Your time to shine at BuskFest 2012

Banbridge is set to host its ninth annual international BuskFest event on Saturday 23 June from 1-6pm and buskers and street performers from near and far are invited to take part.

Banbridge District Council wants this year’s event to showcase a mixture of weird, wonderful and wacky talent. So sign up if you can eat fire while walking on stilts, juggle knives while crooning a well-known chorus, play the ukulele on a unicycle, rap to Revel’s Bolero or prove you’ve got the moves like Jagger or have mastered Michael’s moonwalk. The world of busking holds no bars and BuskFest gives you a platform to show off your talents.

Cash prizes of between £250 and £1000 will be awarded to winners in a number of categories including Overall Winner, Best Individual, Best Band, Best Performance, Best Junior Performer and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, which is sponsored by The Outlet.

BBC Radio and TV personality Ralph McLean, who will judge at the event, said: “As a music lover, I am delighted to be associated with BuskFest. If you haven’t yet visited this unique and highly entertaining event, you must! It guarantees a fantastic family day out with a great atmosphere of live music, dynamic street theatre, comedy and entertainment.”

Over 60 acts have already registered to perform at BuskFest but there’s still time to register right up until the morning of the event. Performers will also be able to register between 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday 23 June at Banbridge Old Town Hall in Scarva Street.

Malachi Cush will be guest appearing in various venues at The Outlet on the afternoon of Saturday 23 June. Shoppers are invited to come along and watch Malachi perform in Simply Deanes (3.15pm-3.30pm), Starbucks (3.45pm-4pm), Costa (4.15pm-4.30pm) and The Streat (4.45pm-5pm).

Details about the busking festival, competition rules and registration are available at www.buskfest.com and on Facebook.