The inaugural Southland Buskers' Festival was held in Invercargill from February 5 - 7 2010.
Ten international acts from the World Buskers' Festival in Christchurch performed in over 40 outdoor street shows and two evening shows; in Queens Park, at Wachner Place in the inner city, at the Farmers Market at Southland Boys' High School and for the late-night shows at Waxy O'Shea's.
The Talent
The line-up of talent at the 2010 Southland Buskers' Festival included:
DAREDEVIL CHICKEN CLUB (USA)
www.daredevilchicken.com
When an American cheeseball loves a Russian princess / mail-order bride, a vaudevillian feast of comic proportions ensues. Winner of the prestigous BEST INTERNATIONAL act in the Press's Critics' Choice award in the 2010 World Buskers Festival in Christchurch.
ACROBUFFOS (USA)
www.acrobuffos.com
Acrobuffos present their brand of volatile street theatre in the show WATERBOMBS! - a water balloon gladiator show with comic antics set to loud opera music!
MEET PETE (USA)
www.slackrope.com
When given the chance to reveal his hidden talents, this seemingly awkward nerd lets loose. He is a jazz singing fanatic, a slackrope master and he juggles like a man with six arms! And get a load of that cowlick.
THE FLASH (USA)
www.acrojuggling.com
A high- energy acrobatic, juggling and comedy duo that has been performing in circuses, theatres, and busking festivals all over the world since 2000. This duo is fantastic!
BETTY BRAWN- STRONG WOMAN (AUST)
www.stronglady.com
This strong lady delivers an exhilarating array of feats of strength! She tears a thick book in half, twists solid metal, lifts grown men into the air as though they were feathers. Betty delivers her incredible feats of strength, not in the brutish style of a Strongman, but with the elegance of a Strong Lady.
DUO HOOPS- (CAN)
www.beckyhoops.com
Duo Hoops will intrigue you as much with their tricks as their absurd humour. One enormous hula hoop, two eccentric characters… it’s gonna be FUN!
MULLETMAN (NZ)
www.nznc.co.nz
An expert in leave-in hair conditioners, Mulletman exudes a sensitivity that only an upbringing of Metallica could inspire. He has no world records and he’s not the best ever. Skilful and funny, that's it...Winner of the Press's Critics' Choice Award for best NZ act at the World Buskers' Festival in Christchurch.
RUBBERBAND BOY or KEITH PREENE (NZ)
The Rubberband Boy’s acts of facial contortion have earned him the elite status of Guinness World Record holder, a ‘Best Comedy’ Award and New Zealand representative at "The World Gurning Championships" in Tokyo. And for this festival he’s brought along his alter ego Keith Preene….someone so weird it’s too bad he doesn’t have a twin.
ANGEL STATUE (NZ)
Shelly Dingwell
Shelly Dingwell brings her original living Angel statue to the festival. Not only beautiful but blessed!