panhandling?

jmccue7

Live in the DC area and was thinking of panhandling on the mall with a friend playing some PJ/DMB/jack johnson songs.

Anyone ever do this before?

Really its just always something I've wanted to do because I love playing guitar/singing and its a free audience. Suggestions of songs to play are welcome.

jmccue7

for the record i'm well off financially. is there a better word to describe this activity? i'm just playing in public for the pure enjoyment of it with an open case. i could care less if people give me anything

IDgotI

jmccue7 wrote:

for the record i'm well off financially. is there a better word to describe this activity?

Busking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking

Pacomc79

jmccue7 wrote:

for the record i'm well off financially. is there a better word to describe this activity? i'm just playing in public for the pure enjoyment of it with an open case. i could care less if people give me anything

as long as you won't get arrested for it go for it, live performance is fun. The more you play the better you'll be at it.

meme

I absolutely love musicians playing in public places

ianvomsaal

Panhandling is actually a crime (the law differs from city to city), but in most cities it’s just a misdemeanor.
You usually only get a citation (between $50 & $200) - however it can also be punishable by 30 days in jail.

Permit Required
Generally. Any person panhandling in the restricted geographical areas described below is
required to be in possession of a solicitation permit, issued by the City Treasurer, at all
times and can be asked to show said permit to any person that asks.
Restricted Geographical Areas. Persons are restricted from panhandling in certain
geographical areas without a permit. Examples include:
• Main Street Mall and its connector streets
• Public Parks, Golf Courses, Schools, and Playgrounds
• Municipal or Governmentally Owned Offices
• Public Library Facilities
• Public or Dedicated Thoroughfares

jmccue7

busking.. yeah thats what i'd do. Apparently panhandling just refers to begging--definitely not me. I just wanna play.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

I guess the issue is the getting the money in a cup part.

It can't be against the law to go out and play an instrument in public...right?

butterfly1

DC has more than its fair share of both begging and busking. I lived in the city during the height (depths) of the Marion Barry era, homelessness and begging was at a peak.
Back on track, if you live in town, then you have a sense of where to go. Simply playing music is the least obtrusive form of collecting money in public IMO.