Narooma’s Regional Busking Championships and Festival in on May 25. Photo: Supplied.
“Narooma will again buzz from the Plaza to the Flat, filled with about 150 happy performers and musicians playing all kinds of wonderful music,” says Lynda Ord, spokesperson for Narooma’s Regional Busking Championships and Festival.
Entries are rolling from across the region and beyond including Canberra, Wollongong, and Victoria.
The big May 25 event is hosted by Narooma Rotary Club and is part of the dynamic River of Art festival, and is a key stepping stone to the Australian National Busking Championships late this year in Cooma.
So far about 42 busker entries have been received with a few still on the way. With $10,000 in prize money up for grabs, Narooma Rotary has extended the deadline for entries until this Friday (May 17) to allow for the vagaries of the mail and the busyness of life.
“Each act will play through the day at three or four of the 33 busker hot spots around town from the Plaza to the Flat and around to Forsters Bay,” Ms Ord says.
“These spots are sponsored by the adjacent businesses with music ranging from country, blues, jazz, and rock, to Scottish bagpipes, dancers, poets, and belly dancers.”
A programme detailing the location of each hot spot with a timetable (9 am-3 pm) for each act will be available online and on the day from information stalls opposite the ice creamery on the Flat and NATA Oval, and from the roving busker vote sellers each of whom will be wearing a Rotary vest.
“Every spectator can vote for their favourite busker for the People’s Choice prize of $1,000 by buying a special busker vote from our sellers; each vote costs $1,” Ms Ord explains.
“We count up the votes for each busker at the end of the day to determine the winner.
“The busker gets 10 cents from each $1 vote. If the purchaser writes their name on the back of each vote, they enter a lucky draw, and each busker keeps any coin they collect.”
Narooma’s six judges will be roaming around listening to all competitors throughout the day, with the overall winner’s prize also $1,000.
“We’re absolutely thrilled at how this festival continues to be embraced by our community,” Ms Ord says.
The Festival culminates with a free concert at Narooma Golf Club by finalists from 4 pm with the presentation of prizes to follow.
Narooma Lions, Quota and VIEW Clubs will help Rotary on the day, as well as many other volunteers. However, more volunteers would be most welcome. If you can help, ring either John Rungen on 4476 5932 or Lynda Ord on 0412 168 115.
The Australian National Busking Championships started in Cooma and has grown to be a truly national event with regional finals also being held in Stanthorpe Qld, Kilmore Vic, Casino NSW, Noosa Heads Qld, Peak Hill NSW, Gundagai NSW, and Ballarat Vic.
Winners from each regional event, including Narooma, will be invited to compete in the National Grand Final in Cooma on November 16.
To register your act or find out more check the Narooma Rotary website.
#Ian Campbell is a judge at this year’s Narooma Busking Championships.
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