World Buskers Festival

The World Buskers Festival is on in Christchurch and we were eager to check out the free entertainment from around the world.  The weather is truly summer, so a halter top and plenty of sunscreen was in order, as well as a backpack stuffed with cameras and water.  We were off!

   

The World Buskers Festival has 450 performances across several stages throughout downtown area over the span of a week in Christchurch, and is one of their largest festivals.  As mentioned in several posts, we come across buskers regularly in the city, so I was excited to see a festival dedicated to the art.  Even better, there was a schedule to the various performances, so that by the end of the week, it is feasible to see all of the acts.  

   

In Cathedral Square, we made our first stop.  The whole city center looked different and more vibrant, with loud music playing, and lots of people milling about the open market and food vendors.  We were right on time for a performance, and took a seat on the cathedral steps.  A large crowd drew around Mr. Fish, a busker from Australia, as he performed his 40 minute act.  He juggled knives, did several hat tricks, made fun of many audience members, and was hilariously comedic.  Seriously, everything he said was some sort of goofy joke or cheeky response; if you weren't listening closely, you were bound to miss something!  We were easily entertained the entire time, and his final trick included climbing atop a 10-foot unicycle, juggling knives, and balancing a fake goldfish on his shoe.  While sporting a helmet complete with fish bowl attached (totally reminding me of Cat and the Hat), he flipped the fish off of his shoe and into the bowl.  Genius!

Mr. Fish (on the left)

 

Next, for a change of scenery, we headed over to Victoria Square, a block away, for a look at what their stages had to offer.  We had gyros (I love eating fair food!) and caught some of a circus act on an aerial stage.  No wires attached, the quintet performed death defying trapeze, rope, scarf, and balancing acts, suspended high above the ground, with no nets, in front of a very live crowd.  No room for errors, I couldn't help but hold my breath during several of their stunts!

 

Back of Victoria Square aerial stage

  

More to follow...tomorrow!