street performance
Public impromptu show
Street performance is live entertainment—music, magic, juggling, mime, acrobatics—performed in public spaces for voluntary contributions from passersby.
The performer sets up on a sidewalk, plaza, or subway platform and works for tips, often collecting money in a hat or open instrument case.
Street performers are also called buskers, and the activity is busking.
She got her start doing street performance in the French Quarter.
Public performance for donations
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
- violinBowed string instrument
drumming · beatboxing · harmonica · flute · steel drums · didgeridoo · one-man band · amplifier
Sequential toss-and-catch performance
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- acrobaticsSkilled physical feats
- fire-eatingIngesting burning material performatively
- human statuePerson posing motionlessly as art
magic tricks · contortionist · puppetry · unicycling · ventriloquism · escapology · hula hooping · balancing
Those who observe events
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- passersbyPeople going past
- onlookersPeople observing an event
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
bystanders · circle · tip · applause · heckling · requests · interaction · tourists
Extras for servers
- donationsGifts to organizations
- permitOfficial written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- pitchFrequency of sound
territory · regulars · income · coins · police · noise complaint · weather · competition
Paved pedestrian pathway
- plazaPublic open square
- squareRhombus with right angles
- subway stationUnderground railway platform
- boardwalkPlanked waterfront pathway
promenade · pedestrian zone · market · pier · park · underpass · town center · waterfront
Acting without forethought
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- impromptuWithout advance preparation
- audience participationSpectators actively joining performance
ad-lib · on-the-spot · unrehearsed · call-and-response · adaptability · playfulness · reactivity · riffing
busking
Public performance for donations
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
violin · drumming · beatboxing · harmonica · flute · steel drums · didgeridoo · one-man band · amplifier · tip jar
juggling
Sequential toss-and-catch performance
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- acrobaticsSkilled physical feats
- fire-eatingIngesting burning material performatively
human statue · magic tricks · contortionist · puppetry · unicycling · ventriloquism · escapology · hula hooping · balancing · levitation
spectators
Those who observe events
gathering · bystanders · circle · tip · applause · heckling · requests · interaction · tourists · commuters
tips
Extras for servers
- donationsGifts to organizations
- permitOfficial written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
pitch · territory · regulars · income · coins · police · noise complaint · weather · competition · setup
sidewalk
Paved pedestrian pathway
- plazaPublic open square
- squareRhombus with right angles
- subway stationUnderground railway platform
boardwalk · promenade · pedestrian zone · market · pier · park · underpass · town center · waterfront · arcade
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- impromptuWithout advance preparation
audience participation · ad-lib · on-the-spot · unrehearsed · call-and-response · adaptability · playfulness · reactivity · riffing
- cultural eventscultural festivals, heritage festivals, folk festival, folk festivals, heritage festival
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- cultural experiencesmuseum visit, concert, festival, theater, opera
- festival eventsparade, live music, concert, craft fair, talent show
- folk entertainmentfolk dancing, folk theater, busking, juggling, puppetry
- gigsconcert, show, set, live set, bar gig
street performanceBroadway show
Manhattan theatrical production
opera · ballet · stadium show · arena show · nightclub act
street, performance, streetwise, streetlight, performances, side street, back street, streetcar, streetlights