St. Gallen, Switzerland

Cigar box and Wine glass balance

Switzerland is beautiful, the scenery is incredible with the mountains and the lakes, the food and drink are delicious and the ancient cities are charming and packed with culture. St. Gallen with its beautiful cathedral, incredible library and fairytale architecture doesn't disappoint.

Aufgetischt (Served up) St.Gallen has been going for well over 10 years and is (along with its sister festival "Busker's Chur") is one of the greatest Street entertainment festivals in the world. I feel very honoured to have performed at both. The festival started quietly on Friday afternoon, my first show was within the Cathedral grounds and was an intimate affair attended by younger children and their parents with one notable exception, Martin who happens to be the producer of Landshut Spektackel Festival, Germany (where I am performing this September). I must have impressed him somewhat, as he offered me a slot in the prestigious gala show. My next show was at 5.45 pm near the marketplace and by now the streets are packed, I have to squeeze the audience into my spot and everybody has a great time. My last show of the day is a raucous romp for a very loud and tipsy crowd, great fun. The Swiss are very good with languages and on the most part understand me. I have learnt a little German for when I speak to the children, it really helps (but I need to learn more).

Shows over for the day, I drop my show gear in the bunker (The green room is in the city bunker) grab a beer and meet up with my colleagues. Cory and Tash (Fit Up productions) are here too, as well as Billy Kidd, Darryl J Carrington and Her Majesty's Secret Circus (who also live in Vermont). It's so nice to see everyone, and everyone is happy with their shows and the crowds.

Saturday is incredible, the whole city is packed, the sun is shining. I performed 4 shows throughout the day including the one with the picture above, I think you can see how much fun I was having. All the shows were great. Better still my wife Stephanie and her German cousin Jan and his lovely wife Christine came and joined us on Saturday afternoon and watched not just myself but as many of the other acts on offer as possible. There really was a great and diverse selection of performers to watch. Argentinian and Italian clowns, British, Australian, American and even Japanese jugglers, as well as musicians and bands playing Rock, Jazz and Classical sounds. There is a party in the bunker after the shows!

Sunday, wow! Another beautiful day, sunshine and people. Another 3 fun packed shows, I particularly enjoyed working behind the Cathedral in a quieter courtyard, the focus and the relaxed atmosphere was a welcome contrast to the mayhem of some of the city streets.

I performed 10 shows over the 3 days of the festival, and each one was in a different space, which gave every show a uniqueness. Although some shows were challenging because of the space every show was good and some of those shows were truly magnificent.

Thank you St. Gallen.