busking: Legal or Not in My area?

Subject: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Teresa
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 07:53 PM

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I know any ordinances pertaining to this are relatively more strict than they are in the san Francisco Area where I used to live. I started in San Francisco, becauseI knew buskers there. But I don't want to start here and find out "the hard way" that it's a no-no. Can someone tell me the general kinds of city departments I should be looking into for info? I haven't noticed buskers here, but I haven't been in the tourist areas all that much, either.

thanks,
Teresa

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 08:40 PM

Look at this City website.
City of Las Vegas
This website has a link to a live support person during office hours.

Otherwise look in the City government pages of the phone book for licensing department, and call or visit.

Most cities require a license for busking, but often irregularly enforced.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Gypsy
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:15 PM

Start off with City Hall, and the local cop shop. They are usually thrilled to have someone who wants to FOLLOW the laws, rather than ask forgiveness. My city hall was very helpful on busking in the city limits. So was my cop shop (different area than yours, but: no liscense necessary, you can play from 8am to 10pm acoustic or amped, on any public property. For private property, check with owner. On sidewalks, don't block 'em. It is interesting....we DO have laws specific against panhandling, but it is okay to busk)
I do recommend paying a visit, rather than calling. If they see you as a professional, who will be an asset, you will get a better response than a phone call.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:48 PM

Las Vegas Nevada, you will have an easier time being registered as a "call-girl," "prostitute," "hooker;" Mustang Ranch has legally (NA) expanded their "area."

Besides, where the F-%# do you expect your busking clientel to be, in 115 degree July weather?

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:49 PM

Las Vegas Nevada, you will have an easier time being registered as a "call-girl," "prostitute," "hooker;" Mustang Ranch has legally (NA) expanded their "area."

Besides, where the F-%# do you expect your busking clientel to be, in 115 degree July weather?

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:58 PM

Hey .... "GUEST!"

Why the rudeness? Bob

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Teresa
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 11:59 AM

I appreciate the helpful responses.

Of course, guest, as a local here now, I know about the 115 degree F heat, as I often have to wait for buses in it, and most locals wouldn't be caught dead outside in the middle of the day, unless you're talking about construction workers, mad dogs, and englishmen. And, just for the record, prostitution is illegal in clark county.

I'll look into all the suggestions, and maybe see if there might be the occasional street fair or farmers' market (yes, we do have those).

Thanks again,
Teresa

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: PoohBear
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 12:08 PM

Teresa,
once you find out if busking itself is legal in LV, you might check with some of the casinos (like the Excalibur/MGM/Circus) and find out if busking on their rounds is allowed. Some of them have large, park-like surroundings and if the type of music you play fits with their theme you might be able to find a nice place, off the street, with a constant audience (and maybe some shade!)
Cheers
PB

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 01:47 PM

Re:And, just for the record, prostitution is illegal in clark county.



Well of course EVERYONE "KNOWS" prostitution is illegal in Clark county. There are even posters proclaiming the fact. The following are outside the county-line but promote their LV identity.

Angel's Ladies - Las Vegas brothel.
The Chicken Ranch Brothel - Las Vegas Brothel
Cherry Patch Ranch - Las Vegas brothel
Cottontail Ranch - Las Vegas brothel
Shady Lady Ranch - Las Vegas brothel
Sheri's Ranch - Las Vegas brothel.

Prostitutes continue to work in casinos, where they wait in bars and attempt to make contact with single males. Escort services offering sexual services are ubiquitous, apparently, with about 140 pages of the Las Vegas yellow pages devoted to "entertainers". Ever step into a payphone-booth in Vegas?

And the slogan for the Chamber of Commerce? "What YOU do, Stays Here."

Busking is illegal in Las Vegas - but don't let that stop you.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 02:35 PM

I'm not surprised to see that busking would be illegal in Vegas ~ why would the all-powerful casinos allow any entertainment that might distract potential marks from their "gaming" tables?

Las Vegas is probably the only place on the planet where it might be easier to get a regular gig as a musician than to play for tips.

If I hadn't just learned for sure about the illegality, I was about to suggest beating the heat by busking after dark. It is a 24-hour town, after all...

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Teresa
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 04:24 PM

Yeah, that's what I would have done; busking at night or early morning. As for gigs ... well, not folk music, and I really don't want to play anything other than folk. My voice isn't really suited for it, and folk is my passion. As someone suggested to me before, there just might be some musicians who play other types of music for regular gigs who are closet folkies.

Actually, to introduce a bit of thread creep, ... (not that we didn't have an element of it before) the local science-fiction group has sprouted a singing circle. who woulda thunk it, but now we sing filk and folk music on a semi-regular basis. It's an extremely informal get-together at a friend's house, just the way I like it ...

