Grant #10
The Busker Hall of Fame – Stories from the Pitch
April 22, 2013
It was a captivating proposition: fund a project that sheds light on the largely undocumented culture of street performers, or “buskers,” worldwide.
The project began when Dave Aiken, himself a street performer of 31 years, convinced his legendary counterpart Robert Nelson (aka The Butterfly Man) to host a podcast. Keen to create “a living social history book about this crazy cast of characters,” they developed a podcast series inspired by the term, “The Pitch,” which Buskers use to describe their stage.
Since it’s inception in 2011, Stories from the Pitch has resulted in a library of recordings with people who bring exceptional originality, creativity and finesse to the art form. A collection of mentors talking about their process and craft, the project has fostered a sense of community and inspired other performers to lend their voices; some as interviewers, some with technical advice, and all with a passion for the world of Street Theatre.
To learn more about the project, please visit their website and join them on Facebook and Twitter. You can also subscribe to their podcasts on iTunes here.
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