EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL STREET PERFORMERS FESTIVAL LINEUP

The 2011 artist lineup has yet to be announced, but in the meantime take a look at the 2010 lineup to get an idea of what to expect this summer!

Andrea House & Chris Smith

Edmonton / Musicians

Andrea House and Chris Smith are no strangers to StreetFest, in fact they have become favourites to kids and adults of all ages. Last year they portrayed the characters “2” and “5”, two small numbers who wished they could be more. This year they will again excite audiences with catchy songs and big costumes. Andrea and Chris are honoured to be a part of StreetFest’s 26th year and look forward to being a part of the 2010 Comedy Cares Program.

Basketball Jones

New Zealand / Juggler

Basketball Jones, aka Sean Kaata Dwen, started dribbling at a very young age.  Then one day he was given a basketball.  Ever since he has had an unhealthy obsession with balls.  He played basketball at junior school, high school, university and circus school. Now he is the captain of the New Zealand unicycle basketball team.  He also juggles five regulation size basketballs and has travelled around the globe several times performing his one man comedy basketball juggling show.

Becky Hoops

Quebec / Hula Hoops

Becky charms and cracks up her public combining absurd characters and her many hula hoops. She hoops in an unconventional, quirky fashion, using parody and humour to touch her public. While she performs internationally, she is currently based in Montreal. She has a wide variety of performing experience...from cabarets, to under a big top, on the street, in festivals and in schools. See her "Barbie" and "The Beach" shows at StreetFest 2010! (Becky also performs as part of a duo called "Duo Hoops" which was originally scheduled to perform at StreetFest 2010. Unfortunately, due to injury, her duo partner is unable to perform at this time. Becky's solo show will be featured instead.)

Cap’n Arrr & Lil’ Melodey

USA / Comedy

Over the past two decades, Won Israel's (aka Cap’n Arrr) comedy routines have brought smiles and tears of laughter to audiences around the world. Won incorporates audience involvement and seemingly impossible physical illusions. His style, like his stage show, is nonstop action—full of costume changes, precise movements and sound effects. This year he will be joined by fellow pirate and performer Lil’ Melodey.

Cindy Lou’s Facepainting

Whitecourt, AB / Face Painter

Cindy Lou Requa has painted thousands of decorations on thousands of children, spreading delight at festivals across Western Canada. She has been a “regular” at StreetFest for almost 21 years and looks forward to the festival – and all the bright and shiny faces it brings - every July.

Circus Montreal

Montreal, Quebec / Performance Artist/Workshop Leader

Aytahn Ross is the artsy-fartsy man behind many personas and with nearly 20 years of performances under his belt, he's been seen by millions of people around the world. This year he will be presenting his classic TREE CIRCUS plus a new work titled BALANZO! BALANZO! is a 5th generation Russian-Italian circus artist from the infamous 'Balanzo Family Siberian Circus'. Once a royal family, the Balanzos were exiled in the early 1800s and allowed to take only what they could carry balanced upon their bodies. For over 200 years since, the Balanzo family has been wow-ing audiences with incredible feats of balancing. A tradition rich in joy and pain. BALANZO! presents his groundbreaking solo performances in Canada for the first time in history. Be sure to learn the tricks of his trade as Aytahn instructs at our Be Your Own Busker workshops.

Common People Dance Project

Dance

The common people dance project will be offering dance workshops for one and all…all ages…twice daily in the Be Your Own Busker tent…come and learn some great dance moves.

Dan the Balloon Man

Edmonton / Balloon Artist and Workshop Leader

Dan the Balloon Man has been bringing smiles to faces young and old for over half a decade, and is tickled to be bringing his balloon art to StreetFest for the second year in a row. His unique blend of comedy and unparalleled ballooning skills make him a hotly sought-after performer all over Western Canada. You can also learn his twisting talents at our Be Your Own Busker workshops this year.

