Response to Narooma Rotary hosting a Regional Busking Festival on Saturday 27 May, part of the Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC), ‘has been extraordinary’, said Narooma Festival co-ordinator Sandra Doyle.
‘From day one Narooma’s business owners have been excited by the Festival, by its nature and in knowing it will bring people to Narooma at a traditionally quiet time of year,’ she said.
‘Partnering with the shire-wide River of Art Festival is an added bonus that highlights the vitality of the arts scene in our area.’
River of Art Festival committee spokesperson Lynne Griffiths said the committee is thrilled to be partnering with Narooma Rotary for the busking championship, one of 130 events in the River of Art calendar.
‘It will be a fabulous day in Narooma with music for all tastes,’ she said. ‘I urge everyone to turn up and enjoy the exciting performances on offer.’
Twenty-nine business owners have sponsored Busking Hot Spots in front of their businesses along Narooma’s main street, at the Plaza and at Quarterdeck. Sponsors have come forward for all but one prize.
Busking committee member Lynda Ord said buskers will play between 9am and 3pm at four different Hot Spots.
‘This is a free event for the community where they can hear a range of talented performers across all genres and from around Australia, including some who performed at Tamworth and Ballarat,’ she said.
‘We hope to have up to 100 buskers, most of whom will be competing.’
Competing buskers will then play at the finals at a free concert at Narooma Golf Club on Saturday evening.
The ANBC has grown over the last six years from being held exclusively in Cooma to being a national event this year with regional competitions in Stanthorpe, Noosa and Ballarat, as well as Narooma.
Winners from regional events will be invited to compete in the National Grand Final in Cooma in November.
For more information: busking.naroomarotary.org.au and facebook.com/ANBC Narooma.
Above: Narooma Festival coordinator Sandra Doyle and fellow Rotarian Lynda Ord, River of Art Festival committee members Lynne Griffiths and Rachel McInnes, and Narooma Rotarian Chris O’Brien.
