David Aiken is a Canadian busker who goes by the moniker The Checkerboard Guy. He blends together comedy, juggling, and a bit of daredevilry into an act that's highly entertaining. He gets started with a trick involving a child from the audience, spinning a ball and putting it on their outstretched finger.
As the act goes along, he selects a guy from the audience to assist- in this case a big guy who looks like he just stepped out of the cast of Sons Of Anarchy, though with a smile. A little warm up includes yells, Viking style and karate style.
The Checkerboard Guy starts setting up for his finale, involving a very high unicycle and some juggling. A torch and an ax are two of the items that will be used. The third is one of the deadliest things known to humanity- a borrowed sneaker from a guy in the audience.
He gave his assistant a whiff of the sneaker.
Then it was time to start getting up on that unicycle. Another member of the audience was enlisted.
At this point he was warbling a few lyrics from Dan Hill's old song Sometimes When We Touch. The big guy was a great sport about it.
And soon enough, he was right up there, high over everyone else, balancing on that unicyle, starting to juggle. I could have sworn I'd caught a couple of the juggling moments on camera, but my camera disagrees with me.
Some of these buskers are quite good and entertaining. Have a great week William.
ReplyDeleteAudience participation is a much more entertaining experience for both the viewers and those involved.
ReplyDeletePeople will be out most of the time to watch all these street shows. At least I would if I am there!
ReplyDeleteA lot of entertainment in the streets.
ReplyDeleteAlways wanted to try a unicycle....but now I'm on the wrong side of 'the hill'.
ReplyDeletei love the pants ...and the tool box colors. what fun. i think it would be interesting to learning how to ride. ( :
ReplyDeleteThe torch and ax went with the Game of Thrones theme too.
ReplyDeleteHello, the pants are loud. You can not miss the checkerboard pants. Looks like great street entertainment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!
ReplyDelete@Sami: he was fun to watch!
ReplyDelete@Rosemary: this was hilarious.
@Nancy: I took in many of the acts. There were a handful of buskers who, for whatever reason, I missed when they were in performance.
@Marianne: there was a lot!
@Pat: I would lose my balance.
@Beth: those pants do stand out.
@Marie: just not the sneaker!
@Eileen: thank you!
I like these street performances. They are very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like it was a lot of fun for everybody, the entertainer and the entertained! :-)
ReplyDelete...that fellow makes a statement!
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a real showman!
ReplyDeleteAnd this guy even had a big crowd watching him.
ReplyDelete@Catarina: they certainly are!
ReplyDelete@DJan: it was!
@Tom: you can't miss him in a crowd.
@RedPat: definitely!
@Red: more so on the side I was taking photos from, but it's typical as an act goes along for more people to gather around, so you can see from beginning to end how more people are taking places on the far side.
This looks so much fun too William, audience participation always goes down well, as long as you're not the one picked 😀😀
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fun performance! I love that he put spinning ball on kid's finger. Impressive!
ReplyDeleteHow is your balance? Do you think you could ride one of those? I know I couldn't.
ReplyDeleteFun photos of 'Checkerboard' and fun time,
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Fun post!
ReplyDeleteI like the checkerboard guy, very cool outfit!
ReplyDelete@Grace: that's true!
ReplyDelete@Tamago: it was fun.
@Sharon: I know I couldn't.
@Carol: thank you!
@Cloudia: thanks!
@Bill: it is!
The Checkerboard man is skilful, talented, and very agile!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteThis looks pretty fun! I love their colorful outfit and admire anyone who can ride a unicycle!
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteWow, I think Checkerboardman may have caused you to smile.
ReplyDeleteHe did!
DeleteIt looks like it was fun for the audience. Nice photos William!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAlways fun to involve the crowd, I never volunteer for those things but my son always puts his hand up!
ReplyDeleteI prefer photographing!
DeleteIsn't it amazing? Such entertainers. I wonder how he was in school?! :-) Class clown...
ReplyDeleteNo doubt.
DeleteIt's always more fun when someone from audience participate in show, of course I always only watch ;)
ReplyDeleteOne good reason to stand in the back!
DeleteSuch great street entertainment.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It was!
DeleteEspectacular.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Thanks!
Delete