There is an active streetsinging scene in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 2003. I'm not a participant these days, and I have heard conflicting stories about what limits, if any, law enforcement has placed on this activity.

What I have observed: performers are able to operate without interference in different areas depending upon the time of day. Also, *groups8 are much better able to attract attention and maintian an audience than soloists. In fact, single individuals are very rarely seen, and almost always work with the aid of some kind of battery-powered amplification.

I spent about two and a half years (1970-72) singing on the streets of two cities: New Orleans in the winter months, San Francisco in the summer. Then, as now, it was difficult for an acoustic soloist to make himself heard in New Orleans. Also, tourists in NO, in general, were (and are) primed for ensemble music ("Dixieland," or whatever). In SF, on the other hand, I fared much better financially since, as a sort of Johnny-come-lately hippie, I apparently fit an image that the public were ready and willing to enjoy.

Whatever the legal and financial contraints, I would certainly recommend the experience of singing out there in front of God and everybody. I found it difficult to break the ice and get started, but once I worked up enough nerve and just went for it, singing on the street was great. Feedback is almost unanimously positive, because those who enjoy what you're doing give you a smile or a little money or (best of all) hang around for a while, while those who aren't interested generally just move right along. There's no pressure to please a captive audience, but there's always the possibility that you might captivate someone who wants to stay and listen.

It's a great way to learn to become a performer, which is not entirely the same as being a musician. It's also an opportunity to improve as a musician, since you have the incentive to put in increasing amounts of time working your instrument(s). And, needless to say, you are bound to discover new depths and abilities in using your voice out there in the noisy street.

Have fun!