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Buskers invade Victoria Weather won’t dampen spirits at talent festival Edward Hill News staff
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Sharon Mahoney admits that convincing some of the world’s top buskers to hit Victoria last year was a big risk, professionally and personally. Victoria, a known tourist town, wasn’t a significant draw for the international street performer circuit. But local artist John Vickers was aiming to reenergize the downtown with a high-calibre busker festival, and Mahoney was key. The Victoria-based performer has toured the world in her quirky red tracksuit as the passive-aggressive “Sharon from Canada” and her alter ego, the outright aggressive Miss Tallulah. Mahoney had the connections, but convincing performers to attend an untested festival required a leap of faith. “Some top street performers really took a risk; I begged friends of mine to take a risk,” said Mahoney, the artistic director for the Victoria International Buskers Festival, now approaching its second year. “The presPhoto courtesy of the Victoria International Busker Festival sure was there. You don’t want it to be a catastrophe, and sum- B.C.-based juggler and comedian Alex Elixir is performing at mer is such a big time (for per- the Victoria International Buskers Festival, starting this week. formers).” Even with days of lousy be non-stop.” are your own boss, and a perweather – “July-uary,” Vickers Three street acts are back fectly egalitarian way to spread quipped – the festival drew tens by popular demand – Guin- live performance art. of thousands of people to out- ness World Record juggler Vic“With street theatre, you door downtown venues, and tor Rubilar from Argentina, can be performing in front of a was considered wildly success- U.K. clown Fraser Hooper, and homeless guy and a millionaire. ful, especially for a first run. The Mahoney, a.k.a Sharon the Cana- They both experience the same festival estimates some 75,000 dian. More than a dozen other thing and pay what they think is people crowded the venues over stage acts were culled from 600 appropriate,” she said. 10 days. submissions, selected for their “A family that is low income “Everyone was so impressed, humour, creativity and family- can come down, give what they it was so successful. The weather friendliness. can afford and have an awewasn’t perfect but “The first thing some day of theatre. The idea we still had a great for is fam- is to have theatre for all walks “A family that is Iilylook crowd,” Mahoney – from three of life.” said. “So many low income can come years old to 93, Main busker venues are in front performers comthis should be for of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, mented on the down, give what they everybody,” Vick- on the Inner Harbour causeway, cool vibe of the can afford and have ers said. “We want and right in the middle of Govevent.” those who bring ernment Street between Yates an awesome day of This year Vickan edge, a touch and View streets. ers, executive theatre. The idea is to of excitement to Vickers said he hopes shutdirector of Busker have theatre for all wow the crowd.” ting down Government Street in Fest, hopes to douMarking the Vic- the evening will demonstrate to ble the crowds. walks of life.” toria francophone residents and merchants its popTourism Victoria c o m m u n i t y ’ s ularity as a pedestrian area. - Sharon Mahoney is marketing the 150th anniversary, “After nine nights we’ll get the festival beyond the Island and two Quebec groups will perform sense of a pedestrian mentality,” in Washington State – the event – acrobat comics Les Vitamines Vickers said “I hope to conceneven had airtime on King 5 TV. and a three-woman fire act, Les trate 30,000 or 40,000 people Victoria hotels have stepped Walkyries. Both groups are vet- in that block of Government up and have donated 240 hotel erans of Cirque du Soleil. Added (Street).” room nights for performers. this year is an adults-only eveThe Victoria International Bus“Ten days of shows is a long ning comedy cabaret, and music kers Festival runs July 20 to 29 footprint. Noon to 10 (p.m.) acts in Bastion Square during in eight downtown venues. See everyday, 600-plus shows every the day. victoriabuskers.com for perforhour on the hour with new perMahoney calls street theatre a mance locations and times. formers,” Vickers said. “It will tough but exciting job where you editor@saanichnews.com