changed over the years along with your name from time to time, but how long is it now you've been juggling for a living lucky.

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

recovering button pusher,

LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Jim]

How about we stay on topic and watch the flames? Hmmmm?

We've all been here before folks and we know where it ends up. Someone's gonna get hurt.

Lucky, Martin, Taxi: To continue this conversation, go to Blah Blah Blah.

To continue discussing "Crashing Events" carry on right here.

Jim

[Lee Nelson]

Hi there - this seems like a relevant discussion at the moment for me. Here is a situation.
You live and work as a street performer in one city for two years constantly performing in the same places because that is where you know that you can get your biggest crowds and the most money to support your lifestyle.
Along comes a "World Buskers Festival" which commandeers your pitchs and your crowds for several weeks - sucking the money out of the punters and over-exposing the populace to street performance so that the hats suck for the next month.
If the festival has little or no regard for established local acts and doesnt provide us with a place to play where should we go?????
This happened to me over the last ten days - with all due respect to the festival for providing the publicity and such and creating the street performer buzz - when I set up in an out of the way corner of the Arts Centre (the local busking centre on a weekend) - well away from any of the festival acts - is it fair that I get a card dropped in my hat at the end of show saying - "it really isnt cool to crash this event, in fact it is really rather rude."
Prior to performing I contacted the local relevant authority ( bear in mind that I have done hundreds and hundreds of shows to very big crowds in recent years in this location ) to check what the status was with the festival and where I should perform and complied with the instructions. Now I find myself in the situation that I think that I may have blown any chance I ever had of working a very lucrative festival. Can a local truly crash his own pitch???
What I would like to know is what gives a street performers festival the right to ignore local acts that make their living from a pitch in favour of international ones. I showed respect to the visiting artists and didnt compete with there crowds.....was I in the wrong performing on my home pitch??? If my act was well presented, professional, highly skilled and more importantly entertaining did I do any harm to this festival????? If the festival ignores the locals should we ignore the festival????
I agree so vehemently with LDR when he talks of keeping it real. I am a performer like so many others here that can actually make something big happen in an empty square and so many street festival performers that I see are just not buskers and probably incapable of doing this. But I think that these festivals are awesome ideas - they are hugely lucrative, they educate the public and promote the art and the majority of the ones I have worked for are run by a charitable trust, a lot of volonteers and hard work and only a few people drawing a wage that truly does reflect the amount of work that they do, but what gives them the right to forbid local street performers - the ones that keep the craft alive in the city when the festival is not there????
Food for thought - love to hear some opinions and know whether I should get plastic surgery, change my name and start doing magic!!!

Cheers
Lee
aka Derek

[Steven Ragatz]

Perhaps you should contact the festival's casting people now and establish an "official" spot for next year's event. If you want to play the game with everyone else, then simply play by the same rules. If you don't want to play the same game, then simply don't be bothered when they shake their finger and scold you.

I think that it amounts to your particular comfort level. If you feel comfortable working within the system, then by all means, take advantage of the unique opportunity that having a festival produced in your back yard offers. If you feel like your work is being cheapen by the commercialism that such an organized events brings, then either make your statement by confronting the authority, or book a gig somewhere else during the festival. Remember, one person's "sucking dick" is another person's "professionalism".

If you can be honest with the level of risk you are willing to incur, then do your work in the way you need to do it, and accept the consequences. Whatever happens, if you leave with your pride, and hopefully some cash, then you have accomplished your goal.

Any performing situation, whether it be street, circus or theater, requires a certain political decorum. Sometimes it's a complex as playing by the rules when you don't really want to in order to achieve some higher goal. Other times it's as simple as "Don't piss off the guy with the badge."

Steven Ragatz

(Ignorant in the ways of busking festivals, but well aware that most people just want to be treated with dignity and respect.)

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Well, how about the opposite? For the record, I cut my teeth performing in Harvard Square in the mid 80's, and worked for a season busking and washing dishes in Key West before hitching across country and busking full time in California, and returning East for years more of the same, often creating pitches where none existed before. I've done the street as a sole means of income, and am entirely capable of generating good money anywhere, English speaking or no, where public performance is allowed. (and even where it aint, though I've been jailed for that) I'm also a father, and over the past 12 years have developed a preference for the sure money gigs. Cruise ship, corporate, private, and yes, some festivals, the festivals being by far the most fun.

