Serena Jack

Accomplished musician Serena Jack fitted in perfectly with the beds of flowers on the upper Causeway this weekend. She provided some lively jigs and reels for an appreciative audience.

Shadow Play 2

The same sun that makes those interesting shadows in yesterday's post poses a real difficulty for photographers since causeway performers almost always sing and play with their backs to the sun. It is very challenging to get a good photo of a performer when the sun is behind him or her. Sometimes however, that can become an advantage - if you like shadows. Providing the shadow above is Blake Andison, a very talented young singer/songwriter.

Karen Hough

Karen Hough is a veteran busker on the causeway I first photographed in 2009. I've not featured her since because she generally only appears in the evening and I usually visit the causeway in the afternoon. I was happy to sit and listen to her on the weekend because her repertoire and sound is such a refreshing change from most other buskers. The sweet and mellow tone of her French Horn really adds something to Broadway classic tunes such as South Pacific's "Bali Hai". She plays classical music as well as popular and it's always a pleasure to see and hear her.

Harbour Nolan

Here's a young busker who has more right to play on the Inner Harbour Causeway than most. His name is Harbour Nolan and, as you may have guessed, he was named after Victoria's Inner Harbour. He sings and accompanies himself on the ukelele, plays a foot drum and high-hat cymbal and blows a mean harp too, a true one-man-band.

Theme Park

I've mentioned before that sometimes during the summer months I get the feeling I'm living in a giant theme park when I'm in downtown Victoria. I got that feeling yesterday evening when I was enjoying the mesmerizing music-box mime of Pierre St. Pierre and one of those horse-drawn carriages trotted past.

Swan Walker

Here's a veteran causeway performer I've not featured so far this year - Swan Walker. Swan adds a distinctly Caribbean flavor to the causeway and though he plays a lot of calypso and reggae music he has a wide repertoire of other popular music as well as his own distinctive compositions. In addition to guitar he also plays a pair of steel drums. If you see him on the Causeway make sure you stop and listen - you won't regret it.

Dustin Childs

Here's a busker who's new to the causeway this year but his smooth very listenable performance indicates he's an experienced professional. I continue to be amazed at the range of talents displayed by the artists who perform on the causeway and Dustin Childs is no exception. He's a fine musician.

Mather Hewison

I was happy today to catch a performance by Mather Hewison, a veteran causeway performer. Mather plays vintage rock 'n roll with gusto and it's always a pleasure to listen to him. (Today was really HOT and BRIGHT - for me it was the first real summer day.)

Ukelele Player

Each year I focus mainly on the street performers who perform on the Inner Harbour Causeway but there are many equally talented performers who offer their talents in other parts of the downtown area, especially Government Street. That is where a few days ago I chanced upon this lovely young woman making some interesting music with her ukelele.

Carla Olive

Causeway musicians continue to amaze me with their talent and professionalism and singer/songwriter Carla Olive (pictured above) is no exception. We really are privileged here in Victoria to have such polished performances available to us. Carla is a new face on the causeway this year and a great addition to the roster of artists who perform on the Inner Harbour Causeway.

Blake Andison

I've been spending a bit more time down on the Causeway lately in order to catch up with all this year's buskers. Some are new and others are returning. Above is Blake Andison who has been performing on the causeway for 4 or 5 years now. Blake performs rock n' roll classics in a very polished, professional style. If you happen to catch one of his performances, stop and listen for a while. You won't be disappointed.

Country Dave Ryerson

Well, I didn't get to see the yachts when I was down at the Inner Harbour (see yesterday's post) but I did get to sit down and listen to one of my favourite causeway performers, Country Dave Ryerson. Country Dave has been entertaining visitors and locals for many years now and I never tire of listening to him.

Youngest Busker

This is the youngest busker I've seen this year but he was providing some interesting cello music last weekend on Wharf Street. He was quite intent on his music. People may wonder if it's safe for a boy as young as this to be out on the street performing. His City of Victoria licence is visible clipped onto his music stand. What people may not know is that to obtain a licence, any street performer under the age of 16 must be accompanied at all times by a parent. And indeed, just off camera to the right both this boy's parents were in watchful mode to ensure his comfort and safety.

Pierre St. Pierre

While passing the Causeway this afternoon I was happy to see that an old favorite has returned to our city. This is Pierre St. Pierre working his mysterious magic on a young tourist. The lad is, I'm sad to say, appropriately dressed for this cold spring.

Will

While on the Causeway on Monday I stopped to listen to Will. His repertoire was almost as old as I am so it was pretty comfortable listening.

Ambassador Maggot

Another bright afternoon today so I went down to the causeway to see if any buskers had come out of hibernation. Here's the one I encountered, Ambassador Maggot, Gary Ferreira, who was grinding out some righteous rock n' roll this afternoon.

"No Regrets" - New Music from Dave Harris

I am pleased today to bring you some new music, a new original song from Victoria's best-known busker and One Man Band, Dave Harris. Sit back and enjoy "No Regrets".

Island Music

Here's another local musician I saw and heard on Friday night, not at the night market but on the causeway. This is Swan Walker. In the photo above he is playing those wonderful bell-like steel drums that provide the perfect accompaniment for much of his calypso inspired repertoire. But he often switches to his guitar for some reggae or other contemporary music, including his own unique songs.

Youngest Busker?

I don't know if this is the youngest busker on Victoria's streets but I've not seen a younger. She and her carefully chaperoned group were out busking on Government Street on Canada Day Weekend and played some very lively fiddle tunes.

Pierre St. Pierre

Here is one of my favorite summertime street performers, Pierre St. Pierre, consummate musical mime. Later this year I hope to do some video of his performances since the lilting French Cafe music he plays adds a powerfully nostalgic air to his expressive movements.