The Sojourner

2010 Buskerfest Toronto: Up In The Air

Today's photos are buskers who love for flying up high in the air is insatiable.

QUEBEC RUSSIAN BAR TRIO

This group was proclaimed winners of the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD. 

I wonder how she feels up there. 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION CIRCUS

Hello there! 

Oh yeah, where's my Tarzan!

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2010 Buskerfest Toronto: The Fire Edition

And the highs and highs of Buskerfest Festival continues with flaming balls of fire yesterday, Saturday, as thousands of people crowded the St. Lawrence Market under a beautiful azure. Everybody was in high spirits as buskers competed to grab everyone's attention to check them out and their tricks. And the crowd was generous, too, (including me).

This time, I saw a lot of acts from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Two of them were fire-spitting routines that left the crowd gasping in admiration: FlameOZ and PyroRomeo. Their names itself suggest danger. And true to their names, too, they love playing with fire. Literally and figuratively.

P Y R O M E O

PyRomeo is one class act. 

Oh, hell yeah!

He definitely loves playing with fire.

F L A M E  OZ

Australians girls are oozing with fire...

See that? I can do that, too. That's why I'm getting bald. LOL...

Go, girls! 

The finale is always the best .....

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2010 Buskerfest Toronto (Part 2)

Who's your favorite buskers and who's the one that keeps your heart pumping?
Who's the one that charmed you and left you in stitches?
Who's the one hot and who's not?
Who's the one that dared and who's the one that left you uttering in disbelief?
Who's the one creative and who's the one awesome?
Who's the one boring and who's the one amazing?
And who's the one that made you smile even in your dreams?

Let's see...

Balancing and juggling act by Liquer Flambe of Australia. He performed fire juggling, some circus stunts, machete balancing and juggling that left some people closed their eyes and held their breath.

The perfect but troublesome characters of Madame Stravarius and Captain Finhead (Australia) made the crowd wanted for more. She's a violin virtuouso while he's a chap full of cheesy, crazy ways to swoon her. They revealed that they met when they took violin classes years ago. And look at them, even in the most challenging position, they live happily ever after. 

Oh, no! Not another juggling again! (Fessu and Lu-Canada)

Young lady, you've got a comfy hanging future up there, eh?
(The Canadian National Youth Circus)

Hang on there, girl! Life is, sometimes, upside down.
(The Canadian National Youth Circus)

Apparently, Silver Elvis is alive and is busking in Toronto! (Canada) 

Stunt Acrobatic Circus may not have the body to die for but they have the charm and humor only for the pleasing hearts of both women and---men. (USA)

I think she's just one of those volunteers helping around the area.

Martin Ewen, aka The Lurk, from New Zealand easily blended with the crowd.

How did you do that while moving around? Boy, even my yoga instructor can't do that! (The Canadian National Youth Circus)

She could be a future member of amazing Cirque de Soliel.
(The Canadian National Youth Circus)

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2010 Buskerfest Toronto (Part 1)

I've seen these people before but I called them street performers. You can take a glimpse of these people, too, in the subway during your morning and afternoon commute. They entertain passersby and at the same time annoy them for "donation."

Here in Toronto, they are honored for four consecutive days in a year and a million people came to see them perform and give them not just penny or loose change but bills, too.

And they're called BUSKERS!

Some of these buskers have impressive resumes and degrees and they do it because they love it and it has become their profession, their life, and passion---as I heard from one of the buskers/performers this afternoon.

This years list of buskers are from Australia, UK, US, Hungary, New Zealand, Netherlands, Argentina, Northern Ireland and of course, Canada.

Of all performances this afternoon, it's Kim Churchill that caught my attention. This hot Aussie guy is oozing with musical talent. Do listen to him and tap your feet with his music. Or better yet, buy his CD for 15 bucks. He's worth it. And don't forget to let him sign it.

He said that the song he is performing is pop music which is a bit disturbing. :)

2010 Buskerfest starts yesterday at St. Lawrence Market and it runs until Sunday, August 29. Go out, enjoy and give something in their donation boxes. They'll take whatever you have. These people entertain you and help you reduce wrinkles. Be kind.

For more information, visit the Festival's WEBSITE: http://www.torontobuskerfest.com/

A Vibrant Arts Experience

An hour away from bustling Toronto is an artsy fartsy gem hidden in Alton Village, Caledon. If you can't picture circa 1881, then, go and visit this village where you can find the historic Alton Mills, surrounded by lush greenery, creek and high-end arts.

ALTON MILLS is a host to creative arts where artists convene and discover slash nurture young talents through their arts program. Throughout the year, this building is a venue to art exhibits, cafe, art workshops and other events. The stone building is well-restored and roaming inside and around it feels like you are inspired and damn artsy.

