This article, found in the May 5, 2008 issue of the Warren Times-Observer, is a followup to an article I previously posted.  The previous article was entitled, “Festival Would Boost Mental Health: Good Hobbies Object of Idea for Street Festival” The original article can be found at … http://pamhi.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/festival-would-boost-mental-health-good-hobbies-object-of-idea-for-street-fest/

 

‘Buskers’ performing downtown: Downtown Warren street festival planned for June 27

By LYDIA COTTRELL

 

 

lcottrell@timesobserver.com

 

Calling all street performers!

The inaugural Buskers’ Festival will hit the streets of downtown Warren on Friday, June 27. The brainchild of Gary Lester, executive director of Family Services of Warren County, the Buskers’ Festival is street performance that showcases performers from several disciplines of the fine arts.

The concept was designed by Lester to promote mentally healthy hobbies. And now that the idea is coming

together Lester and Chris Cheronis, Warren Main Street manager, are looking for performers to bring the Buskers’ Festival to life.

“We just wanted to get a call out for performers,” Lester said.

The type of performers he and the co-organizers are seeking can be almost anything. From vocal artists to instrumental, from mimes to jugglers, from actors to dancers; virtually any performer could take part.

“There might even be some writers,” he added.

According to Cheronis, the festival will be spread across the downtown area. “We don’t want it just on one street,” she said. “It will be a kick off for the Art-Attack Fridays that take place in the summer.”

Like any festival, food will be involved. Food vendors are encouraged to sign up like the performers. However, Cheronis said that the atmosphere will be casual and not focused on commercialism.

“This is strictly based around children, art and food,” she said.

Promoting local musicians and artists, the Buskers’ Festival will allow the community to enjoy and participate in mentally healthy activities. Cheronis said a Charlie Chaplin film with special pianist and improv live performances by Warren Players will be part of the festival.

“Music and art have been shown to promote a healthy mind and a healthy body,” Cheronis said.

The performers taking part with be asked to donate their time and talent. Lester indicated that jars and instrument cases will be open for tips. The tips will then benefit the Warren County Summer Music School and Family Services of Warren County.

The Buskers’ Festival will include performers from the Warren County Summer Music School. According to Lester, the festival will begin at 1:30 p.m. with performances by participants from the WCSMS.

“We are so excited to be a part of the Busker’s’ Festival,” said Ann Mead, board member and director of the WCSMS.

Mead agreed with Lester’s idea of “the arts as a proponent for positive mental health.”

She indicated that Buskers’ Festival is the same day of the open house for the WCSMS and that she and her faculty are up to the challenge of picking the right musicians from the school and getting them to the downtown on time.

“We need to work out the logistics,” she said. “We’re looking at possibly four groups, maybe six to rotate on the street corners.”

The festival will continue with the performers who choose to sign up for blocks of 30 minutes. Lester said that performers could sign up for more than one 30-minute block. The block of time also includes time needed for set up. Times slots reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. The hours are 2:30 to 7 p.m.

 

Lester suspects that the majority of the performers will be acoustic and will not need electricity. However, if a

 

group or individual performers needs electrical hook-ups, he believes the accommodation can be made available.

The term “buskers” may not be in the vernacular of Warren County – yet. Cheronis said the term is an Old English

word to described street performers. She said the use of an old term fits into the Old Fashion motif the Main Street program uses.

Sign-up sheets for performers and food vendors are available at the Warren Main Street office on Second Avenue.

 

Section: News Date Posted: 5/5/2008