oops. Thanks for changing title kev. Sorry, I was on drugs so I typed to fast. Eh interested in getting a buskers license? Multi talent and myself gonna get one. Hop aboard if you like.

alan already has one.

i went for audition liao, hopefully i'll get it. they will call me soon to tell me the results...

woot it sounds like fun. Hey Gordie there wasn't any indication of getting paid or collecting tips in the NAC website. Hmmm can we actually collect money during busking or is it going to be a free performance. By the way, you're Jeremy Tan right?

Nick

Hi people,

Just for your information, busking is actually "performing for tips", do not put high expectation on earning a lot coz most of the time you won't, however as the more experience you get, you'll know how to handle different crowds to get them to "pay" for your efforts, no doubt sometimes how much they contribute will tell you how good your show is, sometimes they just won't pay...

Oh and be prepare to spend some $, ^_^ welcome to the Busker Family! ^_^

-Alan-

gordie isn't Jeremy Tan, gordie is Gordon :off:

im gordon.

and the very purpose why people busk is to get $.

street theatre is as such, people pay what they think your show deserves (not always though...)

i guess it will be fun though, go for it! :)

Well Gordie, just a fast question...when u went for the audition?

Thanks

Regards
Symmatrix

i was the guy u saw there. (didnt intend on telling u though)

i knew u, but u would know me, so.. moreover, it wasnt a right time to do an intro, not that there was much time there anyway.

So which was u, gordie...The first Performer or the 3rd performer???

Regards
Symmatrix

whoa, even better! if i dun have to reveal my identity, i'd rather not. :)
(considering that was one of my more embarrasing times, didnt go too well)
in fact, in not too confident abt whether i'll get the license (i was confident at first).

btw, can u comment on the show(s) u saw?


and just for curiosity (i wont tell u if ur right or wrong though), which do u think was me?

i know we all were in the same room at one point in time...

Well, there is nothing for me to comment if u are the 3rd performer, cos I am not around. If u wanna me to comment on ur performances then u must the first performer. therefore I know who u are.

So am I right ? Before I make any wrong comment.

Thanks

Regards
Symmatrix

okok, i'll just say, i was the one after u.

im not that old anyway. :)

(prev post was just using psychology to hide my identity)

well...then we are turning the table and I should be the one asking hows my performance.....? :D

Anyway....you know me before when u saw me in the same room ?

Regards
Symmatrix

not personally, i saw the symmatrix thing on ur table then i know who u are.

ur performance was ok lar, bill in lemon (although i think on the street should be something more visual?). and linking rings (a little fumbling), but other than that, not bad. good! :)

Well, Gordie. Thanks for the compliment.

I believe this is the first time u are applying for Busking license. As this time round , I m reaudition as my license have expired.

hehe !!

Well, heres some words from me. I did busk before. I believe that you might find that the bill in lemon is not visual enough. But its a killer, to tell u thru experience. Its surround and simple and response is strong.

It just my two cents of opinion.

Regards
Symmatrix

hi guys! just happen to read up this topic... hmm... can someone pls explain to me how one can obtain the busking liscence..... wat exactly is expected from the auditions n all?

Hi gordie,

Well done for your audition, and welcome to the busker family! I'm sure you'll get your licence soon, perviously I only waited 1 week and they call me to collect, good luck on your new job (busking)! ^_^

Hi Symmatrix,

Where did you busk :mellow: ? Are you a regular busker? I've never seen a magician on the streets in Singapore before... :huh:

Hi AhLiShuFi,

To obtain the busking liscence, you'll have to go to NAC to fill up the form and be prepare to go for the audition next month, you don't have to really do a solid 1/2 hr show but it is expected of you to be able to at least show the judges some simple magic...what they want to see is not how good you are, but whether you can perform or not... :)

-Alan-

currently, im really afraid i might not get it, it didnt go too well that day. :(

im hoping i'll get the call soon, and hear good news...

hey gordie, I'm sure you'll get it, be more confident about yourself...if you want to perform on the streets you'll need even much more confident than expected. ^_^

-Alan-

Let us know the outcome Gordie :) Anyways, we'll still get he SFF one temporarily during the entire duration from Annie.

