Busk your heart out: Geelong to decide best busker

MORE than 40 street performers are preparing to take Geelong Waterfront and CBD by storm as they compete for the coveted title of Geelong’s Best Busker.

The competition, on December 17, from 9am-5pm, is an event which allows artists to get their work “out of the bedroom” and in front of crowds, lead organiser and musician Steve Thew said.

“It’s a great stepping stone for aspiring artists to start their journeys,” he said.

“We’ve had entrants take part in the competition go on to get scholarships at schools such as Oxygen College, we even had our 2019 winner just recently performed up in Tamworth and received a major award.

“So, it’s great to see this event play a somewhat important part in musical careers.”

Entertainers will take station several locations along Eastern Beach Road and on Little Malop Street, each interacting with passers-by and each attempting to build an audience of their own making.

Buskers will be playing near the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Geelong’s Carousel, Geelong’s Christmas Tree and along Little Malop Street – Geelong’s entertainment and hospitality strip.

The event is supported by the City of Greater Geelong thanks to a community grant received in 2020 finally to be used, halving the cost for Mr Thew to run the event, but doubling the area for it to take place.

Local musical-oriented businesses are also assisting in the prizes this year.

Stan Designs Geelong has donated $500 for this year’s winner. Geelong Jazz Soirees has donated $200 to the runner-up, and Lukey Luke, owner of Luke’s Guitar Bar, has donated $100 to the third-place finisher.

“We’re a bit lucky compared to other events, we only missed one event in 2021 due to COVID-19 whereas other festivals and the sort have had to wait three years,” Mr Thew said.

“The format over the years hasn’t really changed and we will have a panel of adjudicators deciding the finalists of the competition on the date, all of whom are either past winners of Geelong’s Best Busker or previous finalists themselves.”

Finalists will be announced on the day at 5pm in Beav’s Bar.

Mr Thew said Geelong’s busking scene is one to keep an eye on, given the number of busking opportunities arising across the region.

“There’s a lot being done for buskers here in Geelong, for instance there are around 20 buskers who actually work for the Council,” Mr Thew said.

“Performances are held anywhere in the region from Highton to Barwon Heads, to as far as Portarlington.

“There are also talks ongoing with the Geelong Cats to feature buskers in Kardinia Park before and after matches next season. There’s plenty going on.”

Musicians and entertainers who are keen to throw their busking hats in the ring can do so up until December 17, by emailing Steve at [email protected]