NZ.Random();: World Buskers Festival 2009, Christchurch New Zealand

World Buskers Festival 2009, Christchurch New Zealand

After a very long hiatus, I am back again on my nosebleed-inducing hobby of mine – blogging. :)

I start the year with a review of the World Buskers Festival 2009 held annually in Christchurch, New Zealand. It features some of the best buskers in the world performing on stage or right on the streets of Christchurch. There are acts from Argentina, Israel, Japan and the US to name a few.

Busker (Noun) – A person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing and dancing).

Watching buskers perform is very entertaining for me because they are the experts of what they do, which is to make people laugh. From January 22, 2009 until February 1, 2009, more than 40 acts, ranging from acrobatics, magic, comedy and musicians will be performing; and it is a shame not to catch at least one of the performances.

I have come up with my list of most notable buskers that are really worth seeing:

1. Mr. Fish (Australia) – None can match the sheer energy of this busker from Australia. He is great in making unpredictable witty comments on everything. His acts are varied and original. His props are very ingenious and wacky. He’s fond of making satirical comments on the unsuspecting and unfortunate audiences seated in the front, all to elicit the loudest laughter everyone can muster. He is very gifted in making people laugh, and his acts are highly recommended. Mr. Fish is my vote to win the recognition: THE PRESS PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for 2009, which will be announced on February 1, 2009.

2. Sam Willis (NZ) – Sam is very creative in making fun of everything. I saw Sam as an emcee for the Christchurch International Airport BUSKER COMEDY CLUB, and he is good. As an emcee for the show, he was able to keep the momentum going in between acts. His tricks are very imaginative and funny. Unfortunate audiences in the front are sometimes ridiculed to perform or be part of his tricks. He can be harsh, but it is good that people do not take it seriously. Some of his tricks are bordering on the gross, but he does it so humorously that you forget it. He is very talented and his acts are a must to see. Proof of his immeasurable talent is he won the most favourite performer, THE PRESS PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for 2008.

3. Cirque No Problem (Israel) – The couple, Noa and Uri gives a performance unlike no other. They successfully combined conventional circus with wild antics of humour. They have a mobile trapeze where they get to show their acrobatic talents and most importantly their great sense of humour. Even though Noa has a very thick English accent, his jokes are still spotless and very funny.