World Buskers Festival 2010

With 11 days and 10 nights of non-stop fun, Christchurch’s World Buskers Festival offers 500 good reasons why people should visit the Garden City in January.

The 2010 festival builds on the success of previous 16 festivals and brings together the best street performers from around New Zealand and the world for hundreds of eye-popping shows that will leave audiences in stitches.

A few of the newcomers chosen to perform at the 2010 festival include:
• Four-time world juggling champions - The Raspyni Brothers, from the USA.
• The hit of the 2008 Toronto International Circus Festival, the Acrobuffos, from the USA.
• The Flash - a high energy acrobatic, juggling and comedy duo, who have been performing in circuses, theaters and busking all over America and internationally since 2000.
• Former circus clown and elephant jumper Joe Dieffenbacher
• Theatrical acrobats, the Oddlings, from the Netherlands.
• UK magician, contortionist and escapologist Chris Cross.
• The strongest lady alive, Betty Brawn, from Australia.
• Sizzling hot Flame OZ, an Australian act who love playing with fire.
• Canadian hula hoop act Duo Hoops.
• Japanese and UK act Funny Bones, with Keiichiro Miyaji and Chris Peters.

Several top Kiwi acts have also been chosen to perform at the 2010 World Buskers Festival. They include comedians Brendan Lovegrove, Chris Brain (winner of the 2009 Billy T award), Michele A’Court, Jeremy Elwood, Javier, Irene Pink and Justine Smith.

The 2010 festival also includes some musical acts, including international street musician DUB FX from England, and a swag of Kiwi bands.

The World Buskers’ Festival starts on January 21 and runs through until January 31. Most of the events will be staged outdoors in the central city and are non-ticketed and free, although audiences are encouraged to give donations to the performers at the end of each show.

Visit www.worldbuskersfestival.com for full details.