The third Buskers and Street Performers Festival took place last week in the streets of Cambridge city centre. The city resounded with the sound of music, dance, magic acts and more. There were also acts at Christ’s Pieces, D’Arry’s Cookhouse and Wine Shop and the Hope Street Yard.
There was a diverse range of music and dance throughout the city centre, with buskers from all over the region and beyond taking part.
Heather Bevan-Hunt, Festival Organiser said: “I am delighted with the response to the festival from residents, visitors and businesses in the city. There was a fabulous atmosphere throughout the city centre. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying this festival. Music and dance does bring a smile to people's faces and is so uplifting. The standard of performances this year was truly outstanding.
“The objectives of the event were to not only have a great time and enjoy the array of acts on offer, but to also launch the new and revised ‘Street Performers Code of Practice’, which is a much clearer guide for all".
A competition was held for the public to vote for their favourite busker throughout the festival. With nearly 100 responses collected and only two votes separating first and second places, the overall winner of the festival is: ‘Karmadillo’ (acoustic in the same vein as the Divine Comedy) singing and playing charango. The charango is a South American folk instrument. ‘Karmadillo’ will receive tickets to the Cambridge Folk Festival and a series of gigs at Henry’s Café/Bar, Quayside. 'Karmadillo’, performed individually in the festival and was also part of the UkeyLove group.
Second prize this year goes to Gavin Adam Wood, singer/songwriter, acoustic guitar and vocals. Gavin was last year’s winner.
Third prize this year goes to, ‘Chancellors of Vice’, a four-piece band playing soul/funk music.
Mario Morris, Comedy Magician, took first prize in the Variety Street Performers category of the competition.
DSPickett took first prize in the Young Performers category (under 18s).
A draw for the public to win prizes took place in the Market Square. Bridget Leavens from Graves flower stall picked out the winning coupon. Simone Castello from Cambridge wins two full festival tickets with camping for the Cambridge Rock Festival, which takes place from 5th – 8th August at the Haggis Farm Polo Club, Cambridge Road, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7AT. You can see some of the buskers from this year’s festival perform at the buskers station at the Cambridge Rock Festival, cambridgerockfestival.co.uk
A party and jam session for the buskers took place after the festival and was hosted by the Cricketers, Melbourn Place – a big thank you goes to Martin and Audrey for providing a delicious buffet for the buskers and for their wonderful hospitality throughout the evening.
A massive thanks goes to the following companies and organisations for donating such great prizes and for their support of the festival:
Cambridge Rock Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Summer in the City, Ken Stevens Music & Instruments, Henry’s Café Bar, Cambridge United Football Club, The Grafton Centre, The Cambridge Toy Shop, Cambridge Dutchbikes, Urban Larder, Sundaes, TIC, and The Junction.
The festival was supported this year by, Cambridge Dutchbikes, Urban Larder, The Electric Transport Shop (all at Hope Street Yard), Ken Stevens Music & Instruments, D’Arry’s Cookhouse & Wine Shop and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
