Buskers brace for trip into the unknown
Busking in front of a crowd of random people can make for some interesting experiences.
Lady Whistle from Romania is set to entertain the city’s summer crowds as a living statue during the Nelson Buskers Festival, while the Australian Bubble Laboratory blows bubbles in every conceivable shape and size.
Kurt Murray from Bubble Laboratory said the strangest thing he can recall happening while busking was when a man thought it was a good idea to throw his baby through the giant bubble he had made.
‘‘He did not catch it, myself and the audience were horrified as he grabbed the crying baby and briskly walked away.’’
Lady Whistle Iulia Benze said the weirdest thing that had happened to her while busking was ‘‘having a flash off with a kilted scotsman’’ during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Murray said they were excited to be performing in Nelson for the first time.
‘‘We have met many other performers who sing praises of Nelson’s festival atmosphere and the beauty of the nature in the town and area.’’
He said he and his partner Iulia performed in more than 10 countries a year, and rarely did shows in their home countries of Australia and Romania.
Kurt started busking in 2011 because he thought there was an ‘‘allure’’ to the craft.
‘‘I have zero regrets for following my instinct.’’
Nelson City Council team leader festivals Axel de Maupeou said the buskers they chose this year all spoke English, which would make for more spontaneous interactions with the public.
The buskers came from Aust- ralia, Canada, Romania, the United States and New Zealand.
In addition to Lady Whistle and Bubble Laboratory, Nathaniel Rankin from Canada, Sport Suzie from New Zealand, Mr Spin from Australia and Her Majesty’s Secret Circus from the US would all be performing during the event.
De Maupeou said they were selected because they all performed unique and different shows, and they all had a high level of ‘‘creative and technical prowess’’.
‘‘It’s kind of like putting a menu together where you really have to make sure that they’re all complementary.
‘‘They all have something quirky, and a high level of engagement with the audience is important.’’
De Maupeou said the fact the top of Trafalgar St was now pedestrian only would be an advantage to the buskers, with more people already walking around in the area.