Buskers hone their music on transit passengers Layne Christensen News Reporter layne@nsnewz.cont TODAY’S transit busker could be tomor- row’s star performer. Tt may sound far-fetched but Sheila Scott, communi- cations administrator for Translink, says that many performers have found if not fame then steady employment in the music industry. Two years ago, fiddler Cory Churko was busking at the SeaBus terminal. Now he’s on tour with Shania Twain. Other artists who have made a name for themselves include ukulele performer Ralph Shaw and children’s entertainer Joey Hanlon. For the past 12 years, BC Transit has auditioned local performers. Thac task was taken over this year by Translink, the regional transportation network formed in April to oversce public transit including buses, SeaBus, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, handyDART and West Van’s Blue Bus system. Sixty-cight performance acts auditioned this year for the privilege of entertaining commuters. Auditions were held in June in New Westminster with a panel of four transit officials adjudicating. Thirty- six acts were given 10-month licences to perform. Scott, who administers the transit entertainment program, says the per- formers represent a varicty of musical styles and a United Nations of instru- ments — Romanian pan flute, Chinese violin, flamenco guitar and Ukrainian harp. What they have in common: is that all were chosen for their suitability to perform for the travelling public. “We try to keep it family entertainment and we like to kecp the sound to a certain level,” says Scott. Brenda McCann, a singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist from North Vasicouver, favours rock classics by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Buffalo upringfield and Neil Young. McCann is also a singer-songwriter who per- forms in venues around town as part of the musical group BootLceRoy. Perforraing at transit locations like the ScaBus Waterfront station gives the artist a different experience. “T get to meet a lot of zeally interesting people, and it keeps me in touch with the public,” she says. “It’s kind of like being a psychologist.” You have to be able to read people, says the musician. “Sometimes you sec a lot of people who are extremely frustrated — tough day at work, maybe they just missed the boat. You can just feel the SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 1999 Oo am— 7:55 am 8:00 am — 8:15 am The Lions Gate Bridge will be closed to all traffic for two 15-minute periods the morning of Sunday, August 29. The closures are required to protect public safety while construction equipment is being delivered to the North Tower of the bridge by helicopter. This work is being completed as part of the Lions Gate rehabilitation project. Alternative routes during these closures include the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge or SeaBus. Your patience is appreciated during these short delays. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE LIGNS GaTE PROJECT, please call the Information Line at (604) 473-1500 or Toll Free 1-877-473-0202, or visit the Lions Gate Web Site www.lionsgatebridge.gov.he. Wayne Leidentrost SAT, SEPT. 4. 1899 tension.” In those cases, McCann will delve inte: her repertoire of about 30 songs and pull out 2 feel-good tune like One Tin Soldier. A downside of busking, however, can be the financial cewards. “Some days it’s nothing and other days it’s great,” says McCann, who manages a Vancouver daycare and busks in her free time, when her earnings can range from $2.50 to $50 an hour. Dedicated buskers can earn a decent living, says Angela Barker, a North Van musician who plays flute ar spots like the SeaBus terminal and the Lookout at Horseshoe Bay as often as five days a week. In June, the 23-year-old travelled to Paris with just $50 in her pocket. She and a fellow busker payed their way through several days in Paris and a journey to the South of France by playing for appreciative audiences at side- walk cafes and tourist spots like Notre Dame cathedral. While she dreams of one day playing in the orchestra pit for a Broadway musical, for now she enjoys busking — the freedom it allows her to travel and to set her own hours. “I make as much if not more than I would in a minimum wage job and only work a couple of hours a day,” says Barker. The dawuside? “Sometimes you have tu Kick yourself in the burt and ger out there.” Lh t: NEWS photo Julie lverson TRANSLINK has granted performance licences to 36 entertainment acts. The top 20 performers are guaranteed times at prime transit loca- tions ike the SeaBus terminal but are free to set their own hours. Busker Angela Barker (above) performs as often as five days a week. Adams honored BRYAN Adams can add to his long list of accolades a home- town honour: the 1999 FANS award. The North Shore Arts Commission created the award in 1996 to celebrate local artists who have achieved national or international recog- nitica for their work. Past award — recipients include composer Jean Coulthard; the fate actor See FANS page 26 ancouver #/ Chamber Choir ION WASHBURN, CONDUCTOR 1999-2000 § ASON HIGHLIGHTS include Handel’s Messiah, Songs of. Heaven & Eurth and Aleartsongs, plus outstand- ing guest artists CALL 738-6822 for your free brochure and receive a discount coupon for the Bel Art Gallery 3053 Highland Blvd. . ,, Edgemont Village 904-0907 Bistro at the Lazy Gourmet, wy the Caxy Gorn eon