It all depends on the attitude of the performer. If someone goes out hopefully punting away on an instrument or looking gormless while juggling three clubs and doing nothing to make a show, I am afraid it is begging.
I have always had time for those who started off bad but wanted to improve. We were all bad at first. Those who work hard to entertain to the best of their ability are certainly not beggars. What do you call those people who have pockets full of money, who watch a show from start to finish and then slink away at the end without paying anything. What right do they have to call anyone beggars?