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- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Memorial / Tribute
- Published: 07/01/2021
Street Performer
Born 1955, F, from Lovelock, Nevada, United StatesSunset Celebration at Mallory Square is the most approved location for street buskers, (street Performers) bands, singers, magicians, food venders and crafters. The spots are not cheap. The supply is short and the demand high. The benefits are safety; The buskers are safe, the audience is safe. The performances are nightly at sunset. For a 40 hour week an average Busker performer can earn $44,137.00. An hour performance usually nets the Busker $22.00 plus tips.
Busking, street performing, is protected under the First Amendment. Some police do not know this. so, I keep a good lawyer on speed dial. I seldom challenge the fines but the loss of site or permit... yep, I challenge that every time.
It is really hard to break into the street performer community — especially so if, like me, you are actually a green performer. I got interested in street performing because someone I trusted, my brother, was in the business. and he always had more money than i did.
My first lesson as a street performer was that cash is not always there. I started out with nothing. My brother financed my makeup and costume. I think the silver face paint set him back $70. He helped me work up my act. The tutoring also came with an indebtedness. He shared his spot with me until I was on my feet. The $20., my share of the rental, didn't seem like such an enormous expense. His argument was, I was starting my own business and he was helping finance the start up. It made sense.
By the time I was ready to strike out on my own I was indebted to him for an extravagant amount. He arranged to have me pay the debt $ 30.00 per performance. He and his wife had also been charging rent for the boat I lived on. I was responsible for the dock fees and the associated maintenance. I was stupid to think his disabled abandoned boat was rent free for as long as I wanted it.
I had to learn quickly and get my but out earning donations, tribute, tips ,anything. I was tired of the rising debt. But, mostly, I was tired of sharing a McDonalds kids meal with his four children. I needed food and I felt entitled to a man sized portion, a working man's portion.
Once I was in as a Performer I had to learn very quickly who knew what they’re doing, and who didn't: who’s likely to persevere and be successful like my brother, and who’s performing on borrowed time until they do something stupid enough to take themselves out of the performing business. I was the performer performing on borrowed time . I was the greenest greenhorn who knew nothing about what I was doing. I Was very likely to be shut down according to the majority of Performers. Fortunately, my brother had taught me well.
I was an independent entertainer. you are responsible for keeping track of your earnings and filing your own income tax. I NEVER REPORTED A CENT. The IRS could not see the money I earned. And, what they couldn't prove was my financial gain. I was playing Russian Roulette and when I am caught there will be fines and incarceration to pay. Prison, I've been there, I've done eight years. Fines, I've collected some. I haven't paid for one yet.
The street performing business has a long list of stupid things you can do as a performer that will take your permit to work. And then there are stupid mistakes that will take you to the E.R. or find you face down in the Atlantic. My brother learned his lessons the hard way. He was found floating face down; his kayak had capsized. He was found with a hole in his head. The authorities ruled his death an accident. However, there are Performers and others who would kill for a preferred site.
I learned every lesson because my brother drilled it into me. And a lot I learned the hard way. in the beginning i was green and inbred stupid. Then the environment and those around me tutored me until I acquired an advanced level of street smarts. Like my brother, they were trying to keep me alive and out of serious trouble.
I am a loner, a private person. Street performers are notoriously private people, with good reason: take too much of the mystery out of the performance and audiences stop paying.
When it comes to pulling back the curtain on what it is street performers actually do, being shown only the stupid side is far worse than losing your privacy. I have a past life - in another place and time I was a felon. I choose to bury that man and that life. And I choose to keep my crimes of stupidity hidden for as long as I live. That past shapes the Silver Soldier of Key West. The mystery and the persona is why the people, the audience, return day after day. It is also why the local businesses in town hate street Performers like me.
The shop owners have legitimate beef when we block their entrance which seldom happens. It is the business owners, operators, and managers who harass the performers. They have a legitimate complaint when we are so damn good we lure customers from their establishments to sit or stand in the streets to watch us. It is not our fault.
I do not intentionally block their entrance. But, If I am blocking the customers from spending money in those businesses it is the city(s) fault they assign the spaces. When we obstruct free trade they call the police and have the offender moved. So, their inconvenience is temporary.
The Silvermen, the statues, a band of street Performers who police their own. The statues ruled the prime street performing real-estate with an iron — I mean silver fist. The most notorious statues were the Silver Soldier, (me) and my gold painted brother. The gold statue had a boating accident suspiciously arranged by another living statue. Alcohol and rage contributed to the accident.
My contribution to his accident was the rage. I reported him for not having a license or the required insurance. My Snitch Act, which I call my bratty brother act, enraged him. It was his fault that he was intoxicated and took his rage and kayak out.
I did not arrange his death. I would not arrange my brother's death. I may have put him in the right place at the right time to die. Someone else arranged his boating accident.
I used his death and memorial service as "Get out of Dodge time". I left Key West in a hurry. My Gold painted brother had friends and I was in violation of several ethics codes.
p.s. The Silver Soldier is gone but not forgotten (7/ 19/ 72 _ 4/1/ 2020). Rest in eternal peace Michael Eugene Nesbitt. ( Silver Soldier ) my friend and husband.
