Scotiabank BuskerFest: Spectacle! Family Fun! Hotel Deals!

North America's Largest Busker Festival Returns for 11^th year!
August 26-29, 2010
Enter online to win a Getaway Package in Toronto during Scotiabank BuskerFest

TORONTO, July 22 /CNW/ - Scotiabank BuskerFest, North America's largest busker festival, will bring more than 100 top street performers from Canada and around the world to Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market district for a wild weekend of fun for all ages on August 26 through to August 29. In its 11th year, the event raises much needed funding for Epilepsy Toronto, and promises an amazing assortment of daredevils, magicians, high skill circus acts, comedians, musicians, clowns, contortionists, acrobats, aerialists, puppets, fire-breathers and more.

"Scotiabank BuskerFest was awarded 'Top 100 Festival' achievement by the Festivals and Events Ontario Association again this year," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President Toronto Region. "At Scotiabank, we are thrilled to support BuskerFest and its many accomplishments, including having helped raise more than $1 million for Epilepsy Toronto making it the largest epilepsy awareness raising event in the world!"

This year's festival features new acts from Canada, United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Argentina, Ecuador, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia including:

• FlameOZ (Australia): The dynamic fusion of fire manipulation, dance, acrobatics, martial arts and circus is sure to captivate audiences of all ages;
• Bendy Em (UK): The mind-boggling and hilarious contortionist, who can squeeze herself into a 16 inch Perspex box while balanced on a seven-foot rig;
• Victor Rubilar (Argentina): The four-time Guinness World Record- breaking soccer ball juggler;
• Madam Bao and Cosma (Quebec, Canada): The hilarious ventriloquist and palm reading duo; and
• Suspended Animation Circus (Toronto, Canada): Toronto's own aerial acrobats who perform suspended from a giant helium balloon.

Returning BuskerFest favourites include:

• Aidan Orange (Toronto, Canada): This performer balanced large objects on his own face, large objects are balanced while he performs yo-yo and contortion tricks;
• Mat Ricardo (UK): A man with an impeccable style, this English comedian thrills audiences with a finale that simply has to be seen to be believed;
• Max T. Oz (Whitby, Canada): An annual performer at Scotiabank BuskerFest, Max delights with his slick sleight-of-hand and hilarious antics;
• Québec Russian Bar Trio (Québec, Canada): One of the most dangerous acts on the street featuring a young woman performing aerial acrobatics from a bar only four inches wide resting on the shoulders of two men; and
• More!

With more than one million spectators expected from North America and around the world, Scotiabank BuskerFest suggests the following hotel offers for out-of-town guests, as well as locals looking for a weekend getaway in the heart of the city:

• Downtown Novotel (416-367-8900) is the official host hotel for Scotiabank BuskerFest. Located just one block away from the festival, the hotel is located at 45 The Esplanade and offers a special room rate starting at $149 per night, if booked before July 27.
• Renaissance Mariott (1-800-237-1512) located in the Rogers Centre at 1 Blue Jays Way, just a few blocks from the festival, is offering a special room rate starting at $139 per night if booked before July 28.

For hotel reservations, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com/hotels.html

Scotiabank BuskerFest enthusiasts are invited to enter a draw for the chance to win a fabulous prize package of three-nights hotel stay in Toronto, two tickets to the 2011 BuskerBall, two tickets for VIP seats at the 2011 Fire Show and $500 spending money. To enter, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com. Contest entries end August 30, and a winner will be selected August 31, 2010.

Admission to Scotiabank BuskerFest is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization that provides support to more than 40,000 people living with epilepsy, and their families, in Toronto. For more details about the event and its performers, please visit www.torontobuskerfest.com or facebook: www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto.

11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday, August 26 - Sunday, August 29, 2010
throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood:
Front Street from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street, and all adjacent sidestreets
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.

For further information:

Dianne Weinrib or Eleni Deacon
DW Communications, 416-703-5479, [email protected]