On a Saturday, at Hillside Shopping Centre, there were two happy crowds.
One lineup, as might be expected, was for a red-suited guy with a fluffy white beard. Not far away, another group encircled a young fiddler and an even younger guitarist. The pair played Celtic and jazzy tunes with finesse and great brio.
The fiddler, a teenager, grinned as she played. The boy, wearing a backwards cap, bent seriously over his acoustic guitar. A mother, holding her blond-ringletted daughter, stopped to listen. She smiled. A chubby babe in a stroller waved her legs in time to the rhythm.
After the song finished, an old man in a pale blue jacket stopped to talk to the fiddler, whose name is Qristina Bachand.
"Very good," he said. "Very good."
For six years, Qristina, 17, and her brother, 11-year-old Quinn, have played their music to help the Times Colonist Christmas Fund. To date, they've raised about $6,000. On Sunday they're back at Hillside Shopping Centre -- this time in the food court. The Bachands will play Celtic, Appalachian, swing and Christmas carols from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Busking, whether for themselves or a good cause, is usually a joy ... and sometimes a trial. Both the Bachands have done their share of playing for passersby on Government Street. And while the reception is generally good, they've had a few curious encounters with street folk.
For instance, Qristina once triggered the ire of a homeless woman. The woman believed the teenager, playing in front of a chocolate store, had usurped her panhandling spot. She told Qristina to leave. When the girl replied that she had a City of Victoria license to busk, the woman tried to drown out her music by singing.
"Then she was dancing with little children to my music, which was pretty scary," said Qristina.
After kicking over the case containing the musician's donations, the homeless woman left.
Meanwhile, Quinn has his own tale of downtown busking adventure. Once a street guy demanded he play Led Zeppelin songs. When the boy said he didn't know any, the man replied: 'Just shut up and play some Led Zeppelin!" And then he removed his shirt and capered about madly.
This year has been good to the Bachand duo. Last month, they were invited to perform at a YouTube Canada launch party in Toronto, all expenses paid. The pair, who have almost 100 performance videos posted on YouTube, were one of just five musical acts flown in for the event.
In March, they'll perform at CelticFest Vancouver 2008, and next month Qristina and Quinn plan to record a CD with invited musical guests.
A Grade 12 student at Mount Douglas Secondary School, Qristina plans to pursue her studies in Victoria with the goal of becoming a medical doctor. Quinn -- who plays guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass and "a little bit of mandolin" -- dreams of becoming a professional musician. "I would like to play jazz and Celtic and blues," he said.
While these young musicians love to perform, they point out one occupational hazard. Hours of playing discolours their fingers. "Mine turn black," Qristina said.
"And mine are green and black," Quinn added.
TC CHRISTMAS FUND
The 51st annual TC Christmas Fund is underway. The Fund raises money for people in need at Christmas. Money raised is used to purchase grocery vouchers and Zellers/HBC gift cards for children's presents. Times Colonist staff deliver the vouchers and gift certificates to families.
To donate to the TC Christmas Fund:
? Mail a cheque to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, V8T 4M2.
? Use your credit card: 995-4438.
? See our website, timescolonist.com/christmasfund..