Darrin Hagen

Edmonton / Musician

Darrin’s “first time” at StreetFest was in 1994, “the summer I dyed my hair blonde,” he notes. He is an award-winning writer, composer and performer whose been playing at StreetFest for over a decade. Looking back, he’s literally brought dozens of delightful characters to the festival. This year, Darrin can be found at our Late Night Madness presentations, providing a musical soundtrack to the hilarity.

Fraser Hooper

United Kingdom / Clown

Award-winning clown Fraser Hooper has built a huge international following delighting audiences of all ages with his unique brand of contemporary clowning. With a nod to the great silent clowns, he uses mime, audience participation, comedy juggling and eccentric dance, delighting all ages in hilarious shows that receive rave reviews wherever he plays.

Harvey and Idaho

Edmonton / Kid's World

In their partnership, Harvey and Idaho have been involved with Kids’ World at StreetFest for the past eight years and are welcoming their ninth year with glee. Other credits include the Comedy Festival, Night of Artists, Edmonton Fashion Week, InterFear Arts Festival, and LoveStyles Fashion Fundraisers. Set/costume design credits include Sterling Award winners, Lobster Telephone (Panties Production), Jeremy Fisher (Concrete Theatre) as well as Swallow (Azimuth Theatre).The boys are also busy with interior design projects and the coordination of a number of fabulous fundraisers for local theatre and charities. Harvey and Idaho also perform as an acting duo…in their spare time.

Heather D. Swain

Edmonton / Roving Characters

Heather D. Swain has been a professional actor for over 25 years. For the past 15 years she has been performing her roving-walkabout/street performing characters throughout Canada, the US, England and Mexico. Known for her humour, her signature characters Miss Information, Dr. Auntie Dote, Cathy O’Lay (the world’s first latte foam reader) and Poope le Mime in a Box (a talking mime) will have audiences of all ages roaring with laughter and delight.

Herbie Treehead

United Kingdom / Singer, Comedian

Herbie Treehead is a strange little man who has done a lot of unusual things. One of the greatest things he's managed to do was to produce an album of original music for kids and adults. The album is made up of songs Herbie found in his head and assembled to accompany his theatre production 'Cherub's Garden.’ This was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival two years running and transferred to the Royal National Theatre in London. StreetFest is pleased to welcome Herbie – and his music - to the streets of Edmonton for the very first time.

Jacquie Paul

Rochfort Bridge / Face Painter

Brush in hand and inspiration on side, the popular Jacquie Paul returns with her special brand of magical face painting. Every face is an original work of art that you won’t want to wash away. As a sculptor and visual artist, Jacquie’s participation is sought after by festivals across the country. Show your true colours and enjoy a visual kaleidoscope you just won’t forget.

Jan Streader

Edmonton / Roving Clown Characters

A rainbow in a red nose, she lives in the moment with no past or future - constantly changing. From colourful ZuZu the clown to Mrs. Collywobbles the Cockney cleaning lady, local actress Jan Streader enchants children and charms adults with her gentle whimsy and wild enthusiasm. Catch her colourful antics on the Square at StreetFest 2010.

Jesse Gervais & Amber Borotsik

Edmonton / Roving Artists

Making their StreetFest debut, Jesse and Amber will be roaming the Square as kooky characters that are sure to make your belly ache with delight. An actor, dancer and voice-over artist, Jesse has performed for many major theatre companies including Theatre Network, Concrete Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Catalyst Theatre and The Citadel to name a few. Amber is an actor, choreographer, dancer and founder/co-artistic director of Dammitdance Theatre. In 2004 Amber cofounded the Expanse Movement Arts Festival, and now serves as its Festival Director.

Lady Dolphin

Edmonton / Face Painter

Lady Dolphin is bursting to “festivalize” the patrons of StreetFest. For over 13 years she has been creating stunningly beautiful face and body painting designs with just a wave of a colourful brush. In minutes you can become a gorgeous butterfly, a wise owl, a monstrous fiery dragon or a chivalrous knight.

