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With the second week of the Guernsey Street Festival (GSF) underway, a committee member has labelled it a showcase of “extraordinary local talent”.
GSF performer and committee member, Dave Wheeler, encouraged islanders to attend events taking place through St Peter Port this week.
Mr Wheeler moved to the island from London two and half years ago and said he had “fallen in love with the community and the passion and enthusiasm people here have for the arts”.
Pictured: 18-year-old Oscar Armenta performing as part of the Guernsey Street Festival last week.
“The GSF is a fantastic way to celebrate that with a grand annual event in St Peter Port for all islanders to enjoy. It is also a fun way to showcase the extraordinary amount of talent there is in Guernsey,” said Mr Wheeler.
“Many of our performers are professionally trained, so it’s important to make sure they, as artists, receive the exposure and compensation they deserve.”
The two-week festival, which started on 25 July, includes performances from local talent including singers, jazz bands and Punch and Judy.
GSF founder, Claire Dawson, said: “We can’t believe we are over half-way through this year’s festival already.
“We are over the moon with the positive feedback that we have received so far and would like to thank all those that have taken part and supported this event. Town has been buzzing and we look forward to this continuing [for the rest of the week].”
Pictured: Guernsey Street Festival committee member and performer, Dave Wheeler.
Local singer, Lee-Ann Hawkes, has been performing as part of the festival.
“Singing is my passion; I love it. It gives me the best buzz when I have a microphone in my hand. I suffer with anxiety and I struggle to get myself there, but once I’m there and the music starts, there is no stopping me,” she said.
“I believe the GSF is very good for the island and tourism. I performed outside Pier 17 on Saturday [30 July] and was told by one cruise ship passenger that they have loved hearing the variety of live music in our ‘little city’ and they left with a smile. I believe hearing all the performers brings others joy too.”
Speaking to Express earlier this year, GFS organiser, Dominique Ogier said it was important that performers were compensated for their involvement.
“I feel very passionately about supporting artists and having the Guernsey Street Festival as a platform for both new and established artists,” she said.
Pictured: Singer, Lee-Ann Hawkes, said there is "no stopping her" when she's performing. She is pictured performing in GADOC's recent production, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Miss Ogier continued: “One thing that is very important to me is that all the performers are paid fairly; it is not a matter of you only receive the money that the public put in your bucket when you’re performing. There is a misconception with performers that, because we get so much enjoyment from it, we shouldn’t need to be paid. Although we do enjoy it, people don’t see the graft that goes into training and studying and practicing; people deserve a fair wage for that.”
A schedule of GSF events for the rest of the week is available HERE
Pictured top: Guernsey Street Festival performers. (Credit: Chris George.)
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