Article and photos by Christopher Majka

 

Buskers! . . . Get your Buskers programs here! . . . Vote for your favorite busker! . . .

Buskers! " The barkers called on street corners throughout the city.

 

Not that they could always be easily heard. They had to compete with the likes of Streetnix, a five piece brass band from Montreal who cook with hot jazz rhythms or with noisy one-man bands like Bath's Miller Davidson, Stuttgart native Chris Lejeune or Quebec's own Gerd Kettle. And that's not to mention the sudden outbursts of laughter or applause as a performer thrilled or amazed the audience in some particularly dramatic way.

 

Now in its second year Buskers '88, The International Street Performers Festival, has swept Halifax like a biblical conflagra­tion. Not even the provincial election, which was running concurrently, seemed to draw such crowds or such interest - a fact which delighted many buskers. It was also the source of many jokes and considerable good humor among the politicians and buskers alike!

 

A little history... In 1874 John Sydney Morton wrote in his journal, "After tea, Grace came over to say the harpers were down at the west corner so we went down to see them. There was four in all, one man played the harp, another the flute, the other two played the fiddle, and the people gave them cents. "

 

As it turns out, this is one of the few references to street entertainers in the history of Halifax. Busking is not an ancient tradition among Haligonians (as the residents of Halifax call themselves) nor would it be if audiences stiII only gave cents! The folded biII is now the order of the day.

 

A couple of years ago Buskers producer, Dale Thompson, had an idea. He previously originated a hugely popular "Mardi Gras" festival which takes place here at Halloween. Contemplating how to get people out in the streets in a celebration which lasts for more than one night, he honed in on the idea of street performers. He evidently hit upon an idea whose time had come, for two years later Buskers '88 drew crowds of 650,000 over the 18 days of the festival!

 

Some 53 acts were selected for participation this year, including jugglers, mimes, acrobats, dancers, ventriloquists, singers, musicians, magicians, puppeteers, organ grinders and screevers.

 

All this activity on the streets makes for considerable activity in the banks, too. Festival organizers estimate that over $8.5-miIlion of extra business was generated as a result of Buskers '88! Did I hear anyone mention that the performing arts don't contribute to the economy?

 

For juggling enthusiasts there was much to amuse, inspire and amaze, with some 22 of the acts including a strong juggling component. Every time I turned around it

seemed there was a tight knot of people gathered round a performer who could only be distinguished by the clubs, torches, ping-pong balls, or diabolos that flew above the audience's heads. Here's a quick run­down of some of the acts: