To the ones in the “just money” category, I wouldn’t even call them entertainers. Sellers or hawkers would be more appropriate terms (depending on your feelings for them!). There’s a very thin line between someone who sells toys in the street and one who makes balloon animals and then takes a fixed fee for them. Furthermore, you need a licence from your local council to do it and if you're caught without one, you risk a fine.

In the entertainment category, the one I like to think I belong to, money is not important. You can play music, do street magic, juggle or breathe fire, creating a show and excitement all around you. Then you usually keep a hat on a stool or a guitar case open for donations. The better you are, the more people you'll attract and the more you’ll receive. At the end of the day, you may have enough to pay your best friend's dinner without actually asking for anything.

Some important points to remember to become a successful street performer:
Practise extensively your skills first;
choose a busy spot, but not so busy that people will be bumping into you; put your hat in the middle so everyone can see it;
be nice to passers-by and specially children who’ll come near you,
and finally, if confronted by strange suspicious types, stop for a while and ignore them.

Having worked in several countries, I can say Ireland has one of the best attitudes to street art I’ve ever seen. Many performers come here in the summer from abroad, in spite of our weather. If you’ve just moved here, it’s a great way to get started in the country if you have what it takes to do something special. And you can meet other fantastic performers and great people too.

Victor Forja
Balloon Artist and Street Performer (mostly in Galway, Waterford and a festival near you!)

PS: Interested in contacting other street entertainers? Email me at uhforja@gmail.com