07fc-festival-cairns-ergon-energy-busking-festival-july-08-prMEDIA INFORMATION Wednesday 23 July 2008
ERGON ENERGY ADDS A LIVELY BEAT TO CITY STREETS WITH BUSKING FESTIVAL
Picture: Alfred & Seymour – The Blackstreet Boyz from US will perform live on the streets of Cairns during Festival Cairns 2008
This September, Festival Cairns will add a lively beat to city streets with news today Ergon Energy will present the region’s first ever busking competition culminating in a three day finale spectacular of international acts.
In essence, Ergon Energy Busking Festival is all about enlivening the streets of Cairns with all types of music and street performance.
Staged in the two key pitches (locations) of City Place and the Esplanade from Thursday 4 September to Saturday 20 September, the program of street entertainment incorporates an Open Busking Competition for amateur performers of all ages and a three day program of four international acts that include such street headliners as world-class crazy break-dancing comedians from the US, Black Street Boys, New York based pogo stick tricksters, The Pogo Dudes, quirky unicyclist jugglers with hilarious ladder antics from New Zealand, Motley 2 and cocky Irish magician and illusionist, Patrick McCullagh.
Ergon Energy’s corporate communications manager (far north), Gaylene Whenmouth said they are proud to get behind this new and exciting event that is all about introducing colour, movement and music to the streets of Cairns.
“We look forward to doing our bit to bring Cairns alive with street theatre that is bound to draw and delight crowds as talented musicians and buskers know how,” she said.
For amateur buskers, the Open Busking Competition is an opportunity to win $1000 in prize money for a small entry fee of just $20 (permit included). There will be four heats held at City Place with judges selecting the best of the best based on content, performance and audience response.
The lucky amateur finalists will perform on the Esplanade stage and battle it out for the best local busker as well as the cash prize. This grand final judging will take place on Friday 19 September (4-6pm) – prior to finale day – and the winner will be determined by a panel of professional street performers as well as Cairns Regional Council and Ergon Energy panellists.
Registrations for the Open Busking Competition are being taken now. Contact Claudette on tel: 07 4044 3715 or email name, age, contact details and act description to c.bartos@cairns.qld.gov.au. For more information, visit www.cairnsesplanade.com.au
With regards to the professional element of the festival, each of the four visiting professionals will perform six shows over Festival Cairns’ three final days on Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September. These performances of between 40 and 50 minutes duration will take place at both key pitches – City Place and the Esplanade – and be programmed in such a way that people can get to see each and every act.
Capping off a truly entertaining and cultural program on finale day, the Cairns community will be invited to enjoy a simultaneous performance featuring all professional buskers and amateur finalists as a highlight of the Parade of Lights procession along the esplanade.
According to Mrs Whenmouth, each international act has been carefully selected for its ability to work in a variety of situations and experience in working a crowd.
Festival Cairns 2008 will run from Wednesday 27 August to Saturday 20 September, 2008.
For further information about Festival Cairns 2008, click on www.festivalcairns.com.au or contact management company, Events Cairns on tel: 07 4051 0222 / email: info@eventscairns.com
Ends
For further information on Ergon Energy’s Busking Festival, contact:
Melinda Norris,
Ergon Energy’s Busking Festival Event Manager
Bright Black AV
Ph: (07) 4057 5544
Mob: 0400 798 425
Email: melinda@brightblackav.com.au
Claudette Bartos
Registrations and information for Open Amateur Busking Competition
Cairns Regional Council
Ph: (07) 4044 3715
Email: c.bartos@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Internet: www.cairnsesplanade.com.au
Gaylene Whenmouth
Corporate Communications Manager (Far North)
Ergon Energy
Ph: (07) 4080 4891
Mob: 0418 502 891
Email: gaylene.whenmouth@ergon.com.au
For all publicity enquiries, contact:
Pip Miller
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au
Note: Images available on request and supporting info document available on request.