What You Need To Know About these Talented People
It’s called
BUSKING.
and the people are buskers and the place is the pitch
A Brief History
The history of street performance dates all the way back to Ancient Rome where people would gather in city squares and along heavily trafficked roadways to toss coins to performers. Over the years, as technology developed it turned into the classic image we get of gypsies and traveling shows (think Hunchback of Notre Dame) and then even further to the organ grinder and his monkey.
Music has steadily been one of the most popular forms of performance with most people finding it easier to get their names out there and to hone their skills by performing for one of the toughest audiences, the passing public. Juggling and acrobatics have taken a close second over the years, drawing large crowds of people to view the wild feats that they could never imagine performing. Even now if you take a stroll through Faneuil Hall on a weekend you will be amazed by the variations of dancers, jugglers, and acrobats performing in the main stage areas because they draw the larger crowds for extended periods of time, versus the musicians you’ll find scattered around the back surrounded by a more fluid crowd, stopping only briefly to enjoy the music.
Boston Boston has a long history of busking. In the 1700’s it was popularly used as a means for spreading news. Before the printing press was invented you would often find performers out on the streets proclaiming current events. Ben Franklin even took a turn at street performance. He wrote verses about the news, then took to the streets to perform them. He was received fairly well but his father discouraged him from “begging� and that put an end to his busking career. Other famous musicians who have graced the streets of Boston include Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, and Peter Mulvey who even recorded a whole album in the Davis Square T Station.
Breeze Team If you take a moment to stop and chat with the performers after their act (which I suggest, they’re all very nice and love to chat with fans) you can learn a little about what makes them tick. Most of the buskers I had the opportunity to speak with cited a long history of performance. Breeze Team, a popular dance group that typically can be found by the Sam Adams statue at Faneuil Hall said that it was a tradition passed down through their families. They had all grown up with their parents a part of this group, and when they learned through that. Generations of dancers, all ages, performing together doing what they love.
Generations of dancers, all ages, performing together doing what they love
Alakazam Al, a juggling contortionist also often found at Faneuil Hall, is known for his unique blend of humor and danger. When I inquired what started his journey to becoming a street performer he told he about growing up with his cousin teaching him juggling and acrobatics. It was something he loved and pursued all through his schooling, eventually leaving to join the circus and then ending up here in Boston. But his career gives him a unique freedom, he has traveled the world several times over performing in 36 countries to date.
“I always find myself in Boston because it’s a great place to street perform”
Brent McCoy Brent, an acrobatic juggler, can be seen in several shows at Faneuil Hall, some with his wife Maya and some solo. He told me it all started for him in college when he started juggling several hours a day. Then during a semester abroad in Italy he met some jugglers in the streets of Florence. He performed with them and fell in love with street theater. After attending a street theater festival in New Zealand he was inspired to start performing himself.
“People can come and see something that’s totally free to access, they can pay if they want, and Boston’s really good for that”
Bottom Line
The common thread with all the buskers I spoke with was passion. They fell in love with the act, with the thrill of performance, with giving back to the community through their unique talents. It was in their blood, born and raised to perform and what better stage than the streets of Boston.
They all talked about a pride in their performance, entertaining the public with no expectation and seeing the wonder and joy they bring to people. A free show to which people can give if they choose, if they feel that what they saw was worth the money. Many of them compared it to a Cirque du Soleil level performance (usually a $100-$200 show) for little to no money at all.
Boston has a rich history of street theater. It’s a tradition passed on through generations and Boston’s constant influx of tourists and college students make it the perfect place to perform. If you’d like to check out some of these amazing performers yourself try heading down to Faneuil Hall, Harvard Square, or even your nearest MBTA station!
and by Sarah LaGrasta