busking
Playing for tips
Busking is performing music, magic, or other entertainment in public spaces for tips from passersby.
A busker might play guitar in a subway station, juggle on a street corner, or sing outside a café.
The practice is common in cities worldwide, though regulations vary: She made enough busking to cover her rent.
The performer is a busker; the activity is busking.
Where two roads intersect
- sidewalkPaved pedestrian pathway
- subwayUnderground transit passage
- plazaPublic open square
- pedestriansPeople traveling on foot
passersby · downtown · promenade · boardwalk · market · arcade · underpass · train station
Large public gathering
- spectatorsThose who observe events
- onlookersPeople observing an event
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- bystandersPeople present but uninvolved
passersby · stopping · watching · applause · requests · interaction · engagement · heckling
Fretted stringed instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
- drumsStruck membrane instruments
singing · folk · jazz · blues · minstrel · troubadour · harmonica · ukulele
Entertainment in public spaces
- entertainerOne who amuses others
- actDeed or performance
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
mime · magic · acrobatics · comedy · puppetry · living statue · fire-breathing · contortion
Extras for servers
- hatGarment for the head
- guitar caseProtective instrument housing
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
- coinsMetal money units
gratuity · appreciation · generosity · patronage · support · contribution · livelihood · income
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- impromptuWithout advance preparation
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
unrehearsed · on-the-spot · creativity · adaptability · spontaneous · off-the-cuff · jamming · riffing
Official written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- policeCivil law enforcement
noise complaint · fines · illegal · enforcement · rights · freedom of expression · harassment
street corner
Where two roads intersect
pedestrians · passersby · downtown · promenade · boardwalk · market · arcade · underpass · train station · park
crowd
Large public gathering
- spectatorsThose who observe events
- onlookersPeople observing an event
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
bystanders · passersby · stopping · watching · applause · requests · interaction · engagement · heckling · photos
guitar
Fretted stringed instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
drums · singing · folk · jazz · blues · minstrel · troubadour · harmonica · ukulele · banjo
street performance
Entertainment in public spaces
- entertainerOne who amuses others
- actDeed or performance
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
juggling · mime · magic · acrobatics · comedy · puppetry · living statue · fire-breathing · contortion · breakdancing
tips
Extras for servers
- hatGarment for the head
- guitar caseProtective instrument housing
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
coins · gratuity · appreciation · generosity · patronage · support · contribution · livelihood · income · spare change
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- impromptuWithout advance preparation
ad-lib · unrehearsed · on-the-spot · creativity · adaptability · spontaneous · off-the-cuff · jamming · riffing
permit
Official written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
police · noise complaint · fines · illegal · enforcement · rights · freedom of expression · harassment
- live actsmagic show, comedy act, circus act, variety act, solo act
- solo actssolo act, solo performance, one-man show, one-woman show, solo concert
- cultural eventscultural festivals, heritage festivals, folk festival, folk festivals, heritage festival
- extra incomeside hustle, side job, freelancing, gig work, moonlighting
- folk entertainmentfolk dancing, folk theater, street performance, street theater, juggling
- gigsconcert, show, performance, set, live set
buskingconcert performance
Live musical presentation
residency · arena tour · headlining · arena show · stadium tour