It's a while since I posted something here, so having taken several pictures at this year's Buskerfest, I thought it might be fun to share them.
I hadn't been to this spectacle for a while; it used to be held along Front Street, and got kind of crowded in the narrow space. So, when they moved it to Woodbine Park a few years ago, I intended to go, but didn't get around to it until this year - my loss!
There were several stations in the wide-open spaces of the park that made it much easier to see each of the acts.
As seems to be my fate, several of them seemed to wind up just as I'd get there, but I was still able to get some decent shots.
This first act called himself Reuben DotDotDot, and, as you can see, was a daring aerialist. This was the climax of his act, where he balanced on a pole 17 feet high, on only one arm, then dismounted, sliding down the pole head first!
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| The pole was being held up by those four cables, which were anchored by volunteers from the audience! |
The next act was Jack Wise, an Irish magician.
He had great stage patter (with a charming accent, as you can imagine!), and had great fun teasing the young boy from the audience, whom he had given trick glasses ("for eye protection"), which made everything appear about six inches lower than it actually was!
He "gave away" the trick he was doing - making it seem like a playing card appeared in that opaque green balloon - then made one appear in a clear balloon anyway!
This act was called the Mental Floss Sideshow. You were supposed to go inside this tiny tent and see "ten oddities and curiosities," but this gentleman was just as entertaining, with a steady stream of very authentic 19th-century carnival-barker dialogue.
Having a pavilion to themselves, this act, from Ontario, was called The Twisted Ones.
They made animals, crowns, tiaras and hats for children, but also incredible life-sized creations, like this dragon creature - all from balloons!
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| The little boy at left seems ready to defend himself. En garde! |
This fellow called himself Wacky Chad, and used a number of novelty vehicles, like a tiny bike, regular unicycle, and this 10-foot high one.
Like Reuben DotDotDot, he got several men from the audience to help him mount this unicycle, and then had a young woman toss him two pins and a large knife to juggle while up there!
Oh, and there was music as well, from several performers.
I got a shot of this local a cappela group, After Hours, who, with only a pitch pipe, sang everything from 1950s doo-wop to George Harrison.
This act was called The Big Wheel Show, and featured Hannah Cryle, a gymnast who performed with hoops, as well as on this large German Wheel.
Unfortunately, I found her timing and patter a little off-putting - frankly, she seemed kind of cranky! - and didn't stick around for the whole act.
The last act I caught was FlameOz - from Australia, as you might expect.
There were three performers, and this husband-and-wife duo performed some amazing tricks with these fiery cables.
I didn't get a pic of it, but she then spun flaming hula hoops while standing on his shoulders!
So, after a few enjoyable hours, I headed out.
Going out the east exit, I came across this amazing musical contraption. It made me think of something out of Dr. Seuss; all these little "whos" were sure having a blast banging away on it!
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| Why aren't there more fun things like this in Toronto's parks? |
The hot weather made me tired, but it sure was a fun afternoon!
I also recently went to the Beaches Jazz Festival along Queen Street East. Like this event, I hadn't been in some years, but had such a great time that I couldn't help wondering why I didn't go every year!
Note to self...