I still love the freedom of the street, still do some (not much) street, and Lucky, we are not so different as you think. You remind me in your tone of a man who told me I was a sellout for driving a car and buying into a corrupt system, then needed a ride. I agree with much of what you say, and disagree strongly with your self-congratulatory tone. Drives me nuts. Sorry for the name calling, you did not reduce yourself to that. Well done. I also understand the type of act that works fests and would die on the real street, and have been told by this type of performer that my juggling/uni comedy show lacks originality. They can tell that to my bust out laughing crowds. But I see a fest that provides a platform for acts that would not otherwise perform on the street as a good thing. I LIKE to see something that isn't sure fire, its not my path, but I welcome it. I think that by and large, street performing festivals add more to the street than they subtract from it.

2 summers ago I worked a little festival in Orangeville, a total write off from day one. They were "honoring" local talent at that fest as well as international, and some lame local guy ate my lunch, had a crowd going on my assigned pitch during a (rare) good slot, and just pissed me right off, I'll tell you straight. Its also sad for me when friends from the UK stay here and work fests which pass me over as too local, but one thing is for sure, I wouldn't crash one. Ya gotta know when you're not wanted. There is a freedom in creating performance options beyond the street.

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

recovering button pusher,


LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Lynneski]

Lee, I have seen your frustration in not getting accepted into your local street festival, albeit from the other side of the issue. I have had to turn down applications from "local" artists in years past, and there are a number of reasons why, from my perspective:

-balancing geography
-fests book in local/domestic and international acts; there have to be a limited number of spots available, and not all local artists can be accomodated at one time

-audience interest
-part of the mix is to keep things fresh for the (mostly local) audience; it's possible for a local artist to be overexposed in their community, meaning the fest producer may have to reach for something else to continue to draw

-variety
-if there are already a number of skill-based (or magic or dance or whatever) artists booked for the fest, and yours is a skill-based show, you might be out of luck

-calibre
-there are *lots* of local artists who clamour to get into their local festival because they feel they have a right to be there, but they still have to demonstrate they have the street chops to compare with the other artists that are being presented (I doubt this is the situation in your case;-). It's setting the artist up to draw weak circles when scheduled up against their more effervescent brethren, and it weakens the festival "product" as a whole to present less than stellar acts simply because they're available.

-policy
-a number of festivals have guidelines (some call them rules) in place that govern how often an artist may appear at the fest - most often I've seen a "not within two years" and "no more than alternate years" rules of thumb in place

Perhaps an out lies in not just asking to present your circle show. Have you tried to offer the producer and the audience something new? A roving character? A piece of street theatre? A site-specific piece that works off local architecture or politics?

Or maybe you can use your local appeal to best advantage - host or MC one of the group shows/ensemble shows/cabaret nights at the fest. Use *your* draw and your strength with the local audiences to help build the show in general (for a fee, of course!).

I'm not suggesting you throw yourselves at the feet of your local producer, but a little creative thinking might go a long way. Realistically, you can't expect to have your circle show presented at the same fest to the same audiences year after year. But you should be able and/or encouraged to be a participant in some way.

You don't really say why you were turned down. Have you asked?

Lynne

[Stretch]

Only somewhat similar, but here is my approach to a similar situation:
Local producer throws a parade (to the benifit of a handful of bars) and expects all the local stilt performers to PAY $25 to be in the parade!!!! This is in a LARGE city, but they "don't have a budget".

I made a couple of contacts, and now I'm getting paid to perform out of town on the same day. Smaller venue, but a true community event. I'm going to have fun, AND get paid. All for the price of an internet search and a couple of phone calls.

Bye the way, WHO dropped the card in the hat? Your festival organizer? ouch! Or an out of town busker who didn't like your show?

In any case, good luck.

Walking tall, and stretching imaginations!
Stretch
http://Stiltwalker.com/

[Peter Voice]

You can bet your arse that it wasn't Jodi Wright (ChCh Busker's Fest supremo) who put the card in the hat. For a start, she is honest and blunt and will always tell you what she thinks, to your face. If she organised or approved a spot for you to work then she would defend, not erode, your right to perform. I cannot imagine her writing such a prissy missive to any-one, it's not her style.

[Lee Nelson]

Well there is heaps to respond to there so Ill elaborate and hope that clarifies.
The card definately came from Jodi - it wasnt here but it was delivered by a buskers festival t-shirt and it was here personalised business card so I'd say it would have to be her style.

The getting other work thing.....had it organised but due to unseasonal summer flash flooding over the entire length of the sth island the only bridge serviceing the event had been washed several kilometers downstream and thus the event was cancelled on 5 days notice.

The overexposure thing....I hear ya and I agree with you to an extent but the reality is the average market I perform to is 75%tourist.

