Children's festivals are a tough place to act all grown up. There's just too much silliness saturating the air.
Whether you prefer big indoor shows, outdoor performers or keeping busy doing innovative activities, the St. Albert International Children's Festival of the Arts has it all.
There's an impressive lineup of feature productions and today St. Albert Gazette reviewers have checked out a few more shows to give you a heads up.
The festival runs until Sunday, June 4. Tickets for feature productions are $13 and are available in person at the Arden box office or at 780-459-1542. If you're an online junkie, visit ticketmaster.ca.
Niniimi'iwe
Aboriginal School of Dance
Red Willow Place
Runs until June 4
All ages
Unpredictable. Yes, Aboriginal School of Dance performance Niniimi'iwe was definitely unpredictable – but in a good way that made the crowd hunger for more.
From the first moment when a giant breezy butterfly floats gracefully across the stage to the energetic, pulse-pounding finale, the crowd was hushed, eyes glued to the stage.
This Winnipeg dance troupe produces exceptional contemporary indigenous dance rooted in tradition, but with a modern world-view.
The dances convey an aboriginal vocabulary with narratives connected to the land, nature and identity as dancers engage in self-expression and celebrate empowerment.
But the intricate regalia made from lightweight fabric tinted in gemstone colours and decorated with bling and feathers suggest a troupe that has a modern big-picture view of the 21st century.
The 11 dancers, also including a young toddler (who completely charmed the audience), performed a variety of narratives including a buffalo hunt, a hoop dance, an eagle dance, a jingle dance and a round dance.
The non-stop narratives were skilfully woven together by a mesmerizing score that ranged from traditional drum beats and chanting to Latin music and current pop songs.
Expecting a streak of indigenous dance, the crowd was surprised and delighted with a Latin segment of folk dancers weaving across the stage to the rhythms of a Spanish guitar.
At times the score buoyed the spirit. At other times it was haunting such as one where a woman with a feather fan pays homage to the four directions. In the background a bird whistles while a flute accompanies a drum or beat box.
The dancers' stamina, the beautifully choreographed dances and the bold, intricate costumes work to create vignettes told with intoxicating clarity and emotional power.
Niniimi'iwe is one show not to miss.
– Anna Borowiecki
Jonathan Burns: Flexible Comedy
Red Willow Place
Runs until Friday, June 4
All ages
It might be a stretch to say Jonathan Burns is the best contortionist-comedian in the world, but he's certainly up there.
His act, called "Flexible Comedy," strikes the right balance between self-deprecating and self-assured, between highbrow and lowbrow, and includes the right balance of genuine illusions and genuine jokes.
Right from the start of the 45-minute show his understated manner, which he uses to great effect, captivated the rows of younger children in the front as well as the junior-high-school students sitting at the back. He was even able to include enough jokes that went over their heads to keep the parents and chaperones chuckling.
The act itself is roughly one-third comedy, one-third magic tricks and one-third contortions.
Burns' jokes for the most part landed well, and his magic tricks incorporated enough comedy to keep the audience engaged – and even his pick-a-card-any-card act had enough of a twist to keep people wondering.
His contortions certainly drew some shocked gasps from the crowd and impressed everyone. Few in the audience had likely ever seen a tennis racket used like that!
His use of props in all aspects of the show kept the audience interested right up until the end, when he made a most memorable exit.
This one is worth checking out, regardless of who's in your group.
– Doug Neuman
Madagascar – A Musical Adventure
St. Albert Children's Theatre
CN Stage (St. Albert Curling Rink)
Runs until June 4
All ages
"This is the best thing ever," declared a Grade 2 girl from Gold Bar School as the crowd slowly filed out of the jam-packed house. She could have been speaking for every other child attending.
St. Albert Children's Theatre performance of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure resurrects some of DreamWorks most memorable characters: Alex, the star-struck lion; Marty, the adventurous zebra; Gloria, the motherly hippo; and Melman, the hypochondriac giraffe.
