Hangin wtih Quebec City Buskers

Hello Bloggosphere!
Just back for a short vacation in Quebec City, Canada. While there I looked forward to seeing some street performers. Old Quebec City is a quaint shopping and eating area with a few sitting areas and underpasses that are perfect pitches. And yes where there are good pitches there will be buskers!
We stopped, stayed, paid and then met the and talked shop.

It was great watching these guys work and they made excellent hats!
Next time.....I'm bringin my stuff!
keep 'em clean
Dr Molar Magic

Busking with Doxies

Yesterday was the Spring Daschund Festival in NYC at Washington Square Park. And of course we took Otto with us to see all the other Dascunds that would show up, there must have been over 100 of them.
While in Washington Square Park on a Saturday at noon in the beautiful Spring weather I figured it would be perfect chance to start the Busking season and do a little magic. Washington Square Park is far from my usual pitch but I was very excited to work there. You see my original inspiration to get into street performing was at this very spot. A performer named Anthony "Chappy" Brazil was an incredibly creative magician who I'd watch for hours and later became friends with. I'd work out new effects and get lots of advice on how to get into the street performing arena. He always worked at the statue of Holley on the West side of the park. The statue has been moved since then but only a few feet and rotated.  When I started I never had the nerve to work Washington Square,  it was only after a few years of other spots that I settled on Union Square Park near a farmers market. Good solid crowds with god hats t the end of each show. I never went back to work Washington Square.

We lost Chappy in a motorcycle accident while he was out west heading to shoot a video on his watch stealing techniques. It was part of his street act and was very funny and when he handed the audience member their own watch back they were ALWAYS amazed.

As I stood there doing my Linking Rings for the audience I realized I had come a long way in magic and a long way in street performing. It would be great to work along side my idols and teachers on this pitch,

After working for an hour or so it was time to head back to the dogs! Otto with his steampunk tails on and my performance costume generated lots of photo requests and we are always happy to oblige.

Wow do I love PODCASTS!

What do you listen to in your down time? Music? News? the weather report?
Well in the last year Phineas has turned me onto PODCASTS. I might as well cancel my XM radio subscription in my car because I rarely listen anymore. I've found a podcast for many of my interests and I'd like to mention them here and recommend them to you.
As a performer, I enjoy listening to "The Magic Word". The interviews with well known magicians are well done and the live day by day convention interviews and reviews are great. I couldn't go to FISM in Italy in 2015 but I got in depth reports and info with the convention in the background....very cool.
Another wonderful podcast is the "Kids Entertainment" network. This cast out of the UK covers everything related to becoming a better childrens' entertainer. This includes interviews with experts in performance, marketing, routine building, etc etc. Its very comprehensive.
I also found an entire podcast on busking that interviewed some of the most influential members of the street performing community called "The Busker Project." I've listened to some of these interviews multiple times.
And the best part is that the podcasts are only the beginning. Each podcast home webpage has links to show notes related to each topic which hooks you into all the background and references and contacts mentioned.
The rest of my time is spent listening to any of the 20 podcasts that are part of the TrekFM network, a podcast network all about my favorite SciFi phenomenon that turned 50 this year, Star Trek!
So check out your podcast resources on your computer or on the app store on our smartphone or other device. The wealth of knowledge and enjoyable conversation will enrich your down time.
Keep 'em clean