Busking in downtown Ventura, California

Do you get nervous before you try something new?

I always get a little nervous before I busk (street perform) in a new city. I never know if the cops are going to bust me, or how the crowd is going to be, let alone know if I am going to make any money.

So, I decided to scope out downtown Ventura, California, before I set up and rock out. I have never busked here before. It took me forever to find parking, but once I did, I met a woman named Shannon. She told me all about the different buskers and where they play on the main street.

I decided to give it a shot.  There were not many people, but at least I could get my feet wet before the weekend. But there was one more factor. The red jacket police patrol!!! My cousin said they are strict. There was a red jacket giving me an evil eye while I strolled around with my guitar and gear. He eventually left and I found a spot that felt comfortable.

The foot traffic was low, but I ended up making some money and got to express myself. Yay! The red jacket rolled by a couple times and didn’t say anything. I suppose I am allowed to street perform in Ventura.

To wrap it up, I wanted to share some shots of me playing songs that evening. It was a pleasant night, and I got to entertain lots of friendly people. I am glad I got over my nerves and made it happen. Another cool memory in the bank.