Art of the Busker Festival on Miracle Mile
Friday 5-10, Saturday 11-6, Sunday
11-6
Buskers On Miracle Mile  Art
of the Busker is the unique art of street theatre, an age old tradition
now revived in the Merrick Festival. From the moving illusions of mime, to the
hoofing rhythm of tap dancers, to stilt walkers, jugglers and magicians, these
unique performances bring spontaneity and improvisation to the sidewalks, the
parks, and the streets of Coral Gables.
This year's Art of the Busker at
the Merrick Festival (April 15 - 17, 2005) is slated for a non-stop stroll of
epicurean delights for the spirit. This talented Character Collection, presented
by the Inter-National Foundation for the Living Arts (INFLA), will grace visitors
with a diverse venue of artisans, spilling with talent. Buskers will be featured
on the 200 and 300 blocks of Miracle Mile and select festival locations in Merrick
Park. No two performances are ever identical - spontaneity and improvisation
take precedence over perfection . . . . a creation of temporary art from juggler
and comedian, to magician and clown. Although there is no admission fee or tickets
to sell, with good street theatre it is very definitely, standing room only! Now
Remember, all you spectators, the tradition of "busking" includes TIPPING
the hat, the shoe, the bucket, or whatever.... to acknowledge and show your appreciation
for their professional talents. So bring your change and loose bills and let them
know that they brought you joy, wonder and excitement for your entertainment pleasure. Featured
Performers
Friday Night Specials
April 15 from 5 to 10
PM.  Be
there or be square for the preview run of Art of the Busker at the Merrick Festival.
Buskers will stroll the 200 and 300 blocks on Miracle Mile, and along Ponce de
Leon between Andelusa and Aragon, to the entertainment delights of visitors and
passers-by. From slapstick to flamboyance to elegance, enjoy the mimorama of Charlie
Chaplin. Be prepared for a rare treat from statue stillness to zany antics of
this all time favorite comic legend. Zap, a jolly trickster treats passers-by
with his amazing Robotic Mime and then bedazzles them with his fun-packed tricks.
Explore the Floor Dancers swing into action, at the most unexpected moment with
nostalgic dance steps of the 40's and 50's. Definitely a hip treat that promises
to inspire and lift your spirit. Be sure to capture the close up magic of mystifying
Garrance. His finess with slight of hands is the best of the best.... you will
be transfixed illusion after illusion after illusion. And finally, the fabulous
Garbonzo the Great, performs his amazing flaming fire show, extraordinary juggling,
and balancing routines. A renowned multi-talent, Garbonzo thrills audiences goers
with his trick bicycles, colorful stilt-mania and spellbinding wire acts. This
aerial dynamo fills every moment with joyful glee.
Saturday
Specials
On The Mile and at George Merrick Park from 11 to 6 PM
(adjacent to the Coral Gables City Hall)  Randy,
The Living Statue: Perfect stillness is the secret to the illusion of this professional
mannequin act. Donned in bronze skin and suit attire, he is a mesmerizing sight
where time stands still for on-lookers as they gaze in endless minutes, watching,
waiting, wondering.... not "Will he move?", but "Can he move?".
Truly a memorable moment of suspended time you will treasure!
The superlative
mime madness of Dr. Darbles promises to capture the hearts of young and old with
her Medicine Bag of playful laughter. Engaging and wonderfully surprising, Dr.
Darbles strolls along the Mile bringing a touch of joy and a lift of spirit to
all.... just the prescription for a lighthearted day! Tootsie, the Clown
with a surprise in her pocket...a dazzling balloon sculpture or a trick or two...
always looking to play, you'll find her pulling something out of her pocket that
is sure to delight young and old alike. If you're lucky, she'll share her favorite
song or poem with you... but only if you know the words! Tanza - Wonder
at the towering Lady in rainbow colors on stilts so high, later descends with
her juggling mania and cavorting unicycling for all to enjoy. Be sure to catch
her walking Tree on Sunday by the main stage. Amazing Mr. "A":
A house of magic, with momentary blazes of fire eating and jolly creations of
balloon hats. He even has a puppet or two, totally ventriloquized for a lively
treat. You'll find his superlative creations in under the shade in park central. Fanciful
to elegant, be sure to don your face with the magic of Melanie's Face Painting.
You'll find her adorning faces of all ages in the park among the most notorious
artists. Look for her at the center tent where other hands-on art experiences
can be enjoyed. When you hear the rhythmic tap of hoofers on the beat, you
know to stop and greet Gavin and Pioneer. These two tap dancers will astound you
with their dexterity and grace, unending step patterns to mesmerize any onlooker
or would be dancer. By popular demand, repeat performances of Garbonzo the
Great and Explore the Floor Dancers. Sunday Specials in Merrick
Park from 11 to 6 PM  You
will surely want to experience the performance art of Darby's Living Sculpture.
With the human body completely draped in fabric, this unique exhibition uses a
fusion of movement techniques to portray the human experience. Her Pierrot captures
the nuance of gesture for spectators to enter another reality, touched by the
metaphors of movement in suspended time. Festival goers will also enjoy the repeat
performances of Tootsie the Clown, Amazing Mr. "A", Melanie's Face Painting,
Tanza on stilts and cycles, and Gavin and Pioneer tap dancers at various locations
throughout Merrick Park.
Art of the Busker is sponsored by Miami-Dade County
Department of Cultural Affairs, the Coral Gables Business Improvement District,
Inter-National Foundation for the Living Arts, and the City of Coral Gables. | 
