The James Brothers have taken out top honours at the Central Coast heat of the Australian Nation Busking Championships, held on Sunday, September 25, at The Entrance, and will progress to the national finals in Cooma on November 26.
More than 2,000 people flocked to Memorial Park to check out the busking action and cast their vote in the People’s Choice section of the competition.
The Australian National Busking Championships is a nation-wide network of busking festivals, but has been postponed in recent years due to the COVID-19 restrictions on public events.
The annual event celebrates the rich diversity of Australian music and street performance culture.
First held in Cooma in 2012, it is now held at nine locations around the country, culminating in the national final.
The Rotary Clubs of Erina and The Entrance hosted the Central Coast heat, with $4,000 in prizes sponsored by local businesses, Rotary Clubs and individuals.
Categories included Open section (18+ years), Secondary School aged (14-17 years) and Primary School aged (13 years and under).
Additional prizes were awarded for the People’s Choice, Judges’ Encouragement Award, General encouragement awards and Best Band on the day.
All section winners will proceed to the national finals.
An Erina Rotary Club spokesperson said the theme of this year National Festival is to encourage, mentor, promote and develop career pathways for emerging musicians and performing artists of all ages and all music genres.
“It’s apparent that all the participating buskers made a great impact on their audiences,” the spokesperson said.
“Our two Rotary Clubs, with the support of Central Coast Council, recognised that by hosting a regional heat here on the Central Coast we could enrich our communities culturally and economically as part of a national network.
“The people of the Central Coast were very generous with their support of the buskers on the day and the closing concert, in which all the finalists performed, was a treat for everyone – including the performers who enthusiastically encouraged each other, with cheers and genuine fellowship.”
Judges were looking for how buskers personified ANBC’s message about celebrating the rich diversity of the Australian music and street performance culture.
Category winners included: Open, The James Brothers; Secondary School, Sophie G (Sophie Goodwin); Primary School – The Mick Hart Achievement Award – Lil G (Gemma Egan); People’s Choice, Pati Talea; and Best Band, Night Owls – Jeannie Kleyhans, Stewart Porter and Geoff Wright.
All category winners will proceed to the national finals.
Open winners, rock folk duo The James Brothers, will also be heading to the inaugural International busking competition.
“We’re excited to have made it into the finals of the Buskers World Cup, which is going to be held in South Korea,” they said.
“South Korea is generously flying us and our equipment over there to perform.”
Email admin@rotarytheentrance.org.au or erinarotaryclub@gmail.com for details on how to become involved in next year’s regional heat.
Terry Collins