Teresa

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 05:27 PM

Las Vegas?

local science-fiction group?

Area 51?

UFOs?

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Teresa
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 09:29 PM

Naw, we're skeptics about UFOs and area 51. We just like to read the fiction as fiction and respect the science fact as science fact.

Teresa

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 01:06 PM

The up side is you'd make more money as a hooker.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,jukebox
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 07:10 AM

Hey there...you should come to Asheville, NC.....Ive been here 2 years now, and been able to make a living out of busking....it's all good here!!!

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 04:41 PM

Theoretically busking should be legal in any public forum located any where in the USA. The designated public forums are the sidewalks, streets, parks and plazas etc. If the authorities call it begging or panhandling you may have an lawsuit for defamation on your hands. Buskers are entertainers and not beggars. Free speech rights apply to entertainers as well as the general public. you dont

In the United States there have been numerous legal cases about regulations and laws that have decided the rights of buskers to perform in public. Most of these laws and regulations have been found to be unconstitutional when challenged. In the US, free speech is considered an essential and absolute civil right of every individual, guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth constitutional amendments. It matters not if people practise artistic free speech for money. In the USA about the only reasons that can be used to regulate or ban busking behavior are public safety issues and noise issues in certain areas that require silence like hospital zones, around churches, funeral homes, cemeteries and transport terminals where announcements need to be heard. Such laws must be narrowly tailored to eliminate only the perceived evils by limiting the time, place and manner that busking may be practiced. They must also leave open reasonable alternative venues. The only exceptions to these free speech rules are sedition, as defined by the Smith Act, public displays of pornography and obscenity and criminal behavior such as fraud or defamation and the common laws regarding obstruction of traffic or curfew laws. In the US, laws regulating or banning busking must be applied evenly to all forms of free speech. Busking cannot be prohibited in an area where other forms of free speech are not prohibited. For example if busking is regulated or banned but people are allowed to conduct free speech behavior for pickets, protests, religious, political, educational, sports, commercial or other purposes then the law is illegal. In the USA any form of regulation on artistic free speech must not be judgmental, and permits must not be so restrictive, complex, difficult or expensive to obtain that they inhibit free speech.

If two or more persons conspire to violate a person's civil rights they are violating US Federal Law, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 241- Conspiracy Against Rights - "This statute makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person of any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the United States, or because of his/her having exercised the same. It further makes it unlawful for two or more persons to go in disguise on the highway or on the premises of another with the intent to prevent or hinder his/her free exercise or enjoyment of any rights so secured. Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to ten years, or both; and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years, or for life, or may be sentenced to death."

It is also a violation of federal law if an officer of the law violates a persons civil rights under the color of the law. It is the duty of all government officials and police officers to protect and preserve the constitution and these civil rights, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242 - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law - "This statute makes it a crime for any person acting under color of law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to willfully deprive or cause to be deprived from any person those rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution and laws of the U.S.This law further prohibits a person acting under color of law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom to willfully subject or cause to be subjected any person to different punishments, pains, or penalties, than those prescribed for punishment of citizens on account of such person being an alien or by reason of his/her color or race. Acts under "color of any law" include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of any official to be done under "color of any law," the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. This definition includes, in addition to law enforcement officials, individuals such as Mayors, Council persons, Judges, Nursing Home Proprietors, Security Guards, etc., persons who are bound by laws, statutes ordinances, or customs. Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, and if bodily injury results or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire shall be fined or imprisoned up to ten years or both, and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death."

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Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 05:10 PM

The up side is you'd make more money as a hooker.

What happened to the great tradition of whorehouse entertainers?

I have a picture of one from the Renaissance in front of me: it's the cover illustration from Paul O'Dette's CD "Alla Venetiana", and shows a mandolinist playing in a mixed bathhouse where the ladies and clients are eating a meal in the tub before or after getting down to it.

(The original is a miniature by Philippe de Mazerolles, from Facta et dicta memorabilia by Valerius Maximus, Dep Breslau 2, Bd. 2, fol.244r, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz-Handschriftenabteilung, none of which has helped me find a scan on the web),

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 02:11 PM

Hello Teresa,
I have been down to The Strip a couple of times to check busking out. I am not sure what the law's are yet, but there is some of it going on with musicians. I don't see a lot of money being made, but there is always that chance. What I do see is poor showmanship. What I do hear is bad music. And, I may be there at the wrong times. There have been lots of people on the street. I plan to check the scene to see what it is like after 01:00 a.m. Personally, I think I would prefer a quieter, less hectic venue.

