Street performance

A street performer playing music in a walk-by act.

Street performance or busking is a type of performance done in public places for money or other gifts. Street performance is done all over the world, and it has been done since ancient times. People who do street performance can be called street performers or buskers.

Street performances can be any type of performance. Some examples of street performances are making music, singing, juggling, dancing, and drawing caricatures. Some street performances can also be weird things, such as sword swallowing and being a living statue.

Types

There are many types of street performances.

"Circle shows" are performances that get people to crowd around them. Most of them have a start and an end, such as street theatre.

"Walk-by acts" are performances where a busker performs in a way that people can easily walk past them. These are mostly musicians and living statues. They do not usually have a start and an end, because the busker will keep performing for as long as they want. Some walk-by acts get people to crowd around them, because the people think the act is good.

"Stoplight performances" are performances where buskers perform when cars are stopped on a road. Because cars do not stop for very long on the road, these buskers have fast performances. These are more common in South America.

Gallery

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  A street performer playing the guitar for people. His guitar case is open so people can put money in it.

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  Two street performers doing acrobatics in Milan, Italy.

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  A street performer with sticks that are on fire. The sticks are used for juggling.

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  A band in New Orleans playing music on the street.

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  A living statue performer. Living statue performers act as if they are statues.

Street Performance Media

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  Jeff Masin, a one-man band in New York City

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  I Viggianesi, street musicians from Viggiano, Italy. Work by Filippo Palizzi, 1853

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  Dancers in Sutton High Street, Sutton, London, England

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  A walk-by street performer blowing large bubbles in Bath, United Kingdom

• Toss juggling street performance in Denmark

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  A sign in a tourist area of Edinburgh, Scotland, advises buskers that guitar amplifiers and PA speakers are not allowed.

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  Colin Huggins playing a grand piano in Washington Square Park, New York City

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  Ed "Tuba Man" McMichael (right) in 2006

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  Arthur Nakane, a street performer and former one-man band who performs regularly in the Little Tokyo community of Los Angeles

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  Billy Waters, a London busker from the 19th century