:off: Alan, I'm still waiting for your input for SSF registration thanks

Hi Ning,

Sorry to inform you that after much consideration, I'll not be taking part in SSF, thanks for the invitation anyway... :mellow:

By the way your inbox is full when I tried to send you this mesage, you might like to check it out... ;)

-Alan-

Hi Alan

It would have been nice if you could have informed us earlier since I quite specifically did request you to email me directly with your info by last week about it instead of having everyone in the team waiting for you.

I'm frankly quite disappointed, not only by your last minute change of heart, but you being the professional busker, most of the SMC folks were looking forward to you strutting your stuff at SSF like you've talked about.

Anyways, your decision, however late, is respected.

Ning

Hi Ning,

Sorry for the trouble but I did try to send you the message on wed and it was successful, i thought that you have already received...whatever the case, I might not be performing under SSF but I'll still be around orchard (between Takashimaya and Wisma) to do show, and this time round, magic...I'll not be joining you guys but definitely will be around to give support, once again...sorry for the inconvience cause...

-Alan-

Just curious, but why don you continue to perform under SSF since u would still be performing on that day?

I hope it has nothing to do with the registration fee... :P Just kidding. Seriously now, I didn't get any message from you Multi-talent. Maybe cos my PM inbox has been full.

Anyways, it's not a problem, we can still continue with SSF :)

Anyone else interested let me know by this Wed nite (11 May 05). There's already a bunch of us doing it but we're open to more people. We will be having a temp busking license so whatever $$$ people throw at you, you have the legal rights to keep it :)

You can find out EVERYTHING about the festival at http://singaporestreetfestival.com/ or give Annie, the organiser, a tinkle at 98628033.

SMC will only be doing 2 days - June Fri, 10 (evening) & Sat, 11 (afternoon) in town (Orchard Area) !

Please email me at ning@thelittlemagicshop.com your particulars along with a scanned jpeg of your IC (front and back) please.

FYI, ALL perfromers will get an official certificate of participation at the end of the event, possible from the MP or VIP. This would be great for your portfolio or CV.

Details required are...

Name:
IC/Passport No:
D.O.B.:
Nationality:
Occupation:
Address:

Contact: _________________________(home) ____________________________(Mobile/pager)

Sex: *Male/Female (*delete non applicable)
Email:

Hi Andy and Ning,

The reason for it is not because of registration fee, but because we only have a limited area to perform...no doubt they can give us a temporary licence and we can collect all process, but the area we can "roam" is only that few area, whereby my licence can bring me anywhere...

Just put yourself in my shoes, whould you rather stay at a spot to perform or you would rather try out all area in orchard? what if a certain area have bad responds? wouldn't you like to move somewhere else?

It's kind of hard to explain but if you were a full-time busker like me you'll think twice before joining any event...buskers can earn on the streets and we do not require to always do shows, some people can pay few hundreds dollars but we might not take up the job, and some charity event doesn't pay well but we work hard for them, it all depends on individual, and sometimes situation...

SSF is a gd chance for people who want to try out, but I feel that it's not for me, I rather use my licence since I already have one, I hope you can understand...

-Alan-

As I said before, Singapore Street Festival is an annual performing fest to inculcate arts & culture in Singapore. We can use this as a platform for public performing and if we get tips, hey, we get the rights to keep them too *grin*

Multi-talent, whatever your reasons for dropping out of this at the last minute, it's really your decision and I'd appreciate if you, as everyone here knows you as a multi-talented street busker, can only encourage others to take up this challenge. It'd be a shame really, should anyone be mistakenly dissuaded in joining this event just because of percieved negative montery issues. Peace.

For those interested, the venues for performing during the 2 days (June 10 evening & 11 afternoon) would be in the heart of Orchard Road, not some ulu place :P Besides, when you're busking you wouldn't be doing a marathon walk so the whole stretch in town would be ideal enough :)

Interested folks, please reply here thank you!

Ning ^_^

Hi Alan, why not perform for SSF and if the response is no good move to another spot since you already have your busking license.

No lah, if he doesn't want to be a part of the event it's fine... no one's forcing :) Multi-Talent is a pro busker so we should just respect his given reasons for dropping out.

SSF will be lots of fun... it's been an annual event for a few years now so don't be surprised if various local media cover it ^_^ It'd be good exposure for us too.

Like i mentioned before, one shouldn't look at it from the $$$ point of view. It's all about being a part of this festival and promoting the arts, also giving you an excellent platform to strut your stuff and be rewarded after!

