Every weekend in the summer there are different things going on in Toronto. One of the festivals that has been gaining popularity is Torontos BuskerFest, a festival of street performers that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Sponsored by Scotiabank, the festival raises funds for the Toronto Epilepsy Foundation, so it all goes to a good cause.
To catch some of these interesting performances I went downtown on August 28, 2009 to Torontos historic St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. Front Street was blocked off between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street and people were milling about, checking out the action. 8 stages had been set up and more than 100 performers were scheduled for the evening, hailing from countries including Canada, the United States, Great Britain, German, Japan, Portugal, Australia and Newzealand.
Stands selling food, clothing and jewellery were set up in the middle of the street; kids were getting their faces painted; temporary tattoos were being applied; everything was set for an evening of fun. Upon entering from Jarvis Street I was greeted by the mysterious sounds of didgeridoos provided by Matt James from Australia. Stiltwalkers stalked through the crowd, Silver Elvis attracted lots of photographers, sidewalk chalk drawings were coming to life. I caught several acts, including the Fast Horses a family of native American performers whose two young children are very comfortable in front of a large audience. Dado, a German based mime and clown, was putting on a great show for the kids and adults alike with his props and physical comedy. Walking further west, I stopped and watched Magic Brian, who offered a very entertaining act, breaking out of a straightjacket and chains with an entertaining element of audience participation.
As my parking meter was running out I had to wait to see the climactic end of Magic Brians act and then sprint back to my parking spot to refill the meter. Although I was 20 minutes late, I was fortunate not to have received a ticket. I headed back to the festival and caught some of Dr. Draws musical performance. This gifted violinist and his band are audience favourites, wherever they play.
As it got dark I watched Trulee Odd eating fire, do interesting stunts on his elevated unicycle and juggle sharp knives on one wheel up high. During my walkabout afterwards I caught the end of Circus Orange, who were setting up a grand finale with their humongous fire-spewing tricyle, steered by Foo the Clown, who was wheeling the hot, fiery and fuming vehicle east on Front Street, the definite highlight of the evening.
I even headed down on Saturday and caught a few more acts. I caught the beginning of Trulee Odds routine when he rode in on his miniature motorbike and enjoyed Scott Jackson, the human beatbox, who was replicating songs and rhythms perfectly without the use of any instruments. Skydreams were showing off their aerial acrobatics and Fesso and Lu served up an entertaining comical act including aerial and ground acrobatics.
It was impossible to catch even a small portion of the performers at the 2009 Buskerfest, one more reason to return next year.
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