Karen Cecy
(Co-Producer)
World Buskers United was one of Karen’s many, many ideas. This brain child came to be when she saw the need to support performers through this global pandemic.
Without Karen, this festival would not have been possible.
Jason Henderson
(Co-Producer)
This professional entertainer is closing in on 20 years of experience. Performing as two characters, Kobbler Jay and Seb Whipits, he has delighted audiences of all ages in over 10 different countries at various festivals and events. He has proudly worked for 89 cities and towns in Ontario alone.
Some of the note-worthy festivals he has worked for include the ScotiaBank Toronto Busker Festival, the Port Credit Buskerfest, the Sun Life Financial Waterloo Busker Carnival, the Fredricton Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, and the Laya Healthcare City Spectacular in Dublin, Ireland.
Jason hails from Niagara Falls, Ontario, but currently resides in Windsor, Ontario with his wife and daughter, where he co-owns and teaches at a newly-founded circus school, Resurgence Arts Collective LTD.
You can learn more about Jason at:
www.kobblerjay.com
Rob Roy Collins
(Co-Producer)
Rob has entertained around the world including Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand appearing on TV, radio, at festivals and as a street performer in places including London's Covent Garden, the home of street performing.
Combining comedy, escapology and acrobatics, there is a perfect blend of laughter, danger and excitement. Improvisation, quick witted wise cracks and crowd participation create a unique atmosphere that leaves audiences both in amazement and hysterics and this highly polished show has made Rob a favourite among all ages and nationalities.
You can learn more about Rob Roy at:
http://www.robroycollins.com/
http://www.coventgardenentertainment.co.uk/
Chad Deitz
(Marketing)
Stunt Comedian - Wacky Chad’s award-winning pogo stick skills and charmingly funny jokes got him on The Gong Show, “America’s Got Talent” Twice! and a performance at the Superbowl. For more than 15 years, Wacky Chad has performed in over 25 different countries. Prepare to be amazed and if you don’t like laughing, go somewhere else. #WackyChad
http://www.wackychad.com/
Lukas Stark
(Tech Director & Co-Producer)
Lukas Stark, The Mystery Entertainer has trained his body and mind to perform incredible feats of magic, mentalism, and skill. Like a modern day Sherlock Holmes he’ll get inside of your head, display his super human memory, turn an audience member into a psychic detective, and last but not least reveal the child hood dreams of one lucky subject all while juggling knives and walking through broken glass.
Can he read minds? No.
Is it all psychology? No.
Is he psychic? Heck, NO!
Then how does he do it? It’s a mystery…
https://www.starkmystery.com/
Scott Jackson
(Tech & Live Stream Hosting)
Scott Jackson lives in a world built by sounds. A door hinge’s squeaky creek, a snare drum’s darting snap, a helicopter’s chopping blades; these are the intricacies he’s made his craft. Internationally renowned as a master of sound and ceremony, Scott Jackson is a beatboxer birthed by hip hop but who stretches the art form’s appeal at every turn. His craft is his work, his work is his hobby, his hobby is his lifestyle: when sounds collide, his world is manifested.
Arguably Canada’s best, he’s represented his country at international competitions like Scribble Jam and the World Beatbox Championships, demonstrated enviable work ethic as a busker in downtown Toronto, competed in beatbox battles and even taken his act to schools across Ontario.
A true master of ceremonies, Scott Jackson’s verbal wizardry is as captivating as it is unusual. And with big eyes and a bigger heart, he’s going where few thought he’d take it.
You can learn more about Scott at:
https://www.facebook.com/scottjacksonbeatbox/
Kaela Henderson
(Web Design & Social Media)
Previously from the worlds of CNC machines and espresso bars, Kaela quit her jobs in 2015 to pursue a more non-traditional trade: working full-time alongside her husband, Jason, booking and managing his shows and schedule.
She was the Operations Manager and co-Organizer of the Walkerville Buskerfest (2016), Buskerville (2018), and Busk On The Block (2019). Currently, she co-owns and is the Treasurer of Resurgence Arts Collective LTD, a newly formed circus school. Because of this, she comes equipped with an extensive background in performer and financial management.
Kaela is from Windsor, Ontario, where she currently lives with her husband, Jason, and their 1-year-old daughter, Ellie.
https://www.kobblerjay.com/
http://www.sebwhipits.com/
We would like to thank the following people for their support in this endeavour. World Buskers United would not be the same without them.
Michele Schroder (https://waterloobuskers.com/) for her unwavering support in sharing our festival through her various media.
Jeff Jones of Migomedia for our beautiful logo design.
Danielle Latanskiy for her media support. It’s not fun contacting various media outlets, but you did it with a smile on your face and we appreciate it more than you know.
Emily Warren for jumping in as soon as she saw an opportunity to help with our social media. Thank you for bringing so many great ideas to the table!
Shell Holden (https://www.cityspectacular.com/) for spreading the word through FB, as well as speaking to all of her press contacts in Ireland. You’re brill, Shell!
Deborah Jones of Biz X Magazine based in Windsor, Ontario for her coverage!
Nick of the Busking Project (www.busk.co), for all of the suggestions and support throughout the planning portion of this venture.
Our friends, family, and fans - all of whom believed in this idea and encouraged us to do our part in bringing the world back together.
