The soft voice in my head has guided me for years:

Love people

Make them laugh

Sing

So far, my singing has been at open mic sessions at Salvatore’s and Minard.  Now it’s time for a broader horizon.

I want to sing in the open air.  The Langemunt is a shopping street nearby … lots of cool shops.  Months ago I bought new glasses at Eyes + More.  Yesterday, when I mentioned to Virginie, the store’s manager, that I want to sing beautiful songs outside Lloyd Coffee Eatery, she said “Sing here.  Right outside our door.”

Woh!  An invitation.  I feel stars aligning. 

Armed with bright eyes, I set off to Van de Moer Instruments, where I’d bought a keyboard years ago.  I told my story to Dirk, and he recommended the amplifier you see in the picture.  And a good microphone.  And a mic stand with a boom arm, to accommodate future cello accompaniment!

Eyes wider …

I don’t have the money right now to make this happen, but May 15 starts a new MasterCard monthly cycle.  I wouldn’t have to come up with the money till July 4!

Be practical, Bruce.  Don’t do anything rash

Yeah, right

In the spirit of moderation, I phoned Stad Gent (the municipal government) to see what flavour of bureaucracy might rear its lovely head …

No license needed … (check)

Be at least ten metres from a restaurant terrace … (check)

Be at least fifty metres from another street performer … (check)

Between 10:00 and 21:00 … (check)

No microphone and amplifier … (not check!)

The idea is that you don’t disturb people who live on the street.  Okay, I get that.

However, I decided to do an experiment yesterday.  I stood outside Eyes + More as shoppers flowed past, many of them deep in conversation.  I started singing.  And I could barely hear myself, much less anyone else clueing into what I was doing.

I’ve seen many street performers on the Langemunt.  I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever seen one without a microphone.

So … what does all this mean?

I’ll pay for the equipment on May 15

It should arrive in the store by May 22

By the end of May, I’ll share about twenty* amplified songs outside Eyes + More

And if the police lock me up, I’ve heard that the food is really good in jail!

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Life continues to beckon

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* I just added them up – twenty-seven