Recently I took my street organ out to do some busking at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.
![Street organ](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-03-19-14.08.21-1024x768.jpg)
Performing an ambient set, versus doing an show is very different and something that’s new to me. It’s a very different mindset than trying to build a crowd. It’s shorter interactions with people than when doing a show. What I would do is spot people about half a block away and try to pick a song that would get them dancing as they approached me.
@vintageorgan Dancing Queen on the Street Organ! #abba #dancingqueen #pikeplacemarket #streetorgan #coverband #louiefoxx #barrelorgan #busker @pikeplacemarket_official #streetperformer ♬ original sound – vintageorgan
While I was there I ran into puppeteer Rob D’Arc! He also runs a flea circus and we’ve working together a few times over the years.
![street organ with rob d'arc](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-03-19-14.08.04-1024x768.jpg)
In an hour of street performing I made exactly $40
![street performing hat](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-03-19-16.51.37.jpg)
What I learned it that doing ambient street performing you have a lot less control of your “hat” than you do when doing a street show. With a show you can pitch your hat, with ambient, you don’t have a lot of time to catch people.
-Louie