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Lucien-L’Allier - Orange Line
This quiet station is connected to the commuter rail, so
fortunately I had a healthy morning rush to play for my first time out. I chose
it because it was the closest station from where I was staying, and figured
why not? Montreal has the cleanest system of the four I’ve experienced
so far. This particular station was quite impressive upon entering. An
unassuming side street entrance led me down deep into a massive bunker that
dwarfed me with its walls. It seemed like it took forever to reach the
turnstiles. For $2.50 Canadian, I entered onto a brick laden platform that
was spotless. Not knowing a strategic place to set up, I arbitrarily perched
by a large billboard of Beethoven and amused myself by playing the opening
theme to the 5th Symphony until my nerves settled. All in all it was quite
effortless. Folks didn’t seem to mind and the clink of their $1 coins
into my can was reassuring. I waited tentatively for the police to show up,
knowing I wasn’t in a sanctioned spot. They arrived casually, and since
I don’t speak a word of French, I got away with stutters and a shrug. I
left with some helpful information instead of the cursory $100 citation.
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McGill - Green Line
This was my second attempt.
I figured I’d find a healthy student body of support by this
English university. Also located in the heart of commercial Montreal, it was time
to up the ante. Sure enough I was grooving along, but had the increasing
sense I’d be abruptly shut down because I wasn’t in a
“designated” location. I felt the heat and swiftly moved one
station over to Place Des-Artes.
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Place-Des-Arts - Green Line
This was my most comfortable venture to date in Montreal. Like playing underneath Julliard in NYC,
what more of a psychological haven could I find with a name such as
Place-Des-Arts (“Arts Plaza”). I nestled myself in an alcove like
bench post, away from the platform cameras, and enjoyed the warm reception of
young and old as they were moving along the afternoon rush. My shift came to
a gentle close when I intuitively looked up at the mezzanine balcony and
noticed a police officer shaking his head and waving his finger. We exchanged
smiles and both went our opposite ways.
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Berry-Uqam
– Orange/Green/Yellow
Berry-Uqam: This station feels like Times Sq. A grid of
transfers, it took me a while to muster the courage to play here.
You’ll find Montreal’s cosmopolitan workforce rushing throughout
the day and adolescent riff raff overrunning the joint at night. With
security patrolling throughout, I knew my stint would be brief. It was there
though where I finally got answers and exact locations to the elusive
“blue harp” signs that designate where we can legally perform.
The information center gave me a print out of locations and regulations,
albeit in French. Unfortunately, it’s prohibited to play on platforms
altogether. They run a tight ship here. Buskers are required to sign up at
some of these mezzanine passageways, and are supposedly only allowed to play
for no more than an hour and a half to accommodate the demand. I much prefer
(and will probably continue to respectfully seek) strategic locations on
platforms where unsuspecting audiences are compelled to listen while they
wait for the train. There’s something irrelevant about playing open
locations where folks just whiz by and don’t even have the time of day
to donate. Although, I am discovering immaculate locations that provide some
welcomed solace from the usual barrage of trains, and I have to admit,
there’s something gratifying when you can stop someone in their tracks
and compel them to buy a CD. I did learn though that it’s illegal to sell
CDs inside the system, because -get this- kiosk vendors who sell commercially
released CDs don’t want the competition!? What’s a little a guy to do?…
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