Christmas was somehow only a month away and I for one was beginning to exhibit the symptoms of excited anticipation mixed with the mildest of panic when a friend contacted me about the "Tis the Season Busking Program", a Devonport City Council initiative to bring Christmas cheer to the town centre, scheduling street entertainers and free activities for the public.
I passed the audition (due to the seasonal props and fake candles I'm sure) in a slightly blurry state thanks to the psychedelic patterning of the council's carpet, which liked to jump out at me through the harp strings in a somewhat distracting manner.
The program started in the first week of December, and I was wonderfully positioned outside Red Poppy Confectionary near the entrance to the arcade that afforded me decent shelter, acoustics but more importantly a consistent flow of shoppers passing by.
The council had a great range of performers rostered on throughout each day and I wish I had of managed to meet them all!
My Christmas props and themed performances seemed to be a great hit and I had a fulfilling range of "punters" from businessmen, tradies and workers, to elderly couples, teenagers and families of all sizes.
I think most of us are a little guilty of thinking/seeing in Stereotypes and they seem pretty astoundingly obvious when one is out on the street, but what was more astounding is the giving spirit that was shown, wether by donating, interacting or buying me a coffee and pie on a typically Tasmanian (cold and windy) summers day. There's nothing better for a street performer than being surprised by displays of appreciation.
I guess we can never know how something may touch another, music just seems to sneak in unexpectedly.
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Comment of the Day
"I'd like to get you a coffee and maybe a couple little pies? Rather than donating, it seems more like the Christmas Spirit, and a bit special..."
I hope you all have/had a wonderful Christmas, thanks for giving
and supporting a humble street performer.
Cheers, M.
