May 3rd was Street Musician Day in Lithuania. Our friends from Laimikis were in Vilnius snapping up many great photos of authentic street style. 

Reasons why I like this photo:

1. Vilnius looks like such a cool place. The capital city of Lithuania, it was host about 1000 street musicians in that city alone.  The closest thing we have here in Pennsylvania is Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, but over the years that has turned something much more commercial.
2. I like the pianist’s scarf and her red bag with the hoop handle sitting on the ground behind her.
3. The band in the photo reminds me of Fuzzi Puddle, the band that rehearses right here under my home office, in our basement, twice a week.

Watch Once, the story of an Irish street performer and a Czech pianist, for another view of authentic street musician fashion. Note the fingerless glove, the tweed jacket, the scarf and of course, the over-the-shoulder messenger bag for carrying music, instruments, food, everything you need for a day in the street.

The New York Times has an article entitled “Life Imitating Film.” Here’s what they said about the stars, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, as it relates to Oscar Fashion.

A few days before they were to perform their nominated song “Falling Slowly” at the Academy Awards, the two musicians — who went from on-screen pair to real-life couple — borrowed a car and drove to Amoeba Music on Sunset Boulevard. They were besieged by fans. “ ‘Once’ was so authentic,” a young man said enthusiastically.

Mr. Hansard, the 37-year-old frontman of the Dublin rock band the Frames, gave an aw-shucks smile.

Ms. Irglova, a 19-year-old singer and pianist of Czech descent, stood to the side, fiddling with a locket she was wearing. Both performers were looking forward to rebelling against the formal dress code at the Oscars.

“I don’t own a suit, so I just bought one,” said Mr. Hansard, whose curly hair looked as if someone had taken an eggbeater to it. “But I’m not going to wear black tie. I’m going to be meself. They’re not going to kick me out!”

Ms. Irglova said, “For me to wear a night gown …”

“A what?” Mr. Hansard interrupted.

“An evening gown,” she said, correcting herself.

“No,” he said with a laugh. “I like it. Let’s both go in our pajamas.”