Granville Island accepting applications for 2020-2021 busking program
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2020 22:31:39 +0000
So you think you can busk? Here’s your chance to prove it.
Spring applications are now being accepted for Granville Island’s 2020-2021 busking program and you’ll need to know more than just the chords to Wonderwall or that Green Day song.
In fact, if you’re a busker performing three days or more per week, you’ll need to have at least three hours of repertoire on hand, with no song being played more than once in a set, among other requirements.
Claire Diamond is the program coordinator for Granville Island’s busking program and says there are about 150 applications each year, which is why specific requirements have been put in place to help whittle down the often overwhelming stack of resumes, as coordinators search for that elusive star quality to add to the Granville Island mix.
“They’ve got something extra special that they bring to it,” said Diamond, of what makes a performer stand out from a sea of aspiring guitarists, entertainers, and magicians.
“It’s having that kind of persona and kind of engagement with people and being versatile and being able to be responsive to different groups, whether that be a school group visiting or local regulars, and engaging with people beyond just the music, the personality side of it as well.”
The program was created to manage the myriad of busking opportunities on Granville Island, which draws some 10.5 million visitors annually from both near and far. Applicants must fill out an application and submit a video audition; only applicants who meet the requirements and pass an invite-only live audition each year are issued a busking license, which permits the busker to perform at designated locations throughout the island.
In previous years, acts have ranged from musicians and performers of all genres and ages – including one busker, Eugene Dudding, who last year celebrated 30 years of busking as an acoustic guitarist. Another popular returning act over the years is Bryon from England, a comedic escape show act that likes to remind audiences frequently that he is, yes, from England.
While some buskers perform as a hobby or only part-time, others are full-time buskers, gigging at Granville Island in addition to other shows around the city.
For the video audition portion of the application, Diamond recommended submitting a video that shows an artist performing for an audience.
“Then that kind of gives us an idea that you do have experience performing in front of people. That’s not obligatory but it just gives us a better image as to how you work with an audience,” she said.
“Don’t get me wrong, we still have the odd living room video. Obviously, if you’ve got talent that’s going to shine through irrespective of where your video is happening.”
The full guidelines for busking applications is available online. The deadline for spring applications for the 2020-2021 program is March 8, while the fall round of applications are open in August and September.
While there is no fee to submit an application, selected buskers will need to pay a licensing fee. A total of about 80 or so licenses will be issued.