Tags
Comedy, Homelessness, Las Vegas, Magic, Music, Nevada, Street Performers
I never go down to the strip. By ‘never’ I really mean ‘almost’, but anyway, this trip was one of those exceptions. I came down a couple times to give my money to these guys (much better than dropping it in a slot machine. …seriously, you walk in a casino and look at all the people playing slots. If you see one person smiling, then you’re beating the odds on that one. But anyway…
There seems to be a fair range of different people working the strip. Some folks appear to be in desperate straights, doing what they can to hustle up some cash. Others have made a genuine profession out of it. …and no, I don’t figure those are mutually exclusive narratives.
The range of performances vary as well. Some folks have reasonably well-developed acts. Others simply dress up in a costume and pose for a dollar a pic. All of them appear to work for tips. They can get rather aggressive about that dollar too; don’t even try to snap one without paying the guy in the costume. No-one looks cool when they are getting their ass kicked by a guy in costume.
Of course the streets are also filled with folks handing out small business cards. They only offer these to the guys, for some unknown reason (cough), but they give you a whole bunch at once. I don’t want to go into details, but let’s just say that apparently a girl named Jackie is just waiting to hear from me, and Heather makes house-calls. Candy might even bring a friend!
Anyway, I have a couple videos below. …click to embiggen.
- I’m not sure what a Statue of Liberty means in this context, but I’m pretty sure there is at least an ironic implication or three,
- Meet Constant
- I’m really disappointed, my video of this act didn’t come through. He’s quite remarkable.
- Constant
- Living Statue
- Ace, Paul, and Peter were nowhere to be found.
- Okay, so I think this is how these pictures are supposed to go.
- Equipment just left there.
- These guys were in town for a comic book convention.
- Living Placard.
- He plays and plays…
- Almost lured me in, she did.
- I think these girls may have been the real thing; they were, um, …flexible.
- Guess these guys are in town again.
- This Elvis made a point to find out where I was from.
- He’s Batman!
- He posed for the picture.
- See, this bastard is the reason Vegas is so dry!!!
- I really like this kitty!
- Hello Kitty!
- Moon and Tower
- Transformers!
- So, were is Gorp or the Asteroids Ship?
- Comedy-gician
- Hey look; a Gold Guy!
- Elvis after he has left the building.
- More Vegas Buildings
- Card Hawker!
- Yeah, …Vegas has one.
- Yep, there is a person in there.
- I wanted to get a complete video of one of these.
- There is a bad joke in this picture. I won’t write it, but I’m a terrible person for thinking it.
- They look so much bigger in person.
- Colorful …yep.
- Just Random Buildings. …they don’t do tricks or sing or anything!
- Spider People Flash a Peace Sign!
- I didn’t have anyone to buy a flower for, so he just posed for a picture.
- Don’t leave!
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I don’t gamble, I don’t like shows, but I do like the excess of Vegas. It always makes me smile.
I have similar feelings about the place. having lived there, I have a tendency to tune it out, but when I pay attention, the kitchyness always makes me smile.
I’ve been there twice – & didn’t gamble once. There’s so much more to do there though. My most exciting adventure was jumping off the Stratosphere. I would so do it again too.
Ha! …You are one-up on me there.
I have never got a chance to gamble in vegas, but I can confirm the people are crazy but… In a good way! It looks like you had an awesome adventure. 🙂
What would Vegas be without Elvis. My favorite is Constant. He looks like he woulc be very entertaining. Nice post … thanks
Ha, I live here but stay away from the strip. Thanks for reminding me why 🙂
I passed through Vegas once, headed to Mesquite, Nevada, for business reasons. I saw billboards advertising Carrot Top at one of the resorts (the Luxor, I think). That told me all I needed to know about Vegas!
Great photos and a great blog!
Street performers are 1 million times more worth than any casino.
Your thoughts on Vegas very much mirror my own. I was there once and truthfully, once is enough.
You are so right, to find anyone smiling while playing the slots or gambling in any fashion is a win.
I found it oppressive…BUT, as in all cities, I LOVE the natives and the street performers.