Well, here’s my story, but this isn’t just about me—4th Avenue and the Street Fair have been sliding down the “show-us-your-papers” slope for decades, much to many people’s dismay.
A skilled local artist and longtime member of the Tucson arts community, I have lately taken up face painting, as one of my income streams, to support my teenage children and myself. A single mom, and having recently lost employment, I was excited when the opportunity arose to “man” a designated face painting location at the 4th Avenue Street Fair, all day on Sunday, the 22nd. Bringing home some money for my kids sounded great.
To that end, I risked investing money in additional supplies, and spent many hours practicing new designs—hoping to charm the kiddies, and rake a little in. Instead, today I am still reeling, following harassment by 4th Avenue “security,” that included taunts, threats, and my forcible ejection from the Fair. This ill treatment by the Street Fair “security” team (“goon squad?”…”yellowshirts”?) was all because a fellow painter forgot to give me the badge, which reserves a face painting “spot” on the Avenue sidewalk. We are members of a loose association of face painters who have been reserving a certain couple of spots at the Fair for years; except me — I’m the newbie. My associate tells me that, in all her prior Street Fair experience, she had never before been asked to show her badge.
The issue could have been easily resolved; but the “yellowshirts” preferred kicking me out.
Long story short, it took five hours before I was able to get clearance to return, to get the badge from the other painter, and to set back up again. I only made back a fraction of what I’d spent on supplies.
My associate, also a skilled artist and active member of the arts community, UofA Art School grad, ceramics teacher, and a mother raising the next generation of Tucsonans, is now BANNED from the Fair, because she forgot to give me the blasted badge.
So this is how the Street Fair treats the skilled, local artist community: Like “riff raff” to be chased off? Artists/artisans and “riff raff” STARTED the Street Fair!
And what exactly is wrong with “riff raff” anyway? I’m proud to have known some of 4th Avenue’s finest former “riff raff”. Some of that “riff raff” have even become pillars of the entire Tucson community! (translation, for those who think only in monetary terms: They bring in money.)
Case in point: the main drivers of that ever-growing, Tucson jewel, the All Souls Procession, were all, at one time, the exact kind of kids who are forcibly expelled from 4th Avenue today. Am I right? … Busking and dancing barefoot?! Egad! Make them stop!
“Security” is sucking all of the flavor out of 4th Avenue, and the Street Fair. The baby has been thrown out with the bathwater. Blah!
—Kristi Sonderegger
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2015.
Get your badge and follow the law. Take some responsibility. Mistakes happen, next time remember to get your badge.
During the Street Fair, 4th Ave becomes a closed show and only a limited number of participants are allowed to perform or provide a service such as face painting, characatures, henna tattoos, etc. If the number of participants were not limited, it would be difficult to manage and there would be significantly more competition for the available tips. Each entertainer or service provider pays a nominal entrance fee which covers things like applicable taxes and such. And with each paid application the entertainer or service provider is given a badge which allows them to participate the entire weekend of the Fair. The badge must be visible at all times or they will be questioned by the security team or “goon squad” as you call them. If the badge is in plain sight, the security team will keep walking. But checking badges is one of their primary responsibilities during the fair. And if there is no badge, the person will be asked to leave the boundaries of the fair. And It’s not a matter of removing “riff raff” as you say, it’s more a matter of removing the folks who didn’t pay the appropriate fees and making it fair for those who did. And the “goon squad” is perfectly within their rights to remove anyone who fails to follow the rules. And sadly it sometimes requires assistance from TPD because people become quite belligerent at times when they are busted not following the rules. Go figure!
In your particular case, however, you technically should not have been allowed to participate at all during the fair, because you didn’t pay the fee nor did you submit the application. The badges are supposed to be non transferable and that is clearly stated in the paperwork that is signed prior to the fair. Had you submitted the application in advance and paid the appropriate fee, you would be well aware of the guidelines for participation. And if your friend is indeed banned, it’s because she failed to follow the rules for participation by giving her badge to you.
So for future reference, there is no designated “face painting spot” as you say. The badges are for individuals and are not transferable. Follow the rules or be prepared to pack your stuff and move along.
No sympathy here. I am also a street artist. When I work the street fair I pay my $75, work my ass off, and go home with a substantial profit. I am grateful that they control the number of street artists so that those willing to participate properly can benefit. I am often ‘riff raff’ myself with little interest in authority, but, since I want to be a part of the street fair, I choose to follow the guidelines. I have always felt welcome and respected by the security, who look at my clearly displayed name tag, smile, and continue on their journey to keep the street fair safe and profitable for the vendors who contribute to the event. The agreement clearly states that the badges are not transferable, and I am sure that is the real reason you were ‘harrassed’ and why your friend has been banned from future events. So BooHoo and I don’t know why the Weekly bothered posting this foolish rant, other than to contribute to the general decline of the paper.
They should let the badges be transferable
I am so glad I can still remember Street Fairs from 35 years ago and Rainbow Family gatherings in California Gulch when there were NO Badges or Tickets, just good people getting together for a good time. You people that are so informed of the rules and regulations and the business of the Fair have truly lost the ability to appreciate the freedom of expression and unbridled jubilation the human soul can provide. Succumbing to regulation and control of an Arts and Crafts gathering of the masses is the equivalent of the Death Chute at a beef processing plant. Get in line follow the rules and it will soon be over. Mercy on your misguided souls.
Learn the rules before you spend the dough on the supplies and vendor fees,especially if it involves your reputation and your business. I never do an event without knowing what’s expected of me. Sounds like they were assholes but not at fault for you not having what you needed. If they dont clamp down,the sidewalk will be full of people that dont belong there screwing it up for everyone else.
Obviously the badges are transferable because she was allowed to get the badge and return to her work painting faces. The service that was given to this woman did not sound very nice and their could have been some other way to handle this without being verbally unpleasant.
I’m inclined to chant ANARCHY ANARCHY ANARCHY ! Tongue firmly in cheek ! 40 years ago I would have felt one way ,today I’m with the majority , da rules is da rules. Although I can empathize with your desire to provide for your kid’s , the street fair is no longer a bunch of artsy crafty folks setting up some booths..You could always go to Burning Man.