Need Tips on Performing for Edmonton International Street Performers Festival

[HIPnotika]

I just got accepted to perform for the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival this summer. It was my first submission and I was glad I was accepted.

Any things to look out for in this festival?

Share your experiences??

Check out my clown/performerances at

http://www.diannadavid.net

[martin ewen]

Your very fortunate. There's nothing to watch out for. Its produced with a lot of respect for whatever it is you do.
Get plenty of sleep beforehand.
Pace yourself. Be prepared to play and work hard and meet spectacular performers and administrators.
It will easily be one of the highlights of your year.
I did a piece in the library that you might find useful.

[HIPnotika]

I'm excited....

Martin

Thanks..that makes me feel better. If you have any tips for getting a good crowd, I'm still up for those pointers.

I've been a street performer as a dancer, but I would talk and call out the audiences to interact, but now my show is a clown show with little to NO talking....Any pointers?

HIPnotika/Polly Planetarium/Dianna David

[martin ewen]

just make your show as perfect as you can.

With Edmonton you don't have to worry about getting a crowd, they will be waiting for you probably before you arrive.
Edmonton crowds have been doing this for 20 years now, they know from experience that you must be an interesting creative individual otherwise you wouldn't have been selected to be there. Some performers can be a little discomforted because half their shows content is related to building a crowd and there's already one there..oops I now have only a short show.
I would advise initially focusing on some interaction, some play, some love made visible. Then once you have established a relationship with them show them what you feel is your very best performance ever. (every time)
You may begin freaking out.....NOW.

Seriously at Edmonton everythings taken care of, crowds, food, accom, support, all you have to focus on is your piece,

[Tyler]

If you see this...your show was excellent! I worked in the ATB tent all week teaching juggling, so I only got one chance to perform, in the final show.

I hope you had a great week!

[Rex Boyd]

Just in general when you are at a big festival with eager audiences often times you should treat the occasion more like an indoor show. Audiences at good festivals will quickly get tired of the usual crowd gather, clap and cheer, stalling and all that other nonsense that is often times the majority of your show in a normal setting.

It can also be tempting to compete with the other performers to do the biggest, longest show with the biggest hat and all that, but there definitely comes a point when the audience is educated enough and they are ready to see the "best show" rather than the biggest, which comes down to just doing your speciality in your special way. Just relax, do your thing, and enjoy playing around taking advantage of the festival atmoshpere.

Rex

[HIPnotika]

Thanks Tyler

Were you the guy juggling during the finale? YOU WERE AMAZING!!! It's so great to see how much you've achieved in such a short amount of time. I hope all goes well with you. I'm glad you enjoyed my show. It was my first time ever doing it....Produced the day i got there because my original show flopped....weird..but anyways...keep up the great work!

-dianna
"polly"

[Tyler]

Yeah, I was the juggling guy.

[Jugglepants]

Were you teaching juggling with the silly people? If so we crossed paths and passed clubs. Glad to connect with you again.

[Tyler]

Yeah. I was teaching with the Silly People.