Interesting

[02Tac]

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp

[Rude_Rydah]

What's so interesting?  The fact that the world has moved on and antiquated classical music bores most to tears?  And the ones that think paying $100+ dollars a ticket to participate in a cultural event are fools and lemming who drink bubbly expensive wine and self congratulate their collect individuality and greatness.

Not interesting.  Boring.

[UFO]

Personally, I love classical music (not opera tho).

I thought it was an interesting story.

[02Tac]

What's so interesting?  The fact that the world has moved on and antiquated classical music bores most to tears?  And the ones that think paying $100+ dollars a ticket to participate in a cultural event are fools and lemming who drink bubbly expensive wine and self congratulate their collect individuality and greatness.

Not interesting.  Boring.

Rydah,  what type of event would you attend?

[Mr. Whippy]

Actually, I suspect it has more to do with the general Ahole-ness of the folks in DC.  If you dropped him in to a location where street music is more acceptable, I suspect there'd be a different outcome (for example, SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland, hell even Boulder CO)

[Rude_Rydah]

Rydah,  what type of event would you attend?

An Insane Clown Posse concert, why?

[DredheadV2.0]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,41973.0.html

[dm_gsxr]

Having worked in DC for several years and traveled through the L'Enfant station on many occasions, it's not unusual to have someone or several someones playing music. There's a guy who plays a flute very well. There are a couple of guitarists. And of course panhandlers asking for money and even the occasional nut job on a box ranting about one thing or another.

Walking through Pearl Street Mall here in Boulder, there are several folk who play instruments. One guy on a guitar that does very well. I've seen one woman singing opera. And of course the street performers (the guy who fits into a box). And one guy on a Cello doing rock music

Down on the 16th Street Mall in Denver, same thing. People playing bongos. A couple of guys on guitar. There are signs all over the place in Denver that plead with people to not give money. Give a meal or donate to a charity who can better support these guys. I did the same thing in DC. I wouldn't give money but I'd drop a $20 in one of the charities or send a check in.

It's not like he's the only guy playing an instrument or otherwise entertaining to make a buck or two. Certainly most people, even in DC, don't know who this guy is. But get U2 singing on a roof top and for blocks around, the city stops.

Carl

[spinmaster]

An Insane Clown Posse concert, why?

Aren't they like the 2000's equivalent to Spinal Tap?

[Rude_Rydah]

Joshua Bell:


And a band with a guy playing on 5 gallon buckets:


Regardless of skill or talent, it looked like the subway band was more popular.  Go figure.  Maybe if Josh Bell found a 25 dollar fiddle and a song that appealled to the masses he'd make more scratch on a subway platform, but then who would ever know what a great misunderstood classical violinist he is?

[Rude_Rydah]

Aren't they like the 2000's equivalent to Spinal Tap?

Yup, and at $15 a ticket, worth every penny of the show.  If you've never been, you should at least go and watch, it is a lot of fun.  Be warned, you WILL get wet at the show.

[KenH]

Actually, I suspect it has more to do with the general Ahole-ness of the folks in DC.  If you dropped him in to a location where street music is more acceptable, I suspect there'd be a different outcome (for example, SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland, hell even Boulder CO)

That is exactly the point.