The 8th annual Kaleido Family Arts Festival returns bubbling with art, music, dance, good food and friendly vibes.
Held this weekend, from September 13 to 15 along 118 Avenue from 91 St. to 94 St., it brings together over 200 performances, workshops and activities.
The broad palette ranges from local to national, performance to visual arts, and professional to emerging.
“It’s really is a diverse, eclectic festival,” says festival director Christy Morin.
Friday kicks off with a blast. Visitors can let the working week blues fade away with a visit to the Kaleido Patio for a listen to Havana d’Primera, an energetic 14-piece Cuban band.
“There’s nothing like Cuban music to heat up a party,” Morin notes.
Chris Craddock and St. Albert’s Matt Alden, stars of Tiny Plastic Men, set a new bar with their improvisational skills in The Big Silly Improv Show. And the Vibe Tribe Gypsy Circus, with St. Albert’s Marissa Puff, interprets the sensuous moods of Eastern music and dance.
The traditional Aurora Lantern Parade around the site perimeter, one of the most popular festival activities, is an invitation for all to take part.
“Come and bring your lanterns. Bring your flashlights. Bring your glow sticks and join in.”
Following the parade is the Friday night kick-off concert featuring San Francisco-based indie rock band, The Dodos.
“They’re sort of an alternative indie pop. Their songs are really catchy and it will be quite a dance night.”
Saturday serves up aboriginal vocal group Asani and a creative fusion composed of harpist Keri-Lyn Zwicker and Chapman stick player Dale Ladouceur.
“This is what the festival is all about – the mix of the unknowns.”
Later in the afternoon check out Citie Ballet, Flowscience Hoop Dance and Ukrainian Shumka Dance. Also on tap is Namori, a world-class Afro-jazz and reggae musician and Juno Award-winning MC Shad.
Saturday also highlights the Xiao Hai Ou Dance Group performing in traditional costume and capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts demonstration that combines dance, acrobatics and music.
And Sunday, the Edmonton Hispanic Heritage Society takes the reins for Fiesta Latina, a family fest jammed with live entertainment, folkloric dances and traditional foods.
Don’s Grand Piano Stage located in the Nina Haggerty Centre brings out some of the area’s best musicians. Leading the pack is St. Albert’s Jan Randall, a composer-pianist of national distinction.
The festival site is dotted with activities and performances ranging from blues and theatre to a poetry slam and chalk art installation.
This year festival organizers missed a grant deadline and are operating with a $40,000 shortfall. The festival is free. However, organizers are asking visitors to make a donation to cover the shortfall.
For a full list of activities visit www.kaleidofest.ca.
Preview
Kaleido Family Arts Festival<br />Sept. 13 to 15<br />On 118 Ave. from 91 St. to 94 St.<br />Admisison is free, however donations are welcomed.
