Street Performers are Saints!

Here’s my take on street performers: I love ‘em.  They offer color to my city and they make waiting for a train or bus more pleasant. A singer, a dancer or a mime makes me pause, watch and listen.  They sooth my nerves and let my mind wander from the lists in my brain and the voices that remind me “I’m going to be late,” or “I’m not doing enough to get ahead.”  To those of us who have jobs and travel the CTA, L & subway system, street performers offer us pause.  And pause, like meditation and sleep, is when we quiet our minds, shut out the other “noise,” and let the “Power or Now” overcome our thoughts; and these are the times when we remember where we left our keys, come up with that winning campaign for work, and let that spirit of inspiration have its way with us.  

Street performers are usually go-getting saints, which translates (in my mind) to people who are willing to share thier talents for a revenue stream--instead of trying to hunt for a typical job in a jobless market.  And, although I can find no statistics on the subject, I’ll bet you that there are less street crimes around street/subway performers who are performing at L, subway and bus stops than without.  Come on... who’s going to mug someone in front of someone whose job it is to stand and perform for & watch whose coming and going?

To those of us in Chicago who are inspired to turn down our iPods, for just a second, to listen to a middle-aged woman play an Asian harp, or smile because three teens tap dance on buckets: I suggest giving them a dollar.  For these people have a talent that we may have secretly not allowed ourselves to nurture, and they gave you a glimpse of what we wished we could do.  A few minutes of escape or entertainment might result in a pause, a smile or clarity--and that’s priceless.

Here’s a little video of Vocalist Guitarist, Meisha Herron whom I saw today at the State St. Lake St..  I thought she was wonderful and I wish I had a party that I could hire her for. 

All street performers have to comply with City of Chicago ordinances.