Secrets of the City

Great! Instead of the once-expected surge in new restaurants and nightclubs opening around downtown, we will instead get students on street corners playing for donations.

I’m hoping for wall-to-wall Phil Ochs covers.

I wonder, what kind of busking could I do? Karaoke busking?

I’m hoping for wall-to-wall Phil Ochs covers.

Ish. So dated. How bout a throwback protest by evoking a happier era thru Nirvana and Collective Soul covers?

I wonder, what kind of busking could I do? Karaoke busking?

“Karaoke busking” would be a great title for a memoir.

Well, if accordions, banjos and ukeleles are involved, you know where you will find me.

And if the accordions, banjos and ukeleles are doing wall-to-wall Phil Ochs covers, you certainly know where you will find me.

Collective Soul covers, however, are a dealbreaker.

Even if the CS covers were played by a banjo, accordion, ukele band (with a kazoo lead singer)?

Come to think of it, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” would sound awesome on kazoo!

Actually, when I suggested Collective Soul covers, I really meant Soundgarden. I get my grunge bands mixed up with my proto-grunge ones…

I’m going to sing karaoke to the banjos and accordions.

Well, Soundgarden covers might be OK if played on accordion. I’d have to take it strictly on a case-by-case basis. It would depend on what the accordionist was wearing.

And esquared, you should bring a kazoo. Anyone can play those!

I’m going to borrow my wife’s gutair and sing Warren Zevon’s “Send Lawyers, Guns & Money,” over and over outside the X.

Dudes, I’m going to be rich!

You know what else would be great at the RNC? A good one-man band. Whatever happened to one-man bands anyway? There aren’t enough of them around anymore…

ACCEPTABLE ATTIRE FOR RNC STREET BUSKERS: hobo pants, cowboy hats, lederhosen, knee-high boots, paramilitary outfits, hobo jackets, motorcycle jackets, motorcycle t-shirts, checkered scarves, beehive hairdos, pencil skirts, George McGovern campaign paraphanelia, Young Pioneer scarves, bowlers (men only), Jesus and Mary Chain-themed t-shirts, rockabilly costumes, kimonos, Nilsson-style bathrobes, beards, beanies, yamulkes, sidelocks, tweed, kilts, Nudie suits, Zorro masks, pencil-thin mustaches, striped shirts, Navy uniforms, boiler suits, berets.

UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE FOR RNC STREET BUSKERS: ten-gallon hats, striped ties, fringed vests, disco paraphenelia, leather vests, suggestive nudity, Isaac Hayes-styled chain-mail outfits, “furry” costumes, surgical scrubs, Hugo Boss, pleated khakis, pirate shirts, codpieces, Nazi uniforms, clown outfits, popped collars, plastic masks resembling noted politicians, flannel.

Well, Soundgarden covers might be OK if played on accordion. I’d have to take it strictly on a case-by-case basis. It would depend on what the accordionist was wearing.

Jeez. Everyone’s a critic now…

ACCEPTABLE ATTIRE FOR RNC STREET BUSKERS:…

Did you just describe Max’s wardrobe?

Thought about trying to turn a few bucks selling cheap buttons and other items. I know a supplier who can get me I Like Ike, Nixon’s the One and other similar themed items. But it would involve long hours, and maybe someone spit on me. Sounds like a rough is gathering and the City of St. Paul is afraid of offending them for some reason.

I hope there are buskers playing Rock Band at OMGWTFGOPBBQ08.

Rock Band is going to kill busking, the way it killed prog rock, Dance Dance Revolution, finger-tapping solos and the handheld game of Simon.

I’m thinking of setting up a complaint stand. I would accept written complaints on any topic, not limited to the RNC at all. Said stand would add to the street-fair community feeling of the place.

Hope the federales don’t come around asking where my permit is.

It’s also going to kill busking like Scrabble killings the Spelling Bee.

Did someone say Dancing?

Well, if accordions, banjos and ukeleles are involved, you know where you will find me.

And if the accordions, banjos and ukeleles are doing wall-to-wall Phil Ochs covers, you certainly know where you will find me.

being beaten by the police with the rest of the hippies for being vaguely in the way of the republican elite? ):

Does anybody want to join me in playing patriotic songs by Keytar?

Until they hear me sing “Long Black Veil.”

Then the elite and the cops and the protestors and the buskers and the foxy accordion girls will all be weeping into their shirtsleeves together.

And yeah, MB, I’m down.

But only if Maz agrees to join me in a bipartisan, keytar-enhanced rendition of “Anchors Aweigh.”

can I be the construction worker?

Re: foxy girls + accordions
You mean like the ones that play at Nyes? The ones missing a few teeth? Rowr dude.

hey I know a couple foxy girls who play accordian!
and as far as I know, they have all their teeth.

Be sure to tell them what a handsome specimen I am next time you see them, Wayne.

But only if Maz agrees to join me in a bipartisan, keytar-enhanced rendition of “Anchors Aweigh.”

Awesome. I’m going to get a giant mermaid tattoo on my entire back just for that song. I will teach it how to dance as an added entertainment aspect of our performance.

And now I’m in love.

oh, dear…

Hey andyst, I can put a word in for you too next time I’m at Nye’s!

Are you going to be making money during the RNC?

The RNC will bring an influx of delegates, members of the media and activists — and some of them will be looking for places to stay, eat or souvenirs to bring home.

Maybe you’re trying to rent out your home. Maybe you have a venture specifically created and tailored for the RNC. Or perhaps you’re hoping the convention will bring a boost to your business.

Whatever you think the RNC will bring for you or your business, we hope you’ll share your insights here:

http://tinyurl.com/mprrnc

And please contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks,

Whitney Stark

Public Insight Journalism

Minnesota Public Radio News

wstark [at] mpr [dot] org

(651)290-1302