“Shall I answer as Magic Brian or my character?”

That’s the response I got when requesting an interview with one of Edmonton’s featured street performers and I have to admit, I was a bit dumbfounded. But, as Magic Brian walked me through the process of preparing for one of his biggest appearances of the year, I started to understand why he responded that way. As entertaining as they are, street performers take their craft very seriously.

“This is what I do for a living,” Magic Brian, who performs as Nigel Blackstorm The Heavy Metal Magician, tells me when I ask if he has to supplement his income from street performing with a regular 9-5.

That living is based largely on the generosity of audience donations. 

“I started street performing in 2001. It just felt right. I do enjoy the rawness of the street and the fact that it’s for everyone, young and old, rich and poor, tall and short, bearded or clean shaven.”

Magic Brian has perfected his act over the years. He started performing magic when he was just 16-years-old. After college, he started traveling with a sideshow called The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. From there, he took elements of his stage performance and started creating his street routine.  He’s been all over North America, but Edmonton remains one of his favourite stops.

“Edmonton has some of the best, most educated and supportive audiences,” he says.

To prepare for the July 8 – 17 festival, Magic Brian has a unique routine to say the least.

“12 hours of meditation then a lot of screaming, followed by a bowl of Fruity Pebbles and a glass of orange juice. Sometimes I stretch,” says the performer who has also found inspiration from his fridge and under a rock.

Needless to say, his quirkiness and energy are infectious. You can check Magic Brian along with dozens of other performers out (including a contortionist) in Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Performances run 11:30am – 11pm daily (except Sunday, July 17 – the festival concludes at 5pm). For more information, visit edmontonstreetfest.com.