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Fremont Street has really cleaned up the buskers

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by kingslender, Dec 3, 2015.

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  1. kingslender

    kingslender Low-Roller

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    With the new law where they have to register for one of the designated spots, I have to applaud the change on Fremont Street this year versus last. Last year it was really out of hand with the number of buskers and flat out beggars who would walk around in a thong and berate you if you didn't give them meth money.

    Was there a couple weekends ago and, while some of the more risque buskers are still around (e.g. Naked Cowboy guy), the reduced number of buskers just milling around has brought back the novelty factor versus there just being a bunch of a-holes in costumes walking around begging for money.
     
  2. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    I didn't mind it last year but it's definitely better now. Some things you can only see in Vegas and we saw imitation KISS kicking the still life country folk out of their circle last week. KISS had their permit in hand for the busker post at the appointed hour.
     
  3. kingslender

    kingslender Low-Roller

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    Fantastic. I would really want to see a documentary on some of these guys - from what I've seen, the money they bring in tips is minimal, so how is it worth it for 4 guys to put on full KISS make-up and thongs pretty much every day?
     
  4. MisplacedTexan

    MisplacedTexan Low-Roller

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    I couldn't agree more, and I'm so glad to hear things seem to be getting better. In May, we were practically accosted by "Full-grown man in a diaper" dude when we ignored him. We love Fremont, but enough is enough. We were to the point that we were talking about trying to avoid it from now on. In small doses, the freaks are kinda fun, but for us, it had gotten way beyond the fun point.
     
  5. Rooster0620

    Rooster0620 Low-Roller

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    I enjoy them, but will agree it was way out of hand when I visited in June.
     
  6. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    KISS was only 2 guys and 1 gal. I guess the 4th guy couldn't make it. Which only adds to the whole spectacle.
     
  7. Droyus

    Droyus Low-Roller

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    FINALLY!! I've been wondering if they were ever going to get past hurdles such as the ACLU's legal obstructionism and get this busker problem under control. Genuinely talented street performers are always welcome, but filthy beggars doing nothing more than carrying "give me money" signs or wearing diapers do nothing but lower the appeal of the FSE. Bums in cheap superhero costumes are less objectionable but they don't do anything except stand around and wait for money to get handed to them.

    I agree wholeheartedly that fewer buskers increases the novelty factor, and hopefully the new regulations will drive out the beggars while retaining actual performers. I'll be in town this Sunday and I'm looking forward to seeing a noticeable reduction in these guys.
     
  8. Foos

    Foos High-Roller

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    Did they get rid of the I want money for stopping Sex Traffic people? I HOPE they did.
    Are the topless (decent looking) women still there? I HOPE!
     
  9. garlock

    garlock Tourist

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    I find this hard to believe, but will be arriving Monday for 4 & will check it out, I understand they can't stop the homeless, but will be a blessing to at least see the others gone!
     
  10. kingslender

    kingslender Low-Roller

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    I did not see the anti-sex traffickers, but did see a few topless women with pasties.

    There seem to be no real regulations on WHO can reserve the spots (saw a giant fat dude in a bikini top and bunny ears), but they have the designated spots spaced about every 50 feet or so and they have to stay on the spot so they can't walk along and accost you. They also seem to get the spots only for an hour or two and it seems like they don't try to hang around after, which relieves the congestion.
     
  11. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    Glad they're at least calming it down a bit, and a bit of regulation sounds like it has done the world of good.

    I'm all for the interesting acts, but I do not need to be seeing 80 year old dudes in mankinis, when I'm getting my Starbucks of a morning!
     
  12. Ty

    Ty ?

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    We have stayed downtown three times in the last year. I've never been berated there. Meth money? Nice king.
     
  13. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    The stop sex trafficking folks were there. No one ever berated me there.
     
  14. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Does this ordinance apply to the religious solicitors?

    [​IMG]
     
  15. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Man I was playing near the door at 4Q and some of these folks were just screaming for an hour or more! I wish it did. Instead of screaming to people not listening, volunteer at GA or AA, or a homeless shelter. Seems that would be a more effective way to spread good news that just screaming at people.

    Also DMR the B&W in that photo makes it look like it was taken in the 50's! Great picture.
     
  16. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I guess for me it doesn't matter. I usually just walk on to my next destination, probably to another casino and don't let them bother me. I hardly hang around the FSE unless there is a show up above.

    Diaper man does gross me out but I just ignored him and he walked passed me. I did enjoy seeing the topless women, there were a couple of topless nuns, one looked half decent (the rest of the topless women were a little on the large side). But with the coming winter weather not sure if they would be able to walk around topless without freezing themselves (maybe dress up as snow bunnies for the winter?).

    I also hope the jesus people have to follow the same rules as the rest of them, while they don't bother or interact with me I didn't like them taking up space, they would block some areas so you had to walk around them and the vendors just to get to some places.

    I wonder if the new ordinance chases away some of them to the back alleys (like near the Cal or spike or DTG). I'll be there in just about 1 month so should be interesting to see if it makes that much of a difference.
     
  17. pollyspa

    pollyspa MIA

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    Most of these street "performers" are simply beggars & a pain BUT the one use they had was to keep some of those selfish, kid & buggy dragging visitors away.
    Why anyone would take their child/children to FSE at night where diaper man, topless beggars, adult dancers, strip club touts, drunks, etc etc are there? You can see small kids being wheeled around at 2am! WHY?
    Take kids to Disney, leave adult areas to adults.
     
  18. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    At 2a.m. there's hardly anybody on FSE. Even the "performers" are gone. But I understand about small children being exposed to what's under the FSE. They shouldn't be there but......
     
  19. marksind

    marksind VIP Whale

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    We're downtown now at the Nugget. For the most part the "performers" appear to be abiding by the new rules. The FSE has provided a lot of circles for them, like maybe more than they deserve. There are still beggars wandering freely. Even so, overall it"s an improvement.
     
  20. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Thanks {blush}

    That was kind of the intent. I was attempting to shoot in the style of the photographer "Weegee" by using a very bright flash, pre-setting the focus, using a small f-stop ("f/16 and be there") and composing simply by picking the correct position relative to the subject. That's a simplified version of the technique.

    Surf here for the set:

    http://omababe.blogspot.com/2008/04/weegee-on-fremont-street.html
     
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