The talking thing....many are the times that the local performers have approached the organiser in regard to a locals pitch, granted I havent done it personally but due to the fact that there still isnt one after x amount of years I didnt choose to spend my energy in that direction this year as others had. Instead we approached the festival approx 10 mths before date and questioned what we needed to do to get in. We were just told to see festival on a given date as that was when it talked to locals. On the given date we spoke to the festival (eagerly clutching PR stuff) and were told by the festival not to bother as they were now only searching for female solo acts. They wouldnt even watch the video. I could say that we never had a chance but maybe I should have ignored the instruction and just hassled anyway all year.

I have never personally crashed an event before, that was my first time and I was pissed off. Normally I get paid or I approach the organiser if I think that being at the festival will be better than being at a pitch known to me. They are almost always supportive.

No-one has really taken me up on what I first wrote though.
Does a festival have the right to stop the natural trading of local street performers? Especially when they commandeer their pitches. I am not the only victim on the last weekend...almost every local performer has recieved a similiar card over recent years...some have them pinned to their walls.
As street performers when we choose to work in the purest form we are above the law, to an extent. We work our own way where we choose or we definately do in Aus / NZ in most places and I have worked most places in various incarnations over the last 5 or 6 years. A festival that champions this artform is also stifling it in this city. Granted it only affects us for a month but it is crap month and in peak season too.

Still havent decided whether to beat myself up or not give a crap. I do have dreams of working here oneday and performing to the ready made crowds that the festival provides but I have slowly developed a chip on my tall lanky acrobat shoulders that tells me that I could live without it and have lived without it for a long time

Cheers
Lee

P.S - will be in Queenstown on Feb 4 for a festival LDR if youll be there. It will be good to see your new face. I met you in Melbourne at Port Fairy and Bourke St when I was touring as part of the Dry Water Synchronised Swimming Team and later again in Darling Harbour when I was working with Conrade in the Professional Idiots.

[martin ewen]

Jodi does a good job of organising the festival however it pays not to loose sight of the fact that it makes her money and is run by a company she operates.
The arts center is one of New zealands ( if not the) best street performance venues. Potentially. Unfortunately for those who work the smaller pitches during the year theres a rule thats basicly the bottom line that can be invoked during the festivals and at other times when needed. Because its all run by a trust it is designated as private land and regulated as such.
I have 2 beefs, one is that the courtyard where the main dux pitch is used to be the best weekend pitch in the country until stalls selling nick nacs were, without notice expanded to smother it.
Really annoyed me as its my home town and once again we're shafted.
and the other thing is that for a number of years now jodi's been taking a percentage of the evening busks.
I have problems with that.
The pub that seats and services the punters for the fest has its most profitable 10 days of the year, they jack up their prices and charge the performers the normal rate and call it a discount.
Its well beyond a chummy get-together for us street folk.
Its a massive earner. which as anyone will tell you is great business.
For the pub owner especially.
This year is the first I havn't attended for about 10 years.
I'm disgruntled which will probably come as a shock to nobody.
My point is that legally you should be aware that in some admin circles its seen as generousity that you are allowed to work the arts center at all and while the fest is on its felt that you really should dissapear. theres only one local performer who's done the fest more times than me and his name is patrick duffy and if it wern't for him the festival and in fact a major portion of the south island, would not exist.
Should have put this in rants really

[Peter Voice]

I'm dissappointed that Jodi would deal with you in such a crappy way. I've worked with her for over 6 years but only been to the Buskers Fest. once (I had a flu and it didn't work for either of us).

I must agree with you about the displacement of all the local performers. I often worked nearby at other times of the year and watched the weekend performers (I too may have displaced locals). One of the best Saturday's afternoon's performances I've seen, on any pitch anywhere, was the assessment day for the Street Theatre element of the new "Performance Arts" course at the Polytech (its first year). Several of those people now have burgeoning shows.

I'v seen it at many festivals and events, having been a director/producer and having to deal with the aspects Lynneski raises, as well as finding myself/my work displaced by other people's events. As a pavement artist you can work for 10 days building towards your hat and then turn up on Saturday to find a tent on your work.

I really can't offer any solution to the problem other than to say "Get out of town".

It was the best advice anybody ever gave me. Once you can "do it", go and do it somewhere else. A visiting performer always (don't ask me why) always gets more respect than the local. Perhaps it's the familiarity breeding contempt thing, maybe, it's the knowledge that the visitor will actually leave (this means the visitor can be wildly creative and eccentric and not only get away with it but be celebrated momentarily).

If you've worked a town as small as CHCH successfully for a couple of years (in view of the fact that it's a small audience that does see some of the best) then you have a good act.

Leave town!!! The world is full of good pitches, if you can make them work for you, Jodi will probably have to pay you to come back.

PS How's the "Wonderbar" doing?