Spent a day in Covent Garden and its surroundings. One of my fav places in London. Was. Maybe still is, not sure. I will tell why. But first about the place.
Covent Garden historically is a district of shopping and entertainment, but I like its peculiar aura. The upscale overpriced stores and restaurants loading money off every gullible visitor, it all reminds me of Rome. Seems like the main purpose of it is to stun you, rip you off, and kick you out.
But it all depends on what you look at.
The first time I got here dragged by my Icelandic boss, London regular. He thought that place would fit me right. I was awfully vain in my youth and beauty, and wasn't really impressed. But, again, you remember I wasn't impressed by London entirely until I left. Luckily, this phase didn’t last long.
As for Covent Garden, when I went back to London next time, I tried to remember that little weird place that felt like little Italy. I tried to google it in all possible descriptive combinations of words. I guess I was impressed after all since I even searched through google maps, trying to actually recognize it in the street view. And I did.
I found it, I took my daughter there, and it was fun! I couldn't care less for shopping and eating out, I'm here for street performers!
Some of them are regulars, some accidental incomers, most are listed here
We supply world class performers and entertainers for weddings, corporate functions and all type of events. Take a look at all our performer
I look up those I saw after every visit.
Look, my kiddo in his first street performance! 👇👇👇
But then here's what. Every performer is not only doing his thing, but also makes an entire show, interacting with the audience, he's his own warm-up and headliner, his own cheerleader and team, and a part of his interaction always is 'I am working here for 24 years (just returned after few years break, I have young wife and baby at home, choose the right one), THIS IS MY ACTUAL JOB! My performance is work, not just spare time hobby, I make my living by this, and it's worth money.'
It's fucking heartbreaking.
The crowd, uninterested, bored and ignorant, having beers and ice-creams of 50 pounds worth, watches the performance to briefly entertain themselves, and leaves, at best trying to pour their change into artist's hat.
And that's how we lost all the fun. They have to say it. You have to listen to it. Trust me, no one is happy. Purse and expensive chocolate sellers don't have to try so hard. Things and food are expensive, it's self-explanatory, you won't get them until you pay. Enjoyment of art is fleeting, it's free to record it on your Apple 13 and run off when you're asked to support the artist. He won't call the police for stealing his goods.
The guy who performs there for 24 yrs is taking no shit. 'I think my show is 20 pounds worth, which is nothing here, in Landan. 10 pounds family discount. Give me a fiver if you think it's too much, but don't pour me the change you don't need. I don't need that either. For those who can't pay a fiver, the show is free. I accept credit cards, too'. High five!
It's annoying to hear my son's fav videobloggers constantly, non-stop begging for likes, comments and subscriptions, but what can they do. I miss 90's when Steven Tyler didn't have to precede his singing 'Living On The Edge' by saying on a cassette 'If you believe in Father Christmas like your uncle Steven does, buy my festering turd of a record...' Because you already did, and he got paid for his work without begging in front of you on hind legs.
I was acutely hit by this controversial reality when I saw the list of subscriptions my son made on my youtube account. 'What's this?' I asked. 'Why?' And he said, 'Every time I watch a video they say, if you enjoyed it, press like and subscribe. So I do.'
