St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Kumi-daiko, or Japanese drums, has been part of Japanese culture for centuries, and now it is part of American culture, too. Like it or not, that is what North America does so well. It takes the best the world has to offer and owns it: cultural appropriation notwithstanding! [2021]

Key West, Florida, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here's one performance artist who just jumped off his skateboard (barely visible). The setting: a sunny Key West sidewalk that should be wider. Do you see how crowded it is? [2018]

Athens, Greece

The Odeon on the southwest slope of the acropolis in Athens was built in the 2nd century and continues to host performances today. The 2nd-century Greek geographer Pausanias called it the finest building of its type. Pausanias traveled extensively and wrote a geography of Greece that is still used by archaeologists. [2006]

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

The day may have been dreary, but the music was cheery: thanks to this busker and his plastic drums. Want to hear what he sounds like? Check out the clip below. Want to see his counterpart perform in northern Thailand? Check out this clip from a decade ago. Want to hear what he might sound like in Holland? Here's another clip. [2021]

Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

How often do you find any culture at all on a shopping center parking lot in the suburbs? Never! Except here in Flagstaff, where you can enjoy a concert on the Japanese Drums. Enjoy the sound of Taiko, and, if you really fall in love, you can take lessons. Now, tell us what happens on your shopping center parking lot. [2019] 

Prescott, Arizona, USA

Prescott has for decades proclaimed itself to be Arizona's Christmas City, so you just might expect a choral concert on the Yavapi Courthouse steps. Who's singing? Prescott's future. Who's listening? Proud parents and grandparents. In a refreshing departure from tradition, they began with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," rather than ending with it. [2019]

Valle Crucis, North Carolina, USA

An expanse of flat land is always a rarity in the mountains. But, when you do find some, why not turn it over to some fall festivities? An annual country fair might draw in the masses, especially if you include a magic show on center stage. The kids will love it! [2016]

Walla Walla, Washington, USA

By 7 pm on Sunday, the downtown stores are closed, the restaurants are flourishing, and the entertainment is starting. Relax and enjoy the evening. [2019]

Walla Walla, Washington, USA

Walla Walla's downtown, complete with a full cast of buskers, must be the envy of small cities everywhere. It fully illustrates one of the principles of urban geography: The farther away a small city is from a large metropolitan center, the more likely it will have a healthy downtown. Shopping must go on locally (or, these days, on-line). [2019]

Marion, Virginia, USA

The banner tells you where you're located: Marion, America's Coolest Hometown. The mural tells you what's going on: The Song of the Mountains concert series. The Garden Club tells you how proud they are of Main Street: Just look at the flowers they're planting. [2019]

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

In pink, they reign, just like monarchs, along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Their performance (just finished) commanded the stage, and the audience loved it. Now, they mingle with the appreciative and bask in the accolades: a good memory made, a memory for life! [2017]

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Artists at work qualify as performance artists. It is usually true that watching a muralist make the mural is much more mesmerizing than the final masterpiece. [2011]

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

European cities are so much more likely than American cities to differentiate between work-week space and week-end space. Must motor vehicles have priority on city streets 24 hours a day and 7 days a week? The American answer is yes. The Scottish answer is no. [2017]

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Glasgow hosted the 20th Commonwealth Games. Now, the same space that made memories for athletes continues to make memories for a wee lad and his dad. Don't they look happy? The games may have been in 2014, but they continue to cast a brilliance over their host city. [2017]

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Do you think these joggers, with their colorful costumes and quasi-choreographed moves, know they are engaging in performance art? They are so much more inspirational and attention-getting than that lifeless statue they passed when they came through the gate (see it?). [2018]

Tombstone, Arizona, USA

Real Human Characters: He's ready for a gunfight at the OK Corral. "I don't know why I get into gunfights. I guess sometimes I just get lonely." Could that be Billy Clanton? [2018]

Charleston, Illinois, USA

Real Human Characters: That's what Superman looks like on the prairies of eastern Illinois. Might you guess there is a college nearby? [2017]

Miami, Florida, USA

Real Human Characters: In 1920, the land boom began, and South Beach become one of the iconic destinations of the 20th  century. Today, the Roaring 20s are recreated for celluloid and digital media as actors dress to complement the architecture. [1991]

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Real Human Characters: Monsieur René has been a staple of Quebec street life for decades. That means, as buskers go, he must be one of the best. Juggle on, Monsieur René. [2018]

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

For so many Scots, cycling becomes part of fitness-for-life. It starts early, with special family week-ends during which many streets are closed to motor vehicles and many parks are turned over to games and competitions. Let's hope these ups and downs are not a metaphor for a bumpy ride ahead this new year. [2017]