Linda Karenko

Edmonton / Roving Characters

Linda Karenko has brought wacky characters (Sheriff Winnie Dean, the Wiener Queen; Det. Sgt. Terri Burke; Madame de la Loon; Vespa the Festival Warrior) to life for over 20 years. A veteran Street Performer throughout Alberta, Linda’s other credits include Edmonton’s Winterlight Festival, Grand Cache’s Deathfest, and gigs as Edmonton Tourism’s representative in Beverly Hills, Mexico City and London, England. Be prepared to have lots of fun with Linda’s characters, and watch as they become your new BFF.

Matthew Tran (Creeasian)

Edmonton / DJ

When it comes to music and dance, this man knows his stuff. At a party you can catch him on the dance floor, as the DJ…or maybe doing both at the same time. His motto: “If it’s a party you want, then it’s a party you'll get!” So grab your dancing shoes as DJ CREEASIAN spins all your favourite party rocking jams - old and new - at this year’s nightly Troupe du Jour shows.

Michael Lane Trautman

Springfield, Illinois / Clown

Michael has been having fun performing throughout the world. Variously identified as a visual comic, performance artist, new vaudevillian, mime (gasp), physical comedian, storyteller, magician, and fool, he claims only to be a clown...and not a very traditional clown at that.

Miyako Palmer

Sylvan Lake / Face Painter, Artist

Originally from Japan, Miyako performs at many events across Canada, the US, South Korea and Japan. From intricate oriental calligraphy to full face transformation, watch Miyako create colourful and beautiful body art. Her artistry is limited only by your imagination.

Mooky

Calgary / Clown

Acclaimed physical comedienne Mooky Cornish has performed for over a million spectators in Canada, the US, Europe and Russia. The original lead clown in Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai, she recently completed its European tour including performances at Royal Albert Hall. In addition to roving the Square, Mooky brings her heart warming and rib tickling solo clown show The Glories of Gloria Revue to StreetFest 2010 after performances along the California coast, at the New York Clown Theatre festival, and in the UK. StreetFest is thrilled to welcome back the original class clown to the streets of Edmonton.

Pandora’s Boxes

Australia / Cigar Box Manipulator/Workshop Leader

Louise Clarke is Miss Pandora Pink. Dressed to dazzle, the Rock n’ Roll princess of bubblegum opens up her big box of earthly delights and whips out her boxes…all 20 of them. Inspired by cigar box masters Bella & Kris Kremo, and comic genius W.C Fields, Pandora has developed her own unique style of cigar box manipulation. Don’t miss her at our Be Your Own Busker juggling workshops.

Paul Hoosen

B.C. / Comedic Genius

Paul plays Albert the Third (Genius, twice removed) a clown of prestigious ancestry, dubious I.Q., and unbounded enthusiasm for his own absurd theoretical opinions. Expect to be questioned while downtown on a variety of weighty subjects ranging from relativity ("Are you related? Would you like to be?"), to the transient nature of matter (posing the age-old question, "What's the matter, anyways?"). With his prodigious nose, scholarly specs, huge hightops, and hilarious manner, Albert the Third will have you questioning your personal theories after presenting his own.

Pretzel

Edmonton / Balloon Artist

From intricate balloon animals to large-scale balloon installations, Pretzel (aka Stephen Dubetz), is back at StreetFest to deprive himself of oxygen for your amusement. The kingpin of Edmonton’s “Balloon Gang”, Pretzel will twist and turn thousands of balloons into colourful creations for young and old alike.

P’Wan

Thailand / Face Painter

P’Wan’s first visit to StreetFest in 1996 inspired her to transform her passion for Thai art into a talent for face painting. Traveling from her home across the ocean, she is delighted to bring her unique artistry to the festival once again. Add a smile to your summer skin with one of P'Wan's delicate designs.

