Every year, people with unusual, eccentric talents come together to perform at the World Buskers Festival in New Zealand, and the result is an absolute riot of wacky brilliance.
Since 1993, these people have found an outlet for their skills, and a place to shine, at this festival. This year, World Buskers Festival will take place at Christchurch, New Zealand. There’s really no limit on what kind of artist can perform at this festival. Comedians, trapeze artists, musicians, visual artists, dancers, street performers, acrobats, hula-hoopers, circus, vaudeville and burlesque acts, and anybody whose talent is more than a little left of centre, are welcome here.
(Images via: fest300.com)
For example, last Β year there was a Nigerian-born Londoner who went by the name ‘Le Gateau Chocolat’, dressed elaborately, and performed a wonderful cabaret baritone. Or “Boy with Tape on His Face”, whose performanceΒ is described asΒ βmime with noise, stand-up with no talking, drama with no acting.β There’s really no dearth of quirky acts at the festival, from performers who attempt to escape a straitjacket on a pogo stick, to those who juggle while riding a unicycle.
(Image via: hellphoto.co.nz)
To make it easier for the audience, all acts areΒ classified into five categories – “Ha ha ha (stuff that will make you laugh); OuchΒ (stuff with elements of contortion and body manipulation); Wow (dangerous, daredevil, sublimely beautiful stuff); Lala La (stuff with music); and, Ta Da (stuff with an element of magic)”. There are vendors with great food, and also a Buskers Market where you can buy stuff. This goofy and lighthearted festival is actually a place where people can truly be themselves, and is definitely worth a visit.
(Images via: fest300.com)
