Septmeber 15, 2002

Let’s use a little logic

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Who and what Santa Cruz’s street musicians are seems to be a matter of semantics. Interpretations I’ve heard of the proposed ordinances regulating soliciting, political tables, panhandling and the performance of music or other arts and entertainment on the street tend to be somewhat undiscerning as to the differences between these activities and to the restrictions which might apply to them.
Musicians, whose stage happens to be the sidewalk, have been described as soliciting donations because they may have an open instrument case beside them. In fact, these musicians do not request contributions for the time and effort which they spend sharing their arts and skills with the public passers-by. Rather, they accept (“accept” being the key word) tokens of the public’s appreciation of and for a performance well done. The instrument case is there to hold these tokens or awards, should someone feel moved to offer one. It’s an insult to the artists and musicians of this city to have them classified as a form of panhandler to be then ghettoized out of practical existence.
In addition, the Great Morgani had it right at the Downtown Commission meeting when he asked why musicians were being asked to sit out on the edge of the sidewalk, facing the buildings. If exterior sound leaking into nearby buildings is an issue, why not have the musicians sit against the buildings and face outward toward the street? Let logic prevail!

BRUCE ENGELHARDT
SANTA CRUZ