Media Advisory / Media Launch - Scotiabank @BuskerFestTo Media Launch Sets the Stage with a Children's Picnic, Incredible Acrobats, Break Dancers, Clowns and Internationally Renowned Acts!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012: 12:00 NOON- 1PM at Toronto's Market Lane Park.

TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2012 /CNW/ -

WHAT:	In anticipation of the 13^th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest, media are invited to the Festival's Media Launch on Wednesday, August 22 at noon. Scotiabank BuskerFest is North America's largest festival of its kind, bringing more than 100 of the world's best street performers to Toronto's St. Lawrence Market area. The event, presented by the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood, will feature Festival performers delighting some 500 children from local community day camps at a free barbecue hosted by the Toronto Police.
WHO:	Top buskers including:
	Chicago Ultimate Tumblers, 12 performers, ranging in age from 11 to 25, who will tumble, flip and soar through the air as they did earlier this year performing for President Obama and his family at the White House; 2on1, who will combine amazing bucket-drumming skills of Peter Rabbit and the incredible acrobatic break-dancing of Snap Boogie (a finalist from the 2011 season of "America's Got Talent"); Members of Ontario hard-rock band Motion Device, featuring 15-year-old bass player and keyboardist Andrea Menoudakis, an inspiring example of someone living with the challenges of epilepsy but refusing to let them stop her; Silver Elvis, Stilt Guys, Surreal McCoys, Rob Torres, Chris Capehart and other performers who will be on hand for exciting and colourful photo opportunities; 500 children from local community day camps enjoying a free BBQ hosted by Toronto Police; John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Toronto Region; and, CTV's Andria Case and CP24's Bill Coulter as emcees
WHEN:	Wednesday, August 22, 2012  12 NOON - 1PM
WHERE:	Market Lane Park - Next to the North St.Lawrence Market at Front & Market Streets
WHY:	Scotiabank BuskerFest, in support of Epilepsy Toronto, runs August 23-26 throughout Toronto's St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood and features a dazzling display of over 100 awesome street performers from Canada, the USA, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Audiences will experience acrobats, contortionists, musicians, magicians, fire jugglers, aerial artists and a few other incredible feats no words can describe!
	Scotiabank BuskerFest raises much needed funds and awareness for Epilepsy Toronto through its pay-what-you-can admission. An estimated 40,000 Torontonians living with epilepsy and their families benefit from the work of Epilepsy Toronto through services such as counseling, information and support.
	Scotiabank BuskerFest is one of the premiere events of its kind world-wide and features the elite of street performers from around the globe. It is also the largest epilepsy awareness-raising event in the world and this year's festival is expected to match or surpass the estimated one million spectators it attracted last year.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

13th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday August 23 - Sunday August 26, 2012
throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood,
Front Street from Jarvis St. to Yonge St. and all adjacent side streets
Thursday noon-10pm, Friday noon-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm. Sun 11am-8pm
Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto

FOR INFORMATION, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com

SOCIAL MEDIA for Scotiabank BuskerFest:

• Twitter: @BuskerFestTO - Hashtag: #sbbf
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TorontoBuskerfest/

SOURCE: Scotiabank

Media Refer: Dianne Weinrib/Sarah Mackie, DW Communications 416-703-5479  [email protected]
Media will be treated to a VIP lunch catered by St. Lawrence market merchants.
Interviews will be available with all Scotiabank BuskerFest representatives and buskers including 15-year-old Andrea Menoudakis of rock band Motion Device, who lives with epilepsy.