Buskerfest 2015 brings 'world-class' street performers to Vancouver
Festival runs from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver
A diverse array of street performers including mimes, musicians and magicians are descending upon Vancouver this weekend for the 2015 Buskerfest.
"There are tricks and stunts and art being produced this weekend that you won't see in a circus, you won't see in a galley, you won't see it anywhere. This is world-class talent coming to town," said Eden Cheung, a whip-cracking, cowboy magician based in Vancouver.
The Buskerfest runs from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver. There will be 25 acts from 10 different countries performing 200 barrier-free shows.
"It's like no other job. It's an honest way to make a living, you're only paid by the people watching the show," said Fred Grzybowski, better known as Pogo Fred, who will be performing this weekend.
Both Cheung and Grzybowski say it can be a difficult job, given the amount of practice needed and the challenge of getting people to pay for the performance.
"The trick possibilities are limitless right now, we are doing tricks under the leg, back flips, front flips, all sorts of crazy mindblowing tricks," said Grzybowski.
"The three most important beats you have to hit in any good show: You got to make them stop, you got to make them stay and then you got to make them pay, because at the end of the day we all got to eat," said Cheung.
"If you do a really genuinely good show, people will rush to give you money. I've sen a crowd stand in line for 17 minutes to pay a street performer.
"They could have gone to see another show...but they just waited to shake his hand and put money in his hat."
While some days may feel like a grind, Grzybowski is grateful for the opportunity to earn a living doing something he has been doing since he was eight years old.
"It's just fun, every show is different, every crowd is different. Having a random person stop and watch you for 20 to 30 minutes is just special."
Listen to the full interview with Pogo Fred and Eden the cowboy magician: Buskerfest 2015.