Busk A Move
Here’s the deal: busking (sidewalk entertaining for money) is protected as a form of free speech unless a local ordinance restricts that right. In the downtown zone of Fargo, an ordinance exists and a permit is required if one intends to collect tips.
I have exactly one hour of experience busking for cash, and half the time I was wearing a mask. The restrictions on sidewalk entertaining were lifted several years ago for a Downtowner event, so I juggled for an hour near Dempsey’s Pub. I made exactly ten dollars, enjoyed myself for the most part, and maybe even made a little girl’s day. Hey, $10 an hour is not bad when doing something you love.
Now that summer is nearly upon us, the urge to go pro as a juggler is overwhelming. I sent a few emails, made a few calls, and ended up at City Hall paying a fee to obtain my Downtown Sidewalk Entertainer’s Permit. My contact cheerfully marched me around the building from cubicle to cubicle, crossing every “t” and dotting each “i”. After sitting for a smiling mug shot, my badge was printed and I was offered a tasty treat, “Sucker?” my host asked. The lolly was accepted and I was off on my bicycle to practice in Island Park.
So now I’ve got to actually get out there and do it. Scary. Although I practice my contact juggling in parks and have performed several times for small groups, I suspect that sidewalk performance is a horse of a different color. Wish me luck!
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