'Big-name acts' confirmed to busk in Waterford next week for charity

A local Waterford charity is set to benefit from an ambitious busking event due to take place next week around Waterford city, with some big names taking part. 

Buskaid will take place on every street corner of Waterford City this December 22nd from 1 pm to 8 pm with the goal of raising as much funding as possible for Tinteán Housing, a Waterford-based homeless charity.

There will be some big-name acts joining in the appeal with the High Hopes Choir and Key West, pictured below, set to perform alongside a variety of Waterford's professional music acts at nine locations across the City.

Busking runs from noon to 5 pm across the 9 locations on the day featuring the best of Waterfords’ professional and amateur musicians. Then at 5pm, they all come together for The Big Busk at 5pm on O'Connell Street's main stage in the Cultural Quarter.

The High Hopes Choir will then take to the stage at 6 pm, but just before they go on there will be a speech given by a guest speaker who has had the support of Tinteán Housing Association. Then at 8, Key West play on stage until 10pm after having also joined the on-street busking on the day.   

The City Centre busking locations are, O'Keeffes Yard (Michael Street), Temple Bar (Michael Street), Broad Street, John Robert’s Square, Barronstrand Street, Arundel Square, Blackfriars Lane, Georges Street and Gladstone Street plus the Winterval main stage in the Cultural Quarter of the City.

Tintean Housing Association provides accommodation while supporting women over 18, and families experiencing homelessness to access all the relevant support services that they may require to progress to independent living. On the streets of Waterford on Thursday the 22nd of December, there will be donation buckets all around Winterval, but you can donate at any time on the BuskAid page at https://www.winterval.ie/ buskaid

The Winterval festival is open every day from this December 16th right through to December 23rd with a trail of 38 events with 25 on offer free of charge.

Highlights include the Gerbola Christmas Circus, the vintage Ferris wheel at Arundel Square, a vintage carousel, the Port of Waterford Eye, the Winterval Mini Express train, a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh plus a Wizards and Dragons interactive exhibition and even Santa Paws for doggies. Waterford’s heritage takes a prime position with Déise Medieval who will host a traditional Viking Settlement plus Santa’s Central Station is on Broad Street where he is meeting and greeting boys and girls for the entire festival.

In addition, there is an abundant programme of Music and Theatre. Ben Hennessy presents a new Shadow Puppetry Show at the beautiful GLOW Gardens at Winterval on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. At the Apple Market each weekend a free show sponsored by WAMA & Theatrebox, which will engage with young spectators who can take part in the collection of Santa's posts will be on offer.  Join Winterval's Resident Storyteller Kitty Caboodle for a selection of songs and stories at The Book Centre.

The Winterval Live Stage offers  Live Performances during the festival. House of Waterford Crystal is delighted to present its Annual Winter Music Series and there is lots more.

 The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie