The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-01-17
STREET IS Their STAGE.
Former Vaudeville Artists Who Make
Living with opsn-Air
Shows.


fair salaries are now playing with the
asphalt pavements for a stage, the
curbstone for footlights and the audi.
ence composed Of those who have nc
alternative other than standing room
only" unless they are "box occupants"
and watch the show from apartment
house windows. Any one of a dozen
reasons may be given for the appear.
ance OF these actors on the streets in.
stead of in regularly appointed the.
alter. The fact remains, however, saws
the New York Press, that they make
fair living and amuses thousands in
their daily travels. They frequent the
upper West side section, as coins are
supposed to flow more freely there.
One team" of four men makes more
than fair living. They give really
interesting and humorous perform.
ance. One of them is juggler, an
other is an acrobat, the third is
musical comedian and the fourth, acts
as the orchestra and money collector.
The juggler carries a wooden box
containing his juggling outfit. while
the acrobat carries the stage, con.
sisting of large rug, rolled under his
arm. The musical comedian has a
large drum slung over his shoulder.
On each side of the drum drumstick
is attached, while ON the top are Gym.
balls. A long rope reaching down to
the mans shoes is attached to both
the drumstick and the cymbals. On
the end of the rope is loop. The
orchestra consists of harmonica and
accordion, both cleverly played at the
same time by the fourth man.
Having selected their "theater,"
the acrobat spreads the rug in the
middle of the roadway. The juggler
opens his box and begins to toss
about rubber balls, knives, forks, q
lighted lamp and other articles. The
acrobat does some high and lofty
tumbling on his rug. 9rhe orchestra
then strikes up some lively tune
The musical comedian places his heel
into the loop of the rope and stands
on one foot and with the other pulls
the rope that sets the drum and Gym.
balls playing.
AS he hops around on one foot, like
a monkey on stick, with the drum
and cymbals crashing, he makes all
beholders laugh.
The team takes nearly half hour
to give their act. They never fail tc
draw q large and interested crowd
them with coins.
Another actor. cornet player
makes his appearance only TOWARD
evening, because, as he confessed, he
is ashamed to be seen in the day
time.
This young man was clever cor
net player few years ago. He war
on the vaudeville stage and earned
handsome salary. He fought in the
spanish-American war and lost ar
arm. After that he could not play
his instrument as we'll as he once
could, and engagements were hard tc
get.
He appears on the streets dressed
in a soldiers uniform. AS he stands
on dark and nearly deserted street
an empty sleeve dangling by his side.
playing Taps" in mournful key, he
presents pathetic picture.
Then there is a team of two ne
groes, both of whom were on the
vaudeville stage few years ago.
when the country had the ragtime
craze. When that died out they,
with many others, were no longer
wanted. One Of them plays banjo
quite we'll, while the other does clog
dancing and the cakewalk. They fin.
ish their act with singing once popular
ragtime songs.