Press conference focuses on legalizing street performance

A man in a Teletubby-like costume with a middle finger sticking out of the head rhythmically… A man in a Teletubby-like costume with a middle finger sticking out of the head rhythmically tapped the bongos. On the other side of the park, a mostly bald woman with two braids and a floor-length rainbow coat posed alongside a television reporter for a caricature portrait.

These spectacles and several others inundated Mellon Square Park Tuesday morning as “Busk: Pittsburgh” launched its campaign to foster street performance in and around the city.

Busking is a centuries-old tradition of entertainers performing for tips in public areas. According to the committee, busking will enliven city streets, make abandoned roads safer and provide an increase in activity and creativity in Pittsburgh.

During the hour-long press conference, spectators were treated to approximately 10 performers, their acts ranging from fire eating to flute playing.

Committee member Gloria Forouzan said one reason people in Pittsburgh have not embraced street performing is that they confuse buskers with panhandlers. She said that currently, street performing is not legal or illegal.

The idea to promote an ordinance to make street performance officially permitted in the city originated with Shelly Danko Day, a project coordinator, who said she attempted to purchase a permit for someone and was surprised to find one didn’t exist. She said that, by adding culture and identity to the city, performance art is one way to encourage young people to stay in Pittsburgh.

Rachel Rue, a flutist who has busked in San Francisco and Paris, said money is not the motivation for most artists. In her case, she said performing in public has made her a better musician.

“You’re forced to memorize and react to the crowd,” Rue said.

While busking is not her primary source of income, she said she knows people who live on the tips they make.

“They’re not living in these great houses,” she said. “But they’re doing it. They pay the rent.”

To gain public attention and acceptance, according to Day, advertising and putting performers on the streets during high-traffic times will occur.

The press conference has already gotten the attention of a few residents. People walking past the park looked up from their coffee and newspapers to observe the wide range of musicians, from jazzy trombones to folksy guitarists.

A middle-aged man in a three-piece suit approached “Noisy,” the man in Teletubby-like suit, read the sign in front of him, which read, “Noisy will accept any major credit card, stock tips or cash donations.” The man then rolled his eyes and continued down the street, shaking his head.

An elderly woman circled the performers before sitting down to take in the music and displays. She left after 10 minutes with a smile on her face.

Day said she anticipated this type of mixed reaction.

“They’re here to entertain,” she said of the buskers. “If you don’t like what they’re doing, don’t give them money. If you like what they’re doing, give them money.”