Hi All,  I've been reading a bit lately about organ grinders with
live monkeys, and let me put in my two cent's worth in the cup.
I've been on the circuit with my act for about twenty five years now,
using various Celestinas, Bijous, a "Strassen Orgel", and playing the
musical saw at fairs, festivals, etc., along with a very successful
mime or mechanical man feature, and we all surely do get booked a lot.

I have never had a monkey, but I started with rag dolls as puppets
and was able to purchase a number of Steve Axtell's "Orangatans",
which I have automated.  One grinds a miniature street organ, another
plays a small accordion, yet another stands on an old cheese box
holding out a money bag while tapping to the music being played behind
him, etc.  Yet another smaller one will be playing the flute this year.
Everybody _loves_ them.

My advice: get puppets and animate them.  Way ahead of 'Live'!

Keep Smilin',
Jim Bryant - Hurdy-gurdy man from Maine
hurdy@midmaine.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]