Panhandling Musicians on the Port Townsend Ferry
Well, the public has spoken. Contrary to earlier reports, there weren’t just two complaints against David Michael, the Celtic harp player on the Klickitat. There have been SIX complaints against him — over the past nine years. So there.
Whoa! Talk about a groundswell! It’s a good thing that burning issue has finally been resolved.
Seriously though, just how petty can someone get? (This story was in today’s PDN but not the online version.) I’ve ridden that ferry a few times and I don’t remember seeing or hearing a harpist. But how could he not brighten up an already-fun ride between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island?
Some of these complainants even equated busking (playing free music in a public place) with panhandling. WTF?? Get a grip.
One of the complainers said: “Annoyed by harp-playing street musician on board the ferry, begging for money on the state ferry. Street musicians belong on the streets.”
Another one was: “He greets passengers as they get on board from stairways and directs them to his playing area, so many passengers don’t have a chance to see the galley at all. Our food service workers are complaining to us that they are losing business.”
According to the article, the only “panhandling” David Michael does is to have his CDs (for sale) on display. And every time I’ve been on that ferry, the snack bar is closed, and it looks like it’s been closed for a looong time. The only food available is from vending machines and they're mostly empty.
The non-existent food-service workers are “losing business” because of a Celtic harpist playing live music? Go figure. I guess the world would be a better place if we could all be just a little bit more petty and mean-spirited.
Whoa! Talk about a groundswell! It’s a good thing that burning issue has finally been resolved.
Seriously though, just how petty can someone get? (This story was in today’s PDN but not the online version.) I’ve ridden that ferry a few times and I don’t remember seeing or hearing a harpist. But how could he not brighten up an already-fun ride between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island?
Some of these complainants even equated busking (playing free music in a public place) with panhandling. WTF?? Get a grip.
One of the complainers said: “Annoyed by harp-playing street musician on board the ferry, begging for money on the state ferry. Street musicians belong on the streets.”
Another one was: “He greets passengers as they get on board from stairways and directs them to his playing area, so many passengers don’t have a chance to see the galley at all. Our food service workers are complaining to us that they are losing business.”
According to the article, the only “panhandling” David Michael does is to have his CDs (for sale) on display. And every time I’ve been on that ferry, the snack bar is closed, and it looks like it’s been closed for a looong time. The only food available is from vending machines and they're mostly empty.
The non-existent food-service workers are “losing business” because of a Celtic harpist playing live music? Go figure. I guess the world would be a better place if we could all be just a little bit more petty and mean-spirited.
Labels: David Michael, Klickitat, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island
posted by Tom Harper at 4:13 PM
8 Comments:
Engaging in an enterprise, selling CD's. Perhaps I could set up a table and sell some TShirts?
I thought it said in the article that he could have bought a vendor's permit (or whatever its called) and he didn't want to.
I can see where they are coming from though, if you enforce the spirit of a law rather than the letter, people cry foul when seemingly arbitrary decisions are made. What if someone was playing some kind of satanic death metal music, (quietly of course)? He could always say "You let the guy with the harp play..."
This is off topic, the PDN weather page has done it again. It rained most of the day on Sunday (Port Angeles). Not a downpour but a proper rain. Our pot saucers went from bone dry to overflowing. And according to the PDN, yesterday and today, PA's rainfall was a "trace" in the last 24 hours.
Don't think so.
Anonymous: You're right. According to the Weather Channel, Port Angeles got 1.4 inches of rain on Sunday, 9/16.
Here is the link.
"Ridden" is not a word.
Please use correct English when writing your blog. There are numerous online dictionaries available or you could purchase one from any of our local book retailers.
"Ridden" isn't a word? I beg to differ. It's the past participle of the verb to ride. Thanks anyway though.
What the heck? isn't this article about the harpist? talk about comment trolls....... I've listened to the harpist, I've enjoyed his music. Is the goal to destroy every vestige of unique northwest culture?
These kind of decisions create fear, stifle creativity, and crush inspiration. The fun police are at again.
Blogs aint about correct english. Thay are about communicatin and free speach without pressure from petty people complaining about harp music.
That harpist was spreading Socialist propaganda. I say good riddance to his ouster from the ferry!
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