Buskers bid for £1,000 jackpot in Dungannon

The ‘Battle of the Buskers’ will bring musicians and singers onto the streets of Dungannon to compete for a coveted first prize pot of £1,000, with others scooping an opportunity to produce a promotional video sponsored by Dungannon Enterprise Centre, and £100 prizes for the best young performer and Spirit of Battle of the Buskers.

The battle begins at 12 noon as buskers take to their pitches, and as well as live music, visitors and shoppers to the town centre will also be treated to other street performers, with face painting and balloon modelling for children.

Dungannon Library will also be taking up the musical theme with a Rhythm and Rhyme session taking place at 11am, followed by an iMovie taster session from 2pm to 3pm.

The day will round off with an awards ceremony in Market Square at 4.30pm, when the judges along with Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Linda Dillon, will announce the winners of Dungannon’s first ever Battle of the Buskers.

The opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere will continue into the evening in the restaurants and bars around the town centre.

The event has been organised by Mid Ulster District Council in partnership with Dungannon Regeneration Partnership and Dungannon Traders Association.

Judges on the day include Andrea Begley, winner of the BBC1 talent show, The Voice, Raymond Stewart of Stewart’s Music Shop, and musicians, Alan Jardine and Robert Kirkland (former Reflections) who will be pounding the pavements to assess the musical ability, passion and interaction of the buskers.

For more information visit www.dungannonlife.com.