Christchurch Announces Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival 2019

11 May 2018

After a rigorous process, ChristchurchNZ is excited to announce that Strut & Fret Production House has been awarded the contract to deliver the enhanced and reshaped Buskers Festival.

The Festival will be known as Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival, building on the powerful 25-year legacy of our city’s favourite festival.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Attraction Linda Falwasser says securing the calibre and capability of an international arts and event management company to produce and deliver a world-class Festival is a real win for our city.

“Strut & Fret share our vision to build on the strong history of the World Buskers Festival and its loyal audience by combining the best local talent and flavour with headline international acts to create a world class experience for Christchurch and New Zealand,” Falwasser says.

“Our shared vision for 2019 is to create a bold, ambitious event, which is what Christchurch deserves. By combining whimsy with energy and effervescence, this event promises to be an extraordinary experience that our people crave and visitors flock here for.”

“This is our opportunity to be ambitious and enhance the profile of our city, create social cohesion by bringing people together and attract visitors globally, further drawing people back to Christchurch.”

Strut & Fret encourage new and existing audiences alike to ‘expect the unexpected’ as they collaborate with some of New Zealand’s key creatives to deliver a program that showcases Ōtautahi Christchurch as a unique, creative & cultural capital.

Strut & Fret’s Director Scott Maidment says, “Strut & Fret are so excited to reimagine this long-standing event and celebrate the fantastic beating heart of Christchurch and its culture.”

“Drawing on our vast network of international partners, we will expand the vision of the festival with a wide range of free and ticketed events,” Maidment says.

As Scott explains “The inspiration for the new name originally came from the history of the event itself, where in its simplest form The Circus conjures an image of a performer surrounded by an audience in a ring. The Bread; the payment. It equally evokes a new direction for the festival incorporating a wider range of performances including culinary and dining experiences!”

Over its 20-year history Strut & Fret has delivered projects throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the UK, Asia, South America, Canada and the USA.

Strut & Fret will be setting up a Christchurch-based company and will engage the local sector, suppliers and businesses while bringing international expertise that supports the growth of our local industry and economy.

Falwasser says, “Major events like these ignite excitement and create a legacy for our people. The benefit of major events is clear and well demonstrated, they provide economic benefits and social cohesiveness and wellbeing. For every dollar spent, you receive tens of thousands of dollars of economic and social benefit.”

-ENDS-

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