Street Performer(Martha Hume)
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is the most approved location for street buskers, (street Performers) bands, singers, magicians, food venders and crafters. The spots are not cheap. The supply is short and the demand high. The benefits are safety; The buskers are safe, the audience is safe. The performances are nightly at sunset. For a 40 hour week an average Busker performer can earn $44,137.00. An hour performance usually nets the Busker $22.00 plus tips.
Busking, street performing, is protected under the First Amendment. Some police do not know this. so, I keep a good lawyer on speed dial. I seldom challenge the fines but the loss of site or permit... yep, I challenge that every time.
It is really hard to break into the street performer community — especially so if, like me, you are actually a green performer. I got interested in street performing because someone I trusted, my brother, was in the business. and he always had more money than i did.
My first lesson as a street performer was that cash is not always there. I started out with nothing. My brother financed my makeup and costume. I think the silver face paint set him back $70. He helped me work up my act. The tutoring also came with an indebtedness. He shared his spot with me until I was on my feet. The $20., my share of the rental, didn't seem like such an enormous expense. His argument was, I was starting my own business and he was helping finance the start up. It made sense.
By the time I was ready to strike out on my own I was indebted to him for an extravagant amount. He arranged to have me pay the debt $ 30.00 per performance. He and his wife had also been charging rent for the boat I lived on. I was responsible for the dock fees and the associated maintenance. I was stupid to think his disabled abandoned boat was rent free for as long as I wanted it.
I had to learn quickly and get my but out earning donations, tribute, tips ,anything. I was tired of the rising debt. But, mostly, I was tired of sharing a McDonalds kids meal with his four children. I needed food and I felt entitled to a man sized portion, a working man's portion.
Once I was in as a Performer I had to learn very quickly who knew what they’re doing, and who didn't: who’s likely to persevere and be successful like my brother, and who’s performing on borrowed time until they do something stupid enough to take themselves out of the performing business. I was the performer performing on borrowed time . I was the greenest greenhorn who knew nothing about what I was doing. I Was very likely to be shut down according to the majority of Performers. Fortunately, my brother had taught me well.
I was an independent entertainer. you are responsible for keeping track of your earnings and filing your own income tax. I NEVER REPORTED A CENT. The IRS could not see the money I earned. And, what they couldn't prove was my financial gain. I was playing Russian Roulette and when I am caught there will be fines and incarceration to pay. Prison, I've been there, I've done eight years. Fines, I've collected some. I haven't paid for one yet.
The street performing business has a long list of stupid things you can do as a performer that will take your permit to work. And then there are stupid mistakes that will take you to the E.R. or find you face down in the Atlantic. My brother learned his lessons the hard way. He was found floating face down; his kayak had capsized. He was found with a hole in his head. The authorities ruled his death an accident. However, there are Performers and others who would kill for a preferred site.
I learned every lesson because my brother drilled it into me. And a lot I learned the hard way. in the beginning i was green and inbred stupid. Then the environment and those around me tutored me until I acquired an advanced level of street smarts. Like my brother, they were trying to keep me alive and out of serious trouble.
I am a loner, a private person. Street performers are notoriously private people, with good reason: take too much of the mystery out of the performance and audiences stop paying.
When it comes to pulling back the curtain on what it is street performers actually do, being shown only the stupid side is far worse than losing your privacy. I have a past life - in another place and time I was a felon. I choose to bury that man and that life. And I choose to keep my crimes of stupidity hidden for as long as I live. That past shapes the Silver Soldier of Key West. The mystery and the persona is why the people, the audience, return day after day. It is also why the local businesses in town hate street Performers like me.
The shop owners have legitimate beef when we block their entrance which seldom happens. It is the business owners, operators, and managers who harass the performers. They have a legitimate complaint when we are so damn good we lure customers from their establishments to sit or stand in the streets to watch us. It is not our fault.
I do not intentionally block their entrance. But, If I am blocking the customers from spending money in those businesses it is the city(s) fault they assign the spaces. When we obstruct free trade they call the police and have the offender moved. So, their inconvenience is temporary.
The Silvermen, the statues, a band of street Performers who police their own. The statues ruled the prime street performing real-estate with an iron — I mean silver fist. The most notorious statues were the Silver Soldier, (me) and my gold painted brother. The gold statue had a boating accident suspiciously arranged by another living statue. Alcohol and rage contributed to the accident.
My contribution to his accident was the rage. I reported him for not having a license or the required insurance. My Snitch Act, which I call my bratty brother act, enraged him. It was his fault that he was intoxicated and took his rage and kayak out.
I did not arrange his death. I would not arrange my brother's death. I may have put him in the right place at the right time to die. Someone else arranged his boating accident.
I used his death and memorial service as "Get out of Dodge time". I left Key West in a hurry. My Gold painted brother had friends and I was in violation of several ethics codes.
p.s. The Silver Soldier is gone but not forgotten (7/ 19/ 72 _ 4/1/ 2020). Rest in eternal peace Michael Eugene Nesbitt. ( Silver Soldier ) my friend and husband.
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Shelly Garrod
02/22/2023Wow that is a sad story Martha. I learned a lot about street performers that I didnt' know.
Blessing Shelly
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Gail Moore
07/01/2021Very sad story, The life you chose sounds like a very hard path. :-( The saying ( you are not your brother's keeper) comes to mind.
You wrote it well :-)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Martha Hume
07/01/2021The Street Performer was my friend and husband. Our life together was an extremely hard path. I wasn't part of his life when he was the Silver Soldier. Thank you.
COMMENTS (2)