Calling all talented, skillful, crazy, quirky and outrageous artists: the Sunshine Coast needs you at Australia’s award-winning, family friendly busker festival.
The renowned Buskers by the Creek festival has been reborn as Buskers by the Lake and relocated to Lake Kawana from October 29 to 31.
The three-day festival will be an eclectic showcase of music, comedy, dance talent, street theatre, magic acts, circus stunts and sideshow performances.
A bigger, brighter area will celebrate more than 300 popular and amateur acts.
The first festival was held in 2014 and the event has since hosted several superstars, including singer songwriter Tones And I, who went on to make history as the first artist to stick at No.1 on the ARIA Singles Chart with smash hit Dance Monkey for a whopping 24 weeks.
Among the accolades, the festival won Live Music Event of the Year in its second year and was named Queensland’s Best New Event for welcoming 20,000 visitors annually to enjoy buskers over 13 stages.
After six successful years on the Gold Coast, co-founder and event director Cindy Jensen said the move to a new, larger Sunshine Coast location would enable the grassroots festival to embrace its craziness, boldness and uniqueness to the fullest and celebrate the true art of busking.
She is ready to welcome musicians like Scrimshaw Four, Chev Wilson and Lucy Gallant, as well as other artists, performers and audiences back outdoors in spring and is calling for buskers to register to come out and play.
“Anyone can apply now to be involved and share their talent – the more the better,” she said.
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“We’re excited to have signed up Australia’s most prolific Guinness World Record-holder Space Cowboy, and renowned one-man-band Juzzie Smith.
“We have space for another 150 acts to join us and welcome everyone from musicians to magicians.”
Jensen said Buskers by the Lake remained a grassroots festival at heart and offered the opportunity for anyone to perform, no matter their ability.
“Last year was devastating for many people, so we decided to revisit our ‘Loveland’ festival theme in 2021 to bring love and happiness back into the community and get everyone together again for an exciting program of top local and internationally renowned talent,” she said.
“We are extra mindful that COVID-19 has impacted artists terribly, so we’ve revived our past Loveland theme in tribute to the arts community and to celebrate all cultures and abilities, together.
“We’ve had terrific support already from Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast and our team is ready to welcome artists back to the stages and our hearts this year at Lake Kawana.”
Artists can apply online at www.buskersbythelake.com.au/apply-now
The full program is at www.buskersbythelake.com.au
EVENT DATES
Battle of the Buskers
October 29: Eleven Dive Bar, Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore
Buskers by the Lake Festival
October 30-31: Lake Kawana, Sunshine Coast Stadium foreshore
La Freak Cabaret
October 30: Venue 114, Sportsmans Pde, Bokarina
Official Closing Party
October 31: Lake Kawana, SC Stadium Foreshore
