Musicians and performers from across the Lower Mainland gathered in a small room at TransLink’s head office near Metrotown on Thursday to apply for one of 30 spots as an Olympic busker.
Auditions opened at 9 a.m., and by 10 a.m. all the spots were filled and latecomers were being turned away.
Successful candidates will be offered a licence to perform at select stations from Feb. 1 to March 31.
“Supplementing the current (TransLink Musician Program) during the Games makes a lot of sense,” said Bill Knight, a spokesperson for TransLink.
“Providing a venue for entertainment in key areas during busy times will hopefully make any waits more enjoyable.”
Anthony Blackman, who plays with a band called the South Survivors, hauled his steel drums to the audition from North Vancouver.
“I wanted to get my music exposed,” said the native Trinidadian. “(The steel drum) is not a Canadian instrument, but I’ve been living here for many years and it’s part of me, so it’s part of Canada.”
Vancouver musician John de Courcy, who plays in a band called the Black Wizard, said he likes to play music on the street simply to entertain passersby.
“If I make enough for lunch or a drink, I’m happy,” he said.”