So... anyone interested, pls post here accordingly ok... thanks. The organisers are closing entries soon, so I'll need your particulars & all. You can read all about it from the other thread.

Thanks much
Ning ^_^

hi alan.....

just want to say something, i'm not a professional magician nor my present skills allow me to be one. I know nothing about street busking. However, i just feel that money and space should not be an issue here. it's only one night, or simply 3 hours only. I'm sure a lot of smc members will like to jam with you, and most importantly, perform with you. anyway, i respect your decision, hope to see you soon ^_^


yujie

This will be a great event to perform in. Singapore Street Festival...wow...what better chance of busking can we get?? I'd say go for it guys..we need as many people to perform as possible! Make a name for yourselves and for SMC!! :D

And make Ning's job a little easier...she's been working so hard bringing this to us. Not an easy task organising stuff like that ya know...Great job!! ^_^

Bernie and Yujie, let Alan off guys...as he said, he's a pro...I'm sure he'll be busy doing his shows and stuff...he's prob too busy for charities who doesn't pay well. He has his reasons...and he has his license...let it go.. :)

Agreed. All men have their own wills. I believe he will do better when not squeezed by us. A way a "business" man works.

So in the end, Good Luck To U Alan!!!

And Good Luck to those representing SMC in SSF.

guys, im happy to inform u that i got my busking application approved. :) the guy just called and i will be collecting my license soon.

thanks all for the support (esp alan and ning). and thanks to alan again for offering to help me in my street performing.

hope to be able to experience busking, have fun, and get $, duh.

anyway, i really encourage all interested to apply, its free, and i bet its gonna be great experience.

Woah nice one gordie. I think I'm gonna sign up for one. I'm only 15 though. Is there an age limit? Oh and how long is the license valid?

Nick.

A little post off topic with the current line of discussion but on-topic with the thread title....

Busking is very VERY different from what is commonly known as street magic.
Street magic (to my understanding) is actually strolling magic performances to the public, kinda doing "hit and run" close up magic in the public.

Busking, however, is a whole different ball game altogether. Busking is perhaps closer to parlour/stage acts than close-up. But different from a parlour/stage act, you are performing to people who are completely not expecting to see you. Spectator management must be a 2nd nature because it is probably one of the toughest audience group you can get. Routining is crucial because the audience is not going to stay there forever, yet if you finish your climax too early, you have nothing to show by the time a REAL crowd gathers.
Busking by itself (with or without magic performances) is an art by itself. Just ask Gordie how tricky and difficult it is to draw attention and gather a crowd. And even with an excellent performance, to be able to milk the resulting crowd for your profit takes very careful planning with your patter and routining.

I'm sure when our people comes back from SSF, they will have plenty more insights to share on this topic. B)

there is no age limit, but if ur under 18, u need parents consent.

the license is for 1 year.

that is generally correct, but not always...

technically, busking is just performing for an undetermined amount of money given freely by an audience.

...and "street magic" is just performing magic on the street.


therefore, there is overlaps in the two, and hence, you can do street magic and busk at the same time.

it is correct to say that street magic can be categorised into "hit and run" and "crowd", and busking can be categorised like that as well. Owen Lean (who came to perform last yr during the SG busker's fest) is one guy who has done "hit and run" professionally during busking.

of course, if u are busking, it is definitely more advisable to attract a crowd (as u will get more $). that is the one most of us see anyway.

and yes, trying to attract a crowd can be quite embarrassing. but just think of yourself as an entertainer. street theatre is tough, lol, but i guess thats where the fun comes in! :)

hi to all!

hmm... i really would love to be part of SSF.... but, hmm... it it a totally busking type of event? which means no street style arh... cant do cards n all... gotta do something more visual huh? i probably can only contribute by doing my ninja ring routines... but... that's alittle bit short i think. what other kind of magic is suitable can u guys suggest?

with regards,
Shufi

Hi gordie,

Congrats on passing your audition! let me know when you want to busk and I'll start guiding you! :)

Hi Aloy,

Thanks for filling them up with the information, your explaination is almost perfect! ^_^ busking and street magic is really 2 different things, you don't require to apply a licence to do street magic but you do require to apply if you're busking...

To all:

Busking is so far the hardest job I've ever tried (much harder than you think!), so for people who likes challenges, come try busking! ^_^

-Alan-

Busking.... sounds hard. you need to be very experienced to do such a thing...i think... cause u dun wanna flop when you have a crowd staring at u...