Buskers Make the Farmers Market Special
by Theresa Carpine6/27/2008 4:38:48 PM
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Sixth graders from the Waldorf School busk as Chengdu earthquake relief fundraiser.As you make your way through the Bellingham Farmers Market, you’ll probably notice lots of street musicians and performers scattered throughout the vendors. These individuals are called “buskers” and Market Manager Robin Crowder believes that farmers markets and buskers go hand-in-hand. “I think the two are perpetually linked,” she said.
Anyone with a talent to share can busk at the Farmers Market. They must register with the Market Manager during their first visit, and then check in each Saturday to get a location assignment, as available. The performers usually provide a donation jar if market visitors want to show their appreciation for the act.
Robin explained that buskers don’t have to pay a space fee to perform at the Market, but some do make regular donations to the Market, like Magic Crystal’s Face Painting. “We give them the space to perform, but we consider them a benefit to the Market as well,” Robin said. “Parents can do their grocery shopping, kids can have some fun, and the performers can make some cash—it’s a good relationship for everyone.”
Watching Brother Britt make the balloon animals is just as fun as getting one. Busking is a straightforward way to collect donations for a fundraiser too. Greg Zook’s 6th grade class at the Whatcom Hills Waldorf School organized a choir to perform at the Market as an earthquake relief fundraiser for the Waldorf School in Chengdu, China. “It was their idea,” Greg said. “We talked about the different things we could offer to raise money. We thought about selling art, but they love music and love to sing so this made sense.”
You’ll see plenty of musical acts around the market, especially on sunny days. Sometimes larger acts, such as a performance by the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band, are scheduled in advance, but Robin likes the fact that most of the entertainment at the market is spontaneous.
Many buskers especially like interacting with their audience. Kids have almost as much fun watching Brother Britt twist and turn balloons as they do actually getting the animal itself. He doesn’t take requests, so it’s always a surprise to see what animal he’ll create next.
Juggling Jules wows the crowd with his daring fire tricks.Another “fixture” at the market, according to Robin, is a busker that is commonly referred to as The Fire Guy. His real name is Jules McEvoy and he makes his living as a street entertainer with his juggling show. He’s worked with the performance troop, Juggling Jollies, for about four years, but he enjoys performing solo at the Farmers Market as well.
What makes Jules’s act memorable, aside from his ability to evoke laughter from kids and adults alike with his clever banter, is his big finish. “I balance a flaming scythe on my chin while juggling fire,” Jules explained, as if this was a commonplace feat.
To date, Jules has performed in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, New Orleans, New York and Mexico. Bellingham has been his home for five years, but he isn’t sure where the future will take him. “Work for performers is limited in a small town,” he said, making it difficult to earn enough money as a street performer. “It’s my birthday today,” he said, waiting for the rain to let up so he could start his first show of the day. “But I’ve got to make a living and the Farmers Market is a good place for an audience.”
Come out to the Farmers Market to see just who will be performing each week. And if you or your talented kids are interested in busking, visit How to Busk at the Bellingham Farmers Market.