Performance laws in Houston (safe, ordinance, station)

[glorplaxy]

I was wondering if anyone had any laws on street performances in Houston. Or better yet, performances in parks...namely Hermann Park. The only performers I see are the guys downtown who just play an instrument. I was wondering if I would get in trouble if I were to don an elaborate costume and girate wildly to music coming from a boombox in Hermann Park on the weekend.

[da jammer]

Originally Posted by glorplaxy

I was wondering if anyone had any laws on street performances in Houston. Or better yet, performances in parks...namely Hermann Park. The only performers I see are the guys downtown who just play an instrument. I was wondering if I would get in trouble if I were to don an elaborate costume and girate wildly to music coming from a boombox in Hermann Park on the weekend.

normally I would say .... have at it and enjoy yourself but really what you should do is call the local police station and ask this question after all if there is a problem they would be the first people wanting to have a talk with you anyway. A little preemptive strike if you will

[glorplaxy]

Hmmm.... Maybe I'll do that. I dunno, I can't see dancing in the park being illegal, but being a native of this city I just have a feeling that the authorities would stick their nose in because Houston is not a city were this kind of thing happens often.

[texas7]

Not positive but I think you have to have some sort of permit - I'd check with the city - better safe than sorry

[bostoner]

Hermann Park Conservancy

I was doing #55 with a friend and the idiot park police came and told us that wasn't allowed! The Conservancy wouldn't suggest it if it were illegal, right? I guess it helps to know your rights. Maybe you could contact the Conservancy and ask them?

[glorplaxy]

Originally Posted by houstoner

Hermann Park Conservancy

I was doing #55 with a friend and the idiot park police came and told us that wasn't allowed! The Conservancy wouldn't suggest it if it were illegal, right? I guess it helps to know your rights. Maybe you could contact the Conservancy and ask them?

That sounds like a good idea. I'll try that. Thanks.

[bostoner]

Okay, I took the liberty of calling (because inquiring minds wanna know!). The Conservancy referred me to the City Parks and Recreation department. Apparently the Conservancy just pulls stuff out of its *** and has no idea what the rules & regs actually are! The woman in P&R I spoke with said that as long as you don't turn your music up so loud that it would 1) violate the city's noise ordinance or 2) frighten the animals at the zoo, you're good to go. She said you'd only need a permit if you wanted to perform for a special (public or private) event.

As for street performances, I have no idea. You may need a permit for that. Ask that guy who plays sax downtown on Main every night! Maybe he has some insight.

[glorplaxy]

Originally Posted by houstoner

Okay, I took the liberty of calling (because inquiring minds wanna know!). The Conservancy referred me to the City Parks and Recreation department. Apparently the Conservancy just pulls stuff out of its *** and has no idea what the rules & regs actually are! The woman in P&R I spoke with said that as long as you don't turn your music up so loud that it would 1) violate the city's noise ordinance or 2) frighten the animals at the zoo, you're good to go. She said you'd only need a permit if you wanted to perform for a special (public or private) event.

As for street performances, I have no idea. You may need a permit for that. Ask that guy who plays sax downtown on Main every night! Maybe he has some insight.

Sounds great. I didn't plan on turning the music up incredibly loud. Concerning the permit...I don't think I would. No one ever inquires the people who come to play music at Main Street Square during lunch when its at its busiest. Asking the guy with the sax would probably be a wise idea, though, since I pass him a lot. I don't want to stumble into any trouble. Thanks a lot for the info!