November 24 2024
ANBC national grand final at a glance:
- Australia’s top buskers will play four, 30-minute sets at busking stations around the Cooma CBD from 10am-2.30pm with the presentation on the stage in Centennial Park at 3pm.
- Members of the public can buy tokens to vote for their favorite busker in the People’s Choice Awards, with funds going to Cooma Community Chest.
- Day opens with a first-ever multi-cultural CBD street parade at 9am celebrating the 75th anniversary of Snowy Hydro
- Free activities, markets and entertainment will be held in the Centennial Park throughout the day.
- Welcome party with The James Brothers 6pm Friday Alpine Hotel, prize ceremony 3pm Centennial Park stage Saturday, Night of Champions winners’ concert 6pm Alpine Hotel Saturday, lunchtime concert with LilG, Arthur Hull and Gabi Forman Alpine Hotel noon Sunday
ALL roads lead to the Snowy Mountains town of Cooma this weekend for the ‘biggest, best Australian National Busking Championships grand final celebrations yet – and the event is not just for buskers.
The not-for-profit ANBC Inc board has come up with what president Allan Spencer describes as an absolutely jampacked’ free weekend of entertainment that not only gives winners of the seven regional ANBC heats around Australia the chance to compete for national glory, but provides families with everything from a street parade to free concerts and workshops, markets and more.
“Thanks to some amazing sponsorship, particularly from Future Generation JV (Webuild), this national grand final event is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever,” Mr Spencer said.
“It is not just about the busking competition, where the top 22 buskers in Australia come together to vie for the title of Australian National Busking Champion in primary, Secondary and Open divisions along with a whole of other prizes.
“It is also about bringing people to Cooma to enjoy the region, the music of the buskers and other performers on the central stage, meet and make friends and celebrate the multi-cultural nature of our town, with our event coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Snowy Scheme.
“We have top notch judges in The James Brothers (Ethan and Jon and Oz Bayldon and we have some amazing talent coming as special guest performers this year – international teenage blues sensation Lil G and 2024 The Voice star Arthur Hull who is competing after winning the Cooma regional heat as well as performing on stage and on Sunday at the Alpine Hotel.
“They will be joined by our ow local recently recorded singer songwriter Gabi Forman who will be competing and playing at the Sunday afternoon concert with Lil G and Arthur.”
A feature of the event this year, for the first time, will be a street parade which buskers and community members groups will take part in, starting at 9am. There is even a $200 prize for the best costume.
Mr Spencer said the best time to arrive in the Cooma CBD was just before 9am and to be set for a big day out.
“The parade starts at 9am, the buskers start playing at 20 different busking stations around the CBD from 10am and the markets and displays and workshops will continue in Centennial Park and on the closed section of Sharp St (between Bombala and Vale streets) throughout the day,” he said.
“The entertainment will continue after the presentation at 3pm on the stage with a prize-winner’s concert and after-party at the Alpine Hotel from 6pm.
“And then the next day, we have a special concert at the Alpine Hotel from noon featuring Lil G, Arthur Hull and Gabi Forman so people can enjoy lunch and while away Sunday afternoon before heading home.”
Mr Spencer said the ANBC, formed 14 years-ago, aimed to make Cooma the busking capital of Australia and felt it was well on its way.
MEDIA:
Karen Forman
ANBC Media & Promotions
0425675555
MEDIA:
Karen Forman
ANBC Media & Promotions
0425675555