Music Monday - Takin' It To The Streets

This week's column is definitely inspired by the cool street musician in Port Townsend on Saturday. He was very talented, which was great! However, even the less-than-super-talented specimens of street musician still do a great job of enhancing the atmosphere of the streets on which they play.

First example though, the great guitar guy (GGG) from Port Townsend! He set up on Water Street, which is the main road through town. If you're coming in to town, or doing any shopcrawling, you're doing it on Water Street. It's already a very concentrated area, with large, old-construction, block-long buildings divided into all manner of clothing, knick-knacks, and eating establishments. Given the diversity of the shops, there's already quite a buzz going on. But when GGG sat down, tuned up and started playing, everything including the cars driving by seemed to gel together into a rich tapestry of sound. His raspy voice lamenting how he hates to see the sun go down, put a smile on my face - one of those smiles that just appears all on its own! I didn't say to myself, "Oh, he's doing good. I'll smile to show my appreciation..." No, this was a case where I was listening, looking all around at how everything seemed connected, and realized I had a goofy grin. (That was when I knew I had to get a picture.) No doubt about it, the beach was the biggest star of that day's show, but this guy was a very solid opening act!

But wait, there's more! Although the lone guy (or gal) sitting on the sidewalk is by far the most common street musician business model, there are several variations that make just as strong an impression. Ever been to a Mariner's home game?

There are several regular performers on the streets around Safeco Field, playing guitar, singing, playing sax, trumpet... But there's one guy who was so legendary he made the setup sequence that Fox Sports NW put together a few years ago. I'm sure his mother gave him a name, but most people in the Seattle area will know who you're talking about if you just mention "Tuba Man". He'll add to the euphoria after a rare win, and drive home the defeated feeling of, well, another Seattle big league defeat. It really wouldn't be the same without him there!

But for my two favorite examples come from Victoria, BC.

First, we'll go to the main ferry terminal in downtown Victoria - where the Clipper docks. (The state ferry docks at the other end of Vancouver Island, in Sydney... Although you can still walk down to the Victoria dock, it's not the same as emerging from the boat to what I'm about to describe.) So your ship sails in... you join the cattle to disembark, go through customs, and finally emerge into the sunshine to the downtown waterfront. A unique combination of relaxed and frantic... Tons of stuff going on, but each individual part is laid back, taking it easy. And though you'd never guess that it's what you'd hear ringing above it all, there's almost always a guy... In a kilt... Playing bagpipes! I've seen other unique musical acts on that waterfront, from one-man-band-mimes to mermaids playing accordions, there's a ton of variety. But nothing tells me I'm in Victoria like hearing the 'pipes as I walk up from the ferry terminal!

Our next Street Musician highlight also comes from the streets of Victoria, BC. If you go up from the waterfront on Douglas, you may get lucky like Cindy and I did on our last trip, and encounter an amazing percussion troupe! We saw them setting up across the street as we headed into a shop... When we came out, it was absolutely mesmerizing! We stood across the street watching for probably half an hour! There was a guy playing a relatively standard drum set, along with several other people - I'd say 8-10 people in all. The other people were playing everything percussion. Bongos, Congas, Tambourines, Vibes, Marimbas... And then there was the leader - or at least the focal point, was a guy who was dancing around, holding some sort of Indian or Asian drum, and he had various drum type accessories on both ankles, and danced all over the sidewalk, leading the rhythm and melody over hills, under valleys, twisting and turning like Kaa from the jungle book. And the effect on us was just like Kaa's was on Mowgli - we could not resist. It was without a doubt the coolest unexpected concert I've ever seen.

By now, you should know the drill... Tell me about your favorite public performances!! Thanks in advance!