And, yes, I hear busking is illegal. But, I don't think the law cracks down on it unless there gets to be too many buskers. Street vendors (soda, water, beer) seem to be getting over-crowed, but with the cooler weather they may disappear.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,maddadkeith
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 02:41 PM

Judging from most of the responses you have received here I would say that showing a good and professional attitude might get you a city permit, even if it might cost you a buck or two. I will say that some of the posters here would probably get the law called on them if they were sitting up shop on the moon. Attitude sells. That's where your tips come from. Anybody can sing. Some sing better than others.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,Stryder the Juggler
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 04:12 PM

I got a $180 ticket for juggling on the strip and I wasn't even accepting tips. The officer told me that the casinos run the show, and they do not allow any kind of entertainment that might pull people out of their monetary grasp. They then escorted me back to my car and asked me to leave Vegas. I was told that I was welcome to get a job with a casino and return any time I wanted otherwise I should stay out of the city entirely. It was kinda scary the way they kicked me out.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,berlin
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 07:14 AM

is it legal to busk in Berlin without licence?
Nenad

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,Timothy Leer
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 07:09 PM

After working 6mos. last year on the strip in L.V.,I can tell you this.Those Clark County Nazi bastards will enterpret the law any way they want to.The biggest headache is a division called the "HOMELAND SECURITY SATURATION TEAM". In spite of the federal law agaqinst impersonating federal agents,these schmucks love to wave around the term "Homeland Security" in thier titles until you make them be specific.They will flat tell you they have"Homeland security issues,so shut down or go to jail".Funny, I asked one officer named Mysz(really spelled that way)if she had anything to do with I.C.E. as i thought there were a lot of very visible Illegals pushing smut cards and ads.I was told "thats out of our jurisdiction".
I.C.E. not D.H.S.? Since when? That's Vegas!

The best way to get left alone is to put you amp and battery(don't use public electrical outlettes)in a rolling suitcase and use cordless mic's.Otherwise you risk a ticket for Illeagal storage of items on a public street.They must be kept in a case "commonly carried by a pedestrian".Also,there is room on Freemont street UNLESS
Casino security doesn't like you.Selective enforcement is common.
There have been recent lawsuits won against both the city of L.V. and M.G.M. concerning this and our first amendment rights,but Metro is H.S.S.T. not L.V.city(they're Clark County)anything south of Sahara on the BRIDGES are the the best pitches.Again, get ready to hear you risk arrest from some Hotel Security Gaurds(M.G.M. especially, owns most of those hotels the bridges are attached to)who think the PUBLIC FORUM rulings were at THEIR discretion.They're not. Show them no FEAR AND BE POLITE AND KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL THEY GET TIRED OF WAITING FOR A COP TO SHOW UP FOR THEIR CELL PHONE CALLS.90% of the time they won't answer the reqest unless they
are PERSONAL FRIENDS with the security guard who called.They do know each other out there.It's a small,small town.
But technically,IT IS LEGAL TO BUSK IN CLARK CONTY NEVADA AND THE A.C.L.U. HAS AN OFFICE THERE WITH PEOOPLE IN IT EXTREMELY USED TO HELPING WITH THIS ISSUE.CALL THEM.       GOOD LUCK
                                             Tim

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,new to vegas
Date: 20 Jan 12 - 07:32 AM

Here is a good legal background on street vending in Vegas... also, I recently saw a cop on the strip tell a busker that they 1) couldn't have a sign asking for something (have to get rid of signs asking/begging) and had to 2) keep playing... if you are playing and not an obstruction you should be okay, but no signs.

here is the link to the opinion:
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2006/10/19/0515667.pdf


also, there is a current debate in the city government about a regulation to ban animals on the sidewalks except for the regular exceptions (service and local residents of a small block raidus) because of the habit of beggars/panhandlers to use animals to increase profits. worth knowing.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,Dr.stevebru
Date: 03 Jun 13 - 01:53 PM

http://library.municode.com/HTML/14787/level2/TIT11VETR_CH11.68PEMA.html

Chapter 11 had some small bit about busking on a pedestrian mall (which I assume is most of the strip and otherwise where you would best busk anyway). Maybe I'm wrong but it looks to be mostly legal unless a particular casino doesn't allow it on their grounds. Juggling outside of Excaliber with a jester uniform? Maybe. Playing electric blues in the canals of the Venetian? Probably not. Looks like Stryder the juggler attracted some attention from some angry security with nothing better to do.

Subject: RE: busking: Legal or Not in My area?
From: GUEST,chase
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 10:27 AM

I do dubstep...like live beatboxing from my face and then I dump it all into a loop station and an amp.
power at all with the 12 volt batteryis this a legal