Like the Starship Enterprise, the Arden Theatre’s 2013-2014 Family Series ventures into new and unexplored territory.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, professional programming presenter Caitlin North has assembled a novel four-show season that weaves together A-list children’s performers in music, storytelling, puppetry, comedy and film.
“One of the things we’ve done this year is if you purchase three tickets, the fourth show is free. This is a great opportunity for families to come and see all our shows and be introduced to a variety of performers and platforms within the arts culture,” says North.
First up on Saturday, Sept. 28 is the celebrated Juno Award-winning entertainer Norman Foote. An avid music lover, he first learned to play guitar at age 11 on a finely-crafted instrument from the Sears catalogue.
At 20 he travelled across New Zealand and Australia developing an interest in puppetry and comedy. Still hooked on music, he combined the three and created a niche that reviewers describe as “magic.”
Foote’s performance is in collaboration with StArts Fest and will engage a backing choir of local elementary students.
“There’s been lots of interest and discussion from the schools, but we haven’t finalized anything yet,” North says.
Next, on Sunday, Jan. 26 is BAM! Percussion, a high-voltage percussion trio that electrifies audiences with frenzied rhythms, hilarious sketches and charming puppets.
“They’re quite funny and they embody all the energy of a room full of children. They are energetic and loud and we’ll have earplugs on hand. They’re very silly, but kids love them.”
After that, Turtle Island Quartet bows their string instruments in a new way on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Grammy Award-winning foursome set out to interpret multiple genres from jazz to classical to rock.
“They are one of the best and most prominent string quartets in the world,” North said. “It’s not often kids get to see performers of this calibre in a fun setting.”
Closing out the season is the movie project dubbed The Itch of the Golden Nit, showcased on Sunday, March 30. In 2010, in preparation for London’s 2012 Cultural Olympics, the Tate Museum encouraged 34,000 British children to use their visual creativity to create an action-packed half hour show.
“BAM! captures the energy of children. This film captures the creativity and imagination of kids. It presents the movie and a short documentary to show how it came together,” North said.
As an added extra, musical troubadour Will Stroet and his Backyard Band returns for a one-time gig at Noisy Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Featured on CBC Kids’ Television, this award-winning artist is a favourite with the preschool crowd.
Single tickets for the family series are $18 adults, $15 children/seniors. Tickets to Noisy Theatre are $10/adults; $5/children. A facility fee is applied to each ticket. Call 780-459-1542 or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.ca
