Toronto Buskerfest August 26-29

I won't be in town for this one but it looks like a great time for a good cause, and remember to bring some extra cash for the hat:

Fabulous local and international musicians at Scotiabank BuskerFest
AUGUST 26-29, 2010 throughout the St. Lawrence Market district
- Event proceeds benefit Epilepsy Toronto -

Toronto, August 5, 2010 - Organizers for  Scotiabank BuskerFest 2010 have announced that the festival will feature a wide array of renowned musicians from Canada and around the world. The 11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest inhabits Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood once again as world-class buskers take to the streets in support of Epilepsy Toronto for a wild four days of fun for all ages from Thursday, August 26 to Sunday, August 29.

Last year's Scotiabank BuskerFest attracted over 1 million people, and this year promises to be even bigger, with Country, Rock, Pop, Folk, Hip Hop, Roots, Latin and Jazz music acts joining the festival's wide array of over 100 stunning street artists including daredevils, magicians, high-skill circus acts, contortionists, giant puppets, fire-breathers, aerialists, clowns, jugglers and more from Canada, the United States, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Argentina, the Netherlands, and England with 50% of them never before seen at the festival!

Some of the musical acts at this year's Scotiabank BuskerFest:
  • Australian guitarist/songwriter Kim Churchill has already shared the stage with acts such as Xavier Rudd, Ben Harper and John Butler. His powerful blues harmonica melodies and soulful voice speak beyond his 19 years.
  • Toronto electro-pop-rock group Nights & Weekends' catchy beats and pop hooks have been played on TV shows such as "The Hills," "The Real World: Cancun" and "Make It Or Break It." In 2009, the band won first place in Anthem Entertainment's International Music Festival, and played two showcases as part of New York's CMJ Music Marathon.
  • OKA fuses the traditional music of Australian Aboriginals with pop and dance melodies, playing everything from didgeridoos to bamboo flutes and slide guitars. OKA was voted among the top five most memorable performers at the 2009 Quebec Summer Festival, alongside mainstream headliners Sting and KISS.
  • Toronto beatboxer Scott Jackson replicates many styles of rhythms and sound effects using only his mouth and vocals. The reigning Scribble Jam Beatbox Battle Champion, he represented Canada at the World Beatbox Championships in 2009.
  • Highlighting the distinctive rhythms of Ecuador, Toronto's Farrucas combines Latin sounds with Arabic elements, as well as Cumbia, Rumba/Salsa and traditional ballads to create exciting Latin fusion style.
  • Michael "Shoehorn" Conley's unique blend of jazz saxophone and tap dance create a sophisticated yet entertaining spectacle. Conley can create music with his feet and dance with his horn, but it is his poetic and complex arrangements that keep audiences coming back.
  • Toronto singer/songwriter Jim Armstrong has been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Steve Earle. As well as being a renowned performer, Armstrong has a personal connection to the Scotiabank BuskerFest; he himself lives with epilepsy.
  • Victoria's gypsy-ska-folk-grass powerhouse the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra meld Eastern European/Klezmer influences with African rhythms and Americana/traditional roots music to produce an undeniably addictive beat.
  • Three women make up Toronto's Dirty Dishes and each bring a variety of styles to the table, ranging from classical to musical theatre, Celtic, folk, rock, pop, country and gospel.

ADMISSION: Pay-What-You-Can at the gate, in support of Epilepsy Toronto. Suggested donation: $5.

Epilepsy Toronto is a non-profit organization that helps people living with epilepsy and their families for the past 50 years.

Buskers retain proceeds from "the hat" passed around among audience members at after their performances.

The Scoop:
11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday, August 26 - Sunday, August 29, 2010
throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood:
Front Street from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street, and all adjacent side streets
Thursday, noon - 10 p.m., Friday, noon - 11 p.m.,
Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto

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