The Stoney Burke Story (Part I)

So in my quest to document what I consider the Berkeley Experience to be, I was nicely reminded of the legend of Stoney Burke when I walked by today.

Watching Stoney in action is a guilty pleasure. Stoney knows how to entertain you and does exactly that. Just by staying and watching the show for 15 minutes you realize there is a method his madness.

Stoney is among a dying breed of street performers. Using his wit, sarcasim, some props and chosen targets to engage he manages to entertain his audience without demanding payment. I have never heard him solicit money from the audience.

After listening awhile, you feel like you are part of the club. You understand what he is doing and laugh at the other wide eyed students walking by that don’t get it. This insider feeling only grows as you listen more.

This insider feeling I think is the charm of what Stoney does. As part of his style he sprinkles in his dove-ish views and naturalist views. No matter how long it has been since you’ve listened to him last, you can sit down, relax and let him entertain or gently offend you if you’re from SoCal or are a Greek.

Here are a few Classic Stoney Moments:

When he sees visitors to Campus, usually parents and foreigners, he introduces himself as Robert Birgeneau, the Chancellor. He did this today to a group of aristocratic-looking Chinesemen wearing suits. This was perhaps the funniest thing he did today.

Whenever he hears a jet engine, he yells out “spy plane” and starts complimenting George W Bush.

Asking IPOD toting students what they are listening to. Then he insults them when they ignore him and just walk by.

Phallic analogies utilizing the Campanile along with the UC Regents sucking money out of student’s pockets

Complaining about how polluted Strawberry Creek really is…

He often baits his "external enemies" into battle.

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Update:

I just posted videos from today on Google Video. I just need to wait to get them approved and then I will post the link.