Randall Fraser

Edmonton / Stilt Walker

This year marks Randall’s 20th year as a stiltwalker and 9th as the artistic director of the Edmonton Stiltwalkers and Jumby Stix touring crew. Creating giant stilted Totem Animals for the 2001 IAAF World Games launched his career into full swing, and he’s been touring ever since. Look for Randall to be towering above the crowd with his cast of amazing characters. You'll meet the iPod powered Mr. Boogie Shoes, Haiku Kabuki - the Samurai Poet, Mr Blue, and Luka the Gypsy Fortune Teller.

Rhythm Speaks

Edmonton / B-Boy, B-Girl Dance

Rhythm Speaks is a dance crew that represents the Hip Hop way of life in its true essence by destroying boundaries and stereotypes about Hip Hop and their First Nations culture. The crew fuses traditional pow-wow dance moves with b-boying/b-girling in order to strike a balance between their roots and those of Hip Hop. Their main focus is to share what they have learned over the years and help educate the public about what Hip Hop truly stands for...peace, love, unity and having fun.

Rudi Macaggi

Italy / Acrobat, Comedian

Rudi Macaggi is a 3rd generation Italian circus acrobat specializing in visual comedy and amazing death-defying stunts. The acromedian caters to audiences of all ages, from children to grandparents. Not only is he family-friendly but he also has an edgy side, adapting his show for adult entertainment.

Sharon Mahoney

Oakville, Ontario / Comedian

Sharon is your typical Canadian: friendly, patriotic, apologetic and slightly repressed. After time and under pressure of being Miss Canada, she begins to break. With a "little" help from the audience, she revamps into her more uninhibited counterpart: the one, the only, the very voracious Miss Tallulah. Imagine Tallulah Bankhead meets Wonder Woman.  A dame who loves the fellas and loves being in the director’s chair even more.

Simon Glassman

Edmonton / Caricaturist

See what you’d look like as a superhero, a 70’s rockstar or a Mongol warlord. At Simon’s caricature tent, you’ll be able to have you and your friends drawn in whatever situation or get-up your hearts desire. Simon is a 24-year-old artist currently living in Edmonton who enjoys going to school, movies and music reviews that use the word 'paradigm.'

The Mr. Spin Show

Australia / Juggler

The Mr. Spin Show is a highly skilled, comic vaudevillian style street/circus act. He performs a beautiful three-ball juggle, diabolo, Chinese devil-sticking with baseball bats, one ball manipulation and an eight ball juggle, mixed with mad-capped antics and an incredible sense of fun, not to mention a few hat tricks thrown in. This all culminates in him jumping onto an eight-foot zigzag unicycle (of his own design) from which he juggles three baseball bats while balancing a glass of water on his head.

The Privy People

Ontario / Comedians

Arguably the worst experience anyone has had at any outdoor festival is going to the bathroom, the can, or the privy. Enter The Privy People, a comedy troupe that dedicates themselves to making your portable bathroom experience fun, fruitful, clean, pleasant, sanitary and relaxing.

Instead of a bunch of plastic smelly boxes sitting aside from the action, they put them right in the middle, shade them to keep them cool, play strains of music to create an oasis of calm, and of course keep them clean. Enjoy themed portable toilets, cover cozies on the toilet seats, a variety of bathroom tissues to choose from, reading material for every age and taste, and pleasant scents and pictures to make you feel right at home. So come by and visit…and be sure to ask about their foot washing, conditioning and massage special.

The Silly People

Kitchener/Waterloo / Comedy

Phil LeConte and Colin Franks have a flair for silliness. As The Silly People, they have been performing for over 15 years and have worked in 14 different countries. With a perfect blend of quick wit, slapstick and random useless skills they create “free-style comedy.”

Thom Sellectomy

Westminster, Maryland / Sword Swallower

Sword swallowing is thought by many to be something only found in a sideshow tent, but sword swallower Thom Sellectomy has changed that by presenting his skill in a casual style with the emphasis on comedy. This personality driven show has delighted audiences across North America, Europe, and Australia.