Mayor turns busker for festival’s opening act
HE joked it was ‘‘better than a day in the office’’, and earned just over $10 for his efforts.
But Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said he still ‘‘had a few nerves’’ before singing the opening act of the inaugural Alexandra Buskers Festival yesterday, despite being a seasoned performer.
Mr Cadogan’s many previous performances in the Alexandra district, chiefly with the Alexandra Musical Society, included baring all during The Full Monty in 2011 and dressing up as Susan Boyd during Stars in their Eyes.
He yesterday sang a ‘‘relaxed’’ set of songs from artists ranging from Cat Stevens to The Waterboys to Gene Pitney, and said he had enjoyed the experience, having been ‘‘really nervous to start with’’.
But he said it was ‘‘much better than a day in the office. And it’s great to just see people wandering along the streets, stopping, and having a smile . . . people seem to be enjoying themselves’’.
Coorganisers, Central Otago arts coordinator Rebekah de Jong and musician Denis Litchfield, said the idea for the event came from a group comprising the Central Otago Arts Trust, Central Otago Musicians Inclusive Club, Liz Conway Music and Central Sounds.
Ms de Jong said it was hoped the busking festival, which was part of the annual Alexandra Thyme Festival, would ‘‘liven up the streets of Alexandra’’ and provide opportunities for performers, particularly young musicians, to perform in different settings.
Mr Litchfield said it was nice to ‘‘have some music on the streets, like you see buskers everywhere overseas’’, and he hoped the festival would encourage performers to ‘‘be brave’’ and perform elsewhere over the summer.
Thirtytwo solo and group acts feature in the festival, which runs until Friday.
Mr Cadogan said he earned $14 during his gig, and gave the money to be distributed among other buskers.