Busker Idol: You wanna be in Buskerfest? Read this!

NEWS RELEASE

BUSKERFEST

************************* August 8, 9 and 10 will see Buskerfest 2008 expand to include workshops, more entertainment, local artists and craftspeople, and the first ever 'Busker Idol.'

'Busker Idol' offers local entertainers a chance to perform at Buskerfest 2009 SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Do you have a unique talent and a flair for performing? Can you juggle, break dance or beat box?

Or maybe make a sandwich with your feet or leave people speechless with your magic expertise?

Whatever your crazy skill may be, the Sault Buskerfest Committee wants to see it.

Presented by the Sault International Youth Association through generous support from TenarisAlgomaTubes and the Great Northern Hotel and Conference Centre, Buskerfest 2008 will host the first ever 'Busker Idol' competition.

In front of a panel of judges, local entertainers will contend for the Busker Idol crown and be awarded the opening performance spot at next year's festival.

All performance disciplines and ages are invited to participate, however, those applicants under the age of 18 must provide written consent from their primary caregiver or parent.

You must reside within the Algoma District in order to be eligible.

Each performance must be no longer than five minutes in length.

Interested parties are encouraged to apply by sending an e-mail to [email protected] with the subject line "Busker Idol 2008."

All entries must be submitted before 5 p.m. on Monday, August 4.

Please be sure to include your full name, phone number and a brief description of your unique skill.

"The Sault International Youth Association and the Sault Buskerfest Committee are excited to offer this opportunity to the people of the Algoma District," says Donna Hopper, general manager of Buskerfest. "The committee hopes this competition will encourage budding performers to hone and perfect their specific skill into a world-class act that will see them in demand by festivals around the the globe."

Now in its fifth year, the Sault Ste. Marie Busker Festival will have Queenstown Square 1 (between East St. and Brock St.) closed to vehicular traffic the weekend of August 8, 9 and 10 as some of the best professional street performers in the world share their unique blend of wacky, off-beat humour and stunning physical feats.

The exciting Buskerfest 2008 performance roster includes: Basketball Jones, The Wally Show, Conkrete Stylez, The Fast Horses, Piper McKenzie, High Strung, and Wacky Chad. Complete festival details including links to all the performer websites are available at Buskerfest.ca

In order to accommodate the growing popularity Buskerfest, two stages will be operating throughout the duration of this year's festival.

The first-ever 'People's Choice Award' will be presented to the favourite performer as voted on by the public, children's workshops will be offered, and many local artists, craftspeople and vendors will have a variety of products on display and for sale.

Buskerfest 2008 would also like to thank the generosity of all of its sponsors and supporters, including TenarisAlgomaTubes, Great Northern Hotel and Conference Centre, Lucidia, Crank Sound Distribution, PUC, Brookfield Renewable Power, Loplops Gallery ~ Lounge, Checker Cab, Christie's Camper Sales, Gran Festa Ristorante, Essar Steel Algoma, Algoma University, The Medicine Shoppe, EPOH, Purvis Marine, Stone’s Office Supplies, the Station Mall, and Conestoga-Rovers & Associates.

Buskerfest is held through the initiative and direction of The Sault International Youth Association, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to representing youth and being advocates for youth in the city of Sault Ste. Marie.

In addition to Buskerfest 2008, they launched Fresh magazine into the community in 2007 through support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and host a number of additional events throughout the year.

About Buskerfest 2008

Buskers have captivated audiences for centuries with their special blend of wacky off-beat humour and stunning feats of the incredible.

The weekend of August 8, 9 and 10 has been reserved to delight young and old alike with Buskerfest 2008; Sault Ste. Marie’s most original and fastest growing community-oriented festival.

Proudly celebrating five years, Buskerfest is expanding to accommodate its growing audience.

Two pitches will have our performers busy as the streets come alive with some of the wackiest entertainment the world has to offer.

Food, refreshments, artists, craftspeople, workshops and demonstrations all round out the festival into the perfect family event.

Those fortunate enough to have witnessed past festivals praised the coordinators and volunteers for creating a fantastic event steeped in magic, whimsy and wonder.

The performers, in conjunction with volunteers from the Sault International Youth Association will have Queenstown Square 1 (between East and Brock) closed to traffic but open to everything else as they present their distinctive talents right on the street.

Biskerfest 2008 is a prime example of the Sault’s young people taking responsibility, enabling the community and its youth to connect.

One of the goals of the Sault International Youth Association is to encourage the young people of this community to break the stigma that our youth have no voice.

“Speak and Be Heard” is their motto and the perfect companion for the whimsical, magical and captivating event they have organized.

Sault International Youth Association is proud to once again, present this unique brand of entertainment that only professional street performers can provide.

Admission

Admission to the festival site is free of charge.

However, following their performance the buskers will pass a hat.

We encourage you to be generous to reward them for the smiles, laughs and amazing talent they work so hard to provide.

Schedule

The 2008 performer schedule is not yet finalized.

Recommendation

It is important to the Sault Buskerfest Committee that all spectators and performers remain safe and healthy.

Be aware of weather conditions and be sure to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and comfortable footwear in order to extract as much enjoyment from the festival as possible.

Bottled water and other refreshments will be for sale on the festival site.

Please supervise your children at all times.

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