Caught this street performer on a curb outside of Pier 39 after debarking from our big Unilocal trip to Alcatraz. I was hustling to get to my car because I was slightly concerned that I’d illegally parked, but decided to take a moment to check this guy out(his name is Brian Alexander). He had his shirt off, had Island-inspired face paint, had a sweet boom box, and a fire stick in hand, so it was bound to be a pretty great performance, right? While I love to catch a local talent and throw them a few bucks for a job well done, I felt like this dude was being a dick. Chastising the crowd of onlookers, bitching about getting tickets from the SFPD for his performances, shouting at people to give him tips, etc… I would have gladly shucked him a few dollars for an entertaining show, but when I’m being guilt tripped into the act, it kind-of takes away from the experience. While that part of the show left a bad taste in my mouth, he did put on a pretty great show. He was swallowing fire, lighting his hands on fire, throwing around fiery swabs of gasoline soaked wood skewers like a baton, and more. He also had some pretty sweet dance moves, and abs that’d make any fitness aficionado jealous. I thought about scrubbing my dirty shirt on his tummy like a washboard. Maybe someone peed in his Cheerios that day, who knows? I just hope he loosens up a bit in the future.
