Buskerfest is an annual street event held in early August on the outdoor pedestrian mall Sparks Street, one block south of Parliament Hill. I enjoy attending each year, though this year I wasn't able to get to as much of it. And so for this year's edition, we have shots taken on the last day of the event. I start with a Canadian busker, Chris Pilsworth, a fast talking comic act with the Rubber Duck of Danger- which gets routinely tossed into the air and otherwise mishandled. See if you can find it in these two shots.
Meg Lagrande comes from Ireland, where her Celtic violin and voice has drawn her international attention since she got started busking in Dublin.
Silver Elvis is a regular participant in Buskerfest, one of two living statue acts this year. I missed seeing the other one, the Daughters of Midas, who I've featured before. I think this is the first time I've photographed him.
Mat Ricardo is a British busker, a quick wit and a trickster who banters with the audience and plays tricks as his act goes along.
One of the special shows happening each year takes place in a hotel one night of the event. Buskers & Burlesque teams buskers with local burlesque performers. I should really attend this sometime. Even if it would shock the Sisters of Little or No Mercy.
For today I finish with the American busker Magic Brian, who had just roped in an unsuspecting victim from the audience to help in his act. I didn't stay for the finish of his act, but he does a finale that involves him escaping from a straitjacket and chain that is a marvel to watch. Tomorrow we turn our attention to an Aussie busker.
Fun to watch these interesting street show. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteLooks very festive and a whole lot of fun to watch and to photograph. Enjoyed very much, thanks William!
ReplyDeleteBuskerfest must be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteUnlike ours yours seems to be organised. We don´t go no more. There is a program, but the buskers don´t show up or are already gone... Glad you could enjoy!
ReplyDeleteStreet performances are great community events. I wish more cities had them regularly.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was there ... :)
ReplyDeleteMust be a funny event indeed!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you picked a good day for your visit.
ReplyDeleteBuskerfest is a an annual event here in Waterloo too. We have been a couple of times in the past and have enjoyed it, but I am not a huge fan of crowds and find it all a little claustrophobic.
ReplyDeleteGotta love Silver Elvis!
ReplyDeleteGosto destes eventos de rua e aproveito para desejar um bom Domingo.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
...they sure draw a crowd!
ReplyDelete@Nancy: it was fun.
ReplyDelete@Denise: you're welcome.
@magiceye: it is.
@Iris: it is well organized.
@Maywyn: it is good.
@Ella: it was fun.
@Italiafinlandia: indeed.
@Stefan: I did.
@David: I love it.
@Marie: definitely.
@Francisco: thank you.
@Tom: they do!
This looks like such fun! I so enjoy fests like this!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly had good crowds!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day and crowds of people enjoying the entertainment. It was interesting to see Silver Elvis let the boy come up and play his guitar for a photo with the women. Good PR! Not in the repertoire probably for posing and moving very slowly!
ReplyDeleteYup I spotted that high flying rubber duck 😊 Looks so much fun William and yes you should see one of the burlesque shows they are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThere are some amazing street performers. They don't get the attention they deserve.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful event! I can understand that you enjoy it each year 😄
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff! I always liked this festival. My son's ex-girlfriend does burlesque. It's rather a hoot.
ReplyDeleteYou should go even if the sisters tell you you will go to Purgatory
ReplyDeleteMB
That is quite the international event. I'd love to see some of these performers.
ReplyDeletefun event. is Rubber Duck in the second photo - first store window?
ReplyDeleteLooks of fun for the large crowd to enjoy!
ReplyDelete@Jeanie: so do I.
ReplyDelete@RedPat: it's estimated that over 175 000 people take in this event over the weekend.
@Barbara: Silver Elvis certainly draws people into photo ops.
@Grace: I really should!
@Red: they are fun to see.
@Marleen: I thoroughly enjoy it.
@Jennifer: it's fun to watch.
@MB: hah!
@Sharon: it's a blast.
@Klara: yes.
@Bill: that it is.
Fun to see these buskers. We have a statue busker who works around here, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteCool survey of buskers!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI once made a costume for a busker. It had magic pockets. He neglected to pay me.
ReplyDeletewhat is Bridgehead, a clothing store? or? curious. looks like fun on those streets. ( ;
ReplyDeleteLots of fun in the street in Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a festival full of fun and entertainment:)
ReplyDelete@DJan: living statue acts are a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: it was.
@Cloudia: thanks!
@Michelle: it is!
@Joanne: rats!
@Beth: a coffee shop, a Canadian chain.
@Kay: definitely!
@Rosie: that it is.
I love virtually visiting Busker Fair and if ever I were lucky enough to be there IRL, you’d have a hard time dragging me away.
ReplyDeleteI love attending.
DeleteLooks interesting. I like some buskering more than others.
ReplyDeleteI get a kick out of these acts.
DeleteAlways party in the city of Ottawa... ;)
ReplyDeleteSo it seems!
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