ONCE Searches for Melbourne's Best Busker; Vote Among Final Five thru Jan 16

ONCE the musical is searching for Melbourne's Best Busker -- a talented singer / musician who will be given the chance to open a performance of ONCE the musical at Melbourne's Princess Theatre with an onstage jam session.

After putting out the call to Melbourne's street musicians, ONCE received an overwhelming response from the city's talented buskers. The team from ONCE sifted through applications and narrowed the field to five finalists. The public will now determine who Melbourne's Best Busker is by voting for the five finalists. Public voting opens on Tuesday January 6 and closes at 5pm on Friday January 16 2015, on oncemusical.com.au/busker.

Along with opening a performance of ONCE, the winning busker will also win themselves a Martin guitar -- a Martin Road Series DRSGT valued at $1699 RRP -- and four tickets to bring their mates along to see the show.

Four runners-up will each receive a pair of tickets to see the show on Thursday 22 January 2015, along with a set of Martin SP Lifespan strings.

Based on the Irish film of the same name which became a surprise international hit in 2006 and won an Oscar for Best Song ("Falling Slowly"), ONCE follows the tender romance of an Irish busker and a beautiful Czech immigrant. The musical retains the film's folk rock feel, with music written by Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Marke?ta Irglova?.

The team was inspired to bring the story of ONCE alive and discover the best busking talent on Melbourne's streets!

Five Finalists:

Grim Fawkner, 27, Bendigo
Josh Romig, 25, Doncaster
Melanie Taylor, 21, Southbank
Simon Paparo, 32, Northcote
Shane Edmunds, 35, Elsternwick

Entrants submitted a video link of themselves busking. From those entries the team from ONCE selected the Top five finalists. From Tuesday 6 January 2015, the public can get involved in the search for Melbourne's Best Busker and vote for their favourite busker via oncemusical.com.au/busker.

The winner will be announced on Monday 19 January and perform with the cast of ONCE on Thursday 22 January 2015 at Melbourne's Princess Theatre.