Any parent who wants to boost literacy, cultivate curiosity and encourage their child to imagine the seemingly impossible need only take their youngster to the theatre. And this weekend there’s a pair of shows coming to our backyard primed to pump the imaginations of pint-sized theatregoers.

Splash and Boots at Morinville Community Cultural Centre

This exciting Ontario-based husband and wife team of Taes (pronounced Tess) Leavitt and Nick Adams are well known in the munchkin community for their frequent trips to the International Children’s Festival.

But on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., they head to Morinville on one of their many stops to introduce a new CD, Coconuts Don’t Fall Far From the Tree. The duo asked their audience to suggest names for the album. The names were posted on Facebook and the Internet audience voted for Coconuts.

The entire 15-track album is also a compilation of titles suggested by fans – names such as Dancing Unicorns, Potty Parties, Dinosaur in the Kitchen and the tender ballad I Love You the Most.

“It was totally a new challenge. It forced us to think differently. We have five CDs out already. After a while you start doing the same things creatively. This made us go outside the box, doing the songs people wanted to hear. And it works because people feel part of the CD,” says Leavitt.

The couple has entertained children for nearly eight years and is on the road for half the year, logging about 200 shows in their schedule.

Their star has further risen after Treehouse TV invited them to host a season hot on the heels of Treehouse LIVE, a cross-Canada tour.

“It’s been pretty busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tickets are $10. Call 780-420-1757 or visit www.tixonthesquare.ca. The Morinville Community Cultural Centre is at 9502 – 100 Ave.

Garry Krinsky at the Arden

Watch the ordinary morph into the extraordinary as Garry Krinsky melds circus tricks, theatrical magic and the wonder of science into a jaw-dropping, laughter- filled afternoon at the Arden Theatre on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.

Krinsky’s Toying with Science gig, commissioned by the Museum of Science in Boston, explores the scientific principles of gravity, leverage, fulcrums and simple machines.

But this is no dry science lecture. It’s all about motion, music, humour, juggling and balance. As an example, he balances five ladders one at a time on his chin as he demonstrates how to find the centre of gravity.

Combining animated movement and a creative flair with non-stop energy brings out Krinsky’s inner clown and a lot of laughs from his all-ages audience.

Audience members are encouraged to arrive an hour early to enjoy a free pre-show visual arts activity and post-show juice and cookies.

Single tickets are $15 for children and seniors and $18 for adults. Contact the Arden box office at 780-459-1542 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

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