In Chicago . . . Curtains for "The Bucket Boys?"
58.4% DON'T LIKE 'EM - UNSCIENTIFIC CHICAGO TRIBUNE ONLINE POLL!
Have you seen musicians like this in your town? They're on the street - on the curb, actually - usually young, and wiry. Here in Chicago, outside of Wrigley Field after a Chicago Cubs game. Or, Downtown, on Michigan Avenue. Perhaps in Grant Park during Blues Fest, or Taste of Chicago.
They have incredible rhythm, and speed, and skill, and timing! Fantastic drummers!
Their instrument of choice - empty 5-gallon paint buckets, turned upside down, held between their knees, and beaten on with drum sticks. They always play with a frenzy, often juggle their drumsticks, and are often accompanied by four or five of their fellow musicians, all keeping time, together.
But, too often, they are LOUD! Some consider them ANNOYING! A few fear their form of street entertainment could attract pick pockets or other nefarious types, preying on rows of spectators, distracted by the musical din. (Funny, many said the same thing about those on-street Break Dancers, who entertained the passing masses on downtown Chicago streets over two decades ago!)
In a story by Dan P. Blake in today's Chicago Tribune, these bucket-playing drummers - "Bucket Boys," as many call them - are also the target of a proposed measure by Chicago 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, whose ward includes Michigan Avenue's Famous Magnificent Mile, and The Gold Coast of Chicago. Reilly is planning to introduce an ordinance in the Chicago City Council that would make it easier for the city to take away the licenses of those street performers who violate the Chicago Noise Ordinance.
The change in the law would not impact the dozens of acoustic guitarists who ply their trade on the streets and in the subways - their sound is somewhat subdued. But the louder bucket performers - many could lose their street performer's license after only two noise ordinance violations, rather the previous three violation threshold.
Alderman Reilly wants to respect the First Amendment rights of the street performers, while at the same time crack down on those who play too loudly, or perform without the required Street Performers License. He has been working with Chicago Police and City Lawyers for some time now crafting an ordinance with the right language.
Many Michigan Avenue Business Groups have complained about The Bucket Boys. They say their noise makes it hard to converse with their patients, even from many stories above The Avenue. One Chicago Police Commander worries that pick pockets, purse snatchers, and other petty criminals could prey upon crowds of inattentive tourists watching each performance.
The biggest concern among police - enforcement is difficult! Often times, street performers pick up their bucket instruments and quickly slip away when they have a hunch The Law may be on the way. About a dozen citations have been issued this in 2009 for unlicensed street performers - a fraction of those who may actually perform each day.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
