The Big Busk is back. For background on this unique musical event, read Peter Ames Carlin’s story in The Oregonian last year: Buskers bring melodies to streets of downtown Portland. The second annual busk takes place this Saturday, July 16, 2011 throughout downtown Portland.
These are the ingredients:
- a deep and diverse pool of creative and talented musicians
- a beautiful, human-friendly downtown that consistently ranks among the most walkable in the nation
- a really crappy economy
The idea is, for an entire afternoon, to saturate downtown with music. All kinds of music. Up and down Broadway, the transit mall, the park blocks to the esplanade.
There is no stage, but every corner is a stage. There is no audience, but everyone is the audience. There is no admission fee, but we trust attendees tip generously.
So it’s kind of an experiment. It’s also kind of an art project and a tongue-in-cheek celebration of creative defiance. Good music for tough times.
Visit the Big Busk website and Facebook page for information on locations, times, and the over two dozen bands and performers that plan to take part. You’re invited, too, to the after party at The White Eagle (836 N Russell).
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