KUCHING: The Kuching International Busking Festival (KIBF) is back for its second year, promising an even more exciting and vibrant showcase from August 29 to 31, 2024.

Supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as Sarawak Energy Berhad, Petra Jaya Properties, Continental Cycles, and Plaza Merdeka, the festival will light up the streets of Old Kuching Town with performances across 48 iconic locations, offering over RM11,000 in prizes.

Buskers will perform at sites including Carpenter Street, Jalan Courthouse, and Plaza Merdeka from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 29 and 30.

The festival features a range of talents with performances by local school groups from Kuching High, Tunku Putra – HELP, St Thomas, St Mary, and St Teresa.

The festival will culminate in a grand finale on August 31 at Plaza Merdeka, starting at 7 p.m.
The top 10 buskers will compete for the top prize of RM2,000, RM1,500 for second place, RM800 for third place, and RM500 for those getting fourth till tenth place.

Other prizes include the Plaza Merdeka People’s Choice Award, the Petra Jaya Properties Best Young Talent Award, and the Continental Cycles Emerging Artist Award.

Judging the performances will be a distinguished panel that includes Executive Producer and Director of Front Row Entertainment, Zaid Zaini, La Danse Director, Ivy Chua, and Korean actor, Lee Sang Chan.

The grand finale will also feature a prize-giving ceremony attended by key sponsors and distinguished guests, including Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. -UKASnews