Victoria B.C.

[newyorkstreetdean]

We just left Victoria a couple of days ago, didn't work street but it looks interesting.
Heard a rumor that there is a fest there. Anybody know if this is true?
Has anybody worked street there? Is it worth the trip?

[circusboy90210]

nice place.....

I could imagine that's a great city to work.... I've been there a few times personally, I was cruising from one part of bc to the other on mountain bike once, I spotted a chineese festival or two in one day. different parts of town... I could probably get there in person but could not tell you how on a map or verbally..... I whanted to stop and work them but I was working for a circus @ the time I did not whant to be late for set up so I had to forgo these opportunity's .... If I had the time or inclination I would head up there this summer or spring when it get's warm..... it's really a great city the people are warm @ friendly ... even janitors there have a college degree.. so it seems as if the economy is stable... almost every show ever that has taken me there has allway's made good money. however I've never worked the street there before....I would love to hear about your experiences. good luck

[Scot Free]

there is no street fest there, there used to be a fringe fest street program but it got scrapped about 4-5 years ago.
pretty much my fav street pitch i've ever worked
but...
check this thread

[circusboy90210]

pretty sure

i['m pretty sure of what I saw.... it was a chineese festival and I saw two of them on the same day.... might not have been official but they happened... angel

[Scot Free]

I am guessing what you saw was the weekend market in chinatown and there is no space there for circle shows. I think Dean was asking about street performer festivals and there isnt one.
apart from the inner harbour causeway there is no real pitch that is workable for big shows. There are a couple of other spots that seem likie they could work but none have been broken in, even after years and years of having just a couple too many acts on the one good pitch.
jeff

[Aaron Gregg]

Hey Dean, did we meet at Montreal Just for Laughs '04?

As Jeff said there used to be a fringe festival spot up here but not any more. The fringe pitch was placed 100 feet away from the regular pitch which created a nasty situation for all concerned. After a few really tough years they got rid of it.

As for any other festivals that benefit street work there's not much. The new Tall Ships festival was good this year but I don't think it's an annual thing.

There are still good shows up here but the number of performing permits given out for the main pitch has been capped by the new administration and they're not adding new acts. They were going to create 30 minute breaks between each show but after much argument and protest from us 15 minute breaks were inflicted. The administration only agreed to 15 minutes if they were allowed to cap the number of permits given out. Their rationale was that if they limited the number of performers here then it was 'okay' to put breaks between shows.

There is a good second pitch with unlimited permits as well that's pretty good. Also there is a provision for a temporary permit on the main pitch but no one has applied for one yet so I'm not sure how it would work. If you want to come and try the temp permit send me an email and I can inquire with the management.

-Aaron

[newyorkstreetdean]

Thanks for the info! Yea, we did meet at JFL I don't remember most of that week for some reason but hope we get to meet again.

I appreciate your offer to find out info about the temp permit, if we are ever out that way I will definately look you up.