Toronto’s landscape wouldn’t be nearly the same without the music we mostly stopped noticing. However, some people base careers on their ability to perform for very little. Ever heard of the Barenaked Ladies? Two guys who got their start busking on the streets. Many more have talents worthy of recognition.
A TTC performer is expected to audition as well as pay a $150 licence fee in order to perform. In return, practiced performers may be able to earn that amount back within a couple of hours. But for some acts, the containment of a subway station isn’t enough. An entire festival, Buskerfest, has been dedicated to the art of street performance, where the average guy-on-the-street act is replaced by elaborate productions worthy enough to sell out an arena.
Buskerfes
t, established in 1999, is the largest festival dedicated to street performing in North America, and takes place every summer. Although the focus of this festival is to raise funds and awareness for epilepsy, the stars of the shows are the hundreds of performers with a multitude of talents.
The distinguishing part of street performing is the reason why. Everyone who is on the street has their different reasons. The student trying to make extra cash with his guitar; a travelling circus who gather crowds in a city square; seasoned low-income performers who spend hours upon hours in the same spot. Since there are no statistics determining how and why people perform, it’s necessary to pay attention to individual cases who can at least speak on behalf of the group.
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