The South Dunedin Busking Festival is back for another year.
After the huge success of last year's busking festival, the event will be held for the second time between 10am and 2pm on Saturday in King Edward St, South Dunedin.
Organisers wanted to give buskers time to let others know and start rehearsing but time’s almost out - it is not far away now. On Saturday, eight performance 'stages' will be marked out in the doorways and frontages of various businesses along King Edward St, between Hillside Road and McBride St, to enable multiple 20 minute performances every half hour (with time to set up and pack down). Buskers will each have two 20-minute sets so there will be over sixty performances during the day.
Individual local businesses have sponsored worthwhile prizes in six categories, with up to three prizes in most categories, so performers have a great chance of busking for a little cash and maybe taking away one of the prizes.
The small entry fee will contribute to the costs and the South Dunedin Business Association will underwrite the event. As it is an event, the usual busking licence will not be needed by performers. Buskers may also seek donations from the crowd.
There will be several categories with prizes in each, if the busker wishes to be judged - some participants are happy just to be there without competing for the prizes. There will be a panel of three judges, with a range of tastes and experiences in music and performance locally.
Participants are expected to come mostly from the local community (no overseas acts in this show) and organisers have been contacting schools and other groups to promote the event before everyone's year gets too busy.
Over a third of the performers in this year’s event are under 13, but some of the city’s more experienced buskers will also be seen in action.
The South Dunedin Busking Festival aims to both make opportunities for people to express their creativity and build skills, and to provide an event for people who may not easily get the chance to see live performances to enjoy some of the talent from their community.
Funding from Dunedin City Creative Communities NZ has made the event possible, and the organisers expressed their appreciation, confident that the event delivers on these aims. Many of the participants in last year's festival have gone on to other opportunities and successes, including performing on Fan Trails for major events like the Lions test last year and the upcoming Ed Sheeran concerts. Others have performed at the Gold Guitars, South Dunedin Street Festival, Amped music project concerts and even a trip to Ireland for one pair of musicians.
The festival is a great stepping stone to a career in performing and a good way to gain experience and exposure. At the same time it is a great way for people to enjoy a wealth of entertainment, with the only cost being what you wish to donate to performers.
Last year, crowds varied in size but were usually only up to about 50 people at a time for a performance so it is a relaxed day for everyone. The festival is a great way for Dunedin residents to listen to live, local music without having to worry about transport and large crowds.
Applications are closed for performers now, but local information is found on South Dunedin Community website (www.southdunedin.org.nz), which is maintained and sponsored (like this event) by the South Dunedin Business Association, to support local activity and enable participants to register their interest for the local festivals.
The South Dunedin Business Association recognises that the well-being of businesses and the well-being of the community are strongly connected and is keen to play its part towards supporting sustainable development of this unique part of the city.
The website was developed by the association at the time of the last festival to promote the South Dunedin community and contribute to the collaborative work aimed at strengthening cohesion and resilience locally.
It is also available to support community activity including the South Dunedin Street Festival in November, other community events, share newsletters for various South Dunedin organisations, schools, among others.
Contact Craig Waterhouse for more information at craig@projectdental.co.nz, or 027-495-8342.
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