If you think you have talent and want to showcase your act, email cambuskers@hotmail.comfor an application form to take part. Closing date for applications is Friday 4 July. The festival is moving from its usual dates in June to 15 – 17 August.
July 2008 saw the first ever Buskers and Street Performers Festival, which took place throughout the streets of Cambridge for three days. Cambridge City Council then went on to run another four festivals which have increased in popularity and become a highlight of the Cambridge calendar. Now Cambuskers Community Group, a new group formed by Heather Bevan-Hunt who has been organising the festival for the council since it first began, will be running the festival and continuing to build on its success. Cambuskers will bring a diverse range of music, dance and street theatre to the streets of Cambridge and Christ’s Pieces, with street performers from all over the region and beyond taking part.
There will also be music at the Earl of Beaconsfield in Mill Road and musical workshops in Millers Music Centre during the festival! So the sixth festival really will be one to remember!
Heather Bevan-Hunt, Festival Director, says, “The aim of the Cambuskers Community Group is to celebrate and embrace all the talent and culture we have in the city and to highlight the ‘Street Performers Code of Practice’ throughout the festival. This code of conduct aims to ensure that businesses, residents and visitors can enjoy a time honoured tradition, which goes back to medieval times. This event creates a fabulous atmosphere throughout the city centre streets and brings visitors in to the city."
She goes on to say, “It’s a great opportunity for young up and coming performers to showcase their act where the street is the stage! With such a varied programme of entertainment throughout the festival there will be something to suit every taste.”
This free three-day event will begin at 10am through to 4pm in the city centre streets (later at certain venues) and should create a wonderful ambience in the city.
Cllr Carina O’Reilly, Executive Councillor for the City Centre and Public Places, said, “Cambridge is a city of music and festivals and busking is a vibrant and important part of that. I’m delighted that Cambuskers Community Group will be running the festival this year and Cambridge City Council is pleased to be a supporter of such an exciting event. I would encourage buskers and street performers to apply to take part in a festival that brings visitors in to the city to enjoy the amazing array of talent that we have in Cambridge.”
Cambuskers would like to thank this year’s supporters of the event, which includes, Millers Music Centre, The Earl of Beaconsfield, Cambridge Dutchbikes Ltd, Cambridge Bid, Cambridge City Council, Cambridge 105 Community Radio and Cambridge Newspapers.
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