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Toronto Buskerfest 2011 preview

Posted by Staff / August 19, 2011

29 Comments

Buskerfest 2011 TorontoThe 2011 edition of Buskerfest in Toronto is set to take place around the St. Lawrence Market from August 25th to 28th. In addition to providing a stage for over 100 street-based acts from around the world, the annual festival raises funds and awareness for Epilepsy Toronto.

A diverse group of performers were on hand for a media preview Wednesday, including Australian act "Flame Oz" who combined hula hoops, flaming chains and a variety of acrobatics to wow the assembled crowd, which was made up of kids from local day camps. Dutch group "Close Act," whose giant wasps buzzed back and forth throughout the crowd, nibbling on the odd photographer or two were eventually beaten back by a group of balloon sword waving children and a smattering of stilt walkers, clowns and other colourful characters. Judging from their short performance, "Flame OZ" will definitely be an act worth catching, especially after the sun goes down.

Buskerfest takes place on Front Street from Jarvis St. to Yonge St. and adjacent side streets on Thursday (12-10pm), Friday (12-11pm), Saturday (11am-11pm) and Sunday (11am-8pm). More info can be found at the festival website.

PHOTOS

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 Toronto

Buskerfest 2011 TorontoWriting and photos by Scott Snider

Discussion

29 Comments

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not impressed / August 19, 2011 at 11:34 am
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I guess that looks cool.....
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eek / August 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm
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Street urchins.
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Ben S / August 19, 2011 at 12:06 pm
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I despise busker fest. I live a few blocks away and plan my weekend so that I can best avoid it.
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lol replying to a comment from Ben S / August 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm
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boo hoo
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zay / August 19, 2011 at 01:04 pm
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I wont give bums my money, i sure as crap aint giving money to some glorified homeless person who can juggle.

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wow / August 19, 2011 at 01:24 pm
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No wonder the rest of Canada hates Toronto, these comments shoewthere are nothing but hateful bitter people here.
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JoeyBats replying to a comment from wow / August 19, 2011 at 01:32 pm
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Nope. Not hateful.
We just don't like crap.

People don't give a flying f*ck about "buskers" the other 51 weekends of the year. All of a sudden people should care because somehow they managed to scrounge up their cronies and over take the streets for a weekend begging for our money.

Come Monday they'll be back to being the miscreants they were yesterday.
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Reppin St. Lawrence Market replying to a comment from Ben S / August 19, 2011 at 01:41 pm
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Same here. I hate being harassed by the people at the entrances for money when I simply want to go to pick up a few beers at the LCBO or go to the Metro. I did pay and actually watch some of the buskers one year, to be honest I found the whole experience kind of creepy.
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lol. replying to a comment from wow / August 19, 2011 at 01:48 pm
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the rest of canada doesn't hate toronto. haters hate and haters are generally the most vocal. as you see above. im excited for the buskerfest
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Nerves / August 19, 2011 at 02:18 pm
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I plan on taking an afternoon off and bringing my kid. You see, she doesn't let her prejudice against pan handlers and street bums hamper her enjoyment of a little summer spectacle.
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Safe-T replying to a comment from Nerves / August 19, 2011 at 02:59 pm
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Keep an eye on her at all times.

Buskers have notoriously fast and inappropriate hands.
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Andrew / August 19, 2011 at 04:15 pm
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I agree with "wow" everytime I read articles on or about Toronto here or otherwise (websites, newspapers), so many ppl complain. As a very proud Torontonian and a Concierge (I spend my days highlighting the best of TO) I understand why ppl in other cities etc don't like us. There are way to many negative ppl, thankfully the positive mostly out weighs the negative.
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Big Al / August 19, 2011 at 04:22 pm
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How do you all equate buskers with homeless bums. They're street entertainers, many of them from around the globe. Get a grip folks, you're too mean spirited. Enjoy, it's pretty inexpensive entertainment!
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wiser replying to a comment from Big Al / August 19, 2011 at 04:33 pm
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And lots of bums entertain me on the street.
Street entertainer is just the politically correct saying of bum. Don't be silly.

