Burnie Festival

Returning for it's second year

  as a part of Youth Week on Saturday the 12th April, Burnie held it's Young Makers Market and Buskers Festival. A day for creative folk and street performers aged between 12 and 25 to congregate in the cbd and expose their talent and creations to the public.

Deciding to finally take the Puppet Act out on the streets, as it was originally intended for, I loaded Dads van and we headed off to introduce Puppet Winder to the life of street performance. 

Setting up was a bit of an ordeal as it took two trips to get ladder, harp, puppet and box of accessories to our designated spot.

I dare say Puppet Winder was a little nervous, but he overcame his fears of performing publicly and soon was rejoicing at the experience and reactions of our unsuspecting audience. 

During our time playing on the street, I made a new little friend who added some enchantment with her energetic dancing. She and her patient mother stayed for ages, listening, and dancing blindly amongst the amused pedestrians. She came close to a collision several times, yet managed in the nick of time to bound out of harms way. This little ballerina brightened my day, I love to see this uninhibited expression in the kiddies!

Many thanks for allowing us to capture the moment, and to share it with others.

And thanks to mum, forever camera ready!

Puppet Winder masterfully manipulated the strings to the applause of the onlookers. 

After three hours of playing and with the extra strain of the retractable "puppet strings" my shoulders and wrists were pretty stiff, interesting how even a slight resistance while playing can really affect you after a couple of hours. Yet not only was it worthwhile for the thrill I got from the day's lovely interactions and the fact that I had finally got the act out on the street, but also for the amazing generosity of the passers by, who more than showed their appreciation for my act.

Puppet Winder and I having a break at the Makers Market, on our way to the car after an inspiring day.

Cheers to my sister Marika, for enabling us to get all the gear back in one trip.

Thanks to the organisers, and of course the public who were so enthusiastic in their encouragement.