Fire, flips and acrobatics are taking over Sparks Street this weekend as performers from around the world bring their acts to the heart of downtown Ottawa. The Ottawa International Busker Festival is underway, featuring more than 20 performers over three days of street-level shows. Behind the tricks that can stop a crowd in its tracks are performers who have spent years perfecting their craft. For Daniel Craig, street performing has been a way of life for more than three decades. Craig has been performing on the street since 1994 and this weekend, he’s sharing the stage with Jayme Nickel as part of their act, “Lift the Show.” “It’s been the only job I’ve ever had and while this is Jayme’s first jaunt on tour, she’s doing an incredible job,” Craig said. The pair have spent the past year working on their new show, which combines fire, acrobatics and plenty of trust. “You can expect some fire juggling, some hand standing partner acrobatics and then also this year we’ll have [a] big wheel that looks like a hula hoop,” Nickel said. While Nickel is experiencing her first tour, Craig knows well the unique challenge that comes with performing on the street. Unlike a traditional theatre, buskers have to convince people, who may simply be walking by, to stop, stay and become part of the audience. Craig says that makes the relationship between a street performer and the crowd particularly meaningful. “You know that if they’re there that they believe in what you’re doing, and there’s a certain magic and trust in that,” he said. “They’re giving you the only thing they can’t get back, is time, and you want to respect that as much as you can.” That challenge is shared by performers up and down Sparks Street. German duo Seb and Fritzzz are making their Ottawa festival debut this weekend, bringing an award-winning show featuring beatboxing, bullwhips and comedy. Seb Whipits says the unpredictable nature of performing for people on the street is part of what makes busking special. “It’s one of the most difficult jobs in the world,” he said. “There’s something about the art form that keeps it very real and connected with the people.” The duo has performed at festivals in several Canadian cities, but this is their first time performing at Ottawa’s Busker Festival. Whipits says the capital has already made a strong first impression. “The people are good, the crowds are good, the last show was beautiful. Very, very nice,” he said. Nickel says she’s feeling that same enthusiasm from Ottawa audiences as she experiences life on tour for the first time. “Ottawa has been giving us the best energy,” she said. “It’s really hot and humid outside, but there was still tons of people that were out to have fun and, you know, just enjoy the experience with us.” The Ottawa International Busker Festival runs through Sunday on Sparks Street and at the World Exchange Plaza. Saturday’s schedule runs until 10 p.m., culminating with a group fire show at the Hot 89.9 Stage. The festival returns Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The weekend will wrap up with the Grand Finale at 5 p.m. at the World Exchange Plaza, featuring performers from across the festival lineup. The festival is free to attend.
