Bedford Busking Festival
There’ll be music on the streets next weekend as Bedford hosts
its first ever busking festival.
Brought to you by ‘We Are Bedford’ the team
behind the Castle Quay Weekender, the event hopes to launch Bedford
as a busker friendly town, showcasing some of our best local
busking talent as part of the wider Bedfringe Festival. Work behind
the Festival has been organised by volunteers with funding to make
it happen donated by the public, bringing a real community feel to
the event.
Over 2 days, in 8 locations across Bedford
town centre, 22 different acts will be performing. As well as
musical acts, performers will include the likes of lion dancers,
walking tours and even vintage hair stylists!
Kayte Judge, one of the founders of We Are
Bedford, commented:
“We wanted to bring a touch of added vibrancy
to the town centre for both local people and visitors to the town
to enjoy. We’re really pleased with the response we received so
clearly we’re not alone in our support for good quality busking.
The beauty of busking is that it is flexible and responsive and
it’s been really great getting to meet the range of performers that
want to entertain our town.
Don’t forget if you value what you hear and
see then put some pennies in your favourite buskers hat.”
A programme of activities and acts can be
picked up from locations across the town centre, including Bedford
Corn Exchange, Box Office and the Tourist Information Centre on St
Paul’s Square. However, buskers may move around, so if your
expected busker is not at their pitch just follow your ears.
As part of the preparations for the Festival a
new Buskers Code has been drawn up to provide advice and guidance
to performers about how they can get the most out of busking in
Bedford Town Centre, without putting them at risk of causing a
nuisance.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson
added:
“The programme for the Busking Festival
includes a wide range of performers, with lots of entertainment on
offer in town over the two days. We are pleased to have been able
to work with We Are Bedford to encourage good quality busking in
Bedford, in the right locations and with consideration for all...I
encourage people to come along, follow your ears and enjoy the
atmosphere that the festival is sure to create.”