CALEDON Town itself is a work of art. A visitor would be floored right away to it's quietness and charming landscape. Every house is a stunning beauty that tells a story of old yore---and at the same time, dazzles passerby by its elegance, simplicity and unique architecture.

My lovely host's house enthralled me. The outdoor patio which is overlooking a mini forest down the slope then to the river below is a magnificent vista of green and nature. Though I wish it were overlooking the sea, but the greens would do me fine for an afternoon siesta and wondrous sunset.

Current Shows and Events

Preview of the Headwaters Arts - The Dam Gallery Festival
Juried and Invitational Arts Show and Sale in the Dam Gallery
July 16 - September 5, 2010

Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition featuring 20+ monumental works throughout the grounds by eight artists in various metals. Ongoing to September 12.

"Summer Sojourn" featuring the work of Sonja Mortimer in the Alton Mill Gallery
August 11 - September 12

Upcoming Events and Shows

Celebrate an explosion of artistic creativity with "Buckets of Colour". Open studios, new gallery exhibitions, workshops, Kidsfest Events and more... throughout the mill.
September 25 - 26

"Headwaters Arts Festival" - Alton Mill art shows and open studios continue through all three Festival weekends.
September 25 - October 11

"Being": Selected Sculptures by Ted Fullerton throughout the grounds.
September 25, 2010 - Januanry 3, 2011

Songs for a September Evening: An eclectic mix of well-known (and some not-so-well-known) Broadway tunes to touch, tickle and transport you as we begin the cool nights of autumn.
Starring: Paul Stephen & Amanda Leigh, with John Hughes at the piano.
September 25, 7:00pm.

Visit their WEBSITE: http://www.altonmill.ca/

Beautiful Women Project

One of the things that blew me away at the Arts and Crafts Building at The Ex is the exceptional 120 decorated, clay sculptures sculptures in which each design reflects the artist's interpretation of that woman's unique life journey or spirit.

Cheryl-Ann Webster, the artist behind the project says that "Our bodies tell our life story, they are portraits of our journey’s and experiences. Knowing our body is beautiful, just as it exists, is a message more people need to see and hear.”

If you happen to be at The Ex, make sure you drop by the booth and if Cheryl Ann is there, it's a must to talk to her. I never had the chance though because she was busy talking to others when I was there... but I had the chance to look at closely each sculptures in oohhss... and aahhhhsss. 

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Rock On Ice at The Ex

ROCK ON ICE is an aerial acrobatics and ice-skating show at the on-going exhibition at CNE. This show is daily at 2:00 pm and 7:30 p.m. While rock songs are being played live by gorgeous members of the rock band, more than ten figure skaters hit the rink flawlessly and with enthusiasm.

This is my first professional figure skating performance I saw live with my big but beautiful naked eyes. :)) Yeah, yeah, yeah..... this sport is one of the million frustrations I have in my life. I tried it more than ten times before but, still, I can't get on the ice faster than a child/beginner skater.

"The star figure skating pair Jamie Salé and David Pelletier will make a special appearance during the first two weekends of the CNE. Skating together since 1998, they have won numerous national and international championships, and brought home a gold medal for Canada at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. They were inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009."

This duo are guest performers on these dates only: Friday, August 20th - Sunday, August 22nd & Friday,August 27th - Sunday, August 29th.

In this video below, see them from 4:34 to 5:28.

These figure skaters look so good on ice and judging from their performance, they seem to belong in the skating rink. They have this aura of fun and passion that make me envious how free they can fly, run and dance wild like it the most natural thing for them to do on earth.

If one day, I'd be able to figure skate one 1km/hour, I'd be damn happy and ready to run shirtless for two minutes in more than -25 C temperature.  

The Busker

I dunno how this busker got this really flexible body that perfectly fit into this tiny glass box with ease and got out of it with finesse.

Here's the description about her performance:

"Comic contortionist Emma Turnbridge has mixed it up with mutants in the X Men Origins: Wolverine movie, performed at countless festivals around the world and proves that good things truly can fit into small packages. Out of the ordinary and unforgettable, Bendy Em serves up truly comic contortions of epic proportions!"

She comes from Australia and came here in Toronto just to do this stuff here at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or amiably called The Ex---which is having a huge exhibition of everything you can imagine in one place.

Games? Surfing? Rides? Magic? Hypnotism? Food? Buskers? Sands? Shows? Artrageous? Crafts? Concerts? Comedy?

Name it and they have it.

The fun started last August 20 and it runs until September 6th!  

Check their WEBSITE: http://www.theex.com

Heartbroken

This little, cute computer screensaver I made is for a friend who just had an ugly break-up with his latest ex. I know it takes time to heal a broken heart but I hope she feels better soon.

Sending you my million hugs, S!

Click the picture to enlarge.

Sunset in the Countryside

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to watch the golden sunset that looked like a painting---in a countryside setting.

It was surreal!

Sunsets never fail to amaze me. They make me relive my innocence at the end of the day!

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