Re: [microsound] On canadians performing in the USA...

[roberth <roberth@xxxxxxxxxx>]

was wondering about folks who don't use only laptops
what about if you are doing stuff with guitar etc
claiming you are on vacation and its your hobby?
robert
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Bates" <dimcoast@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <microsound@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2005 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: [microsound] On canadians performing in the USA...


> there are a couple legal methods of entering the u.s. as a canadian 
> musician. i've tried 'em both successfully although this was a few 
> years back.
>
> 1) get a recording studio willing to say you're going down to record 
> (i.e. spend money in america) at their facility. have a letter from 
> them stating so and someone willing to be there on the other end of a 
> phone with the customs agent explaining this to be so. rumour a few 
> years ago had it that customs were getting wise to this and it wasn't 
> so reliable. another related method i've tried was to go down to 
> 'audition' for a record label and that, of course, i was not getting 
> paid any artist fees whatsoever.
>
> 2) join the american musician's union (canadian local) and get them to 
> process your work papers. there's a one-time membership fee and annual 
> dues. it's cost prohibitive for most of us. the last i checked the 
> one-time fee was around $350 with an annual fee of a couple hundred 
> bucks. i suppose this route means you really want to go and play in the 
> u.s. and are willing to pay $500+ for the privelege. also, you have to 
> have your tour dates set well in advance.
>
> in my experience, crossing the border at a major crossing is a lot 
> easier as the folks there are busier and willing to get you out of 
> their hair much sooner. if you perform on a laptop, i would suggest 
> just going as a 'tourist'. with these kinds of ridiculous laws 
> preventing cultural exchange between countries, it's no wonder the 
> world is so fucked.
>
> as an side but perhaps of interest to musicians wishing to come to 
> canada, if you are performing at a venue whose primary profit/purpose 
> is NOT the sale of alcohol (i.e. a cultural centre, gallery, performing 
> arts centre, church basement, union hall and not a bar or club), there 
> are no fees or work permits required. you should have a letter of 
> invite from the promoter explaining the deal and their contact info. 
> photo i.d. is also required. it's also a good idea to have the canadian 
> promoter contact the customs authorities at your point of entry into 
> canada and introduce him/herself and inform them of your arrival and 
> plans. if you are playing in bars/clubs there is a work permit 
> required. i think it's around $400 (so yeah, canada's fucked too). 
> often in a festival context this cost is split amongst the canadian 
> promoters. in a club or bar scenario it's probably going to be a cost 
> for the artist.
>
> happy travels.
>
>
> steve
>
> ..-...::..:-_.....-...::.._.....-...::..:-_.....-.:..:-_.
> steve bates
> dimcoast@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> (514) 270-7919
> ..-...::..:-_.....-...::.._.....-...::..:-_.....-.:..:-_.

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