Good day… I hope this message finds you healthy and at
peace.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Walt Hansen. I am a resident of San Jose, I work here,
I sleep here, I am part of San
Jose. Some of the people that are
reading this may know me. I believe some
of the people that know me may say I am a kind hearted, friendly, contributing
member of society. That what I bring to
San Jose is noteworthy, that I enhance
the area of downtown San Jose, to
those people, I most humbly say ‘thank you very much for your kind words’. Some may say I’m an unwelcome annoyance, and
to those I have no response.
The occupation that I have found
myself in is that of a street musician.
I stand in various locations in downtown San Jose and play a flute. My music ranges from pop to jazz. I’ve been told by many that it improves the
atmosphere, and adds that ‘extra something’ to the place.
I drop a hat at my feet, and live off
what donations are placed there. I never
ask for a dime, not one. I also refuse
to ask for social services help. Not
food stamps, nothing. Welfare wasn’t
meant for people like me. Welfare was
meant for mothers with children, not for people that are capable of standing,
and hustling out a living out of what’s there.
Recently I was handed a notice, of an
ordinance that’s gone into effect for the upcoming superbowl week. This ordinance states that I will not be able
to legally play anywhere in downtown San Jose, from approximately February 2nd,
through February 9th.
I suggest to you, that this is a
decision that needs to be re-examined.
Is this the way you wish to treat the people that make San Jose their
home the other 51 weeks of the year ?
The notion that the powers that be of
San Jose would tell me, a veteran, that asks for nothing, and does contribute
to the city of San Jose, that I am not welcome to earn a living during one of
the biggest celebrations in the country, is beyond belief.
San Jose is telling me, ‘we’re having a party, please stay away’. San Jose is telling me, ‘you’re not good
enough for us’. San Jose is telling me, ‘we
don’t care that you served your country, we don’t care that you add to the
flavor of downtown day in and day out’.
San Jose is telling me, ‘go to
hell’.
So
Mayor Liccardo, council members of San Jose, National Football League, Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, are you going to tell a normally accepted
member of downtown San Jose that he can stand outside, and look in, but please
don’t expect to be welcomed at your party ?
I welcome discussion on this
subject. Feel free to walk up to me
while I’m out playing music, and I’ll certainly listen to your point of
view. I can regularly be found in various spots on the Paseo de San Antonio, as well as a few other
spots.
I am personable enough, if the various
interviews and questions I’ve had are any
proof.
I want to be part of this city.
I enjoy downtown San Jose, and many
residents of downtown have enjoyed what I do.
Do the right thing, and make it legal for me to play in downtown during
this celebration.
Regards,
Walt Hansen
http://Walt.comxa.com
Walthansen753@yahoo.com
Facebook walthansen55
Where do you play and can I sit in?! Keep it up, Walt. We need MORE street musicians, not less. It's people like you that give San Jose some soul.
ReplyDeleteHi there.... In the mornings I play either near Camera12 theatres, or near Phils Coffee.... In the evenings, Camera12 or up in Mtn View..... come'on out.
DeleteHi there.... In the mornings I play either near Camera12 theatres, or near Phils Coffee.... In the evenings, Camera12 or up in Mtn View..... come'on out.
DeleteAmen. Suzanne. Walt's exile during Super Bowl week is just wrong. Shame on those who made this decision. You can unmake it.
ReplyDeleteWe can unmake it. Get your musical instrumemts out (even if its just a tambourine or a slide whistle) and let's make this the most street-musical Superb Owl ever! Read up on street Musician etiquette, don't clash or annoy,but add to the street atmosphere, downtown CAN be more interesting than a coat of beige latex paint.
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DeleteAmen. Suzanne. Walt's exile during Super Bowl week is just wrong. Shame on those who made this decision. You can unmake it.
ReplyDeleteWhile i don't disagree with Walts dilemma have you tried be apart of the activities and perform at a venue legitimately?
ReplyDeleteHi there.... Sure, I'll play legitamately.... When the organizers of these events publish that they're looking for performers.... As it is, such as at the San Pedro Square farmers markets, they seem to hire musicians that know someone, vs. those that sound professional.
DeleteHi there.... Sure, I'll play legitamately.... When the organizers of these events publish that they're looking for performers.... As it is, such as at the San Pedro Square farmers markets, they seem to hire musicians that know someone, vs. those that sound professional.
DeleteIt is shameful that we have so much government overhead in San Jose that someone had the time -- and got paid -- to issue this notice, and this is only one example of many in these weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. Walt is one of the only pieces of cultural flair we have and I've enjoyed him since the day I returned home to San Jose. It's time for our city government to get out of the way and let us have our city back so we can thrive in a cultural free market, so we can all reap the benefits of the influx of money! #StandWithWalt
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could approach one of the restaurants and ask them if you could play inside of their venue for just the week. Good luck with this, shame on the powers that be.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read this article in the Mercury News that says that you'll be able to play during the Super Bowl! http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29431153/san-jose-says-street-musician-can-play-during
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ReplyDeleteYou made it onto Am-740 radio, kcbs. They talked about you all day,every 20 minutes, I know, i listened.
ReplyDeleteI dunno if I'm gonna get out with the trumpet. I've had the busking bug for a few years but I may be reverting to something I was doing from before I even remember, art. I might start doing signs, and should do a free sign for all buskers. See you soon.
LOL.... I'm sorry I missed that, or glad, not sure which.
DeleteIt was a sound bite of you talking about how San Jose is your home,and here come these people to hold a party in your home and you have to leave. I think it was quite well done. You know how kcbs does things, every 20 minutes the news cycle, but its the go-to when people need their "traffic and weather together" so I think a lot of ears heard you.
DeleteAfter I left you last night, San Jose jazz had a booth by the fairmont, and they were kicking ass! Drums, bass, trumpet, sax, clarinet, and a lady singer. And they didn't make fuck all. Had an audience of lime four, Dancing Hispanic Guy, Dancing White Young Coup!e, and me.
It's hard out there man.