Children's festival focuses on fun

Are you a dreamer that revels in spinning golden tales?

Well, the 31st annual International Children’s Festival is all set to ignite the world with a Warning: Too Much Fun. That’s the theme and it’s a pretty good description of what you can expect at the five-day festival running from May 29 to June 2 on the banks of the sleepy Sturgeon River.

“I’m really excited about the old and the new. The team is really a team working together this year. Not that we haven’t been before, but it’s more so this year. Everybody feels ownership and it’s going to be exciting to see how it unfolds,” says festival director Nancy Abrahamson.

This year there’s a bold line-up of eight spellbinding main stage shows featuring clowning, puppetry, dance, music, storytelling, musical theatre and black light theatre.

Organizers have also scheduled an over-the-top stream of colourful site artists, workshops, roving artists, activities, games and a non-stop round of entertainment on the outdoor stage.

In this big bash for little people, Abrahamson debuts a new concept for the littlest. Telus Toddler Town is a gated festival within a festival for children up to age four. This pint-size town features a mini-stage with music, theatre and magic as well as storytelling and hands-on activities. Parents will be equally delighted with a nursing station and diaper change area.

“It’s a time of new initiatives. We were looking at the next 30 years. And we all wanted to address the gap in activities.”

Of the $1.3 million budget, about $50,000 is allocated to Toddler Town – about the same as a main stage show.

Some of the top children’s performers from around the world are booked for main stage shows. Matching last year’s San Diego based Il Circo is AGA-BOOM, a show that stars three veteran clowns from Cirque du Soleil’s Allegria and O.

“They’re very whimsical and they take it to the next level. There’s clowning, magic and it ends with an explosive paper fight,” said programming director Casey Prescott.

Quebec’s Théâtre Tout Ĺ• Trac reworks Alice in Wonderland with a new take on Carroll’s story while Iceland’s Metamorphosis introduces handcrafted marionettes presenting a series of vignettes on Mother Earth.

Breakdance for Solo Cello flawlessly fuses two genres to create a dynamic street dance where performers physically bend over backwards to entertain.

“We wanted to build on the success of B-Boy from last year and this is a wonderful show.”

In the realm of puppetry, a Dinosaur Petting Zoo from Australia brings visitors face to face with scaly skin, sharp teeth and steely claws. The human size puppets are “nothing short of amazing,” Prescott added.

The Juno nominated Monkey Bunch is all set to rock out with the power of rock ’n’ roll.

“We’ve graduated from Fred Penner. They’re smart. They’re hip and I would totally listen to them.

Corbain Visual Arts returns to St. Albert with a double bill of The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise and the Hare in blacklight theatre.

“It’s hot off the press. It’s really beautiful and I think it will be one of the festival’s hits.”

And finally St. Albert Children’s Theatre offering of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley is in such high demand that only weekend tickets are left.

Tickets went on sale to the public on Friday morning and already 45 per cent are sold. Pick up a brochure at the Arden Theatre or go online at www.childfest.com for complete information.