The Future of NYC Street Performances
I’m practically begging a middle school principle to have his students, who are enthralled by the live music, stay for just a few more shots of the crowd. Smiles lit up the park, from all ages. The beautiful weather, amazing turnout, and the Washington Square Arch created the perfect backdrop for the video. Suddenly, I feel a man breathing down my neck, and he is demanding answers.
“Are you in charge of this project?” questioned the 6’2” man with yellowing teeth and an evil scowl.
“Yes, I’m in charge of this music video,” I proclaimed. “Is there an issue?”
The man continued to scream, down at me, about how college art students and the younger generation were ruining all of the parks in New York City, and how I should feel utterly awful for causing a ruckus in the park. I presented to him the necessary permits, and provided an explanation with the up-most bit of sarcasm and attitude.
I explained to the man that I paid a grandiose sum of money to attend school that will teach me more about the art of filmmaking, and that I had a right to be there. He responded by saying people shouldn’t be performing music in the park, as it’s disruptive towards those who enjoy relaxing in the park. Though I stood my ground with the man, I couldn’t help but feel for him, who seemed so upset by the filming of the music video.
Washington Square Park is famously the campus of New York University, a hot spot for chess players, musicians, bird feeders, and artists. The park became a public park in 1827, and was designed to be a place for people to escape the congestion of downtown Manhattan. The famous Washington Square Park arch was constructed between 1890–1892, becoming its signature monument for tourism, as well as the fountain. Since, playgrounds, a chess plaza, a dog park, and other courts have been constructed for tourists and New Yorkers to enjoy.
Though the park was originally created for a place of quiet relaxation for city-folk who were overwhelmed with city life, the park has turned into a spot for many performers to show off their talents and even make some money off of them.
However, much like the man I encountered during the filming of the music video, some residents of the park enjoy the sanctity of the park and enjoy relaxing in the park. Thus sparking the debate between arts and performance and the original purpose of the park.
Not only do some show resistance to the performances, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation try to honor the preferences of those who do not enjoy the noise, by requiring permits and checking on the acts periodically. In fact, the department of Parks and Recreation service contacted us saying there were people complaining about the amplification, in specific, the man who we spoke to. There was nothing the police or department could do about it, however, since we legally paid for the necessary permits.
Filming requires permits, typically, unless only using a handheld camera and tripod. Events and amplified sound require permits as well, and usually have to be applied for and submitted within a month of the expected shoot or event. Fees for special events cost $25 for a processing fee through Parks and Recreation of New York, sound permits cost another $25, and large-scale productions cost around $300.
These performers spend large sums of money to film and perform, and they do it with a sense of contribution to the New York art scene, which has been so widely proclaimed and so important for so long.“I had to research and call the parks department of New York to go through about a dozen phone calls with people before I could even apply for any permits,” Brooks Daughtrey, music video producer, said, “I think it’s really important and amazing that we’re able to utilize such amazing spaces for our art, though the process is pretty complicated.”
If performers choose to violate laws and not apply for permits, they can be fined large sums of money by the New York police department, some fines up to $1200. According to The New York World, in the past 5 years, the city has pushed artists and vendors in parks to designated areas.
So the question remains if performing in the park is ethical, in terms of consideration for those who are trying to escape the city life and enjoy a serene place.
This could be an issue with generations and traditions, although performing in parks seems to be the essence and magic of New York City as a whole. It provides a perfect backdrop for events, film shoots, and performance, and its large amount of people who can contribute to finances. At this point, it becomes a debate between art and purpose.
“The experience of eating lunch on a bench while listening to a classical pianist or a jazz quartet make great music for free is one thing that feels quintessential to New York City,” Elizabeth Moore, Junior NYU student and resident says.
It’s in this sense that New York City holds a special place for these performers, whether or not those opposed to the performance agree with it. The longstanding tradition within New York art culture is to accept these artists and embrace them as part of New York City’s unique culture.
“I think the park performances are really cool and not disruptive,” Ben Bonessi, a MacDougal Street resident explains. “ I think its all part of the New York experience.”
