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British street performers head to Canada

19th June 2009 Print
The 25th Annual Edmonton International Street Performers Festival laces up and steps in to Sir Winston Churchill Square with over 150 shows daily, July 3-12, 2009. Edmonton’s downtown core is magically transformed into the ultimate play zone with amazing street acts, rovers, interactive comedy characters, kids’ activities, live music and general clowning around.

With an international cast of amazing artists, StreetFest once again boasts a roster of the world’s hottest street acts with many new faces and several returning faves. StreetFest 2009 presents two new acts – both from the UK - silent clown Fraser Hooper-Strawberry, and interactive comedy troupe Swank.

Bringing brand new shows to the festival are local musicians Andrea House and Chris Smith (with a street musical for kids), performance artists The Privy People from Toronto (making your portable bathroom experience fun), and American variety artist Dana Smith (with his one-of-a-kind eccentric amusements).

It’s late, it’s mad…and it’s back for the 25th Anniversary. It’s Late Night Madness at the Library Theatre, July 10 and 11. Beginning at 11pm, Late Night Madness shows are zany, one-of-a-kind cabaret performances that have become a favourite of mature StreetFest patrons. Each show features a different cast, and is sure to push the envelope and stretch the laugh limit. Director of both 2009 Late Night Madness performances is Michael Kennard…aka “Mump” of “Mump and Smoot” fame.

Audiences can enjoy the best of the fest with 10pm Troupe du Jour performances. Each night a different cast of performers – with special 25th Anniversary guests: Checkerboard Guy, Hokum W. Jeebs and Murph - will gather for a variety show near the steps of the Square. Troupe du Jour is for the whole family and will honour the pass the hat tradition.

Continuing its 25-year focus on family programming, StreetFest is pleased to present Kids’ World featuring activities for the young and young-at-heart, daily from 11:30am to 6pm (July 12: 11:30am to 2:30pm). Come play with a cast of colourful characters including Cap’n Arrr and Harvey & Idaho, and enjoy interactive fun and games.

Festival patrons are invited to the ATB Financial Big Tent to try out the Be Your Own Busker workshops which take place daily from 11:30am to 6pm (July 12: 11:30am to 2:30pm). From juggling to Hip Hop to face painting, learn from the best on the street including The Silly People and Kim Potter, Freshly Squeezed and Lady Dolphin.

StreetFest is once again proud to present Comedy Cares, an award-winning community outreach initiative delivering healing smiles and chuckles to hospitals and care facilities in Edmonton and area throughout the festival and the year. The Festival thanks EPCOR and the Edmonton Community Foundation for their ongoing support of this award-winning program.

Returning StreetFest favourites include a “who’s who” of the global street performance scene including roving fashion cop OJ Anderson; Australian sword-swallower/magician Andrew Elliott; juggling comedy trio, the Flaming Idiots; roving magician Ron Pearson; international man of mirth, Rob Torres; slack rope-walking clown Pete Sweet; flying cabbage-catcher Mike Wood; the very silly Silly People; acrobatic balancers Galumpha, and variety artists Bob Palmer and James O’Shea with The Chairmen Show.

Also animating and colouring the Square will be face painters Cindy Lou, Jacquie Paul, Lady Dolphin, Mia and P’Wan; balloon twisters Pretzel (Stephen Dubetz) and Dan The Balloon Man; installation acts including the wildly popular king of bling Silver Elvis, John Ullyatt as The Human Fountain, and everyone’s favourite ukulele cover band The Be Arthurs; mehndi artist Sabrina Samuel; caricaturist Simon Glassman; and roving artists Darrin Hagen, Jan Streader, Zandra Bell, Linda Karenko - and of course The Queen.

Extra special additions to the celebrations include a Stay and Play Raffle, Be Your Own Busker Unicycle Raffle, StreetFest Fun Foto Contest and the release of a commemorative 25th Anniversary DVD.

It’s StreetFest’s 25th birthday and everyone’s invited. Pull out your party shoes, juggle your schedule and join in just for the fun of it!

For more information visit edmontonstreetfest.com.