The word “busking” has its roots in 18th-century England, where roving actors often wore a type of short boot called “buskin,” according to The Canadian Encyclopedia. That fashion fancy may have passed, but street performance (which includes dancing, comedy, mime and magic) has flourished. Many cities in Canada hold street performers’ festivals, mostly in summer. Musicians in Toronto have to audition for a year-long spot at the city’s subway stations, while Vancouver’s Granville Island Cultural Society auditions musicians for a coveted busking pass not to mention balloon performance artists, who must “demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in balloon twisting and comic performance.”

What to Do

You still have a couple of weeks to catch buskers on Granville Island. The season ends September 18.
www.giculturalsociety.org

If you find yourself down south (as in South Pacific), you might want to check out these outdoor busking events, just in time for Oceania’s warm weather.
Coffs Coast International Buskers Festival Coffs Harbour. Australia, September 23 to October 1 2005.
www.coffsharbourbuskers.com

World Buskers Festival Christchurch, New Zealand, January 19 to 29 2006.
www.worldbuskersfestival.com

Any time is a good time to catch acts at London’s venerable Covent Garden, where street performers have their own association; performances are held almost every day.
www.coventgardenlife.com

If you’re in Singapore, drop by Southeast Asia’s largest buskers’ festival, held each November.
www.singapore-buskers.com

Resources

Wannabe idols take note: A few lucky buskers have gone on to international stardom. Here are a few recent albums by famous former buskers.

Bob Dylan Live 1964

Dylan didn’t record this landmark album on the street (it was taped at Philharmonic Hall), but he is known for his live shows. Released last year, this CD captures the troubadour in all his acoustic glory.

Songs of a Prairie Girl – Joni Mitchell

There are still locals who remember a young Joni Mitchell busking outside Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon. This year, which is a centennial year for both Saskatchewan and Alberta, she released a theme album of songs that symbolize her strong ties to Central Canada.

Guero – Beck

At first listen, you’d never guess that the latest CD from this idiosyncratic songwriter (who collaborated with the Dust Brothers) had its roots in busking. But the techno-folkie played his unique pastiche of acoustic music (and, reportedly, threw in a little poetry slam too) on the streets of Los Angeles.

De bouches à oreilles – Tryo

This band from the north of France started on the street and quickly moved to Paris’ Olympia concert hall. Things get hopping on its live double album with the crowd’s spirited reaction to the group’s energetic songs and utopian lyrics.  

Getting There

Air Canada offers convenient service to Vancouver from major Canadian cities and communities and many U.S. and international cities.