The Danger of Enabling Artists

Bagpipe.jpgIt’s been so long since my colleague, Ms. Davis, tossed a tomato at me that I’m thinking she doesn’t like me anymore. Well, I’ll give it another try.

A year or so ago I read that Seattle had passed some of the most liberal busking laws in the country. Busking is playing live music in public, providing entertainment for passing pedestrians and cultural vitality to sidewalks.

While I was in Seattle, I heard 4 different a Capella groups, 3 different guitar players (classical, steel and folk), two different violin players, a country quartet, a jug band, a guy with a piano on wheels and several percussionists. However, condoning the practice is not without its artistic risks.

I also heard a bagpipe player. I know that some people don’t care for bagpipe music. Personally, I really enjoy it. However, whenever I hear it, I feel inspired to charge a determinedly defended stone wall. This is not always a good thing.

So, if you allow busking, sometimes you might get a cello and sometimes you might get a bagpipe.

4 Comments

  1. Alex Beeby said:

    We can’t let them take our liberal title! We should pass even more liberal busking ordinances. Bring on the accordians!

    March 28, 2007
  2. Griff Wigley said:

    I’d like to see the NDDC initiate a Busking Week, similar to ArtSwirl. Whadya say, Ross?

    March 28, 2007
  3. Ross Currier said:

    Hey Griff:

    Wendy Smith worked to organize some busking at last year’s ArtSwirl…but it rained.

    Blue Moon String Band, featuring the very famous Bruce Milan on fiddle, ended up playing inside Just Food, casually sitting at one of their tables.

    We’ll see what we can do…

    …know any bagpipe players?

    Thanks much,

    Ross

    March 28, 2007
  4. Tracy Davis said:

    Mark Heiman plays bagpipes. Maybe he’d be up for the gig.

    Ross, I’m cultivating some big, juicy, hydroponic tomatoes but they’re not squishy enough yet. Just wait.

    March 28, 2007

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