One of the reasons I love walking around in New York City in the evenings in summer is because of the number of street-corner buskers. And it is such an eyeopener as to who is out there. I learned early on to ignore stereotypes. Imagine my surprise one evening in Greenwich Village as I watched several young black men unpack a few instruments, waiting to hear what modern jazz they might perform--only to have them open with some marvelous chamber music! You'll find about everything out there. It adds to the richness of any community, and is in no way shape or form "begging."

We had Marion here in Fort Worth for a couple of days on her busking tour, and it was a challenge to find good places. She told us that a woman approached her on the street who had lived elsewhere and missed the busking activity of her home town. The woman even suggested a good corner for Marion to try. That's nice to know.

SRS