Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 20:55:00 -0400
To: balloon@balloonhq.com
From: Todd A Neufeld <tneufeld@bu.edu>
Subject: Traveling & Twisting & Busking

Hi all-

I've been traveling a lot lately, and met up with a couple of twisters.

First, I ran into Paul Belanger at the Juggling convention in
Montreal.  Paul and David Lyons had a big pile of balloons in the middle of
hundreds of jugglers.  It was hilarious to see the balloons and juggling
clubs flying around the huge gym.

The last week or so of the mailing list had many good ideas for busking.  I
won't repeat them, but I want to stress that twisting for tips does not
have to be for $1 a kid.  It can be a show.  However, if you are not going
to give each child a balloon, be sure to make it clear to your
audience.  Explain that you are doing a show, not a balloon line.  Of
course, that message can be sent out in many ways:  by talking, using
music, roping off an area, setting up chairs, mime, etc.

The last week or so also had some good posts on busking and the law.  Do
not be deluded into thinking that the US Supreme Court has ever said that
busking is perfectly legal.  They have never had a case about street
performers' rights.  While street performers like myself always argue that
we are protected by the First Amendment, it is clear that some street
performing laws are constitutional.  Every city and town has their own
laws, and they may or may not choose to regulate street performers.  Before
you start busking, talk to the town clerk, and the police chief.  If the
town does not have any street performing laws at all, then you can probably
do a show.  But please talk to a lawyer.

This past week I was in Provincetown, Cape Cod.  They have a free street
performer's permit, and allow busking all day.  In Provincetown I had the
experience of watching Harry the Hobo, an old-time balloon clown.  He
alternated between twisting dogs and swords, smoking, performing the 'bra'
trick, and telling men that balloon hats are cheaper than Rogaine.  If
anyone on the list knows Harry, please send me an email.  I'd love to
compare stories

Harry is so unpopular that I made money just by not being him.  People
actually gave me money for the sole purpose of supporting a different
balloon twister.  And yet Harry the Hobo still makes several hundred
dollars a day.  It's amazing.  He told me that he is coming to Boston in
the next month or two to stay with his ex-wife and work downtown.  Perhaps
we can organize a balloon jam together :-)

BTW, my favorite balloon request this summer:  A kid asked me to make him a
Napster.  I was dumbstruck.  Then I blew up a balloon, and told the crowd
that they could all share it, but couldn't take it.  It was my first
'virtual balloon doggie.'


See ya'

-Twistin' Todd Neufeld