Setting The Stage

 Continuing on with more of Pancho Libre's act at the Busker Festival.

Done with the hula hoop, it was time to set the stage for his finale.

Which requires the help of assistance from the audience in holding cords to keep this tower steady.

A quick test climb, and no, I have no idea how he stays in place.

Spinning Around

 I caught the Mexican busker Pancho Libre during the Busker Festival. He's been here before, and he's highly entertaining. Early on, his act includes playing with the large hula hoop. He makes this look easy.

Balancing Out

A reminder for members of City Daily Photo- the September 1st Theme Day subject is Travel. 

The Ottawa Busker Festival takes place the first weekend of August here, primarily on Sparks Street downtown. It brings together buskers from around the world to perform over three days. In the last couple of years, a new stage area has been added. The World Exchange Plaza is an office building a block south of Sparks. During Covid and afterwards, the building underwent a face lift inside its retail area, as well as the outer terrace, with a new stage area that works very well for the festival- in fact, this year, this spot hosted the finale show with multiple buskers. Seating in this instance is on a large tiered sitting area on the north side of the space, so the performer only has to play to one side, really, as opposed to being in the round. I stopped by to find Yoshi, an acrobatic act who's been here before.

He had some help balancing on a beam, which in and of itself was balancing on a round steel cylinder on top of a stool.

And then his act turned to juggling knives, tossed from another onlooker.

You try doing this.

Perspectives

 I start today with a view across the Rideau Canal from the east, looking up at Parliament Hill.

Here where the Canal meets the Ottawa River in what is still called Entrance Bay, the view across the river takes in Gatineau, with the Museum of History on the far shore, and the Alexandra Bridge linking the cities and the provinces.

I decided to head up to Major's Hill Park. Along the way, something new. A swimming area, seemingly bound in the water, has been built here, with a large deck. I would not personally swim in the river- it's deep here, and the currents can be treacherous.

Taken from the park above, with a view of the Bytown Museum below. Re-enactors could be seen with visitors outside.

I paid my respects at the statue of Colonel By himself. Surrounding him are flowers, planted to last into October, when the tulip bulbs will be replanted.

A final shot, taken a short distance away. The Mackenzie King Bridge crosses the Canal south of the Ottawa locks, and with the landmarks around this final stretch of the Canal, it always makes for a splendid view.