Show off your talents and take advantage of the generous public by going busking. It’ll take a lot of hard work and determination to hone your skills but hey, you're skillful. You can do it. Here's some information on how you might go about hitting the streets with your mega talents.

Busking laws:

Busking is not against the law in the UK however many local authorities have passed by-laws to prevent it. Speak to your local council about the possibility of getting a permit and go from there. Loads of people have found fame after busking and even if you don't necessarily make money from the beginning, practice makes perfect and if you like your art, it could be a lot of fun.

Busking at London Underground stations

The London Underground Busking Scheme gives buskers a license to perform to an audience of around 3.5 million Tube passengers per day across 39 pitches. What stage could possibly be bigger than that? There are limited licenses available and you can apply for one by emailing busking@tube.tfl.gov.uk.

Be imaginitive:

You don’t have be a musician to be a busker, either. Gavin and Stacey’s Nessa might have surprised everyone with her duet of Islands in the Stream with Bryn, but it was her ability to paint herself silver and stand very still that earned her some dosh. You know, when she wasn’t playing Santa Claus or working at the arcade and stuff.

Think about your unique talents and consider whether you can actually get any money by doing this sort of thing as a street performer. London’s Covent Garden is a hub of street performers, attracting tourists for this very reason. To become a street performer here, you must attend an audition which will last three minutes.

The next opportunity to audition is on January 30th.

Visit the website for more details.

Well-known buskers:

Loads of people started their careers on the streets. Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen and Simon & Garfunkel are all among those who once entertained the wandering public with their singing talents. And that's not even counting these fellas:

The Naked Cowboy - It’s not difficult to establish how Robert Burck drew attention to his guitar playing in the middle of New York’s Times Square. Not only has he become an east side institution, but he’s also planned to run for President of the USA next year, making policies for the Tea Party.

Mark Goffeney - If you have never heard of Mark Goffeney, watch this video immediately. The San Diego born guitar player was born with no arms and taught himself the ability to play with his feet. He has since recorded an album and was nominated for an Emmy award for his role in a documentary entitled ‘Feet’.

Charlie Winston - Suffolk-born Charlie Winston made it big in France, going Platinum with his debut album, Like a Hobo, after busking on the streets of Paris.

[Image: AndyArmstrong]

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