Christchurch is in the midst of
Bread&Circus – the
World Backyard Buskers Festival 2021 (website). The reason why it’s not the usual
world festival is presumably obvious: NZ (unlike some other countries) is restricting entry for non-residents because of Covid19.
Fraser Hooper (above) has gathered individuals; moulded them into a group, a community; drawn out individuals from the community to perform specific tasks, helped them to perform the tasks necessary to make the experience work (mostly by silent miming); taken up a collection; and left people transformed. It is a wonderful metaphor for leadership and liturgy.
I have written previously of the parallels between liturgy and the dynamics of busking:
Festival organisers estimate about 2000 people saw the New Regent St Spectacular over three shows on Saturday.
The opening weekend of the Bread & Circus-Backyard Buskers Festival featured soldout shows and drew thousands to the streets of Christchurch despite New Zealand’s closed borders hitting tourist numbers. Festival director Scott Maidment said the opening weekend of the festival, which this year features exclusively Kiwi talent due to Covid-19 border restrictions, was a success. The Festival Gala hosted by the Topp Twins at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Sunday night was sold out, three shows by magician Jarred Fell at the Christchurch Casino also sold out, and about 400 people attended the Kids Comedy Gala on Sunday afternoon.
PHOTO / WORLD By Xinhua Published: Jan 17, 2021 08:35 AM
People watch an artist performing during the Backyard Buskers Festival held in Christchurch, New Zealand, Jan. 16, 2021. The annual Bread & Circus Buskers Festival in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, has been changed into the Backyard Buskers Festival in 2021 due to the restrictions of COVID-19 that exclude overseas participants. Opened on Friday, the festival takes place across three weekends and summer school holidays in the heart of Central Christchurch, and will end on Jan. 31. (Xinhua/Lu Huaiqian)
People watch artists performing during the Backyard Buskers Festival held in Christchurch, New Zealand, Jan. 16, 2021. The annual Bread & Circus Buskers Festival in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, has been changed into the Backyard Buskers Festival in 2021 due to the restrictions of COVID-19 that exclude overseas participants. Opened on Friday, the festival takes place across three weekends and summer
New Zealand s Christchurch opens annual buskers festival - World News sina.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sina.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fans of hot cars should head to the Cromwell Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival. Cromwell Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival
Saturday, January 16 Check out some of the flashiest cars in the south at the car show at Cromwell Recreation Ground, from 11am to 4pm. $5 entry, children under 12 free.
Supplied
Bread & Circus performers Trevor Jones, Nomi Cohen and Josh Grimaldi are part of the 2021 line up. Christchurch – Backyard Buskers Festival 2021
On now until January 31 The Backyard Buskers Festival (aka Bread & Circus - World Buskers Festival but cross out the word world because of the Rona) is on now at multiple venues throughout the city.