Jason Smith, aka “The Amazin Jazon,” performs part of his act in South Park in preparation for the second annual Buskerfest.

Editor’s note: Reporter Mark Boyle takes us behind the scenes of news stories in the area. This week, he learns to eat fire and tries his hand at juggling pins with a seasoned street performer. This weekend, Lawrence Buskerfest has transformed downtown and provided such performers with large crowds. As Boyle learned, many have skills that take years to cultivate.

We all have a talent or two, whether it’s hidden or not. But imagine taking that skill out into the streets and better yet, trying to make money from it.

That’s the story for more than 20 street entertainers, otherwise known as “buskers,” who work daily to improve their show.

“It’s great to be able to be in your element on the street,” said Jason Smith, aka “The Amazin Jazon.”

“Usually there’s about 10 or 15 minutes of just crowd gathering, you have to interrupt people who were not planning on seeing a show and get them to watch you and then give you money for it.”

Smith was in Lawrence for his second Buskerfest and says each show provides a unique opportunity.

With his nearly seven years of entertainment experience to fall back on, he says, each show is a learning experience.

“You go to school for four years and you get out and you go get a job. It’s more like, you get a job and doing this you get out on the street and you learn a show,” Smith said. “If you don’t develop a good show, you won’t make the money.”

Smith’s act is admittedly a little different from others. The show features juggling, humor, fire eating and a one-of-a-kind magic act. It’s a show that he has cultivated over time, and in a liquid business such as this, he will continue shaping it as his talents grow.

“It’s hard to get people to stop at first, they kind of look at you weird,” Smith said. “But as soon as you get a crowd, they want to see what everyone else is seeing, so they look at you with open arms and they’re already smiling because they know something is worth watching.”

This weekend “The Amazin Jazon” performed three shows in Lawrence and has many more impromptu performances coming up soon in the Kansas City area.

Much like many other professional buskers, he is continuing to improve at the art and hopes he will one day create a show he can make a living on full time.

To contact Smith, or have him perform at a private function, contact him at firebyjason@yahoo.com.