The Central Coast heat of the Australian National Busking Championships 2024 will be held on Sunday, September 29, at Memorial Park, The Entrance, from 10am-2pm with a concert of the finalists to be held at 3pm.
“Previous years have seen beautiful weather on this first Sunday of the Spring school holidays that bring a host of families and holidaymakers to experience the talents of the busking competitors and to make their vote in the People’s Choice section of the competition by giving their favorite busker a token, or two or more,” event co-ordinator Fefe Morrison said.
The Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC) is an Australia-wide network of busking festivals.
The annual event celebrates the rich diversity of Australian music and street performance culture.
It was first held in Cooma in 2012 and is now held in seven locations around the country, culminating each year in the national finals in Cooma, where the winner of the grand final is given the title of Australian National Busking Champion along with substantial prize monies.
Central Coast winners have become national winners in their categories each year the event has been held.
The Rotary clubs of Erina and The Entrance work together to host the Central Coast heat and welcome a range of performers to showcase their talents and their street performing skills.
Prizes totaling $5,000 are sponsored by local businesses including Bendigo Bank and BAX audio, Rotary clubs and individuals.
The judges look for how buskers personify ANBC’s message and this year include ANBC CEO Alan Spencer, CoastFM presenter Rhea Northcott and previous Central Coast and National Champions the James Brothers.
Categories include: adult (18+ years); secondary school (14-17 years); and primary school aged (13 years and under).
Additional prizes are awarded for the People Choice and the Judges’ Wild Card Award.
“The theme of this year’s National Busking Festival is to encourage, mentor, promote and develop career pathways for emerging musicians and performing artists of all ages and all music genres,” a Rotary spokesperson said.
“Our two Rotary clubs, with the support of Central Coast Council, recognise that by hosting this regional heat we enrich our communities culturally and economically as part of a national network.
“The people of the Central Coast are very generous with their support of the buskers on the day and the closing concert, in which all the finalists perform, is a treat for everyone – including the performers.”
The winner of each section will go to the finals in Cooma on November 30.
Register to perform at www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/894170868137/tickets
For more information email admin@rotarytheentrance.org.au or erinarotaryclub@gmail.com