Get prepared to laugh!

News release
January 11, 2012

Get prepared to laugh!

If you’ve got the back-to-work blues help will soon be at hand. The Stronger Christchurch World Buskers Festival is just days away from opening.

The hugely popular festival is going to be bigger than ever this year, with 60 acts from 12 countries scheduled to perform from 19 to 29 January.

“It’s going to be 11 nights and 10 days of riotous fun and we can’t wait for it to get underway,” says event director Jo Blair. “We know people are hanging out for it to start and the performers are just as eager for it to get underway because they really want to help Christchurch get laughing again.’’

Last week details of a special ‘secure-a-seat’ booking system for some of the festival’s evening shows were unveiled and already most of the limited seats available have been snapped up.

“The response from the public has been amazing and clearly shows that people are really keen to kick back and have some fun,’’ says Ms Blair.

“There are still plenty of seats available for all the evening shows in The Press Club and the Inflatable Dome. People can either book their spot at the show of their choice on the day they wish to attend from the Bookings Booth at North Hagley Park, which will be open from 11am daily, or they can try their luck and simply walk up on the night. Seats will be allocated, as always, on a first come, first served basis,’’ Ms Blair says.

“And if they don’t make it in that night – there is the Stronger Christchurch Busker Comedy Club to attend – the festival’s famous ‘variety show’ performance showcasing a sample of talent every night . This used to take place in the Arts Centre’s North Quad, but we are thrilled to be rebuilding the set for Busker Park."

Reserved tables are still available at the Stronger Christchurch Busker Comedy Club. The tables, which come with a variety of hospitality options, can be purchased at www.dashtickets.co.nz.

One new ‘venue’ that is sure to prove a big hit with festival-goers is Le Tigre Bleu, a European-style mini cabaret tent, which has been set up in North Hagley Park.

An intimate venue with seating for just 40, Le Tigre Bleu will feature performances from The Daredevil Chicken Club, Devil Dan, Shep Huntly, Fraser Hooper, Rubberband Boy and some of the crown jewels of the festival.

“There are some other great free or 'walk up and donate on the door' shows every night of the festival, including completely free shows at the Christchurch Casino, and of course there will be free shows on throughout the days in North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens so the opportunity is there for everybody to enjoy the festival,’’ Ms Blair says.

Over the two weekends of the festival, Solid Energy are sponsoring several free ‘busker buses’ to bring people in to Hagley Park from the eastern suburbs. Details of when the buses will be running and where people can catch them can be found on the festival website, www.worldbuskersfestival.com.

The website also has details of all the acts appearing in this festival and details of where and when they will be performing.

“We are expecting huge crowds to turn up to the festival this year so our advice to people wanting to see particular shows is get there early,” Ms Blair says.

“If you’re still on holiday or you’ve got the day off work pack a picnic and come down and spend the whole day at Hagley Park – there will be something going on all the time to keep you entertained.’’

ends

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