Fresh Competition

Saturday morning I woke up early, got ready, and made it downtown by 7:30. A musician was setting up in the good spot. In a somewhat pleasant surprise, it was not one of the rude musicians but someone new.. Later I found out he was one of the musicians employed by the city to street perform. Harper and Brian both joined me performing. Partway through the afternoon a woman started watching our shows, and started hanging out with us. She was from South Africa, stopping in Chicago for one day on her way to Cleveland. After we finished performing, we all went to the Prodigal Son (coolest bar in Chicago..Harper and I are “regulars” in that we’ve befriended the owners..). We’re tentatively scheduled to juggle there on July 3rd as part of some big shows going on that night. In addition, while street performing I got the business card of someone who books corporate shows..he liked my diabolo routine, had never seen one before.

Sunday I didn’t even try to get out early, but again there was no sign of the jackass musicians normally out there. The good spot was occupied by a man painted entirely silver…I had heard about him, seen him around, but never seen his act. It was very good..you could almost believe that he’s animatronic.

June 10, 2002. General.