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World Buskers Festival guarantees fun in the sun

Seeking fun in the sun for your summer holidays? Then make a beeline for Christchurch and the World Buskers’ Festival.

Each year at the end of January the Garden City hosts the world’s best street performers for a 10-day extravaganza that leaves the city’s residents and those lucky enough to be visiting Christchurch with big grins on their faces and an extra spring in their step.

The festival seems to get bigger and better every year and the 2010 event has been put together to provide 11 days and 10 nights of non-stop fun in the sun. Some 450 shows will be staged over the course of the festival which is held in the streets and parks of central Christchurch. The shows are non-ticketed and free although audiences are encouraged to give donations to the performers at the end of each show.

The line-up for the 2010 festival includes four-time world juggling champions, The Raspyni Brothers, of the 2008 Toronto International Circus Festival, the Acrobuffos, acrobat and Cirque Du Soleil performer Reuben Dot Dot Dot, the strongest lady alive, Betty Brawn, contortionist and escapologist Chris Cross, and former circus clown and elephant jumper Joe Dieffenbacher.

“These guys know how to work a crowd and are the best in the world at what they do. If people are still tossing up what to do for their summer holidays then I strongly advise them to make their way to Christchurch so they can see these guys in action – they really are incredible,” says festival director Jodi Wright.

“We’ve also got some of New Zealand’s best comedic talent booked to perform in the festival – the likes of Brendan Lovegrove, Michele A’Court and Jeremy Elwood – so it’s a great opportunity for people to get together with their friends and family and start the year off with a good laugh and some harmless fun.”

For music lovers the 2010 festival also includes performances by a swag of Kiwi bands and international street musicians.

“It’s going to a be a full-on 10 days but all the shows are staged within easy walking distance of each other and are scheduled so people can work their way around them all. If you want, we can have you laughing from 11am in the morning to 11pm at night,” says Ms Wright.

The World Buskers’ Festival starts on January 21 and runs through until January 31. People wanting to book accommodation or travel to Christchurch for the festival can log onto www.christchurchnz.com. For more information on the festival programme log onto www.worldbuskersfestival.com.

Tags: performance