I had a full evening in the French Quarter’s last weekend. As you can see, these pics and videos are taken of our New Orleans Street Performers on Bourbon St. The will work for the crowd primarily on the weekends or when there’s a big event going on in the city. If you are a native of New Orleans, you will remember these guys from the Jackson Square Steps, where the crowd would sit on the steps as if they were in the stands, and the pavement was their stage. It’s lovely to see that they all are doing well, still feeling the beat and break dancing well into their late 40s, maybe 50s.
I recently swayed my views when seeing my little NOLA babies drumming their hearts out on buckets for chump change. I would be in tears walking off worrying about someone taking off with their money, concerned about their home life, and how safe they are out amongst all the drunkards on Bourbon St… I had the opportunity to talk to one of the little boys, and he told me that he loved to do it. It was a hobby that he could make money from that could afford him to buy things his family could not afford. He did report that some kids have it harder than him and that he wished people would stop looking at them, listen to their sound, and just walk off. He broke it down, sounding like little businessmen. They are, in essence, entrepreneurs. I still worry, but I pray about them, and a little voice told me there has never been an incident involving the child street Performers on Bourbon St. and that helped a lot.
Please tip our street Performers, especially if you stop, listen, and take pictures or record them. If, by chance, your photo wins some prize or you get paid from it, do your best to give them their half. You would not have that great shot without your subject. Your eye sees the shot, and you have all the right angles and lighting, but it’s the subject, object, person, or thing that makes it memorable.
The average tip is $2-$5 per performer, be mindful when tipping a group or band. How would a band of 6 splits that $1 you dropped in their bucket? Idk, but be fair, you are being entertained by New Orleans natives who are continuing the tradition, keeping the culture alive, which happens to be the very reason why you come here. They would benefit greatly from your generosity.
Dat NOLA Chic 