Street Magic

splitspades · May 20, 2009

im a little confused i was planning to do some street magic , but some body told me that you need a license to do magic in my town. is this true? if it is, how can i get one?

aJohnson · May 20, 2009

In some towns I believe you do need a licence to busk, maybe ring up the council and ask them.

emagician · May 20, 2009

Usually somewhere on your city website it will have a busking form that you can fill out and mail in. Then you're good to perform!

MagicShadow9 · May 20, 2009

Let me clarify, busking is when you do magic on the streets and ask for tips at the end. If that's the case, you need a license.

If you're just gonna casually perform for people just for the heck of it, it's perfectly fine. However, don't perform anything using weapons, even a knife. My friend once almost got arrested for doing a trick using a knife. So be careful.

Rmana · May 20, 2009

It depends on where you are as well.

I'm from Toronto and depending where I am, they'd ask for a license. On the street, pretty much anywhere, I've been okay. But at the subway stations, I've gotten warnings and stuff.

Fritts1223 · May 20, 2009

MagicShadow is right.
you only need a license if you are asking for tips or money. then it's considered busking when requires you to get a license unless you want to get fined. :]

nexusmagic · May 20, 2009

Also stay away from private property, that includes and not limited too, Malls, Privately owned businesses and private property in general.

Reactions · May 20, 2009

Fritts1223 said:
MagicShadow is right.
you only need a license if you are asking for tips or money. then it's considered busking when requires you to get a license unless you want to get fined. :]

Recently, I got a fine for doing some busking downtown ($250, way more than I usually make) - and yet I am not old enough to apply for a license.

All areas are different though, I have done some busking in front of law enforcement officers and they have had no problem with it (somewhere in the southern part of the US)

*Sigh*

DannyT · May 20, 2009

I don't wanna steal someone's thread here but I have a question on busking and don't wanna make a new thread of it.

I don't know if NYC requires you to have a busking license or not. How would I find out, and if needed how can I get one.
I've been looking for websites but no luck.