Dear editor,
I am the mother of a young boy who plays fiddle. He used to busk at the Comox Mall, earning money for lessons, donations and gifts. I loved watching the delight he inspired in many people; from elderly ladies who smiled and danced and told him he had ‘made their day’ to a fellow on a Harley motorbike who told him his own son had started busking and now plays with an orchestra in Europe.
Busking is no longer allowed at the mall, so he tried busking at the Comox Marina but was terrified of being told he was doing something wrong, so he isn’t comfortable doing it anymore.
The sad thing is, it brought joy to many people, gave him an opportunity to practice and perform, and got him doing something positive. I know other kids in town who started this way and are now pursuing music careers.
He isn’t a professional earning a living this way, so he wouldn’t want to spend a lot on a busking licence. Perhaps the Comox Mall and/or the Town of Comox could sponsor some youth and allow them to busk to earn money for charity or lessons? Then it would be a positive experience all around.
Elaine Nicholson,
Comox