Christchurch's buskers festival is swinging into action tonight, and it's promising to lure the biggest crowds to the central city since pre-earthquake times.
Cabaret performers Blanc de Blanc. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
But organisers admit the financially-troubled festival will still be running at a loss until about 2022, despite new management and a rebrand as the Bread and Circus World Buskers Festival last year.
The grand Spiegeltent has parked up in central Christchurch for the 26th iteration of the event, which will see performers serve up a veritable feast of music, magic, food and comedy to an expected 200,000 punters.
On this year's billing are Kiwi comedians Dai Henwood, Melanie Bracewell and Cal Wilson and musicians the Modern Māori Quartet, plus an international team of cabaret performers, Blanc de Blanc, a Guinness World Record-holding magician who calls himself The Lord of the Bubbles and UK comedic duo Flo & Joan.
The festival's organisers hope to cash in on a 48 percent increase in Cashel Mall foot traffic in the central city over the past year and a 10 percent increase in central city spending - while also doing their bit to bolster Christchurch's vibrancy.
Scott Maidment. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Scott Maidment, the director who took over last year and upsized the festival from ten days to three weeks, said he was thrilled with how it was shaping up.
"People are lining up at the box office to buy tickets and it's an exciting atmosphere," he said.
But organisers also face the task of freeing the festival from its deep financial woes.
It had to be bailed out by ratepayers after losing $150,000 in 2016, $160,000 in 2017, and about $33,000 in 2018.
Maidment wouldn't disclose the exact figure lost last year but admitted it could take a while to get the festival back out of the red.
"We kind of anticipated a loss. It's a substantial amount, but ... it's part of the strategy. It wasn't any more than we anticipated. We're producing these types of festivals all around the world and it is a risky business, but here in Christchurch people are turning up and loving it," he said.
Joanna Norris. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Christchurch City Council tourism arm Christchurch NZ chief executive Joanna Norris said it was important the festival continued to cement its place in the city's calendar.
"It brings a vibrancy, excitement and energy to the city. It's a real sign of the new Christchurch. We've come alive and we want to make sure that's sustained and maintained because its a great event," she said.
Among performers at the Spiegeltent this morning, the festival was hailed as an opportunity to step up their game and be a part of something special.
Shay Horay, who is hosting the Palaver grand show, said he was very excited about people coming together for it.
"Amazing celebrities from past and present. We've got Dai Henwood from 7 Days, Deacon the vampire from What We Do in the Shadows and the Daredevil Chicken Club from the US of A," he said.
Shay Horay and Peter Rowley. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Also in that lineup is Peter Rowley, who wrote and directed the Billy T James Show.
"I'm just really excited about it because it's spectacular. It's a spectacular venue and we just saw a little bit of what's going to be on here - a burlesque show and the signers, and it's just incredible and I'm so privileged to be a part of it," he said.
The Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival runs until 16 February, with timetables and ticketing information available online.
Maidment said planning was already underway for next year's event.