At least they have outlets like Americas Got Talent now where they can twirl their batons and walk on stilts. May even get a job out of it.
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Scott / August 19, 2011 at 06:51 pm
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Great time always like tossing a few dollars to some good performances! Live a next door to the Market and friends come from the 905 and have a great time!
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LJ / August 19, 2011 at 07:36 pm
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what matters is that its for a good cause, so just deal with it people
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Steph / August 19, 2011 at 08:11 pm
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I love the idea of Buskerfest but I went last year and had a hard time seeing ANYTHING. Nothing is set up properly and with the giant crowds you can barely make out any of the acts, especially the more popular ones. I'm sitting this one out.
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Completely shocked / August 20, 2011 at 08:34 am
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This is disgusting. What bunch of losers crying about street entertainers. I work in an office but I can appreciate shit. I love these guys. Buskerfest is a great excuse for me to visit your wonderful neighborhood. My money is on these bitches whining about Buskers being ford supporters. Stop and smell some fucking flowers you miserable fucks
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Completely shocked replying to a comment from Andrew / August 20, 2011 at 08:43 am
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I must say you are right. Toronto has become sourpuss central. Since fatty took over there has been a real tension in this city. The star readers vs Toronto sun readers. But it wasn't until I went to NYC and everyone was proud and happy that I realized how miserable a lot of torononians are. I blame it on the 905 influx. Lefties are generally a pretty happy crowd. But again that's cause they enjoy shit like buskerfest instead of whining like a bitch because the party is in their backyard for the weekend. You hate Toronto? Move back to fucking Oshawa! Ya know?
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Completely shocked replying to a comment from wiser / August 20, 2011 at 08:46 am
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Street entertainer is a job moron. They have licenses get paid decent and pay taxes. You should learn ya sad simpleton
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Completely shocked replying to a comment from Scott / August 20, 2011 at 08:47 am
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Why can't everyone be like you
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Brad / August 21, 2011 at 03:07 pm
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Love the idea of this festival, but the organizers need to put the performers on large stages, it's impossible to see any of the shows
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Brad / August 21, 2011 at 03:09 pm
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there are no sight lines, it's a waste of time to go, the organizers need stages for all the performers
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FESTIVAL DIRECTOR / August 22, 2011 at 09:41 am
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OK all of you NEGATIVE naysayers, THIS festival is run and produced by Epilepsy Toronto. It is the LARGEST epilepsy awareness event in the World!! The MONEY you pay at the gate is a donation that goes directly to epilepsy programs. The performers are ALL professional performers who come from around the world! In addition the event provides the BIGGEST sales of the YEAR for many of the local market Restaurants & businesses.....SO rather than being nasty, try and show some kindness and support!!!
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Lighten Up / August 24, 2011 at 09:59 am
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I've heard nothing but good things about this festival and am looking forward to checking it out tomorrow. I love visiting Toronto and the entertainment Toronto has to offer. All you haters are probably miserable people that complain about all the small things and lead a unhappy, lonely life lol I feel sorry for you
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:) / August 24, 2011 at 02:49 pm
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Toronto is amazing!!! And, i/ve gone to the buskerfest EVERY year, for the last 5 years... theres always something new and the street performances are amazing, cheap too!!!!! I never had a problem w/ not being able to see the performances!!!! Hate people???? go on Thursdays, there not that many people!!! The markets really unique too... i bet some of u that commented have never been anywhere near toronto!!!
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Loves the buskers / August 25, 2011 at 05:22 am
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Bunch of miserable scrooges ! WTF ???
there out to Make a few bucks, have some fun , make us smile , and raise money for a good cause (know anyone with epilepsy)? How un- Torontoish of you
relax and have some fun ... Or go fuk yourself asshole !!
( oops Now I'm starting to sound like a bad torontonian
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robinson / August 26, 2011 at 10:05 am
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We live out of town and are coming in on Sunday for the Jays game and also to enjoy some of the city festivities, the buskerfest is something that is just so much fun, it has to put a smile on your face, these people are doing some things most of us can't and really appreciate the skill, looking forward to watching, thanks buskerfest, I anticipate you will make me smile, which is never a bad thing. :)
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Loula / August 27, 2011 at 02:20 pm
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I am a person living with epilepsy, and I can't say enough how much I appreciate what the Buskerfest does not only for raising money for Epilepsy Toronto, but for raising awareness about a disability that most people still know very little about. To those precious few small- minded people who think it's either a waste of time or crap put on by 'street bums', I say stay away! We don't need your negativity anyway.
Thank you Epilepsy Toronto and Buskerfest, keep up the great work!
P.S. the volunteers at the entrances are awesome, so full of energy and spirit, even at the end of the night - they are still smiling and cheering for donations, excellent!
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