Scotiabank BuskerFest Full Lineup Details

Scotiabank BuskerFest organizers have announced exciting local and international acts making their debut at the 14th annual Toronto international street performers festival in support of Epilepsy Toronto. These top-notch performers are among the over 100 (including some of the best buskers from around the world) that will dazzle Toronto’s Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood as they take over the streets from Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25.

Over one million spectators attended Scotiabank BuskerFest last year, a massive success that prompted organizers to move the festival to its exciting new location along the downtown Yonge Street corridor from Queen to College Streets and surrounding areas – including Trinity Square Park and Yonge-Dundas Square.

Among the new acts never before seen at the festival are the following local performers from Southern Ontario:

o Alissa Vox Raw – Old meets new (think doo-wop band in a box) as Toronto-based Alissa Vox finds new and creative ways to express old a capella styles with just a loop station and her voice (and sometimes an instrument or two as well). An entire choir seems to emerge, bringing a new twist to old soul.

o Nathaniel Rankin - “Borderline Madness” combines state of the art modern magic, comedy, mind reading, juggling manipulation, audience participation and sharp wit. Toronto-based Nathaniel is an international award-winning magician, juggler and circus artist.

o Seb Whipits – Performed by Niagara Falls native Jay Henderson, Sebastian Whipits is a sexually ambiguous German Whip performer with a laid-back energy and some serious whip skills; whip cracking, whip juggling and an unbelievable duel fire whip finale on a 2.25m Unicycle! Verpassen Sie sie nicht!

o Arashido Taiko – This Toronto based Traditional Japanese Drumming (Taiko) group’s name means “The Way of the Storm” and it springs from the energy and passion that the performers put into all their performances. The most exciting acoustic band you’ll ever see and hear!

Returning local area favourites include Toronto’s favourite Fireguy with his sophisticated fire breathing and world class devil sticks; the Funny Waiter who spins plates, pulls out the tablecloth from under a pitcher of water, and juggles rubber chickens; Heather Chappell and Vince Peets, an engaging folk/roots duo (with a plethora of pretty penny whistles, a romping red guitar and a purple accordion named Violet); internationally acclaimed living statue Kate Mior captivates audiences through beautifully controlled narrative movement, or by simply standing still; Max T. Oz, with his humorous sleight of hand show; vaudevillian duo Mental Floss Slide Show bring acts and exhibits from the five corners of the globe – all with a little dash of snake oil; Motion Device, a rocking band led by an 11-year-old girl singer!; and of course, who can forget veteran busker Silver Elvis, Toronto’s Memphis mechanical metal man who moves for money, honey – “thank you, thank you very much”.

Some of the outstanding new international acts, certain to impress the crowds include:

From the Netherlands

o Lisa Lottie – This world class hula hoopist will “Bend it like Barbie” with super stunts of flexibility and a finale of the most dangerous hula hoop trick in the world!

o The Flying Dutchmen (one half of whom is Canadian) -The Rolling Stones of street performers, are doing their last tour… again! Performing together since 1989, these old school comic geniuses are considered heroes in the world of international street performance and this is their monumental comeback tour. Their astonishing stunts have gained them more then ten first prizes around the world!

From Brazil

o Diogo Alvares – This Brazilian Master Manipulator performs a silent show with a musical backdrop using his incredible manipulation skills with cards, billiard balls, cigarettes to create a truly unique Magic act.

From Australia

o Twisted Designs – Monsters! They may look frightening, but they survive on love from the crowd and give out bubbles and balloons in exchange for hugs and laughs. Cuddling everyone from babies to grandparents these giant balloon creations will embrace you in their monster arms.

From the United States

o Chris Capehart – This accomplished veteran performer started on the streets of New York City 40 years ago with his interactive comedy-magic show. Entertainment for all from ages 3 to 99!

o Jonathan Burns – This hilarious and flexible comedian has made a career of contorting his body and impressing people with his unusual talents (which include squeezing his entire body through a toilet seat!) and was recently featured on the Jay Leno Show & the Late Show with David Letterman.

o The Twin Tango – A combination of silent clown, dance, and Chinese pole that brings audiences of all types together. A charming and funny love story for the whole family!

These newcomers are joined by returning acts from around the world, including Pete Sweet whose show “Meet Pete” is an hilarious display of danger, charm and technical virtuosity incorporating slack-rope acrobatics, juggling, singing and dancing (U.S.A.); Pyromancer, a must-see fire-breather from the Netherlands; from Hungary, Bence Sarkadi’s Theatre of Marionettes; and Montreal-Australian duo The Giant Seagulls who rummage in bags and pockets, steal food and generally incite chaos and shrieks of laughter wherever they go!

Admission to Scotiabank BuskerFest is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping more than 40,000 Torontonians with epilepsy, and their families, through counselling, employment support, advocacy and education.

Buskers retain proceeds from “the hat” passed after their performances except for two special group benefit shows where proceeds go to Epilepsy Toronto: the 8th Annual Fire Show showcases the ‘hottest’ fire performers at the fest (Sat, Aug 24 at 9:30pm) and the Grande Finale (Aug 25 at 6:30pm) where the winner of this year’s Metro’s People’s Choice Award will be announced. Both of these will take place on the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas

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