Marvels Abound at 2014 Scotiabank BuskerFest

Flying Tortillas from Huntington Beach, California, incorporate acrobatics, stunts, tumbling, break dancing and comedy into their performance.
> Toronto's Hercinia Arts Collective entertain with their act "Money Fish".
> The KamiKaze FireFlies from Los Angeles is a two-person vaudeville featuring Rob Williams and Casey Martin, seen here riding a German Wheel.
> The KamiKaze FireFlies from Los Angeles is a two-person vaudeville featuring Rob Williams and Casey Martin, seen here breathing fire.
> The KamiKaze FireFlies from Los Angeles is a two-person vaudeville featuring Rob Williams and Casey Martin, seen here stacking chairs.
> The Silent Violinist combines balloons and mime in her performance.
> Chinese Pole specialist Reuben DotDotDot from Australia spins one-handed while balancing twenty feet up in the air.
> Les Vitamines from Québec include acrobatic feats and improvised acts during their participatory public performance.
> Québec's CiRcO LoCo includes Argentine tango dancers, circus artists, a knife thrower and tribal belly dancing.
> Toronto's Stilt Guys entertain with high energy during their interactive roaming stilt performances.
> Australia's FlameOz with their variety show of juggling, acrobatics, hula hoops and more.
> Toronto's DnyaMike juggling his chainsaw.
> The street performance of Mexican-Austrian duo NoMaD Cirque includes acrobatics, a lot of fire, and unique traditions from many cultures.

The streets of downtown Toronto come alive during the Scotiabank BuskerFest, August 21-24. In its fifteenth year, the summer festival welcomes more than 160 buskers in over sixty-five acts from across Canada and around the world. Scheduled acts include daredevil stunts, fire manipulations, acrobatics, aerial, magic, contortion, dance, and mime, and some acts that simply defy categorization.

Street performance can be a lively mix of entertainment and artistry, and is sure to attract many a passerby. Buskers can also provide a glimpse into the world of circus arts. In the July/August 2014 issue of The Dance Current, writer Molly Johnson explores the exciting world of contemporary circus in Québec. Get a copy of the feature story here.

This year’s BuskerFest runs along the Yonge Street corridor, from Queen to College Streets (which will be closed to traffic) and surrounding areas (including Trinity Square Park, Yonge-Dundas Square and Gould Street). Benefit performances are also featured this year on the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square, with all proceeds going to Epilepsy Toronto.

Tagged: Acrobatics, Audience Engagement, Belly Dance, Breaking, Circus, Mime, Performance, ON , Toronto