NORFOLK -- It was about this time last year that the Art Everywhere event in downtown Norfolk lead to the forming of a group called SPIN or Street Performers In Norfolk. They wanted to keep the outdoor music going and made a presentation to Norfolk councilwoman Teresa Whidby.
"And I presented her a PowerPoint presentation describing the successes we had in Norfolk as well as the misconceptions as to whether it's legal or not," said SPIN member Jesi Owens.
There are plenty of street performers in cities like Portland and New Orleans. Norfolk has ordinances about parades and assemblies but not about street performers and/or buskers.
"The buskers wanted to know where they could go, what they could do. They didn't want to get into any kind of place the city didn't want them to be. So the busking ordinance is for sidewalks and parks," said Anne Odel, City of Norfolk Assistant Manager.
Soliciting on the streets is not legal but simply performing is fine.
"Well the good part is the publicity - letting the artist know, not just musicians. If you are a juggler, a mime, anything, letting you know that you can come out to the streets of Norfolk at any time and perform," concluded Ms Owens.
Supporters are confident this new city ordinance will pass.
