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The Arts Beat is a weekly deep-dive into Memphis arts, music, dance, theater, fashion, film and events. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best arts and culture stories from the week. Have a story idea? Send it to eperry@dailymemphian.com.
 Yella P busks in Court Square Wednesday, June 25. (Halle Novrese/Courtesy Downtown Memphis Commission)
Visitors to Memphis’ Main Street Mall can expect to see performances from singers, musicians, jugglers, magicians, dancers and other street performers.
On Wednesday, June 25, the Downtown Memphis Commission re-launched its busking program called Main Street Sounds.
Damion Kereem Pearson, aka Yella P, performed on Wednesday in Court Square Park. Pearson is a multi-instrumentalist, including the harmonica and guitar.
“I am excited about the DMC busking program because I am primarily a busker,” he said. “And that’s how I like to express my art, through playing on the street.”
Pearson has previously busked on behalf of the DMC.
“I love seeing the people smile and happy and add a little pep to their step during their lunchtime,” he said. “While they’re being tourists on Saturdays. It’s always fun for me to give people unexpected music ... and to see the joy that brings or to see how the kids respond.”
 Carlos Lopez gives a mime performance on Wednesday, June 25. (Halle Novrese/Courtesy Downtown Memphis Commission)
Carlos Lopez gave a mime performance near The Majestic Grille.
Upcoming Main Street Sounds performances will take place on Main Street, between Jefferson Avenue and Peabody Place, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The performance blocks are meant to coincide with specific brunch, lunch and dinner times. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 5-8 p.m. on Saturday.
Performances will occur through late September.
According to Sara Barerra, DMC’s economic development manager, performers are paid $50 per hour.
Barrera said businesses are extremely excited about local music being added to Main Street and that the response from artists so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
There are no restrictions on music genre and DJs can apply.
“That said, there are limits on amplification to ensure we complement — not disrupt — the surrounding businesses,” Barerra said. “The goal is to enhance the atmosphere and support the existing Downtown community.”
Brett Roler, DMC COO, said in a statement that street performances activate public spaces, encourage foot traffic and increase “dwell time,” i.e., how long shoppers linger in businesses.
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DMC staff have worked on bringing busking back after a 2017 pilot program.
The DMC’s Center City Development Corp. recently approved a $30,000 special grant for the program.
At the CCDC meeting, DMC President and CEO Chandell Ryan said the program will make Downtown feel more welcoming and support the DMC’s efforts to create a more lively and safe environment.
A report by the music consulting firm Sound Diplomacy, commissioned by the Greater Memphis Chamber and the City of Memphis, on the city’s live music environment as well as its music scene and industry released this past March includes a recommendation to “review and revive attempts to attract buskers to the city’s Downtown area.”
“Specific busking stations and a guide on busking best practices should be provided,” the 169-page report reads. “Encouraging busking in Memphis can be part of its wider plans to improve its music city brand.”
It cites practices around busking in Melbourne, Australia, which include designated busking-friendly areas that are divided into “general” and “premium” locations as well as areas where performers can use amplification and areas where they cannot.
The premium locations are open only to professional buskers – “a performer who busks as their main income source, has a repertoire that would enable performing for at least 30 minutes without repeating a song and has a website” or other social media profile.
Buskers in Melbourne are limited to one-hour sets and a total performance time of two hours per day at a location with a 30-meter distance between them and other buskers.
DMC staff said that Main Street Sounds will produce 480 hours of music.
Potential performers can express their interest in appearing in the series here.
Reporter Bill Dries contributed to this story.
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