Many people in East Lansing might not know Graham Robertson by name, but there’s a good chance they’ve seen or heard him as they walk down Grand River Avenue while he plays guitar.
And even though he was issued a noise violation ticket by the East Lansing Police Department last week, he intends to keep his street musician presence going.
After a heart attack and subsequent surgery prevented him from continuing his work at a roofing company, Robertson turned to a love he’d had all his life — music. Robertson said in his two years of playing on the streets of East Lansing, he never had a problem until he was written a ticket Nov. 8 in response to a noise complaint.
Although police do not regulate the presence of street performers or their activity in the city, East Lansing police Capt. Kim Johnson said the noise complaint was filed by an office employee in the area who allegedly was frustrated with the noise.
“You can’t be disturbing the peace of someone who lives and works in the area,” he said.
Johnson said it’s not common for people to complain about street performers or the noise level of their music.
East Lansing City Clerk and Assistant City Manager Marie McKenna said the city of East Lansing does not require street performers to have a permit as long as they are not violating the conditions of the noise ordinance.
They are allowed to perform and to have a tip container, and McKenna said she and many others believe they offer a unique presence in the city of East Lansing.
“For someone to set up in the alley or some other place like that, I don’t see any problem with that at all,” McKenna said. “I think they add a lot to the atmosphere.”
When psychology sophomore Lauren Keiser walks home from class after a long day, seeing
and hearing street musicians lifts her spirits.
“It brightens my mood,” Keiser said. “It makes (East Lansing) feel more like a college town.”
For seven years, local musician Juan Valdez, who goes by the name of Aylius professionally, has played music on the streets of East Lansing. Although he records CDs from a studio in his home and plays in some other venues, the outdoor music outlet is his favorite way to connect with his listeners.
“I’m a real people person. … People inspire me,” Valdez said.
Robertson said he plans on going to court and believes the complaint was unwarranted — he hopes the case will be dismissed. Regardless of what happens though, he said he still will have a presence in East Lansing.
“You can’t put a price tag on when somebody smiles or sings along,” Robertson said.
Staff writer Julia Nagy contributed to this report.
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