Dear Mayor Daley, Please BAN all subway performers! (Chicago: HOA, garage door)

[singinwritindrawin]

As a "Performer", I see nothing wrong with entertaining on the streets or subway!! Using one's "God given gifts"...

What I get annoyed with is "seeing smut on my TV", in the form of uncensored pornography!!! And yet swear words are not allowed!!! I rather hear the F word, than see seminaked people screwing on my TV screen... Where is the rationelle?

Vi

[urza216]

I don't understand why you want to ban people from playing music on the El.

Street musicians, bums and crazy people are a hell of a lot more interesting than whatever pointless menial dead-end job you're commuting to.

I'm just saying.

[PulSamsara]

If you like sterile, culturally dead 'life' - try the burbs. More musicians in the subway please ! And bad ones too ! No change in the guitar case takes care of that problem anyway.

[mh9]

Funny to hear the OP's comment on American Idol rejects/wannabes as the 2nd place woman last year was a Chicago busker. Before she got big, someone made this music video of 'Sweet Home Chicago' featuring her and other Chicago Street Musicians. Worth a watch:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AJiR...ext=1&index=51

And, of course, add another tally in the 'support the buskers' column.

EDIT: Also, for those inclined, more info on the 'Chicago Street Musicians' group at their website.

[core17]

I love the performers in the subways and on the streets. I tend to not give the bums on the street who are just sitting there with a cup any money, but performers who entertain me or make me laugh . . . if I have something, I always give.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by pulsamsara

more musicians in the subway please ! And bad ones too !

:d

[Chigirl773]

Bucket boys on the streets are the worst, it’s an instant headache. Especially around the holidays downtown Chicago Just kills the vibe. I was visiting New Orleans at least 2x a year until last May to my surprise bucket boys have infested one of the best street performing cities. Every time in the past you’d see/hear brass brand, beautiful singers, a guy who sings opera on his bicycle. Just great talent everywhere, not so much anymore guess it’s too hard to compete with that noise. Didn’t see ppl tipping bucket boys so maybe this will fade away fast.

[prhill]

It can be damn annoying and makes it real hard when trying to talk to someone or help someone with directions and stuff.

[Double L]

This is ridiculous. These people are trying to make a living. They are probably in a bad financial situation and are trying to get out of it. If you don't like their performance, don't give them money. If they don't make money, they will probably move on to something else.

[ToriaT]

I like them. I'd rather keep them and suffer the ones without talent. I noticed when I visited Paris there were a number of Metro performers most classical and with talent playing mostly violins. Lots of street performers in Salzburg too, very artistic bent. The bucket boys can drone on and be annoying. But as a whole, I like them.