After a wet and dreary weekend, the 29th International Children’s Festival has shifted into high gear under sunny skies. If you believe in karma it just might be due to the positive thinking of staff and volunteers organizing this five-day event.
“I love it. I’m excited. Everything is falling into place even as we speak,” said festival director Nancy Abrahamson during a media conference on Monday, when MLA Ken Allred presented her with a $50,000 cheque from the Alberta Lotteries Fund.
Organizers are expecting 55,000 visitors to attend the festivities running June 1 to 5. Downtown St. Albert has magically morphed into a carnival showcase featuring 10 fabulous main stage acts, seven roving artists, four outdoor stage acts and 20 site activities.
Dotted along the green banks of the Sturgeon River are multiple opportunities to take in music, painting, crafts, code breaking, storytelling, juggling, clowning, circus acts and drumming.
Although the event is billed as a children’s festival, artistic associate Troy Funk encourages families of every generation to enjoy the high-calibre shows. “This is exactly what theatre is. It encourages you to think and lets the imagination loose.”
This year’s crop of main stage shows come from across Canada, Belgium, Scotland, Vietnam and Taiwan. At the Monday media conference, the National Acrobats of Taiwan delivered a breathtaking performance of Chinese circus arts.
As a warm-up, 14 acrobats performed body flips, tumbles and leaps. But the stunning finale was an incredible display of strength, balance and precision as three linked pyramids rotated in unison across the stage.
And from Vietnam comes Khac Chi Bamboo Music, a husband and wife duo that evokes the sounds of the Orient through numerous exotic bamboo instruments.
Scotland’s Visible Fictions Theatre gives a modern G.I. Joe look to Jason and the Argonauts. Also from Scotland is Puppet State Theatre Company’s legend of The Man Who Planted Trees, a contemporary parable of a common man who changed the world.
Instead, Belgium’s Okidok Theatre horses around in Ha Ha Ha, stirring memories of old world clowns in baggy burlap and floppy shoes performing mimed sketches.
From Canada there is Asani, a Juno-nominated aboriginal trio; Blou, a high-spirited ambassador of Acadian music; and Splash and Boots, two energetic singers with catchy songs.
Also from Canada is Sursaut Dance Company’s At Nightfall, a tale that takes an overworked shoemaker into a magical forest. And last, but not least is St. Albert Children’s Theatre voyage to Camelot in What a Knight!.
There are still tickets available for all main stage shows throughout the week, however Friday and Saturday has the largest selection.
“Fewer people come to the Saturday shows. Many think it’s the busiest day. But it’s not,” says box office representative Miranda Jamieson.
For festival and ticket information visit www.childfest.com or call 780-459-1542.
