New Permits to Perform on the Church Street Marketplace

Words by the Church Street Marketplace Commission. Photo by James Lockridge.

Musicians: The church Street Marketplace has announced updated protocols for getting a permit to play on the Marketplace. Here'e the info, copied from the CSM newsletter:

"Based on feedback from local street performers, businesses and the Burlington community, the CSM Street Performer program has undergone some major changes in the past few months. Local performers have found it increasingly difficult to generate a decent income from their performances because the Marketplace office has issued too many permits for entertainers.

This year, we have raised the standard and expectations for our street performers. Auditions are rated on Tone, Accuracy, Balance, Presentation and Repertoire. There are four types of licenses to be offered:

*ANNUAL LICENSE (YELLOW): We will now issue only Annual Licenses -- no more day permits will be issued. An Annual Street Entertainer License will cost $65 for the year.  The fee covers the cost of background checks ($30 for State of Vermont and $15 for other 49 states) plus a $20 administrative fee.  Because our residents and guests often seek out our performers to play at their weddings, parties and events, we feel we have an obligation to the community to present a roster of performers who have been properly vetted.

*YOUNG PERFORMERS PERMIT (PINK): Free to young performers who are under the age of 18 at time of their audition.  The Church Street Marketplace welcomes young performers associated with Vermont high schools, colleges, the Vermont Youth Orchestraand Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.  Permits are issued based on audition, repertoire and recommendation from music teacher or mentor.

*TRAVELING PERFORMERS PERMIT (GREEN): Available to traveling performers booked at local venues including Red Square, Nectar's, Signal Kitchen, Radio Bean and Higher Ground, during their venue performance days only.

*CIRCLE ACTS (YELLOW): Permits for circle acts are issued on a case-by-case basis, depending on the performer's performance and safety plan, experience performing in pedestrian marketplaces and flexibility with times and locations that are available.  $100.00 for annual license.

EVERY entertainer is required to re-audition for the 2015 season. Auditions are held on Wednesdays at Noon in the Church Street Marketplace office (2 Church Street, Suite 2A).  If a performer is unable to audition at that time, a video performance can be sent to Jenny Morse at jmorse2@burlingtonvt.gov. Entertainers who receive an Annual License, Young Performer Permit, Traveling Entertainer Permit or Circle Act Permit will be featured on the Church Street Marketplace website. We will include their headshot, bio and links to your website, social media pages and performance videos. Information should be sent to Ron Redmond at redmond.vt@gmail.com."

Forms and more info can be found at http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/information/permits-licenses.

The photo at top is of Eric George of Burlington busking on the Church Street Marketplace.

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