Buskerfest begins with a va-va-voom (20 photos)

Zaghareet is a wavering, high-pitched sound made by women to draw attention to good news.

It's also the name of the local belly dancing troupe led by Katie Campbell (shown).

The Zaghareets kicked off the 2010 Buskerfest last night with a va-va-voom of the belly-dancing kind as they warmed the crowd up for the first night of entertainment.

Joining Campbell as part of Zaghareet were Marie Nevers and Maria Kahtava.

Kahtava, mother of eight boys and one girl, says she started belly dancing about three years ago.

She says it's her fix of much-needed girl-time that provides an invigorating contrast with her mostly boy-centred life.

It's also good exercise and through it she's found and deepened friendships with other women as well.

In addition to the amazing Buskerfest 2010 acts performing this weekend, visitors to the event will find some interesting and unique vendors, including food from a local favourite, the Natura Cafe.

As reported earlier by SooToday.com, Buskerfest continues Saturday with buskers, Art in the Parking Spot by the Sault Ste. Marie Museum and workshops at the Grand Theatre.

Then, of course, there is the annual Buskerfest Cabaret at Loplops in the evening Saturday and more Buskerfest entertainment on Sunday.

For more information visit the website.