Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Motion Device, Join Line-Up for Scotiabank BuskerFest, 8/23-26

Scotiabank BuskerFest organizers have just announced the exciting local acts for the 13th annual Toronto international street performers festival in support of Epilepsy Toronto. These top-notch performers will dazzle Toronto's St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood along with the best buskers from all over the world as they take over the streets from Thursday, August 23 to Sunday, August 26.

Named for the fifth time as one of Ontario's top 100 festivals and events by Festivals and Events Ontario, Scotiabank BuskerFest promises four days and nights of spectacular entertainment by some of the most unique pogo-sticking, hula-hooping, fire-breathing, pillow juggling, body-contorting, whip-cracking, cyr-wheel spinning, sword swallowing, flaming-rope jumping performers in the world.

Last year's Scotiabank BuskerFest attracted over 1 million spectators and this year promises to be even bigger, with over 100 of the best street performers from both around the world and right here in Toronto.

Making their FIRST-EVER appearance at the Scotiabank BuskerFest are the following LOCAL ACTS FROM ONTARIO:

Lemon Bucket Orkestra - Toronto's only Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk super-band, this mobile 14-piece force has made its mark on the city with its guerrilla performance strategy, and have busked at many Toronto festivals including Nuit Blanche.

Norval's Vaudeville duo Mental Floss Slide Show - Featuring Professor Archibald Floss and Dr. Charlotte Tann, this team brings acts and exhibits from the 5 corners of the globe, based on the rich histories of sideshow, myth and hoax - all with a little dash of snake oil.

Motion Device - A rock band that is lead by 10-year-old female singer! Along with her family band from Bolton, Sara rocks the house alongside her band mates: 12-year-old drummer-brother David, 14-year-old bass player sister Andrea (who has certainly not let her epilepsy stop her), 18-year-old guitarist-cousin Josh and 18-year-old family friend and guitarist Alex!

The Stilt Guy's "Art$ Fortune" - An interactive old style, carnivalesque fortune-teller. Step right up and see what your future holds!

Woolfe and Petersen's Pocket Carnival - An old time Flea Circus! Be stunned! Be astounded! Scratch your skin with delight at this microscopic, entomic entertainment!

Returning Scotiabank BuskerFest local area favourites include: street-singing "doo-wop" group After Hours, FireGuy with his new show Fire Power, lively folk musicians and life partners Heather Chappell and Vince Peets, sparkling Silver Elvis whose fans swoon at his swivels, recent 'Canada's Got Talent' finalist and legendary beatboxer Scott Jackson who wows the crowds with his awesome sounds, festival veteran magician Mad Magic Max of Whitby with his cheeky wit and sleight of hand, world champion balloon twisters The Twisted Ones of Bowmanville who can craft any animal you can imagine - along with many more great acts! And finally, 'if you gotta go, you gotta go' - but comedy troupe The Privy People make 'going' an enjoyable outing with toilet humour for everyone!

Admission to Scotiabank BuskerFest is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping more than 40,000 Torontonians with epilepsy, and their families, through counselling, employment support, advocacy and education. Buskers retain proceeds from "the hat" passed after their performances except for two special group benefit shows where proceeds go to Epilepsy Toronto: the 7th Annual Fire Show showcases the 'hottest' fire performers at the fest (Fri, Aug 24 at 9:30pm - rain date Aug 25), and the Grande Finale (Aug 26 at 6:30pm) where the winner of this year's Metro's People's Choice Award will be announced.

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