The other night I was out after work doing some Christmas shopping. It was cold and dark but a lot of people were around. A street entertainer was playing his guitar and singing. I liked his take on the songs I knew and I liked his song choice. I actually felt like his music made me a tiny bit happier. So I dropped some coins into his open case. I felt it was right and moral to do that because he was working and entertaining me. I was only walking past so it wasn't like I stopped to listen but there were a few shops close together and whenever I went in and out I heard him.
It's a fairly rare thing for me to do. Usually though, street entertainers are not very good. That sounds uncharitable I know. It's not that I don't appreciate their effort but equally I don't donate just by default. They probably don't expect that either to be fair but I feel slightly uncomfortable when walking past someone who's trying hard to sing or play to entertain but isn't doing it for me.
In a similar vein the talent shows like X Factor really do contain mostly dross. The audience seem to whip themselves up into a frenzy over something that really is quite poor. I don't understand it.
2 comments:
I am right on the same page. Sometimes I feel actual embarrassment for street performers, although I know that isn't necessary!
Also agree about singing competition shows. It is such an amazing opportunity for some talented artist and so often the pool of competitors is incredibly boring.
I know what you mean. I can't even look some of them in the eye when they're really bad! Those shows don't seem set up to discover real talent, they're just looking for a good imitation that will make the programme makers the most money. I'm not even sure what the people on the shows get out of them long term; I suspect it's a lot less than it might appear!
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