The first ever Buskers and Street Performers Festival was held between 29 and 31 July 2008.
A wide mix of entertainment was spread around the city centre and on Christ’s Pieces, including bands and solo artists, dance acts, magicians and more.
A competition was run to find the most popular act, with members of the public voting for their favourite.
First prize went to Siyaya Arts, a music and dance group from Zimbabwe. Runners up were blues-playing duo Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers and indie group The Backs Band.
Your feedback
We want to know what you thought about the festival, and what you would like to see at next year’s event.
Please fill in the festival feedback form.
Photo gallery
The following photographs were all taken at the 2008 festival.
Each photo is linked to a larger, complete version of the picture, and links in the caption text will take you to the artists' websites.
Siyaya Arts were voted the most popular act at the festival
Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers kicked off the festival and won second prize
The Backs Band were very popular and came third in the public vote
Kenneth Lightfoot's comedy and magic show drew large crowds
Murray Hockridge and Dave Kilminster helped start the festival in style
The Carol Goodwin Belly Dancers provided something a little different
Alan Heath is a familiar sight in the city centre
Equinox shone with their mixture of indie, punk and pop
Clare Connolly's acoustic performance delighted the crowds
Violin and cello duo Alyssa and Lindon Ralph gave a mature performance
Bijoumiyo played their mix of funk and soul in the sunshine
Soulful singer-songwriter Elizabeth Francis hit all the right notes
David Simmons is a popular regular busker in Cambridge
Umdumo Wesizwe gave an energetic a capella performance
Murray Hockridge and Dave Kilminster were joined by members of Siyaya Arts
Folk fiddlers Tim Johnson, Penny Lutos and Rachel Bell gave a highly-strung performance
Daniela McDermott gives a percussion masterclass
Josh Bowker played acoustic alt and country music
Competition winners Siyaya Arts give a repeat performance
Grandpa George and the Jumping Fleas... and Elvis?
Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers are joined by staff from Millers Music Centre and Ken Stevens
Spot the price tag... more staff join the impromptu gig
Other acts
Unfortunately we couldn't fit photographs of everybody that took part in the festival on this page.
The following artists also contributed to the event:
- Jason Lee
- Shirley O'Riordan
- Singaway
- Robert Waugh
- Catherine Williams
- Alan Heath
- Texas Tom Barrie
- Amanda Gawthrope
- The Cougars
- Christian Jones
- Roger Douglas
- The Blistering Barnacles
- Panic Steel Band
- Cambridge Sea Cadets
- Vile Bodies
- Chris White
- Dolce
- David Waterhouse
- Will Clark
- Aurora Gercke
- Juke Jump Acoustic
- A Ramsey
- Charles Cavey
- Ulrich Lang
Acknowledgements
Prizes were donated by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, the Corn Exchange, Miller's Music Centre/Ken Stevens, Evolution, Teri-Aki, Henry's Cafe Bar, Le Patissier, John Lewis, Stazione Restaurant, Cambridge Waffle Company and Cambridge Wine Merchants.
We would like to thank BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Cambridge Newspapers, BBC Look East, Anglia TV, The Town Crier, Q103, Star 107, 290 Radio, Explorer magazine, Agenda magazine - and anyone else whose coverage we haven't seen yet! - for their kind coverage of the festival.