I'm thinking of taking a trip over the next few weeks down the west coast from Vancouver BC to San Francisco. I was thinking of stopping in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, and possibly venturing further south.
Does anyone know if these cities are busker-friendly, or if you need some sort of permit or license? I seem to recall hearing somewhere that busking is generally permitted thanks to 'freedom of speech' or 'freedom of expression' article in the US constitution, but I'm not sure if that's accurate.
Are there any obvious spots along the west coast that I'm missing? I was hoping to drop in on a session or two along the way too.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Go raibh maith agaibh
The place in Seattle for busking is Pike Place Market, and last I knew, the city required a permit for busking there. But your bigger problem will be finding a place to set up that isn't encroaching on someone else's turf. Other options in Seattle include the park around the Space Needle and down at Fisherman's Wharf. I don't know if permits are required there or not.
Portland is tricky--unless there's a festival of some sort, there aren't many great places to busk. Easy to get lost in the bustle of everyday business.
In San Francisco you might try setting up in one of the BART stations (underground rail system) and there's generally a fair amount of buskers on Market Street, but be warned that there's also a fair amount of sketchy/tweaker/meth-head/junkies so if you're busking there you'd want to keep your wits about you so your takings don't get nicked. There's a Farmer's Market down at the Embarcadero at the bottom of Market St. at the weekend, it might be a decent spot for busking.
In Portland, try along Hawthorne Boulevard. On a reasonably nice say, the foot traffic in front of the mini-Powell's is usually pretty good. And be sure to stop in for a coffee at the Fresh Pot, it'll ruin you for life. You can also set up by the ice cream shop a little further down, I've had decent luck there before. You can also go up on Northwest 23rd, where you're likely to see people out shopping on a weekend.
The farmers market in san francisco opens at 8 on saturday mornings, but you need to be there early as places fill up really quicky. its a great earner. Powell station underground can be quite good as Triplet upstairs does say, or any nearby BART stations.
The Haight sounds good on paper but in reality is full to the brim with folks with even less money than your common busker and youll end up in competition with some guy busking with a sign - ' i need money for booze and dope'
head down to North Beach, plenty of well to do day trippers, foreign families and a generally nice vibe
Thanks for all of the advice. Does anyone know the legal situation of busking in Portland/San Francisco? i.e. is some sort of permit or licence required, or can busking get you in trouble with the law?
I don't know about the West Coast, but most buskers I know that have been asked to stop were simply told it wasn't allowed and to move along, with no other repercussions.
Also, I doubt busking is protected under any "freedom of speech" laws because you're making money off it.
I'm about to head out on a similar adventure! I'd love to hear how this is going for people. I'm heading north out of Eugene, and plan on venturing around, hitting up Portland, and Seattle, but I'm wondering where else is good. I know so very little about the scene in Vancouver BC, but am not adverse to explore it to find out. Is it worth the trip North for busking? Any tips on good locations and laws? Also, are there other places in Washington/ BC that are lax on street performance laws? Random Markets, cities, festivals to hit up?
Busking along US west coast
Busking along US west coast
I'm thinking of taking a trip over the next few weeks down the west coast from Vancouver BC to San Francisco. I was thinking of stopping in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, and possibly venturing further south.
Does anyone know if these cities are busker-friendly, or if you need some sort of permit or license? I seem to recall hearing somewhere that busking is generally permitted thanks to 'freedom of speech' or 'freedom of expression' article in the US constitution, but I'm not sure if that's accurate.
Are there any obvious spots along the west coast that I'm missing? I was hoping to drop in on a session or two along the way too.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Go raibh maith agaibh
# Posted on March 23rd 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: Busking along US west coast
The place in Seattle for busking is Pike Place Market, and last I knew, the city required a permit for busking there. But your bigger problem will be finding a place to set up that isn't encroaching on someone else's turf. Other options in Seattle include the park around the Space Needle and down at Fisherman's Wharf. I don't know if permits are required there or not.
Portland is tricky--unless there's a festival of some sort, there aren't many great places to busk. Easy to get lost in the bustle of everyday business.
Good luck!
# Posted on March 23rd 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Busking along US west coast
I found the following when I tried searching for information on busking in Seattle:
http://www.belltowner.com/2008/06/any-takers-on-a-1995000-forecl.html
It sounds like an even more hostile environment than here in Calgary!
# Posted on March 23rd 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: Busking along US west coast
I'll tell you about busking in Vancouver, if you care to email me.
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by oldstrings
Re: Busking along US west coast
In San Francisco you might try setting up in one of the BART stations (underground rail system) and there's generally a fair amount of buskers on Market Street, but be warned that there's also a fair amount of sketchy/tweaker/meth-head/junkies so if you're busking there you'd want to keep your wits about you so your takings don't get nicked. There's a Farmer's Market down at the Embarcadero at the bottom of Market St. at the weekend, it might be a decent spot for busking.
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by triplet upstairs
Re: Busking along US west coast
In Portland, try along Hawthorne Boulevard. On a reasonably nice say, the foot traffic in front of the mini-Powell's is usually pretty good. And be sure to stop in for a coffee at the Fresh Pot, it'll ruin you for life. You can also set up by the ice cream shop a little further down, I've had decent luck there before. You can also go up on Northwest 23rd, where you're likely to see people out shopping on a weekend.
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Busking along US west coast
The farmers market in san francisco opens at 8 on saturday mornings, but you need to be there early as places fill up really quicky. its a great earner. Powell station underground can be quite good as Triplet upstairs does say, or any nearby BART stations.
The Haight sounds good on paper but in reality is full to the brim with folks with even less money than your common busker and youll end up in competition with some guy busking with a sign - ' i need money for booze and dope'
head down to North Beach, plenty of well to do day trippers, foreign families and a generally nice vibe
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by alpal
Re: Busking along US west coast
Thanks for all of the advice. Does anyone know the legal situation of busking in Portland/San Francisco? i.e. is some sort of permit or licence required, or can busking get you in trouble with the law?
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: Busking along US west coast
No permits in Portland, although places like Saturday Market (private property) do regulate the trade. On the street, you're fine.
# Posted on March 24th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Busking along US west coast
I don't know about the West Coast, but most buskers I know that have been asked to stop were simply told it wasn't allowed and to move along, with no other repercussions.
Also, I doubt busking is protected under any "freedom of speech" laws because you're making money off it.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by alison kale
Re: Busking along US west coast
Hey i'm looking to do the same thing in July and August. Did you ever make the trip to busk along the west coast? I'd to hear how it went!!
-mimi g
# Posted on May 8th 2010 by mimibert
Re: Busking along US west coast
I'm about to head out on a similar adventure! I'd love to hear how this is going for people. I'm heading north out of Eugene, and plan on venturing around, hitting up Portland, and Seattle, but I'm wondering where else is good. I know so very little about the scene in Vancouver BC, but am not adverse to explore it to find out. Is it worth the trip North for busking? Any tips on good locations and laws? Also, are there other places in Washington/ BC that are lax on street performance laws? Random Markets, cities, festivals to hit up?
Keep on Rocking- Kdub
# Posted on June 27th 2010 by kwpluckett