12th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest Continues Rain or Shine 8/28

Scotiabank BuskerFest in support of Epilepsy Toronto is in full swing - rain or shine - and will run to August 28 throughout Toronto's St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood.

The 12th annual Scotiabank BuskerFest is bigger and more exciting than ever, with a stellar array of over 100 of the world's best street performers from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States - 50% of whom have never before been seen at the festival before.

Scotiabank BuskerFest offers something for everyone - jaw-dropping acts for audiences of all ages, fabulous music, great activities for kids in Scotiabank BuskerPlay, cool contests, spectacular fire performances, a beer garden, delicious food choices - and just plain fun! Scotiabank BuskerFest is North America's largest festival of its kind and the largest epilepsy awareness event in the world.

This year's performer lineup boasts 45 different acts; over the course of the 4 day festival, they will perform over 300 shows on 9 different main stage pitches including Magic Corner, a stage dedicated completely to magic; plus 5 music pitches, free workshops during the day and numerous roaming acts which can pop up anywhere throughout the festival site at any time.

While awesome acts and events happen all over the site throughout the weekend, special performances include:

THURSDAY August 25
12 noon to 11pm throughout St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
o Photo ops abound! See high-flying aerial artists, knife-wielding jugglers, mysterious magicians, comic contortionists, awesome musicians and much more!

FRIDAY August 26
12 noon to 11pm is Scotiabank Day throughout St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
o Scotiabank has committed to matching funds raised for Epilepsy Toronto through merchandise sales over the course of the weekend, and the benefit shows below, up to a total of $15,000.

5pm - 8pm
o Three special shows with American Sign Language Interpretation at the Metro Stage (Berczy Park). Another accessibility initiative offers wheelchair-reserved seating areas at the Scotiabank and CTV stages.

9:30pm
o The Fire Show at the Scotiabank Stage at Church & Front St. (rain date August 27)
o The 6th Annual Fire Show showcases the 'hottest' fire performers at the festival. Normally buskers keep the proceeds that they gather after a performance; but, for this special performance and the Finale, all proceeds go to Epilepsy Toronto!

9:35pm
o The Fire Show will be dedicated to the memory of Jack Layton who, had many ties to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, including being a city councillor for it in the early days of his political career. A 5 minute ceremony honouring him with special guests in attendance will take place.

SATURDAY August 27
Festival runs 11am to 11pm throughout St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood

10:30am - Noon
o Join the buskers at the Scotiabank BuskerBrunch. This buffet brunch features special entertainment provided by a selection of the festival's top out-of-town buskers, Hosted by the Novotel Toronto Centre, this is a ticketed event with a portion of proceeds going to support Epilepsy Toronto. For tickets: Julie.pilkington@accor.com

Noon - 1pm
o Canada's Next Top Dog - Taking place on the Scotiabank Stage (Front and Church St), 10 teams have been selected from across Canada to take part in a live cook off and will compete for a chance to WIN the $25,000 Grand Prize!

SUNDAY August 28
Festival runs 11am to 8pm throughout St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
o Photo ops of extraordinary acts abound throughout the area!

6:30pm
Grand Finale at the Metro Stage in Berczy Park (near Church & Front St.)
o Scotiabank BuskerFest wraps up with another hot show: the Grande Finale. This Gala performance features a collection of different buskers collaborating and showing off the best of their talents. All proceeds will be graciously donated to Epilepsy Toronto. As well, the winner of this year's Metro People's Choice Award will be awarded to the act that received the most audience votes.

12th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday, August 25 - Sunday, August 28, 2011
throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood:
Front Street from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street, and all adjacent side streets
Thursday, noon - 10 p.m., Friday, noon - 11 p.m.,
Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto.
www.torontobuskerfest.com www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto.

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