Taking a mega-hit movie and scaling it down takes a lot of imagination, creativity and dash of silliness. But co-directors Janice Flower and Jackie Pooke got the formula right.
The simple terraced set and low-key costumes, with actors wearing human clothes matching animal characteristics, keeps the attention focused on the action.
Alex the lion is a Travolta-type character with flashy gold necklace and a rock star mane. His zebra buddy Marty is garbed in black and white.
Along with the affectionate hippo Gloria and the nerdy giraffe Melman, this quartet sings and dances its way out of Central Park Zoo only to be shipwrecked on the island paradise of Madagascar.
Once on Madagascar they encounter King Julien, ruler of the lemurs, a kooky character who nearly steals the show from our close-knit quartet.
Packed with signature numbers such as Showtime; Relax, Be Cool, Chill Out and I Like to Move It, the cast puts on an impressive 60-minute song and dance production.
This is one show that turns everyone into a kid – that is, everyone who has ever wanted to go on an adventure.
– Anna Borowiecki
Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
Lightwire Theater
Save-On Foods Stage (Arden Theatre)
Runs until Sunday, June 4
All ages
Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey is techno adventure about a mouse, who, with the help of his only friend, a trusty alarm clock, manages to make it to the moon. Marvin, a meek mouse who is often bullied at his school, dreams of one day being a superhero like his idol Thor. He wants to stand up to his bullies at school, and win the heart of his crush.
The 60-minute performance by Livewire Theater is visually exhilarating, using LED lights to create Marvin and his world. The performance's choreography is impressive and not at all intrusive. Moon Mouse's soundtrack features a variety of popular music, including hip-hop, electric, and classic rock, including Elton John's Rocket Man. There will be something to sing along to for people of all ages. There is very little dialogue, with the only words spoken coming from a news segment, but the spectacular use of music and ambient sound helped create a dramatic environment that was oftentimes surprisingly touching.
The props are all extremely well constructed, and the light shows will leave the children wide eyed. The performance is suitable for all ages, with the only PG content being a few choreographed fight scenes. The message that the audience is left with is one of compassion and understanding; differences should be celebrated, not mocked or teased. Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey tells a relatable tale that children will take to heart.
– Sam Oleschuk
BAM Percussion
CN Stage (St. Albert Curling Rink)
Runs until June 4
All ages
When BAM Percussion plays, they can be heard to the ends of the universe – or so parents think. But the kids lap up the deft drumming and comedic goofiness as if there is no tomorrow.
Hailing from Quebec, this turbo-charged trio's explosive drumming, dramatic miming, athletic physical comedy and nonsensical language all add up to a top tier act.
Their spiky hair, flying dreadlocks and pop-out eyes leave the impression of a bunch of crazy characters from Mad Magazine. But make no mistake. They are virtuosos.
The 45-minute show is a series of comedic sketches heightened with simple instruments such as metal drums, a whirring fan, chopsticks, a metal sheet, military helmets and what looked like either shaving cream or whipped cream.
The presentation starts with the trio bounding on stage savagely pounding their drums. Suddenly, in a split second of silence, one of the percussionists throws a handful of glitter in the air. It falls on the drums and every time one is hit, a cloud of sparkles jumps in the air. The audience response is "ooh" and "ahhh."
At the end of this vignette, the alpha character with dreadlocks who tries to grab all the attention, proceeds to pick his nose. It cracks up the kids.
In fact, the other two also develop distinct personalities throughout the show. The spiky haired dude is a sleepy, heavy-lidded guy and the short-haired hombre is more the goofy dreamer.
Doing what every kid imagines doing, they practice their golf swing on a drum, attempt to fly an airplane with a sputtering engine and play some pretty nasty tricks on each other – but all in the spirit of fun.
Goofballs, tricksters, musicians, comedians – BAM Percussion has it all. There's a good chance you'll find yourself laughing and cheering them on or at the very least smiling a lot.
– Anna Borowiecki
