"Celebrity" Impersonators

I can't help but remember these funny sightings by konceptum from his recent trip to vegas blog.

Quote: konceptum

It was after 10p when I walked out of Binion's onto Fremont street, and here was the Fremont street that I always found so fascinating. Let's see, what did I see:
1. The guy making artwork with spray paint.
2. The two guys dressed up like transformers.
3. The guy playing a guitar for tips.
4. The guy dressed up as ..... well, he was half naked. I'm not sure what he was supposed to be, but the women liked it.
5. The large breasted woman who had on small pasties dressed up as ..... well, I'm not sure what she was supposed to be, but the men liked it.
6. The really bad 80's cover band, with the little-too-excited female lead singer who thought she was a lot better than she really was.

And that was just in my short span of walking time. Truly, this is the Fremont street that I love to just hang out on and watch. People watching can be lots of fun on the Strip, but for me, it's always Fremont Street that gives me the best stories.

Anyways, this article caught my eye this morning.

I think it's kind of sad that many of these "performers" have had to resort to these venues to make a buck as the article alludes to.

Or is it just a "glorified" way to panhandle for a few dollars?

I'll go with the "glorified" option.

A couple of months ago, a man knocked on my door and asked if he could paint my house number on the curb for $10. I said, sure, why not. I mean, I'd rather give this guy an overpriced $10 to DO SOMETHING, rather than give money to someone standing outside Circle K asking for change. The end result of the money may be the same (drugs, alcohol, food, bus fare, hookers, whatever), but I'd rather reward the person who provides some service or product rather than the panhandler.

Similarly, those people dressed up on the Strip or Fremont Street are at least providing some little bit of entertainment to the passersby. Many people were taking pictures with them. Kids were laughing and posing with the Transformers. For a few bucks, someone gets a memento of their trip to Las Vegas in the form of a photograph.

Maybe it sucks that economic times have become so hard for people that they have to dress up to earn a few bucks on the streets. But at least they're doing something, and providing entertainment of some kind, in order to earn those few bucks. For me, that's worth the money, and I'd rather give it to them to the people panhandling.

Here is an example of the strip is full of tourists and downtown is for gamblers.
On the Freemont exp you have the street performer with a pole or cane looking like the are sitting on air.
Gets some looks on Freemont.
Was walking on the pretty wide sidewalk in front of the Bellagio fountains and a pedestrian jam.
I get closer and a huge crowd gawking at one of those street performers that look like they are sitting on air
What draws a crowd on the strip is a yawner on Freemont.

I have seen at least 2-3 times on different trips...

1) A big black guy in a pink bikini who goes by the name Cotton Candy.
2) A guy painted in gold/bronze to look like a statue. He comes to life and dances around when you give money.
3) A guy dancing around in a shirt that said "My c**k in your p****y, oh my god!" on the front and "My tongue in your pie, the party is on!" on the back.

Either these guys enjoy what they do or make enough money with it to make it worth their time - or both.

Quote: terapined

On the Freemont exp you have the street performer with a pole or cane looking like the are sitting on air.

That's a neat trick. It took me a few minutes to figure it out.

Quote: ten2win

I can't help but remember these funny sightings by konceptum from his recent trip to vegas blog.



Anyways, this article caught my eye this morning.

I think it's kind of sad that many of these "performers" have had to resort to these venues to make a buck as the article alludes to.

Or is it just a "glorified" way to panhandle for a few dollars?

For the most part I like the street entertainers. Sometimes groups just gather in a circle and take turns dancing and showing their skill. It's all entertaining. But the people just standing with signs asking for money? Their signs should be confiscated on the spot.

Quote: Greasyjohn

Quote: ten2win

I can't help but remember these funny sightings by konceptum from his recent trip to vegas blog.



Anyways, this article caught my eye this morning.

I think it's kind of sad that many of these "performers" have had to resort to these venues to make a buck as the article alludes to.

Or is it just a "glorified" way to panhandle for a few dollars?

For the most part I like the street entertainers. Sometimes groups just gather in a circle and take turns dancing and showing their skill. It's all entertaining. But the people just standing with signs asking for money? Their signs should be confiscated on the spot.

You mean the ones sitting on the pedestrian bridges with the "Why lie? I need beer?" signs?

Yeah.

I like Fremont best when it's deserted. I liked
it better before the stupid canopy went up.
Now it's just a cheap ass carnival. I don't
remember any of this crap being there in the
80's.

Quote: EvenBob

I like Fremont best when it's deserted. I liked
it better before the stupid canopy went up.
Now it's just a cheap ass carnival. I don't
remember any of this crap being there in the
80's.

The things I don't like: traffic is bad on the strip, and trucks travel this corridor with huge banners advertising whatever. They're not going anywhere, just clogging the street, going back and forth, advertising. Porn slappers with the litter they cause. Religious types with huge hand-held signs of gloom taking their message to the street. Bums with ratty signs of cardboard and marks-a-lot who's job is to beg for money.

And you're right, Fremont Street is a cheap ass carnival. But there is some talent, and some of it is fun. I enjoy the stroll for the most part.

Quote: Greasyjohn

The things I don't like: traffic is bad on the strip, and trucks travel this corridor with huge banners advertising whatever. They're not going anywhere, just clogging the street, going back and forth, advertising. Porn slappers with the litter they cause. Religious types with huge hand-held signs of gloom taking their message to the street. Bums with ratty signs of cardboard and marks-a-lot who's job is to beg for money.

And you're right, Fremont Street is a cheap ass carnival. But there is some talent, and some of it is fun. I enjoy the stroll for the most part.

I absolutely agree. Get rid of the advertising banner trucks.
Traffic is insane on the strip, these trucks make it worse.
Vegas needs to get rid of these banner trucks.

Quote: terapined

I absolutely agree. Get rid of the advertising banner trucks.
Traffic is insane on the strip, these trucks make it worse.
Vegas needs to get rid of these banner trucks.

Seems like the city could limit the size of vehicles that drive the strip and effectively eliminate large tucks. But, then the companies that advertise would just switch to smaller vehicles. There would have to be an ordinance that vehicles advertising local events, companies and shows, etc., would be banned from cruising the strip. It would not be very profitable to advertise nonlocal enterprises in this fashion. Police that patrol the Strip could give out tickets and impound vehicles that don't comply.

I'm sure the companies that clog the streets and pollute the air would cry about their loss of individual freedoms. Then they'd just drive their vehicles up and down Flamingo, Tropicana and Sahara. Go across the Strip, back and forth, back and forth.