This Glamorous & Fun Evening Kicks Off Epilepsy Toronto's Biggest Fundraising Event!

TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2013 /CNW/ -

WHAT: The fifth annual Scotiabank BuskerBall (6pm-10pm) kicks off the festivities for North America's largest street performers festival, Scotiabank BuskerFest, with an evening of glamour, giggles and gastronomic delights, along with live and silent auctions and an intimate preview of the world's most spectacular and unique performers headlining this year's festival! More than 600 guests are expected. Taking place at the former Maple Leaf Gardens, the event will be fabulously designed by Interior Designer Jamie Alexander  (former host of  "Designs by 2" and owner of Alexander Interiors and Designs Inc.) who also acts as Auctioneer for the live auction. Dress for the evening is business chic or funky fabulous!!

WHO: 

• Andria Case, CTV News anchor
• Darcy Tucker, hockey legend and former Toronto Maple Leafs player
• John Doig, Senior Vice President, Toronto Region, Scotiabank
• Luba Goy, Canadian comedian icon and one of the stars of Royal Canadian Air Farce

FESTIVAL PERFORMERS who will showcase their talents include:

The Sauruses - All the way from prehistoric times, by way of modern-day Holland and Close Act Theatre, these beautiful, larger-than-life dinos are absolutely thrilling.

Catwall Acrobats - defying the laws of physics, these jaw-dropping acrobats from Quebec City teeter on a teeterboard apparatus that propels them up to 9 metres high in the air!

Gabriel Angelo - aka MasterBlaster G, this San Francisco-based performer is not your average 14-year-old! Gabe is an impressive trumpet-playing, tap-dancing wunderkind whose charisma and talent have already landed him on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Duo ComicCasa - a super funny Swiss/Israeli couple delight with a show about their love for circus! "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

Charlie Caper - winner of Sweden's Got Talent, this incredible magician stuns audiences with his superb sleight-of-hand skills.

Natural Elements - using stunning aerial imagery and acrobatics, this Australia based troupe will demonstrate how they fly against the odds.

Lisa Lottie - a world-class hula hoopist from the Netherlands with super stunts of flexibility!

Chris Capehart - crowd favourite who started on the streets of New York City 40 years ago with his accomplished interactive comedy-magic show.

USA Break Dancers - these high-energy break dancers are winners of 7 People's Choice Awards at festivals around the world!

WHEN: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 6:00pm - 10:00pm
6:00 pm - Busker performances on the 4^th floor reception area

6:45 pm - Performances begin on the ice rink surface on the covered floor and silent auctions begin

7:15 pm - Official welcome and stage show begins

7:30 pm - Live auctions begin

WHERE:  Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens), 50 Carlton Street, Toronto.

WHY:  Approximately one in 100 people live with epilepsy, the world's most common neurological disorder. Epilepsy Toronto is a non-profit organization that provides support to more than 40,000 people living with epilepsy in this city. The Scotiabank BuskerBall and BuskerFest events raise funds to support Epilepsy Toronto's programs.

5th Annual Scotiabank BuskerBall
in support of Epilepsy Toronto
Tuesday, August 20 from 6pm-10pm, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens)
Tickets are $175. All proceeds go to Epilepsy Toronto.
Visit www.buskerball.com for tickets and information.

***

14^th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
in support of Epilepsy Toronto
Thursday, August 22 - Sunday, August 25, 2013
throughout the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood from Queen Street to College Street

Festival Preview with performances in Yonge-Dundas Square, Trinity Square Park and on Gould at Victoria St.:
Thursday, Aug 22: Noon-6pm

Festival in Full Swing (Full road closures in effect from Thursday at 6pm onwards):
Thursday, Aug 22: 6pm - 11pm, Friday, Aug 23: Noon - 11pm,
Saturday, Aug 24: 11am - 11pm; Sunday, Aug 25: 11am - 8pm

Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto

For information, visit: http://www.torontobuskerfest.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto, Twitter: buskerfestto  hashtag: #SBBF

Media Refer:
For festival performer photos, visit: torontobuskerfest.com/mediaresources (login: media, password: epilepsy)

About Scotiabank BuskerFest - Since its inception in 2000, Scotiabank BuskerFest has featured hundreds of the best street performers from around the world, hosted millions of amazed spectators and helped raise much-needed funds for Epilepsy Toronto. Scotiabank BuskerFest is the largest street performers' festival in North America and is the largest Epilepsy awareness-raising event in the world.

SOURCE Scotiabank