Buskers of the French Quarter: Street Musicians and their spots

Abstract

New Orleans is associated with revelry, unique architecture and culture, and the rich, musical tapestry woven by its inhabitants. These converge in the French Quarter, which attracts not only tourists but aspiring musicians. Street performers (buskers) struggle to eat while building their careers. Utilizing GPS waypoints and participant-observation, I uncover patterns in choices of performance locations. This cultural geography unpacks the motivations behind site determination - as it relates to the success and technical abilities of particular performers. This makes visible the cognitive map of buskers, a critical component of the informal sector of the local tourist economy.