Street theater: Quincy Market signs up summer's worth of sidewalk performers
By Sean L. McCarthy
Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - Updated: 04:11 AM EST
Being a street performer is not for everyone.
Consider the circumstances: Tourists and shoppers stroll through historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace when, all of a sudden, someone starts putting on a show. Right in the middle of everything.
``This is a great gig for someone who is virtually unemployable,'' said Cambridge street performer Peter Panic.
But come Memorial Day weekend, Peter Panic and 30 other acts will have steady gigs outside Quincy Market, entertaining the masses and working for tips.
Dozens of musicians, dancers, jugglers, magicians and daredevils tried out during the past two weekends. Those receiving the highest scores (judged on appearance, skill level, crowd interaction and overall performance) made the cut. They'll have their first meeting tomorrow with Faneuil Hall Marketplace officials to talk about licenses, liability and scheduling.
Here are a few of the more interesting acts to keep an eye out for this summer.
ALAKAZAM
AKA: Al Millar
Most likely to twist you in knots by twisting himself in knots.
This Aussie contortionist draws several hundred impromptu spectators to his shows, for good reason. He calls his act ``pushing the limits of body pushing,'' and when you see his arms thrown out from down under himself, you'll know what he means. He also can wiggle his way through a tennis racquet. ``These are not magic tricks,'' he said. ``I'm just a freak!''
STITCH
AKA: Daniel Forlano
Most likely to defy gravity.
This Hampshire College product began performing in 1996 and still makes the trip from Northampton to the Hub for shows. A sharp wit, he somehow managed in his audition to climb an unsupported ladder, have a spectator throw clubs at him, followed by a stick and a ball. He then put the stick in his mouth, spun the ball on the stick and juggled the clubs, while still atop the unstable ladder.
YO-YO PEOPLE
AKA: John and Rebecca Higby
Most likely to teach an old dog new tricks.
He is from Alaska, she is from Maine, so yes, they've yo-yo'ed across the country. The Newburyport newlyweds have appeared on ``The Late Show with David Letterman'' and performed at Quincy Market since 2000. Their grand finale, involving Hula Hoops, tiny unicycles and fighter pilot gear, is matched only in popularity by their ``petite finale.''
TEN 31/GARGOYLES
AKA: Joe Pari and Eric Auger
Most likely to freak out unsuspecting tourists.
Based in Rhode Island, with an office in Providence and workshops in Pawtucket, this creative duo mixes performance art with freeze modeling. Yes, they play the roles of gargoyles, Roman soldiers and other statuesque figures, and if they don't blink, you might miss them.
DAN FOLEY
AKA: Dan Foley
Most creative use of lawn chairs.
This juggler extraordinaire claims his journey began many years ago on a lark. Now he is so much a part of the local street performing scene that WCVB-TV (Ch. 5)chronicled him on ``Chronicle.'' Of course, he is best known as one of the guys who tosses multiple lawn chairs in the air.
Complete roster, 2005 street performers, Faneuil Hall Marketplace:
Musicians: Similar Jones, Yarina, Blue Horizon, Ryanhood, Toby Tobas Steel Drum Strum, Owen Plant, Royer's One Man Band, Tom Bianchi, Katrin, Dave Neiman, Apple Crisp, Mike Tarara, John Tercyak, Simon Zaslavsky
Variety Acts: Alakazam, Yo-Yo People, Dan Foley, Lucky Bob, The Jim Show, Stitch, Peter Gross, Masquerade, The Daredevil Chicken Club, Magic Dave Show, Dave Buchanan, Spunky, Chuckles the Kid's Komic, Ten 31/Gargoyles, Malik Haddadi, Peter Panic, Gazzo, Wendy Leahy | | 
Juggler Blair Tollefson auditions. (Staff photo by Faith Ninivaggi) |
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