belgrave buskers festival - calling all buskers - time to register

It's time for the annual Belgrave Buskers Festival, so get your registration in now. I wouldn't miss it, in fact I can't miss it, I'm one of the guest judges for the Solo category. It's a great opportunity to strut your stuff and there's prizes, click here for more info.

 

belgrave abuzz with buskers

Local singer/songwriter Ben Kelly and myself were
judges for one of the solo stages. We were treated to
a great array of busking performances throughout the
day and had great fun, the spirit of the day was terrific. 

I had a great time over the weekend at the Belgrave Buskers Festival.

The event, held for the second time, was organised by the Belgrave Traders Association with the assistance of a Shire of Yarra Ranges community grant. 

Busking spots were dotted throughout the town, so buskers
could put their hat down to drum up trade.

The traders would like the festival to become known as the festival that marks the last weekend of summer, and at 33 degrees, the weather was certainly summery.

Here I am pictured with Justine Walsh, local spoken word artist.
Justine won the Darren Jones Encouragement  Award, an award
given to the artist recognised with great potential who could
reap great rewards from encouragement.

Onlookers were treated to an enormous array of buskers from solos, duos, groups, youth and primary aged performers.

Sean Carroll provided great entertainment with a
mix of covers and originals, our last performer for the
day, he was working hard in the heat. Sean took out
second prize in the solo category.

The streets were alive with music and people enjoying the sights and sounds of Belgrave. Community Radio station 3MDR (97.1) provided a live broadcast of the day as well. The entertainment continued into the night with Belgrave's live music venues providing performance time for buskers.

This yarn bombed cherry tree from the End of the Line Festival
provided another busking spot for aspiring performers.

There was drumming in the park and spoken word performance, To the ends of the 'Verse, as well. I'm really pleased to learn that the spoken word event will become a regular monthly event in Belgrave, thanks to Chocolate Sensation for the venue and Justine Walsh for her commitment to see it happen.

Jared Duffy covered some classic rock songs as part
of his perfomance, he took out an encouragement award
for his efforts.

I must particularly thank Belgrave Trader's Association coordinator, Marina Dennis. Marina did an amazing job pulling the event together, her dedication and passion for the arts in the region is a wonderful asset for the community.

The youth stage saw some great entertainment from those
young budding performers in our community.

I'm already looking forward to next year's festival!

The undercroft of the stables at Earthly Pleasures provided
a great stage for duos.

Winners were:
Primary (under 11s)
1st Anya    2nd Heath
Youth (12 to 16 years)
1st Jack   2nd Justin
Solo (open age) Stage 1
1st Mel Wilkinson
2nd Sean Carroll
Encouragement awards to Rudy the One Man Band and Jared Duffy
Solo (open age) Stage 2
1st Sally Carter
2nd Glenn Scolyer
Encouragement awards to Ella Ruby and Carol McCoy
Duo (open age)
1st Kate Crowley and Michael Waugh
2nd Kaitlin Marie Duo
Group (open age)
1st D'caf
2nd Jakk's Azimuth
Encouragement awards to River Tribe and Melting Pot
Darren Jones Encouragement Award
Justine Walsh

Congratulations to you all and to organisers for a great day in Belgrave.



This cherry tree was yarn bombed just in time for the festival,
thanks to Danni from Walk in Wardrobe.

belgrave bursting with buskers

Belgrave was filled with music on Saturday for the inaugural Belgrave Buskers Festival.

Organised by the Belgrave Traders Association, it was a great opportunity for local artists to hit the streets and perform to passers by as well as onlookers.

Competition was fierce with over 30 entries vying for cash prizes. Performances were split into three categories, Groups, Duos and Solo performances. Buskers performed throughout the town in four different sites.

The festival was a great celebration of local live music in the hills, it was great to see local community radio station, 3MDR broadcast live from downtown Belgrave.

I had the great pleasure of being one of the judges, my category Solo Performances, I was lucky to be helped by co-judges Dave Goonan (3MDR), Jenny Biddle (Busker of the Year) and Kieran Dennis(Burrinja).

There was enormous diversity in the acts making it a hard task to pick winners, but after much conversation and evaluation by the judges, a list of winners was announced for the day.

Here's first place Solo performer winner, Bryce Turcato with me and my fellow judge Dave Goonan. Bryce gave an amazing performance using a loop pedal, bass guitar and french horn he played some great tunes and it was his first public performance ever, he's got a great future!

In first place:
Group: Folk Train
Duo: Le Toot
Solo: Bryce Turcato

In second place:
Group: Fat Chance
Duo: Sista Suite
Solo: Sally Carter

In third place:
Group: Chestnut Street Orchestra
Duo: Jen & Hen
Solo: Ziggy Pop

My congratulations to organisers, I look forward to the Belgrave Buskers Festival become an annual event in the Hills calendar.

buskers coming to belgrave - 25 feb

What better way to spend the last weekend of summer than enjoying the Belgrave Buskers Festival.

An initiative by the Belgrave Trader's Association, the festival will fill the streets with entertainment.

When: Saturday 25 Feb 11am to 4pm
Where: Belgrave main street (Burwood Hwy) - high side, Commonwealth Bank for bands and Duncans for solos

I'm delighted to join 3MDR's Dave Goonan, Oscar's Gypsy Merritt and Guitar Guru's Guy Mallaby as judges on the day.

If you'd like to enter contact the Belgrave Traders on 9754 1027 or beltraders@belgrave.net.au, entry forms online here.

It's going to be a great way to celebrate everything local, I look foward to seeing you there.

(and don't forget you can keep enjoying everything Belgrave has to offer by going to the three-one-six-oh! film festival that night at the Cameo Outdoor Cinema)