Media please note the contact for this release is Charlie Unwin on 03 546 0254 or 0211 790 111

Buskerburgoo - the Nelson Street Buskers and Street Theatre - Thurs 2 to Sun 5 February

Rustle up some cash, pack a picnic – it’s time to head for Nelson city and some world class entertainment out on the streets.

Buskerburgoo – the Nelson Buskers and Street Theatre Series, is presented as part of the Nelson City Council’s Summer in Nelson programme, and starts on Thursday February 2. Council Festival Producer Charlie Unwin says he's thrilled with the line up of five top international acts, which form a hearty mix just like the original burgoo, the porridge served on Nelson’s sailing ships.

“It’s hard to get busking acts that are not all based on juggling, so we are really pleased to have managed to secure such a varied line up,” he says. “All the way from Iceland we have Lee Nelson with the Wally Show, a seamless blend of high level circus skills; then there is Jacqui Algie as Miss Australia 1963 with her audience participation talent show combined with her own sassy catwalk act complete with handbag twirling; and juggling football freestyler Victor Rubilar fromSweden, who just took out the People’s Choice at the Auckland International Buskers Festival.”

Charlie says they are also pleased to include the Twisty Twins from Christchurch’s Loons Theatre in the programme: “They have done the hard yards as roving street performers, but Buskerburgoo gives them the opportunity to deliver their own show.”

The programme starts with Buskers On The Streets at the Top of Trafalgar Street on Thursday 2 Feb & Friday 3 Feb, 11am-2.30pm and Saturday 4 Feb, 10.30-2pm.

When Buskers Go Bad is at The Boathouse on Thursday 2 Feb, 8pm & Friday 3 Feb, 8.30pm. Tickets for this adults only show are on sale at Everyman or at thedoor.

Buskers On Stage at the Church Steps completes the programme with two family shows on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 Feb, at 6pm. You’ll want cushions or low chairs and a picnic or you can eat out at food stalls.

Don’t forget cash to reward these zany hard-working buskers who live to entertainyou.

Buskerburgoo is part of Summer In Nelson, presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors. More info at Nelsonfestivals.co.nz

Programme details:

THE WALLY SHOW - Lee Nelson

The Wally Show is a seamless blend of high level circus skills and quirky comedy. Wally draws heavily upon his circus school education and addiction to juggling to create unique skills that are a combination of manipulation, contortion and acrobatics.

His comedy is a perfect mix of slapstick and double entendre innuendo that keeps the kids giggling at oddball antics while adults chortle at the never ending stream of verbosity that pours from Wally's mouth. In 15 years of street performing Wally can't believe that he has never received a complaint even though by his own admission he sometimes does go a bit too far.

The breathtaking finale of The Wally Show is a real crowd pleaser. He is the only performer in the world working four metres in the air, atop the footpegs of a freestanding ladder on the street. The trick is the hardest trick he knows and the culmination of his life’s work to date.....his mother is very proud! www.wallyshow.com

FELICITY FOOTLOOSE - Natasha McGhie

The Felicity Footloose show is full of fun and frolics, watch as Felicity dances, juggles and performs death defying stunts to win over her hero Johnny! She even goes as far as to juggle knives hanging upside down!! www.felicityfootloosecom

MISS AUSTRALIA - Jacqui Algie

Miss Australia 1963 brings Louis Vuitton glamour from the catwalk to the streets of Nelson. Back on the road, suitcases, lipstick and powder packed, the irrepressible Madge Allseasons is a hard act to tame. She's worldly, savvy and beware, she's not afraid to comment on your fashion. This is a highlyinteractive show that features a talent quest where Madge shows off her ownaward winning handbag twirling and also a sassy catwalk.

VICTOR RUBILAR – from Argentina and living in Sweden

At the age of 15 Victor realized that he would never find a girl only with hislooks. It was then when the plan was born. To become the best in the world of something. For unknown reasons that something ended up being football freestyling and juggling.

‘The things that Victor can do with a football are mesmerizing’ – according to the Director in Chief of the Guinness Book of Records. Victor's crusade to findlove took him all the way to break four Guinness World records. In his showVictor will mix a Latino soap opera show with the passion of a football arena. Be prepared to be amazed with his football skills, entertained with his hilarious comedy but most of all be prepare to be surprised with his world renowned bike (spoiler alert)! A family show that everybody can enjoy. Victor combines juggling with footballs, juggling balls, acrobatic, magic and loads of comedy. victorrubilar.com

THE TWISTY TWINZ - Jola and Nele Siezen

The twins immigrated to New Zealand from Germany when they were six and began their circus skills on trees and vines in an outdoor childhood on the Coromandel,later training in theatre and circus. They now specialize in adagio (duo acrobatics), duo aerial silk and acrobatic stilt walking. Over the last sixyears they have travelled extensively, performing, training and teaching throughout New Zealand, Australia and Europe, working with a variety of artists and performers.

Their skills also include aerial silk, aerial silk cloud swing and stilt acrobatics, contortion, hand-balance and so much more.. Together they amuse, confuse and mesmerise- turning any frown upside down.

www.twistytwinz.com

ENDS

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